How to Hide & Lock Apps in Xiaomi, Redmi & POCO (HyperOS / MIUI)

Want to keep personal apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, Gallery, or banking apps private on your Xiaomi phone? Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones come with built-in privacy tools that allow you to hide apps completely, lock apps with biometric security, and conceal notification previews without installing risky third-party app lockers.

Before starting, it helps to understand how these two features differ:

• Hide Apps: Completely removes the app icon from your Home screen and App Drawer.
• App Lock: Keeps the app visible on your screen, but requires your fingerprint, face unlock, or PIN before it will open.

Quick Answer: How to Hide & Lock Apps Fast

• To Hide an App: Open Security app >> tap Hide apps (or Hidden apps) >> toggle ON the apps you want to hide.
• To Open a Hidden App: Go to your Home screen and spread two fingers apart (pinch-out gesture) on an empty wallpaper area.
• To Lock an App: Go to Settings >> Apps >> App lock >> tap Turn on >> select the apps you want to protect.

Note: These steps work across all Xiaomi HyperOS and MIUI 12, 13, and 14 devices, including the Redmi Note series (Note 13, Note 12, Note 11, Note 10, Note 9, Note 8, Note 7 Pro) and Xiaomi flagships.

Hide Apps vs. App Lock: What Is the Difference?

How to Lock Apps in Redmi & Mi Phones

Locking an app adds a secure PIN, pattern, or fingerprint check every time the application is opened. Follow these steps to set up App Lock on your Xiaomi or Redmi phone:

1. Open Settings on your Redmi or Mi phone.
2. Scroll down and tap Apps >> tap App lock.
3. Tap the Turn on button.
4. Set your preferred security method (Pattern, PIN, or Password).
5. Important: Link your Mi Account / Xiaomi Account when prompted. This is essential for recovering access if you ever forget your password.
6. Verify your Fingerprint or Face Unlock for quick everyday access.
7. Toggle ON the switch next to any app you want to lock.

Pro-Tip for Maximum Privacy: By default, MIUI keeps an app unlocked until you turn off your screen. To lock apps immediately upon minimizing them, tap the Settings (gear icon) inside App Lock >> tap Lock settings >> select “When device is locked or after exiting app”.

How to Hide Apps in Redmi & Xiaomi (HyperOS & MIUI)

When you hide an app, it disappears completely from your home screen, app drawer, and search bar. The app continues running in the background and will not lose any login sessions or data.

Method 1: Using the Built-in Security App (HyperOS & Modern MIUI)

1. Open the pre-installed Security app on your Xiaomi / Redmi smartphone.
2. Scroll down to the Common features or Tools section.
3. Tap on Hide apps (labeled as Hidden apps on some models like the Redmi 12 and 13 series).
4. You will see a list of all your installed apps. Toggle ON the switch next to any app you want to hide (such as Instagram, WhatsApp, or games).
5. The selected apps will now be hidden from your Home screen and App Drawer.

Method 2: Using Settings Search (If “Hide Apps” is Missing)

In certain regional HyperOS updates, Xiaomi concealed the direct shortcut from the Security menu. You can easily find it using the search bar:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap the Search bar at the top.
3. Type “Hidden apps” or “Hide apps”.
4. Tap the search result that appears under the Security app header.
5. Toggle ON your desired apps.

How to Open & Find Hidden Apps in Redmi & Mi Phones

Because hidden apps are removed from the App Drawer, you must use a private gesture to reveal them.

On Xiaomi & Redmi Phones (MIUI / HyperOS Launcher):

1. Go to your phone’s Home screen.
2. Place two fingers on a blank area (away from icons and widgets).
3. Spread your two fingers apart in a zoom-out/pinch-out motion.
4. The private Hidden Apps vault will pop up on your screen.
5. Enter your App Lock password, pattern, or fingerprint to open your apps.

On POCO Phones (POCO Launcher):

1. Swipe up from your home screen to open the App Drawer.
2. Swipe right twice quickly from the very left edge of the screen.
3. Enter your privacy password or scan your fingerprint to access your hidden app list.

How to Unhide Apps in Redmi & Mi Phones

If you want to restore any hidden app back to your normal app list:

1. Open the Security app >> tap Hide apps (or search “Hidden apps” in Settings).
2. Enter your privacy pattern or fingerprint.
3. Find the app and toggle the switch OFF.
4. Return to your Home screen. The app icon will reappear on the last screen of your launcher.

How to Hide Notification Content from Locked Apps

Even if an app is locked, private message previews (like WhatsApp messages or Instagram DMs) can still show up on your lock screen. Xiaomi provides a built-in feature to mask these notifications:

1. Go to Settings >> Apps >> App lock.
2. Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner.
3. Tap Hide content.
4. Toggle ON the apps you want to protect (e.g., WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram).
5. Now, incoming notifications will conceal personal details and simply say “You have a new message” until you authenticate.

How to Hide Apps in Mi A3 & Mi A2 (Android One Phones)

Important Note for Mi A Series: Xiaomi Mi A1, Mi A2, and Mi A3 phones run Pure Stock Android (Android One), not MIUI or HyperOS. Because of this, they do not include the MIUI Security app or built-in app hiding.

If you use a Mi A-series smartphone, you can protect your apps and media using these two reliable methods:

• Files by Google Safe Folder: Open the built-in Files by Google app >> scroll to Safe Folder >> set a PIN to safely lock private photos, videos, and documents.
• Custom Launcher: Install Microsoft Launcher or Nova Launcher from Google Play Store. Both support hiding apps directly within launcher settings without requiring root access.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems & Fixes

1. The two-finger gesture is not opening hidden apps

• Make sure you spread your fingers apart on a completely empty area of wallpaper, away from app icons or widgets.
• Ensure you are using the default System Launcher. Third-party launchers disable Xiaomi’s built-in home screen gestures.

2. Cannot find “Hide apps” option in HyperOS?

If your device does not show the toggle in Settings or the Security app, install the free Activity Launcher app from the Play Store. Search for Hidden apps and tap the entry under com.miui.securitycenter to launch the hidden menu directly.

3. What to do if you forgot your App Lock password?

Tap Forgot password on the lock screen and enter the password for your linked Mi Account to reset your pattern. If no Mi Account was linked, Xiaomi requires a factory data reset to regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)