Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi i Poco often face the need to clean up the home screen space. The standard shell MIUI or the new one HyperOS by default is oversaturated with pre-installed software that can interfere with navigation. Removing unnecessary icons is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to increase the speed of access to really important functions.
The process of removing or hiding interface elements may vary depending on the version of the operating system Android and the specific firmware modification. Some applications are system applications and cannot be completely removed without gaining superuser rights, but they can be deactivated or hidden from view. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods for cleaning the workspace, from simply moving it to using third-party tools.
Before taking drastic measures, it is worth understanding the difference between deleting a shortcut and uninstalling the application itself. In the ecosystem Xiaomi these concepts are often confused, which leads to unforeseen results. We will look at safe ways to organize space that will not disrupt the stability of your gadget.
Basic methods for removing application shortcuts
The most obvious and easiest way to get rid of an unnecessary icon is to use the built-in drag-and-drop mechanism, available in all versions of the shell. To do this, you need to hold your finger on the application icon on the desktop and hold it until vibration appears or the screen scale changes. At this point, the system enters editing mode, allowing you to manipulate objects.
After activating the editing mode, a deletion zone appears at the top of the screen, often indicated by a cross or an inscription Delete. If you drag an icon into this area, it will disappear from the desktop. It is important to understand that in most cases this action deletes only shortcutand not the application itself, which remains accessible through the menu of all apps.
However, if the application was installed by the user independently from the store Google Play or another source, the system may offer a complete uninstallation. In this case, when you drag the icon to the deletion zone, a pop-up window will appear confirming the removal of the app from the device. This is a convenient way to quickly free up memory without going into settings.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to drag system applications marked with a lock or gear icon to the trash. The system will block this action, since deleting critical components MIUI can lead to unstable operation of the phone or cyclic reboot.
☑️ Check before deleting
It is worth noting that in some regions and firmware versions the interface may be slightly differ. For example, in the Chinese version ROM deletion zones may be located differently or have a different color indication. If the standard method does not work, it is possible that the mode for blocking changes to the desktop is activated on your device.
Launcher settings and blocking changes
Sometimes users cannot remove simplement icons because the desktop editing function is blocked by the security settings of the launcher. This feature is designed to prevent children from accidentally deleting important shortcuts or when using the smartphone carelessly in their pocket. To check this parameter, you need to go to the system settings.
Go to the section Settings → Desktop (or Home screen). Here you will find the switch Locking the desktop layout. If it is active, you will not be able to move, delete or add widgets and icons. Disabling this option will return full control over the organization of space.
In addition, in the launcher settings you can change the grid arrangement of elements. Reducing the number of cells in the grid (for example, from 5x6 to 4x5) will automatically hide unnecessary icons, moving them to additional pages or in the application menu. This is an effective method of visually cleaning up without actually uninstalling apps.
If you frequently change the layout of your icons, leave Layout Lock turned off. If children use the phone, enabling this function will save your perfect order from chaos.
It is also worth paying attention to the application menu display settings. In some themes, all installed apps are duplicated on desktops by default. Switching the mode to “Only favorites” or using the “No application menu” mode (when all the icons are only on the tables) radically changes the approach to organizing the space.
Hiding applications through built-in MIUI functions
The function of hiding applications is a powerful tool built directly into the shell Xiaomi. It allows you to remove icons from the desktop and from the general list of apps, making them accessible only through a special gesture or password. This is ideal for apps that you rarely use, but do not want to delete.
To activate this feature, open the application Securitythat comes pre-installed on each device Xiaomi. In the utilities menu, find the section Hidden applications. When you first log in, the system will prompt you to set a password or link a function to a fingerprint for additional privacy protection.
After setup, all installed apps will appear in the list with switches next to each. Activating the switch instantly removes the application icon from the desktop and menu. To access hidden software, you need to make a spreading gesture with two fingers on the desktop (as when zooming in on a photo) and enter a password.
| Application type | Ability to hide | Access after hiding | Influence on notifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom | Full | Only via gesture | Notifications hidden |
| System | Partial | Only via gesture | Notifications work |
| Messengers | Full | Only through gesture | Notification sound is disabled |
| Banking applications | Full | Only through a gesture | Full privacy |
How to disable hiding applications?
To return the icon to its place, go back to the "Security" application, section "Hidden" applications", enter the password and turn off the switch next to the desired app. The icon will instantly appear in the menu.
Notifications from such apps can also be hidden from the notification curtain, depending on the privacy settings, which must be taken into account when using instant messengers.
Using folders to group icons
If complete deletion or hiding is impossible or impractical, organizing icons into folders. This method allows you to visually reduce the number of elements on the screen by grouping them by topic. Creating a folder is extremely simple: drag one icon on top of another, and the system will automatically create a container.
Folders in MIUI and HyperOS have advanced functionality. In addition to standard icon storage, they can display notifications from applications contained inside directly on the folder cover. This allows you to keep your finger on the pulse of events without cluttering your desktop with dozens of individual icons.
You can rename folders, change their color, and even add small widgets inside in new versions of the shell. It is recommended to create thematic groups, for example, “Finance”, “Social networks”, “Games” or “Work”. This approach makes navigation intuitive and speeds up the search for the right tool.
- 📁 Standard folder: Simple icon storage, opens when clicked.
- 🔔 Folder with preview: Shows application icons inside without opening (depending on the theme).
- 🎨 Styled folder: Color and shape change depending on the installed theme.
- ⚡ Quick access: Some folders can add shortcuts to specific actions within applications.
You should not create too large folders containing more than 9-12 applications. This makes visual search difficult and makes the interface less responsive. The optimal folder size is 4-6 applications of the same category. If there are a lot of apps, it is better to divide them into several subgroups.
Disable system applications without root access
Many users want to remove pre-installed icons services Xiaomi, Google or telecom operators that cannot be deleted in the standard way. Such applications are often called bloatware. The good news is that most of them can be disabled through system settings, which will hide their icons and stop processes running.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find the unnecessary app in the list (for example, “Mi Video”, “Mi Music” or services Facebook). When you go to the application card, you will see a button Disable instead of “Delete”. Pressing this button will return the application to the factory version and hide it from the interface.
Disabling is safe and reversible. At any time, you can re-enable the application and it will appear on your desktop. This method does not require obtaining root and does not violate the device warranty. However, some critical system components will not have an active shutdown button.
⚠️ Attention: Be extremely careful when disabling Google system services or MIUI components with names like "System UI", "Settings" or "Phone". Disabling them may make the phone unusable until the settings are reset.
If the “Disable” button is inactive (gray), then the application is critical to the operation of the operating system Android. In such cases, hiding the icon is only possible through third-party launchers or using ADB commands for advanced users, but this goes beyond the scope of basic settings.
Advanced cleaning via ADB and third-party launchers
For those who want to achieve maximum interface cleanliness and remove uninstallable system applications, there is a method using a tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method requires connecting your smartphone to a computer and having basic command line skills, but it allows you to remove almost any icon.
Before starting the procedure, you must activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item MIUI version (or OS version). Then, in the advanced settings, enable USB debugging. Connect your phone to the PC and run the command to remove the package:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 application package nameThis command uninstalls the application only for the current user, without affecting the system partition. The icon will disappear forever until you do a factory reset. You can find the package name in the developer menu or using special analyzer applications on the phone itself.
Using ADB is the most effective way to remove built-in junk, but requires caution. An error in the package name can remove a critical component of the system.
An alternative to complex commands is to install a third-party launcher, for example Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. These apps completely replace the standard desktop, allowing you to hide any icons from the application menu with one button, without affecting the apps themselves. This is a safe and flexible option for customizing the interface.
When using a third-party launcher, you get full control over the grid, animations and gestures. Standard icons Xiaomi remain in memory, but no longer appear in the space you created. This is a compromise solution for those who do not want to risk system stability using ADB.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to restore a system icon deleted via ADB?
Yes, restoration is possible. The easiest way is to completely reset the device to factory settings (Wipe Data). You can also try the command adb shell cmd package install-existing package name, but it does not work on all versions of Android.
Why does the application continue to send notifications after deleting the icon?
Deleting a shortcut from the desktop does not close the application and does not prohibits it from working in the background. To stop notifications, you need to go to Settings → Notifications and disable them for a specific application, or completely remove the app, if possible.
Will application data disappear if I remove its icon through the hide settings?
No, all data, logins, passwords and game progress will remain completely safe. Hiding the icon only affects the visual display of the shortcut in the launcher interface, but does not affect the application files in the phone's memory.
How to remove weather widgets and news feeds from the Xiaomi home screen?
The weather widget is usually fixed at the top. Long-press it and select “Delete.” The news feed (Google Discover or Yandex) can be disabled in the desktop settings: swipe all the way to the right, click on the gear and disable the “Feed” or “Google” item.
Is it safe to use third-party launchers on MIUI 14 and HyperOS?
Yes, it is safe. However, new versions of shells may aggressively unload third-party launchers from memory to save battery. It is recommended to fix the launcher in memory through the multitasking menu and allow auto-start in the battery settings.