Where to find hidden apps on Xiaomi: A complete guide to search and manage

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) are known for their MIUI shell, which offers users a lot of built-in features. However, along with useful tools, the manufacturer often installs hidden applications — system utilities, Google services or branded software that are not displayed in the main menu. These programs can take up space in memory, consume battery power or even collect data in the background.

The problem is that not everyone knows they exist. Unlike standard applications that can be removed or disabled through settings, hidden apps often go unnoticed. In this article, we will detail where these applications are stored on Xiaomi, how to detect them using embedded tools and third-party utilities, and what to do if they interfere with the device, especially with models on MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS, where the logic of hosting files may differ.

Why Xiaomi is getting hidden apps

Most hidden applications are not installed by accident, but perform specific functions, and here are the main reasons for their presence:

• 🔧 System services MIUI: Without them, the shell will not work properly. For example, com.miui.system is responsible for the interface, and com.xiaomi.market is responsible for the application store.
• 📱 Google services: even on "naked" firmware without GMS (For example, in the Chinese version, there may be traces of Google Play Services or Android System WebView.
• 💰 Partner software: Xiaomi works with companies like Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn to pre-installe their apps, often hidden to keep the menus from cluttering.
• 🔄 Residual files: After updating or resetting settings, some applications may “hang” in the system without appearing in the list, but taking up space.

It is important to understand that not all hidden applications are harmful. For example, com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice is responsible for communication on devices with Qualcomm chipsets, and its removal will lead to network loss. However, some (for example, com.miui.analytics) do collect data about smartphone usage and can be disabled.

Where to store hidden apps on Xiaomi

All applications (including hidden ones) on Android are stored in a secure folder. /data/app or /system/priv-app. But they're restricted even to the root user, and these are the key ways to find hidden ways. APK-file:

To view these folders, you will need a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer) or a command via ADB:

adb shell ls /system/priv-app/

On HyperOS devices, the path to some system applications has changed: they can now be in /apex/ or /product/priv-app/. This is due to the transition to a new storage architecture similar to the “pure” Android 12+.

How to find hidden apps without root rights

If you don't have superuser rights, you can detect hidden apps in a number of ways.

1. Through MIUI settings

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management and click on the three dots in the upper right corner. Select Show all apps (or Show system based on the version of MIUI) and even those programs that are not visible in the main menu will be displayed here.

2.With ADB

Connect your smartphone to your PC, turn on USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press the line) and execute the command:

adb shell pm list packages -f

This will list all the packages with the paths to them. APK-To filter out the hidden ones, add a key. | grep "hidden" (on Windows, use findstr).

3. Third-party utilities

• 🔍 App Inspector (shows all installed packages, including hidden packages).
• 📊 Package Name Viewer (displays technical names of applications).
• 🛠️ SD Maid (Scans the system for unnecessary files, including residual files) APK).

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If you use App Inspector, look for apps with Disabled status, which are disabled but not deleted programs that still take up space.

4. Analysis of battery consumption

Some hidden applications manifest themselves through increased charge consumption. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Use and check the list of programs. If you see an unknown name (for example, com.xiaomi.mipicks), it may be hidden software.

Enable system applications display in MIUI | Scan device via ADB| Install App Inspector or SD Maid| Check battery consumption list | View autoboot in security settings-->

List of the most common hidden applications on Xiaomi

The table below shows the typical hidden apps that are found on most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO devices, some of which can be safely disabled, others are critical to the system.

Before disabling any application on this list, back up your data and check its function online, for example, deleting com.qualcomm.qcr on devices with a Snapdragon processor will result in the loss of your mobile network.

How to safely remove or disable hidden apps

Removing hidden apps is a risky operation, but if you are sure that the program is not needed, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect via settings (without root)

For most unnecessary system applications, it is enough to disable them:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the right app (e.g. com.xiaomi.mipicks).
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action.

The disabled application will not start and consume resources, but will remain in memory.

2. Removal via ADB (no root)

Some applications can be removed without superuser rights using ADB. Connect your phone to your PC and do:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

The --user 0 key means that the application will only be removed for the current user (without affecting system files).

3. Removal with root rights

If you have root, use Root Explorer or the command:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Folder name/




mount -o ro,remount /system

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system applications can lead to bootloop or loss of functionality. Always check what the package is responsible for before deleting. For example, deleting com.android.phone will deprive you of mobile communication.

4. Use of debloater

Utilities like Universal Android Debloater (works through ADB) or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools are suitable for automated removal of unnecessary applications. They offer lists of safe packets for removal and allow you to backup before changing.

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Even if the application is successfully removed, some MIUI services can restore it after the system update.

What to do if hidden apps return after deletion

Many users find that hidden applications reappear after removal, and this is due to the MIUI auto-restore mechanism, which checks the integrity of system files.

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and deactivate the option.
• 📵 Freeze applications with Titanium Backup or App Quarantine (root required) to prevent them from being re-installed.
• 🔧 Edit the build.prop file: add the ro.config.nocheck string=True to disable system package checks (not working on all devices).

If you use HyperOS, the recovery mechanism has become more aggressive, in which case the only reliable way is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that does not contain unnecessary Xiaomi services.

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On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12), it helps to disable the Mi Cloud Sync function in your account settings, which prevents system applications from syncing.

How Hidden Apps Affect Productivity

Not all hidden apps are harmful, but some can actually:

• 🔋 Battery consumption: services like com.miui.analytics or com.google.android.gms are constantly running in the background, reducing battery life by 10-15%.
• 📈 CPU boot: statistical applications (e.g. com.xiaomi.mistatistics) can load CPU up to 5-7% in idleness.
• 📡 Data traffic: com.xiaomi.xmsf (Push Notification Service) consumes up to 50MB per month even without active use.
• 🗃️ Occupied place: some APK They can take up to 200-300 MB (e.g. com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service).

To assess the impact, use AccuBattery (for battery consumption analysis) or CPU Monitor (for CPU load tracking). If you notice that a hidden app is consuming more than 1% of charge per hour, it should be turned off.

⚠️ Warning: Some of the system services have been optimized on HyperOS devices, but new applications (e.g. com.xiaomi.hyperce) can consume up to 300MB of RAM in the background.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi