Smartphones Huawei shell-based EMUI (and its successor MagicOS) offer users flexible interface settings, but the function of hiding application icons is not always obvious. Many device owners are faced with the need to remove icons of rarely used apps - be it system utilities (HiCare, AppGallery), duplicate services or applications that cannot be deleted without rights root.

Unlike Samsung or Xiaomi, where hiding icons is implemented through the start menu, on Huawei this process depends on the firmware version and the installed launcher. In this article we will look at all the current methods - from standard settings to workarounds for the stock shell and third-party launchers. We will pay special attention to the nuances hiding system applications without loss of functionalitythat is critical for devices without Google Mobile Services (GMS).

If you just want to organize your desktop, just drag the icon to a folder or to the second screen. But when you need to completely remove it from view (for example, for applications that run by default or do not have widgets), you will need deeper settings. It is important to consider that some methods may not work on all models: the interface Huawei P60 Pro (MagicOS 7.2) differs from Huawei Nova 9 (EMUI 12), and on budget devices like Huawei Y7a functionality is often reduced.

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1. Standard hiding through the launcher settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in launcher options Huawei Launcher. s EMUI 10 and newer, but may be absent on some regional firmware (for example, for the European market).

To hide the icon:

  1. Long press on an empty space on the desktop → select Home settings screen.
  2. Go to section Hide applications (or App hide on English firmware).
  3. Tick the boxes of the applications you want to hide and press Done.

⚠️ Attention: Applications hidden in this way will remain in the menu All applications (swipe up from the dock panel). To completely remove them from view, you will need to disable the display of the section All applications in the launcher settings - but this will make the apps inaccessible all except those on the desktop.

The method is not suitable for system utilities like Huawei Mobile Services or Phone Clone —they cannot be hidden through the standard menu. Also on some firmware the option Hide applications may be called Management visibility or completely absent.

Long press on the desktop → Settings

Search for the item "Hide applications" or "App hide"

Check the list of apps available for hiding

Test hiding (the icon should disappear from screen)-->

2. Disabling an application through system settings

If standard hiding is not available, you can disable application - this will remove its icon from the desktop and menu, but will save the app files. The method works for most pre-installed applications, except for critical system services.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
  2. Find the desired application in the list (use search if the list is long).
  3. Click on it → select Disable (or Disable).
  4. Confirm the action in the dialog box.

⚠️ Attention: Disable system applications (for example, Huawei ID or HiSuite) can lead to malfunctions of the phone. Before proceeding, check whether the app is part of Huawei Mobile Services - without it, many functions will not work, including updates and cloud services.

After disconnecting, the icon will disappear, but the application will remain in the system and will take up space. To return it, go back. in the same settings section and click Enable.

What to do if the "Disable" button is inactive?

An inactive button means that the application is protected from being disabled at the firmware level. In this case, only the following will help:

1) Using ADB commands (requires). PC and USB debugging)

2) Installing a third-party launcher with a hiding function

3) Obtaining root access (risky for security)

3. Using folders and a second desktop

If hiding or disabling is not available, you can visually remove the icon from the main screen by moving it to a remote location. This method does not remove the application, but makes it less noticeable.

Disguise methods:

  • 📁 Folders: Create a folder (for example, “Reserve”), drag unnecessary icons there. The folder can be hidden on the second screen or in the corner.
  • 🌐 Second desktop: Swipe left/right to add a new screen, and move rarely used applications there.
  • 🔍 Search by gesture: B EMUI 12+ you can turn off the display of all icons, leaving only the search by swiping down. To do this: Settings → Home screen → Layout style → Search for applications.

The disadvantage of the method is that the icons remain available when scrolling or searching. But it is safe and does not require changes to the system.

On some models (for example, Huawei Mate 50 Pro), you can completely disable the dock panel, which will visually clear the screen. To do this:

  1. Long press on the desktop → Home screen settings.
  2. Turn off the option Show dock panel.

4. Third-party launchers with a hiding function

If the stock settings Huawei are not satisfactory, you can install an alternative launcher. Popular options that support hiding icons:

Launcher Hide function Features Compatibility
Nova Launcher Long press → "Hide" Flexible gesture settings, support for icon packs EMUI 9+ (requires "Overlay" permission)
Apex Launcher Menu → "Hidden applications" Lightweight, support for tabs drawer All versions of Android
Microsoft Launcher Settings → "Hide applications" Integration with Windows, cloud backup EMUI 10+ (may lag)
Lawnchair Settings → "Hidden apps" Open-source, minimalistic design Requires Android 8+

⚠️ Attention: On Huawei s MagicOS 7.0+ some Launchers may display system dialogs (for example, permission notices) incorrectly. Before installing, check the reviews for your model.

To install a third-party launcher:

  1. Download the APK from the official website (for example, novauncher.comor via AppGallery.
  2. On first launch select it as the default launcher.
  3. In the launcher settings, find the section for hiding applications (usually in App Drawer Settings).
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If widgets (for example, weather or calendar) are missing after installing the launcher, return the stock Huawei launcher, add widgets to the screen, and then switch back to a third-party one.

5. Hiding via ADB (for advanced users)

For advanced users, there is a way to hide system application icons without root - via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) The method works on all versions EMUI/MagicOS, but requires connection to. PC.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Enable Developer mode on your phone: Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times).
  2. Activate USB debugging in Settings → System → Developer options.
  3. Connect your phone to the PC, install ADB drivers (download from website Android Developers).
  4. Open command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and enter: 
    adb shell pm hide com.example.app

    Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the application (you can find it out through App Inspector in Play Market or command adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword").

  5. Reboot your phone.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use ADB can cause system crashes. Do not hide applications with package names containing:

  • huawei.android (system services)
  • com.android (critical Android components)
  • hw (firmware and drivers)

To return the icon, use the command: 

adb shell pm unhide com.example.app
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ADB commands work only until the first flashing of the phone After updating the system. hidden applications may reappear.

6. Alternative methods: disabling notifications and widgets

If the goal is to reduce the visibility of the application, but not remove it completely, you can disable the interface elements associated with it:

What you can do:

  • 🔔 Notifications: Settings → Notifications → [Application] → DisableThis will not hide it. icon, but will remove pop-up windows.
  • 📱 Widgets: Long press on the widget → Delete or Hide.
  • 🔗 Shortcuts: Some applications (for example, Huawei Wallet) create shortcuts on the lock screen. They can be removed. in Settings → Screen lock → Shortcuts.
  • 🔄 Autorun: Disable auto-start of the application in Settings → Applications → [Application] → Autorunso that it does not appear in the background.

On devices with MagicOS there is a function Smart hiding —it automatically hides rarely used applications in a separate folder. To enable it:

  1. Go to Settings → Smart features → Smart hiding.
  2. Activate the option and configure the inactivity period (for example, 30 days).

This method does not completely remove icons, but reduces their visibility in everyday use.

7. Common problems and solutions

When hiding icons on Huawei users encounter typical difficulties. common:

Problem 1: The "Hide applications" option is missing in the launcher settings.

Solution:

  • Update the firmware to the latest version (in MagicOS 7.1+ the function is available by default).
  • Install a third-party launcher (see section 4).
  • Check your regional settings: on some firmware for Europe the function is disabled.

Problem 2: After disabling the application, it continues to work in the background.

Solution:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → [Application] → Battery → Launch Control.
  2. Select Manual and turn off all backgrounds.
  3. Use Battery optimizer to force close.

Problem 3: The application hidden via ADB appears again after the update.

Solution: Run the command again adb shell pm hide or use a script to automatically apply the rules after a reboot.

Why can't some system applications be hidden?

Huawei blocks the hiding of critical services (for example, HwSystemManager or HuaweiID), since they are responsible for:

- The operation of the Huawei ID account (without it there will be no access to AppGallery and the cloud)

- System and security updates

- Integration with other Huawei devices (headphones, watches)

If you hide such applications via ADB or root, the phone may stop loading.

Is it possible to hide the icon AppGallery without root?

Yes, but only by disabling it through the settings (Settings → Applications → AppGallery → Disable). Complete hiding is only possible through ADB or a third-party launcher. data-i="251">You will not be able to install updates for other Huawei applications. AppGallery you will not be able to install updates for other Huawei applications.

Why, after hiding the icon through the launcher, is it still visible in the search?

Most launchers hide icons only on the desktop and in the application menu, but do not remove them from the system search. To remove an application from the search, disable it through the system settings or use the ADB command pm hide.

How to return a hidden icon if you forgot the name of the application?

If you hid the icon through standard settings:

  1. Long press on the desktop → Home screen settings → Hiding applications.
  2. Scroll through the list - hidden applications are marked with checkmarks.

For ADB: use the command adb shell pm list packages -hto see the list of hidden packages.

Will hiding work on Huawei with Google Mobile Services? European market) there may be more restrictions on disabling system applications, since they are associated with Google services.GMS)?

Yes, hiding methods do not depend on availability GMS. However, on devices with GMS (For example, Huawei P50 Pocket For the European market) there may be more restrictions on disabling system applications as they are associated with Google services.

Is it possible to hide the icon Phone Clone?

Yes, but only through ADB or disabling in the settings Standard hiding through the launcher is not available for this application. transferring data from other devices - after disabling, the migration function will not work. Phone Clone used to transfer data from other devices - after disabling, the migration function will not work.