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

Have you ever noticed that some apps have disappeared on your Xiaomi smartphone, even though you didn't remove them? Or do you suspect that the manufacturer has hidden some of the system utilities from your eyes? Hidden applications on devices with MIUI firmware are not a myth, but a reality that many users face, and the reasons for their concealment can vary from interface optimization to the limitations of regional versions of the software.

In this article, we will not only show you where hidden apps are on Xiaomi, but also explain how to find, enable or remove them - if possible. ADB We'll focus on the Redmi models, POCO and flagships Xiaomi 13/14, Where the logic of hiding applications may differ.

Important: some hidden applications are critical to the system, and if they are removed or disabled, they can cause the smartphone to function in an unstable way, and you do all the manipulations at your own risk!

Why Xiaomi is hiding apps: 3 main reasons

Before looking for hidden apps, it’s worth understanding why Xiaomi is doing this, and here are three key reasons why it’s so.

• 📱 Optimization of the interface: MIUI It aims to minimize the number of icons on the desktop by hiding rarely used system utilities (e.g. com.android.egg – Android Easter egg).
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: Global firmware versions often lack Chinese services (such as Mi Pay or Mi Video) that remain in the system but are hidden from the user.
• 🔒 Security and stability: Some applications (e.g. com.miui.analytics) are responsible for collecting telemetry, and hiding them reduces the risk of accidental shutdown of critical processes.

Interestingly, Chinese versions of MIUI (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) have far fewer apps hidden than global builds, which is because in China, users are actively using Xiaomi’s branded services, while overseas they often duplicate Google’s features.

⚠️ Note: On bootloader devices, hidden applications may contain modified versions of system utilities, and changing them without knowing the consequences can lead to a smartphone “brig” (complete failure.

Method 1: Find hidden applications through MIUI settings

The easiest way to find hidden apps is to use the built-in MIUI tools.This method works on all modern devices, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13T.

1. Open Settings → All applications.
2. Tapping the icon of three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Show all applications.
3. The list will include gray icons, which are hidden system utilities that can't be removed, but you can disable or reset data.

Note the app with names starting with:

• 🔹 com.miui. — Xiaomi branded services;
• 🔹 com.android. – system utilities Android;
• 🔹 com.qualcomm. – Drivers for Snapdragon processors.

Check the filter in the top menu (the “User Only” box may be ticked).

Restart your smartphone – sometimes the list is updated with a delay

Update MIUI to the latest version (more apps are hidden in older versions)

Use alternative methods (see the following sections)

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On some devices (such as the POCO X5 Pro), this menu may not have the option to Show All Apps.

Method 2: Using a launcher with support for hidden applications

The standard MIUI launcher doesn't show hidden apps, but third-party shells (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) can do that.

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Press the free space on the desktop → Settings Nova.
3. Go to Apps and Widgets → Hidden Apps.
4. Uncheck the boxes from the apps you want to return to the screen.

The advantage of this method is that you can create shortcuts for hidden utilities right on your desktop, for example, you can return access to:

• 📡 EngineerMode (engineering menu for network testing);
• 🔧 MIUI Hidden Settings (Extended System Settings);
• 📊 Battery Historian (detailed battery consumption statistics).

Standard. MIUI Launcher|Nova Launcher|Apex Launcher|Other|I don't use launchers.-->

⚠️ Note: Some hidden applications (e.g. com.miui.daemon) may cause errors or system restarts when running through the launcher. → The phone. → Backup.

Method 3: ADB-commands for managing hidden packages

For advanced users, there is a method of working with hidden applications through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to the PC and allows you not only to find, but also to disable or turn on system packages.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver;
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap the assembly number → return to → For developers);
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Steps to display all packets (including hidden ones):

adb shell


pm list packages -f

To disable an unneeded hidden application (e.g., com.miui.analytics), use:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics

To be re-incorporated:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.analytics

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Before disabling the packet through ADB, check its assignment by the adb shell dumpsys package <name packet> | grep "versionName" command. This will show the version and part of the application manifest where its functions can be described.

Method 4: View hidden applications through file manager

Some hidden applications store their data in system folders, which can be found through a root file manager or a built-in MIUI File Explorer.

1. Open Files (standard MIUI application).
2. Go to Categories → System Files (permissions may be required).
3. Look for the folders: 📁 /system/priv-app — Privileged System Applications; 📁 /system/app — standard system utilities; 📁 /data/app — User and updated system applications.

In these folders, you will find.apk files of hidden applications, which you can copy for backup or try to re-install (if they were deleted).

• 🔄 MiShare.apk — utility for fast file transfer;
• 🎵 MiSoundRecorder.apk — tape-recording;
• 📡 NetworkAssistant.apk — network-diagnostic.

⚠️ Note: Delete or modify files in folders /system You can't do it without root. You can't do it with a standard file manager, and you can get the "Access Denied" error. You need an unlocked bootloader and superuser rights to edit system files.

Method 5: Third-party utilities for working with hidden applications

If standard methods don't work, you can use specialized applications that not only find, but also manage hidden packages without any problems. ADB. Here's the top.-3 utility:

Example of work with App Inspector:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Go to the All Apps tab.
3. In the search bar, enter a part of the packet name (e.g. miui).
4. Slip through the app to see its permissions, activities, and services.

On devices with MIUI 14 and later, some system applications may appear in the App Inspector as “empty” (no icons or descriptions).

What to do if the hidden application does not start?

Sometimes even after you find a hidden app, it refuses to open. Here are the possible reasons and solutions:

• 🔓 Unenforceable: Some system utilities (e.g. com.miui.permcenter) require special permissions. ADB: adb shell am start -n com.miui.permcenter/.PermsSettings
• 🔄 Damaged Data: Reset the app cache via Settings → All applications → [name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Incompatibility with the version MIUI: On new firmware (e.g, MIUI 15 on Xiaomi 14) some old system utilities may not work.

If the app still doesn’t open, try:

1. Install its.apk file on top of an existing one (if there is a backup).
2. Reverse the system to the previous version of MIUI (if the problem has occurred after the update).
3. Contact the Xiaomi.eu or 4PDA forums – there are often posted corrected versions of system utilities.

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If the hidden application is immediately closed after launch, check the error logs through the command adb logcat | grep -i "error". This will help determine the exact cause of the failure.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi