Users of Xiaomi smartphones often face an incomprehensible situation: after another system update or accidentally clicking an icon, some programs simply disappear from the desktop. This is not a bug or a breakdown, but a specific MIUI function aimed at data privacy. Device owners begin to panic, believing that they have deleted the software, but it is only hidden from prying eyes. You can return access to them through system settings or special combinations.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to enable hidden apps on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO. We’ll look at both the standard methods through Explorer and more sophisticated options through the engineering menu for advanced users. Understanding the logic of how the shell works will allow you to effectively manage screen space.
It’s worth noting that menu layouts may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware (Global, EEA, China), but the overall algorithm remains the same across the brand ecosystem. If you accidentally hid important widgets, follow our instructions for restoring them.
Using a Conductor to Activate Hidden Space
The easiest and most common way to get back to programs is to use the built-in file manager. The MIUI shell includes Hide Files, which also controls app visibility. First, open the standard System Explorer and go to the image or document folder.
Then you do a specific thing: pull the file list down until the Mi logo appears, and hold your finger for a few seconds, and the screen will vibrate, and you'll see additional protected space, and that's where the hidden objects are stored, and if you've previously set a password or fingerprint, the system will request authentication.
Once you enter Hidden Space mode, find the settings button (usually a gear) or the Hidden Applications option, and you'll see a complete list of programs that aren't displayed on the menu, and just switch the switchboard against the desired software to make it visible again.
It's important to understand that this method doesn't work the same on all firmware versions. In new HyperOS updates, the logic can be changed. If a swipe down doesn't call a menu, try pinching an empty area on your desktop and selecting Settings.
Configure via the Applications and Security menu
If the Explorer method didn't work, you should go to the Security System Center. On Xiaomi smartphones, the Security app (green icon with a shield) is responsible for managing permissions and visibility, and it contains many useful tools, including a blocker and a cleanup.
Inside the app, find the Hidden Apps or Hide Apps section. The interface may suggest setting an additional password to log in to that section, which is good practice to increase privacy. Once you log in, you'll see a list of all the programs installed.
☑️ Verification of visibility settings
In some cases, programs may not just be hidden, but limited in the background. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select the desired software and check the Other Permits section. Make sure that you tick the “Display on top of other applications”.
⚠️ Attention: If you forget the hidden space password, it may not be possible to recover data without resetting the device. MIUI encrypts the content and bypassing the protection by the user means is not provided.
Hiding through the Desktop Settings
The MIUI Launcher shell has its own display settings. Sometimes users accidentally activate modes that hide icons, or the settings are confused after the update. To check this, click and hold your finger on an empty section of the screen until the edit menu appears.
Select Settings (cogs). You should look for options related to Hidden Folders or Pocket Mode. In some firmware versions, there is a Pocket feature that hides applications when you press a specific combination of volume buttons. Disable this feature if it is active.
It's also worth checking your sorting settings. If you're sorting by frequency of use or alphabet, some icons may have moved to other pages or to the Recommended folder. Return the standard grid to visually assess the losses.
What is the pocket mode in MIUI?
Remember that on different models, like the Redmi Note or the POCO F, the menu can be called differently. Look for keywords like "Visibility," "Display," "Luncher."
Engineering menu and ADB teams for advanced
For users who want to gain full control of the system, there is the ability to manage components through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you not just to hide, but completely disable or force on system components that are not displayed in the standard menu.
To start, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. After the message “You became a developer” appears, go to the advanced settings and turn on “Debugging by USB”.
Connect your smartphone to your computer and use the following command to view a list of all packages:
adb shell pm list packagesTo enable a hidden application, use the pm enable command with the full packet name. For example, if you have hidden the calculator, the command will look like this:
adb shell pm enable com.miui.calculator| Team team. | Description of action | Risk of error |
|---|---|---|
| pm disable | Disables the app (hidden from the menu) | Medium. |
| pm enable | Includes previously disabled application | Low. |
| pm uninstall | Remove the application for the current user | High-pitched |
| pm clear | Clears the application data and cache | Medium. |
Use this method with caution. Disabling critical system processes can cause Android to run unsettled. Always check the name of the package before typing commands.
Search for hidden widgets and shortcuts
Often users confuse hidden apps with missing widgets. Widgets are dynamic elements placed on the desktop. If the widget is missing weather, watch or news, look for it not in the list of programs, but in the widget menu.
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, or pinch the screen with two fingers to open the widget menu. Scroll through the list. MIUI has a separate Recommended tab where items can get lost. Drag the widget you want to get to your desktop.
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If the widget is missing after the update, try removing it completely and adding it back from the widget menu, as older versions of widgets may conflict with the new firmware.
Also check the Tools folder. On Xiaomi smartphones, all system utilities (calendar, voice recorder, scanner) are assembled by default into this folder, which can be accidentally deleted or moved to the end of the list of pages.
Third-party launchers as an alternative
If MIUI is a regular tool, you can always install a third-party launcher, and programs like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher offer more flexible hidden application settings.
In third-party launchers, the concealment function is usually implemented via a swipe in a specific corner of the screen or through a special pin code.This allows you to create a separate, completely isolated space for personal files and programs, independent of Xiaomi's system security settings.
However, it is worth remembering that third-party launchers consume more battery life and may run less stable on newer versions of Android due to the system's limitations on background work.
⚠️ Warning: When installing a third-party launcher, make sure that the necessary permissions to access storage and phone are available.
What to do if nothing helps
In rare cases, the disappearance of applications can be caused by a system cache failure or damage to the launcher database.If none of the above methods helped to return shortcuts, try clearing the data of the Themes and Security applications.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Security, click Clear → Clear Everything. This won’t delete your files, but will reset your visibility settings and hidden space passwords to factory ones.
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Resetting the launcher or security app often solves the problem of missing icons without the need to completely reset the phone.
If the problem persists, there may be a virus infection or a critical firmware failure, in which case it is recommended to check the device with an antivirus or perform a factory reset, saving important data in the cloud beforehand.