How to search for applications on Xiaomi: hidden MIUI features and life hacks

Have you installed an app on your Xiaomi but can't find it on your desktop? Or have the icons of frequently used programs disappeared after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many smartphone owners of the brand - the Xiaomi interface hides the default applications in folders, archives rarely used or even blocks their display. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to search for applications, including system tools and third-party solutions.

MIUI features a flexible desktop setting that sometimes plays a cruel joke with users, such as when you reset or transfer data from another device, applications can "sort" through folders of Games, Tools or Social Networks automatically. Some system utilities (like Security or Themes) are hidden in the All Apps menu, and we will show you how to find any application in 30 seconds - even if it is removed, blocked or hidden by the manufacturer.

1. Standard search through the menu "All applications"

The most obvious, but often ignored, way is to use the built-in All Apps menu, which is available on any Xiaomi smartphone, regardless of the MIUI version (from MIUI 10 to MIUI 14) and model (from Redmi Note 8 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (on gesture-controlled devices) or click on the •••/All apps icon in the dock panel.
2. At the top of the screen will appear search bar – enter the name of the application (even partial).
3. The system will show all the matches, including hidden and system utilities.

If the app doesn’t appear in search results, check:

• 🔍 The correctness of the name - some applications in MIUI have localized names (e.g. Google Play Store instead of Play Market).
• 📁 Archive availability – rarely used programs are automatically archived (more on this below).
• 🚫 Blocking – Some applications may be disabled in Security settings → Permits → Auto-start.

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If the search bar doesn’t appear, try tapping twice on the free desktop area – this is an alternative way to open the All Apps menu on some versions of MIUI.

2. Search through the system utility "Security"

MIUI has a hidden feature to search for apps by their batch name (e.g. com.android.chrome for Google Chrome).This is useful if you know the exact name of APK or want to find system utilities that don't appear in the menu.

1. Open Settings → Security → Application Management.
2. Slap on the magnifying glass icon (🔍) top-right.
3. Enter the name of the application or its batch name (can be found on Google Play or on the developer’s website).

This method will show all installed applications, including:

• 📱 Hidden system (e.g. com.miui.cleanmaster).
• 🔒 Blocked (disabled via AutoRun or Battery).
• 🗑️ Archived (labeled as "Not used").

Important: In MIUI 14, batch name search only works for applications with administrator rights or system utilities. For regular programs, use the standard name.

3. Search in hidden folders and MIUI archive

MIUI automatically sorts applications by folder by category (games, instant messengers, tools). If you don't find a program on your desktop, check:

• 🎮 Game folder – all apps from Google Play Games, emulators and games fall here.
• 💬 Social Networks folder – WhatsApp, Telegram, VK messengers.
• 🛠️ Tools folder – calculators, file managers, notebooks.
• 📂 Archive – rarely used applications (available through Settings) → Annexes → Archives).

To disable automatic sorting:

1. Press your finger on the free area of the desktop.
2. Select Desktop Settings → Application folders.
3. Turn off the automatic sorting option.

4. Search through the launcher (if third-party is used)

If you've replaced the standard MIUI launcher with a Nova Launcher, Apex or something else, app search may work differently. Most alternative launchers have:

• 🔍 Global Search – Swipe down on desktop (in Nova Launcher).
• 📁 Hidden applications - menu Launcher settings → Hidden applications.
• 🔄 Backups – if the application is missing after reset, check backups in Settings → Backup.

For Nova Launcher:

Long press on the desktop → Settings → Hidden applications → Remove the tick from the desired

If you use POCO Launcher (set by default to the default) POCO-Swipe down will take away the search bar where you can enter queries in English or Russian.

Make sure the launcher is updated to the latest version

Check the Hidden Applications menu in the launcher settings

Search through the global string (swipe down)

Restart the device if the application does not show-->

5. Search through the file system (for power users)

If the application is installed, but does not appear in the menu or settings, it can be found manually through the file system.

1. Open any file manager (such as embedded Files or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/app/ (root rights required) or /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ (for user data).
3. Look for a folder with the name of the application’s batch name (e.g. com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

If the folder exists, but the application does not start:

• 🔄 Reinstall it through Google Play.
• 🛠️ Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → [Name of name] → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Check availability in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of applications.

⚠️ Attention: Getting into the folder /data/app/ If you don't have root rights, you can crash your system. Use this method only if you're confident in your actions.

6. Search for remote or blocked applications

Sometimes apps disappear not because they were hidden, but because they were:

• 🗑️ Removed – Check the cart in Google Play (Menu) → My apps. → Remote).
• 🔒 Blocked - in Settings → Battery → Consumption Management or Safety → Auto-start.
• 🛡️ Hidden by the administrator – if the device is corporate, some applications may be blocked through Device Management.

To restore the deleted application:

1. Open Google Play and go to the menu → My apps → Library.
2. Find the right application and click Install.
3. If the Install button is inactive, clear the Google Play cache in the settings.

To unlock the application:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Title] → Permissions → Enable Auto-Run

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If the application is missing after the MIUI update, the first thing to do is restart the device – in 80% of cases this solves the problem with the display of icons.

FAQ: Frequent questions about finding apps on Xiaomi