The MIUI shell that is installed on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones is famous for its functionality, but many system settings are hidden from the average user. Developers often hide important engineering menus and specific parameters deep in the system code to protect inexperienced owners from accidental changes. However, there is a proven way to get to these hidden partitions without obtaining Root rights or complex device flashing.
The tool to access these features is the Activity Launcher app, which allows you to view a list of all activities (Activity) in the Android operating system and run them directly, bypassing the standard settings menu. For owners of Xiaomi equipment, this becomes the key to advanced personalization and diagnostics, which are usually only available to service center engineers or advanced modelers.
Using this launcher requires caution, as you get access to interfaces that are not intended for daily use. Incorrectly changing the parameters in the hidden menus can lead to incorrect operation of individual modules of the system or even cause a cyclical reboot of the smartphone. However, with a competent approach, Activity Launcher becomes an indispensable assistant for fine-tuning the interface and optimizing the operation of the gadget.
What is Activity Launcher and Why You Need It on MIUI
Activity Launcher is a system utility that scans apps installed on a device and lists all the screens (activities) available on them. In the standard Android operating system, each button in the menu leads to a specific screen with its own unique identifier. Launcher collects these identifiers into a single list, allowing you to run any screen directly.
On Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI shell or a new HyperOS, this is especially true, as the manufacturer often hides useful features in the depths of system applications. For example, there are separate menus for testing the display, checking sensors, managing network protocols or adjusting notification behavior that can not be found through a conventional search in settings.
⚠️ Warning: Running random system activities may cause resets or unstable system operation. Before experimenting, make sure you understand the function of the menu you open.
The main value of the tool is the ability to activate hidden menus that have been removed from the visible part of the interface in new versions of firmware, which allows you to return functionality that users thought was lost, or access new Android features that Xiaomi has not yet brought to the main settings menu.
Installation and initial configuration of the application
The official version of the application is available in the Google Play store, however, Xiaomi devices often have restrictions on installing applications from unknown sources or blocking some functions by the store. APK-a file from a trusted resource such as GitHub or 4PDA.
Once the installation file is downloaded, you must allow installation from unknown sources. MIUI has two-tiered protection: first, you need to give permission to the browser or file manager to install applications, and then confirm the action in the security pop-up that appears.
☑️ Pre-launch checks
When you first start, Activity Launcher will automatically scan the system, which can take anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds depending on the number of apps installed and the speed of your Xiaomi CPU, and you will see a structured list of all packages, from Android system services to custom programs.
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Use the built-in magnifier icon search to quickly find the right application, instead of manually scrolling through a long list of system processes.
Search for hidden menus and system settings Xiaomi
The main screen of the app is a list of all packages installed. To search for Xiaomi settings, you need to find a package called com.android.settings (standard Android settings) or com.miui.securitycenter (MIUI security), which is often hidden within these packages useful activities.
Click on the name of the package to reveal a list of all available activities. Look for items containing the words "Settings", "Activity", "Test" or "Debug." Often useful menus do not have icons and are signed with technical names, such as CitActivity or HiddenSettingsActivity.
- 🔍 CitActivity – Entrance to the engineering menu for testing hardware components (screen, sound, vibration).
- 📡 Testing – Menu of usage statistics and network information (similar to code #4636##).
- ⚙️ HiddenSettings – Hidden interface settings available in pure Android but hidden in the Internet MIUI.
- 🔋 BatteryInfo – detailed information about the battery status and charging history.
Some activities can be triggered as a separate window or dialog overlaying the main interface. This is normal behavior for system utilities. If after the activity is triggered, the screen blinks or nothing happens, it may not be supported by your particular version of HyperOS or regional firmware.
Working with labels and creating quick access
One of the most useful features of the launcher is the ability to create shortcuts for any activity found right on the desktop, which allows you to bring the often used hidden settings into a separate folder or widget, saving time searching in the depths of the menu.
To create a shortcut, find the activity you want in the list, pinch it with your finger (long press), and select Create shortcut. MIUI will request confirmation to add a shortcut to the home screen, and once confirmed, the icon will appear among your apps.
Shortcuts work as independent apps, and you can rename them for convenience by changing the name to something more understandable, like "Screen Test" instead of the technical Display TestActivity, which is especially useful for creating a quick access panel to diagnostic tools before selling your phone or checking after you buy it.
It's important to note that shortcuts are created for a specific activity. If you create a shortcut for a menu item that normally requires a password, when you run through the shortcut, the password will also be requested. The launcher does not bypass protection, but only provides a direct path to the interface.
Diagnostics and engineering tests through Activity Launcher
Xiaomi owners often use the launcher to access the CIT (Customer Interface Test) menu, a powerful diagnostic tool that allows you to check the health of each smartphone module, from the touchscreen and multi-touch to the gyroscope and communication modules.
To get into the test menu, look in the com.miui.misys or com.android.settings package list and select CitActivity activity. It will open a list of tests where you can consistently check each component. For example, the Touch Panel test will show the coordinates of the clicks, which is useful for identifying the dead zones of the screen.
| Component | Prescribing the test | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| Version | Information on POs | Viewing versions of drivers and kernel |
| TouchPanel | Screen check | Drawing lines to look for failures |
| Speaker | Dynamics test | Reproduction of melodies of different frequencies |
| Vibrator | Vibrio test | Verification of vibration intensity |
| GPS | Search for satellites | Checking the operation of navigation and antennas |
⚠️ Warning: Do not change the values in the engineering menus unless you know exactly what they are responsible for.Resetting the screen or sensor calibration may require a visit to the service center for recovery.
Using diagnostic functions through Activity Launcher is safer than entering USSD-This reduces the risk of accidentally triggering a data reset or a test that blocks the device (for example, a proximity sensor test that turns off the screen).
Frequent problems and their solution
When working with the launcher on MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS, users may face a restriction of access rights. Xiaomi's security system can block the launch of some system activities by issuing an error message or simply closing the application.
In such cases, cleaning the launcher’s cache or providing additional permissions through the Apps → All Apps → Activity Launcher → Permissions menu helps. Sometimes you need to turn off MIUI optimization in the Developer menu to keep the application running smoothly.
How to turn on the developer menu on Xiaomi?
Another common problem is that the labels don't have icons, which is a technical feature of some activities that don't have graphical resources, so you can use third-party apps to change icons, or you can just put up with a white square by remembering the label's location.
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If the shortcut doesn’t work after you update your firmware, remove it and recreate it, as your internal paths to activity may have changed.
Security and limitations of use
While useful, Activity Launcher gives you access to the Android kitchen. Running activities related to deleting data, resetting the network, or changing system files can lead to loss of information. Always check what the activity is doing before it launches.
The application does not require superuser (Root) rights for the basic functionality, which makes it secure from the point of view of system integrity. However, it cannot run activities requiring a system signature if you do not have root rights.
Regular use of the launcher to create shortcuts to frequently used deep settings allows you to personalize the experience of using Xiaomi to your needs, turning the standard interface into a convenient tool for an advanced user.