Where to store system applications on Xiaomi: 7 ways to find and manage them

Have you ever tried to find a system application on Xiaomi but couldn’t tell where it was installed? Unlike regular Google Play programs, system utilities (such as MIUI Launcher, Security or Theme Manager) are often hidden from the user. They don’t show up in the standard application list, they don’t have shortcuts on the desktop, and their files are hidden in protected memory areas.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to find system applications on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — from simple methods through settings MIUI Advanced techniques with the use of ADB You will learn where the files of system programs are physically stored, how to open, disable or even delete them (if it is safe). MIUI 14/15 HyperOS, where the logic of storage has changed.

1. Standard method: Search through MIUI settings

The safest and fastest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which do not require superuser rights and is suitable for 90% of tasks, such as disabling an unnecessary system application.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Show System Processes. Now all system utilities will appear on the list, including:

• 📱 MIUI System Launcher (main launcher)
• 🔒 Security (antivirus and optimizer)
• 🎨 Theme Manager (themes and wallpapers)
• 📡 Mi Share (File Transfer over Wi-Fi Direct)
• 🔄 Updater (Update Center)

Note that some apps may have non-obvious names, like "com.miui.home" is MIUI Launcher, and "com.xiaomi.midrop" is responsible for Mi Share. To see the full name of the package, tap the app and scroll down to the Package Information section.

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If you need to quickly find a system application by the name of the package, search Settings → Applications. Type part of the name (for example, "miui") - the system will show all matches.

2. File Manager: Where the System APKs Are Physically Stored

All system applications on Xiaomi are stored in protected memory partitions, which are hidden by default from the user, but they can be seen through the root file manager or special utilities.

The main paths to system APKs:

To view these folders without root, use MI File Manager with the option to Show Hidden Files enabled (in the manager settings), but most paths will remain unavailable - the system will block access with the message "Permission denied".

3. ADB-Commands: Search for system packages by name

If you know the name of the package (e.g. com.miui.home) but can’t find it in the settings, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works even without root permissions and allows you to get a full list of installed system applications.

Connect your phone to your computer, turn on USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap the build number) and execute the commands:

adb shell


pm list packages -s

The -s flag will show only system packages. Use:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui"

Example of output for MIUI Launcher:

package:com.miui.home

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Enable debugging on USB customized|Download ADB Platform Tools from Google|Connect the phone to USB (Transfer of files")|Run the command line in the folder with ADB-->

To find out the way APK-System application file, use:

adb shell pm path com.miui.home

The system will return something like /system/priv-app/MiuiHome/MiuiHome.apk, which is the physical location of the file.

Through settings MIUI|File Manager with root|ADB-team|Special utilities (e.g. App Inspector)|Never looked.-->

4. Special utilities for analyzing system applications

If you're uncomfortable with ADB, use third-party apps that visualize the list of system packages and let you manage them without manually typing commands.

• 🔍 App Inspector – shows full information about any application, including the path to the app APK And permissions. Download to Google Play.
• 🛠️ Package Name Viewer is a tool for searching for packages by keywords. Useful if you do not know the exact name of the system application.
• 📊 SD Maid (requires root) – analyzes system folders and finds junk files, including duplicates APK.
• 🔧 Debloater Tool (for PC) – allows you to massively disable system applications through ADB rootless.

Example of work with App Inspector:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Select the Systems tab.
3. Type a part of the name (for example, "theme") into the search.
4. Slip around the app to see its Package Name, Version and APK Path.

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Applications like App Inspector don’t require root rights, but only show metadata from system packets, and you’ll still need ADB or root access to modify or delete files.

5. How to find hidden system applications (e.g. test utilities)

Xiaomi smartphones have hidden system applications that don’t show up in either settings or the standard launcher.

• 🔧 EngineerMode (com.miui.engineermode) – an engineering menu for testing iron.
• 📡 Network Assistant (com.miui.networkassistant) – a tool for network diagnostics.
• 🔋 Battery Manager (com.miui.powerkeeper) - advanced battery settings.
• 🎯 Game Turbo (com.miui.gameturbo) is a game optimizer.

To find them, use one of the methods:

1. Activity: adb shell dumpsys package | grep "com.miui.engineermode" This will show all the activity(s) of the application that can be run.
2. Launch through ADB: adb shell am start -n com.miui.engineermode/.MainActivity
3. Package Tree Search: Install Activity Launcher from Google Play, and it will show all the hidden activities.

⚠️ Attention! Some hidden utilities (e.g. EngineerMode) allow you to change the settings of the communication module or screen calibration. Incorrect settings can lead to network loss or damage to the display. Use them only if you understand the consequences.

6.Where System Application Updates Are Stored (and How to Reverse Them)

System applications on Xiaomi are updated in two ways:

1. Through OTA-update MIUI — Changes to section /system and require a reboot.
2. Through Google Play, some system utilities (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) are updated as regular apps. Their APKs are stored in /data/app/.

To find updated versions of system applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a system application (e.g. Mi Browser).
3. Scroll down to the Storage section – if there is a Remove Updates button, then the app has been updated through Google Play.

For a rollback to the factory version:

1. Click Remove Updates.
2. Confirm the action – the application will return to the version that was when you bought the phone.

⚠️ Caution! rollback of system applications (such as Security or Updater) can disrupt the work MIUI. After a rollback, some features (such as virus scanning or checking for updates) may stop working until the next day. OTA-update.

7. How to remove or disable the system application (without harm to the system)

Removing system applications is a risky operation, but sometimes necessary (for example, to vacate space or remove bloatware).

• 🔄 Shutdown through ADB (rootless: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics Replace com.miui.analytics with the name of the unnecessary package.The application will disappear from the system, but its files will remain.
• 🗑️ Root-righted Removal: Use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to physically remove APK from /system/priv-app/. Always do a backup before removing!
• 🔧 Debloater scripts: Download the finished script (for example, Xiaomi) ADB/Fastboot Tools) and select the applications to remove.The script will automatically perform a secure shutdown.

Critical system applications that should NOT be removed:

• com.android.phone (Phone)
• com.android.settings (Settings)
• com.miui.home (Luncher)
• com.android.systemui (System Interface)

If the phone stops booting after you delete the system app, restore it via Fastboot or reflash MIUI via Mi Flash Tool.

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For example, deleting Mi Account (com.xiaomi.account) can result in the inability to sign in to Xiaomi account and loss of access to cloud data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi system applications