Where to find hidden apps on Xiaomi: search and setup

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where some features or programs disappear from the desktop or stop showing up in the standard menu.It's not necessarily a sign of a virus or a crash.The MIUI shell (as well as the new HyperOS) provides users with powerful privacy and space-organization tools that can hide content from prying eyes.

Understanding where to look for these elements is necessary both to return access to your own data and to check the device for the presence of unwanted software. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the usual methods of hiding, paths to system settings and methods of detecting processes that work in the background.

You will learn to distinguish between system limitations and user settings. We will look at built-in security features that are often activated randomly or configured by other users of the device. A key feature of the MIUI shell is the separation of the concepts of “hidden application” and “second space”, which often causes confusion among beginners.

The regular function of hiding applications in MIUI

The most common way to find missing icons is through a built-in concealment mechanism. Unlike many other Android smartphones, it doesn't require third-party software. It's built deep into the system and managed through the standard Security app.

To access the hidden list, you need to perform a specific action in the Application Manager menu. A normal Settings search may not work because it's disguised. You need to open the Application Manager and swipe from the bottom up in the center of the screen, simulating a page update.

If the function is activated earlier, the system will request an unlock password or a fingerprint, and after successful authorization, a separate window will open with a list of programs that are not displayed in the launcher, and you can return them to the desktop or add new ones.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the hidden space, it is impossible to restore access to data inside it by standard methods. Xiaomi security system does not have the function of resetting only this password without losing data.

To activate or check the status of this feature, go to Settings → Applications → Hidden Applications (the path may vary depending on the OS version). This displays the switch and the list of hidden programs. If you are looking for where to find hidden applications on shaomi, this is the main section.

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Use different passwords to unlock the screen and to log into hidden apps to improve the security of personal data.

Second Space Mode: Second Space

Another reason for the icons to disappear is that Second Space is activated, which is a full-fledged virtual copy of your smartphone inside your device, and it has its own desktop, its own settings, its own Google and Mi accounts, and a separate set of apps.

Applications installed in the Second Space are not physically visible in the main profile, which creates the illusion of their complete absence, switching between spaces is carried out either through a special widget, through settings, or a combination of buttons.

To check if you have a second space enabled, go to Settings → Special Features → Second Space. If the partition is active, you will see the Switch button, which often hides games, social networks or work tools to separate them from personal use.

• 🔒 Complete isolation of main and guest profile data.
• 📱 The ability to use two different accounts in the same app (e.g. two WhatsApp accounts).
• 🚫 Applications from the main space are not visible in the second and vice versa.
• ⚙️ Separate notification and permission settings for each space.

It is important to understand that deleting Second Space will permanently delete all the data stored inside it, so if you find this mode and don’t know how you got there, check its contents first.

System folders and launcher settings

Sometimes, the search for hidden apps on Xiaomi is successful simply because of care. The shell allows you to create folders on the desktop where you can put icons. Often users accidentally drag apps into folders or hide them on the second pages of the desktop.

In addition, there are options in the launcher settings that affect the display. For example, the Hide Signatures function or changing the grid size can visually change the location of items, creating the feeling that something is missing. Check the screen settings: Settings → Desktop → Hide applications.

With new versions of HyperOS, the folder algorithm has changed, so folders can now be extended to half the screen, and they can hide a significant number of shortcuts.

It’s also worth checking out the launcher’s Basket if you’ve recently removed any shortcuts, and in some design themes, icons can become transparent or merge with wallpaper, which also creates a disappearing effect.

Search through settings and task manager

If visual search doesn't work, you should look at system settings. A list of all installed programs, including system and hidden ones, is always available in the application management section. This is the most reliable way to find what is not displayed on the screen.

Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. This is the full list of installed software. If you see an app on the list but it's not on the desktop, it's either hidden by MIUI features or its shortcut has been removed.

This menu allows you to force an application to open, clear its data, or create a new shortcut on your desktop, and it also displays the amount of memory you're using and the software version, which is useful for diagnosis.

Task Manager can also tell you which programs are running in the background, press the Menu button (square), or swipe from the bottom up with a delay to see what processes are running, and if the application is running but it is not anywhere, this is a reason for detailed analysis.

Analysis through ADB and Advanced Methods

For users who own a PC, there is a deeper search method - the use of debugging by USB tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This way you can see absolutely all the packages installed in the system, including those that are hidden even from the settings of the smartphone.

To start, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version or OS Version field. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on “Debugging by USB”.

Connect your smartphone to your computer and execute a command to output a list of all packages:

adb shell pm list packages

This command will give you a long list of package names (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) and you can use filters to find a specific application, like searching for "game" or "social."

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Removing or modifying system packages through ADB can cause unstable operation of the device or a “bootloop” (cyclic reboot).

There is also a command to output only third-party apps (user apps), which makes it easier to search:

adb shell pm list packages -3

This method is especially useful if you suspect the presence of miners or spyware that masquerades as system processes and has no icon.

Security and removal of malware

The question of where to find hidden applications in shaomi often arises not from a desire to organize space, but from concern about viruses. Malware often masquerades as system processes (such as "Update Service" or "Wi-Fi Helper") and has no icons.

The first step is to check with the built-in antivirus. Open the Security app and run the scan. The Avast antivirus built into MIUI has up-to-date signature databases and is able to detect most known threats.

If the standard check is silent but suspicions remain (fast battery drain, pop-up ads, heating), try analyzing the permission list. Go to Settings → Privacy Protection → Permit Manager. Notice apps that have access to “Massage on Other Windows” or “Special Permissions.”

• 🔍 Check applications with device administrator rights.
• 📉 Analyze battery consumption in settings.
• 🌐 Track data transmission in the background.
• 🛡️ Use Google Play Protect for additional checks.

If you detect suspicious activity that cannot be eliminated by normal removal, you may need to completely reset to factory settings.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

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Regularly checking the list of installed applications and active permissions is the best way to prevent hidden threats from appearing on your device.