Activity Launcher on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Hidden Smartphone Features

Have you ever wondered what hidden features are hidden in your Xiaomi smartphone outside the standard interface? MIUI Activity Launcher is a powerful tool that allows you to run internal system components that are not available through the regular menu, it can activate the engineering menu, test utilities, debuggers and even restore lost functions after updates.

But there's a caveat: not all actions are safe. One wrong click can cause a reset or even lock the bootloader on devices with Mi Account protection enabled. In this guide, we'll take a look at how to use Activity Launcher on Xiaomi without risk, what features are worth trying first, and how to get it back if something goes wrong.

Important: the app doesn’t require root rights, but some actions (such as changing system settings) may require unlocking the bootloader.We’ll focus on secure scenarios that work on most models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

What is Activity Launcher and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Activity Launcher is an Android utility that scans installed apps (including system apps) and displays all of their Activity — internal windows and features that are usually hidden from the user. On Xiaomi smartphones, this is especially useful for three reasons:

• 🔍 Access to the engineering menu: checking sensors, testing the display, diagnosing the battery without special software.
• ⚙️ Restore Remote Features: For example, return the old settings menu after the update MIUI.
• 🛠️ Debugging without root: Launching tools for developers that aren’t visible in standard mode.

Example: c MIUI 14 Xiaomi has hidden the developer section from the quick settings, and Activity Launcher allows you to open it directly without pressing the build number 7 times. POCO F5 After the update, the item “Performance Mode” disappeared – it can also be returned.

But there is a flip side: some Activity can:

• 🚨 Reset your network settings (e.g. com.android.settings.Settings)$WifiSettingsActivity with reset parameter).
• 🔒 Block it. SIM-card, if you run the test utilities of the operator.
• 📱 Reboot if incompatible system processes are activated.

⚠️ Attention: Never launch activities with names containing "factory", "test", or "erase" unless you know exactly what they do. These can trigger hardware tests that may damage components or wipe data.

How to install and configure Activity Launcher on Xiaomi

The app is not available on Google Play for some regions, but it can be downloaded from the official website or via APKMirror.

1. Download the latest version of Activity Launcher from APKMirror (check that the version is compatible with your Android).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access Rights → Install unknown applications.
3. Install APK and open the app.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "All activities".

Now you'll see a list of all the installed applications, including the system ones, so you don't get confused:

• 📌 Sort by name: System utilities usually start with com.android., com.miui. or com.xiaomi..
• 🔎 Use search: For example, type “engineer” for the engineering menu or “developer” for the developer settings.
• 🛡️ Do not touch the applications with the icon of the gear and exclamation mark - these are utility utilities that can disrupt the system.

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Before first running hidden features, back up your data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. It takes 5 minutes, but it saves your data if something goes wrong.

Top.-5 Xiaomi features are available through Activity Launcher

Not all hidden Activity is equally useful, and we've selected the safest and most practical options that work on most devices. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO:

Example of practical application: on Xiaomi 13T You can check the actual battery capacity through the engineering menu (Battery Info). If the Full Charge Capacity is less than 80% of the factory's, it's time to think about replacing the battery.

Step-by-step: how to safely run hidden functions

Before you click on any Activity, follow this checklist:

Close all important applications (banks, instant messengers)|Take a screenshot of the current settings (in case of resetting)|Connect the charger (some tests drain the battery)|Check Activity name for words like "erase", "reset", "format"-->

Now let’s take a look at the safe start-up using the example of the engineering menu:

1. Open Activity Launcher and search com.android.settings.
2. Scroll down to.EngineerMode (or use search).
3. Click on the line and the menu with the tabs Hardware Testing, Telephony, Connectivity will open.
4. To check the sensors, select Hardware Testing → Sensor Test.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen (e.g., tilt the device for the accelerometer test).

If after the start of Activity smartphone began to slow down or overheat:

1. Close the application through recent tasks.
2. Restart the device in normal mode.
3. If the problem persists, reset the settings of a particular application in Settings. → Annexes.

Dangerous Activity: What not to run on Xiaomi

Some system utilities can cause irreparable harm, and here is a list of Activity that you should never run without a clear understanding of the consequences:

• 💀 com.android.settings/.MasterClearConfirm — Full reset to factory settings without confirmation.
• 🔥 com.miui.securitycenter/.ui.EraseDeviceActivity — Delete all data from the device (including internal memory).
• 📵 com.android.phone/.NetworkSetting reset=1 — resetting network settings and IMEI (on some models).
• 🔒 com.xiaomi.finddevice/.ui.LockDeviceActivity — Locking your device through your Mi Account (may require unlocking).
• 🛠️ com.miui.updater/.UpdateActivity parameterized --force — Forced updates that may interrupt the system.

It is especially dangerous to run these Activity on devices with:

• 📱 Blocked loader (bootloader).
• 🔐 Find My Device enabled (can block the device as stolen).
• 📶 Unofficial firmware (for example, LineageOS or customized firmware) MIUI).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) Some system Activity may require additional authentication through Mi Account. If you don't remember the password, don't try to run them - this can lead to permanent blocking.

How to Get Everything Back: Changes After Activity Launcher

If something went wrong after experimenting with Activity Launcher, here are the recovery algorithms for different situations:

If the smartphone does not turn on at all:

1. Connect it to your PC and check if it is detected in Device Manager (Qualcomm should appear). HS-USB QDLoader 9008 or similar).
2. If yes, download the Mi Flash Tool and run the official firmware for your model.
3. If not, take it to the service center (possibly damaged loader).

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The most reliable way to avoid problems is to use Activity Launcher only to view information (for example, check sensors), and not to change system parameters. 90% of useful features are available through standard settings, just need to know them.

Alternatives to Activity Launcher for Xiaomi

If Activity Launcher seems too complex or risky, there are safer ways to access hidden features:

• 🔧 Codes USSD: 4636### opens the menu of information about the battery and network.
• 📱 ADB-commands: you can run system utilities without risk through the adb shell shell. -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings
• 🛠️ Launcher Apps: Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher allow you to add shortcuts for some system features.
• 🔍 MIUI Hidden Settings: a separate application for secure access to hidden settings MIUI.

The advantage of these methods is that they don't require deep intervention in the system. ADB can be included OEM Unlock even if it is hidden in the menu:

adb shell settings put global oem_unlock_allowed 1

And to check the sensors, it is easier to use specialized applications like Phone Doctor Plus or CPU-Z — They show the same information, but without risk.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Activity Launcher on Xiaomi