Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often experience a situation where the desired icon suddenly disappears from the desktop, which can occur after updating the MIUI system, accidentally moving to a folder, or because of the inclusion of specific interface settings. The Redmi 9 model, which runs on Android, is characterized by deep customization of the shell, which sometimes confuses users.
Before you panic and think about resetting, it is worth checking standard storage locations. Most often, the program has not gone anywhere, but simply stopped displaying visually. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to detect lost items using built-in system tools.
We will look at both basic menu search methods and advanced options for dealing with system limitations, learn how to distinguish between deleted files and hidden shortcuts, and understand how to avoid problems in the future.
Search through the built-in menu of all applications
The most obvious, but often ignored, way is to go to the full list of installed software. In the MIUI shell, there is a separation between the desktop and the "curtain" of all programs. If you can't see the icon on the screen, click on the menu icon (usually six dots or a square with dots) in the dock bar.
And this shows all the objects that you've installed, including those that have been moved by accident, and at the top of the screen is the search bar, and you type in the name of the object you're looking for, and the system will instantly filter the list, and it's faster than manually flipping through the pages.
Note sorting. By default, programs are alphabetically arranged, but you could have accidentally changed the display settings to "frequency of use," in which case the rarely used utilities go to the end of the list, and also check the category tabs if they are included in the desktop settings.
⚠️ Note: If a search by name does not yield results, it is possible that the object was renamed or removed earlier.
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Use Google Assistant voice search by simply saying “Open [name]” to check if the system is responsive to the command, even if you don’t see the icon.
Using MIUI Global Search
Redmi 9 has a powerful global search tool that indexes not just apps, but also settings, contacts, and files, and can be called by swiping down the center of the home screen (unless you have Unlimited mode on) or using a search widget, a universal navigation tool.
Type in the name of the missing program. If it's installed on the device, it will appear in the Applications section. The thing about MIUI is that it finds even deep-hidden system utilities that don't have shortcuts, and it allows you to run them directly.
If you find it through a search but it's not on your desktop, you can create a new shortcut, so some versions of the shell will have an action menu when you press the search result long enough. Select "Add to Home Screen" to return visual access.
- 🔍 Swipe down opens the search bar in most configurations.
- 📂 Search indexes files and settings, not just software.
- 🚀 Running through search works even if the shortcut is damaged.
Checking Hidden Applications and Second Space
Xiaomi’s shell offers privacy features that can cause programs to “disappear.” There is a hidden app mode that is accessed via swipe up the menu of all apps (requires a password preset). If you or someone else activated this feature, the icon could go there.
It's also worth checking out Second Space, which is a full-fledged copy of a system with a separate set of programs, so you could accidentally switch to it or install the software there, and you can switch between spaces through settings or a special shortcut in the notification curtain.
To check for hidden elements, follow the following steps:
Settings → Applications → Hidden applicationsThis menu shows you a list of programs that you can't see in the menu, and you can remove them from the hidden ones, and they'll reappear on your desktop, which is a common reason why a calculator, a gallery, or a explorer goes missing.
How to enable the display of hidden applications?
⚠️ Note: Forgotten passwords from Second Space or hidden apps may require a data reset.Remember or write access codes.
Analysis of System Limits and Freezes
In Redmi 9, an aggressive energy-saving system can freeze rarely used programs. In this state, the application is not deleted, but it stops showing in the menu and does not work in the background. This is done to save battery power, but can be perceived as disappearing.
Check the list of frozen apps in the optimization section, often programs that you haven't used in weeks get there, defrosting will give them functionality and visibility, and it's worth checking the Advanced Cleaner settings.
The table below shows where to look for restriction settings:
| Settings section | The path to the menu | What to check. |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Settings → Battery | Energy saving regime |
| Annexes | Settings → Applications → All applications | Status "Frozen" |
| Security | Security appendix → Battery | Limitation of background activity |
| Cleanup | The Safety Appendix → Cleanup | Auto-acceleration settings |
If the program is frozen, the system may suggest that it be removed during Cleanup, and be careful when confirming actions in utility utility applications, and recovery from freezing occurs immediately after the status change.
Recovery of Remote or System Components
If the program has been removed, it can be returned via the Google Play store or GetApps. Go to the user profile and select "Manage Apps and Device" and there will be a tab "Not Installed on this device" where the history of all programs ever downloaded is stored.
System applications are more complicated. If you delete a standard component (such as Music or Themes), it can be returned by resetting the application settings or re-installing updates. To do this, find the desired system application in the list of all programs, click on three dots in the corner and select Remove Updates.
- 🔄 Resetting the application settings returns it to its original state.
- 📥 Download history is stored in Google account forever.
- ⚙️ System components cannot be removed completely without root rights.
In extreme cases, if a critical system element is missing, a factory reset may be required, which will return the phone to a store-like state by restoring all standard shortcuts.
Setting up visibility and sorting of the desktop
Sometimes the problem isn't with the app itself, but with the Redmi 9 desktop settings. You could accidentally turn on the No Limits mode, which removes the separate menu of all apps, leaving only shortcuts on the tables, or you could turn on sorting to hide new installations.
Go to the desktop settings (long tap on the empty area or through the system settings). Check the option "Hide signatures" or "Remove icons." Also make sure that the mode "One hand" in non-standard resolution, which can crop part of the screen is not activated.
Try changing the theme. Some third-party themes for MIUI have bugs that hide certain icons or folders. Switching to a standard theme "Classic" often solves visual glitches.
⚠️ Note: Third-party launchers (Nova, Apex) may conflict with Xiaomi system gestures. If all icons are missing after installing the launcher, delete it through the settings.
Remember that widgets and folders can overlap when you change the screen grid. Try temporarily increasing the grid size (for example, from 4x6 to 5x7) to see if the icon is stuck under another element.