How to See Hidden Apps on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Photos and Videos

Why Xiaomi is Hiding Apps and How It Works

Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO’s MIUI-based firmware smartphones are actively using a mechanism to hide applications, both system and user, not only to protect mission-critical processes (such as com.miui.securitycenter), but also to simplify the interface, but sometimes hidden programs take up memory, consume battery power, or even spy on the user.

The main reasons for hiding applications in MIUI:

• 🔒 System services – without them, the smartphone will not be able to work correctly (for example, com.android.phone for communication).
• 📱 Pre-installed software – branded Xiaomi services (Mi Video, Mi Music) that cannot be removed by standard methods.
• 👤 User Actions – You or the previous owner could manually hide the app through Settings → Annexes → Hidden.
• 🛡️ Security – some applications (e.g. com.miui.guardprovider) are hidden so they cannot be disabled or removed.

It’s important to understand that not all hidden apps are malicious, like com.xiaomi.market (Mi App Store) for updates, and com.miui.player for media playback, but if you notice suspicious activity (like fast battery drain or strange traffic), it’s worth checking the full list of installed software.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (without root and ADB)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5, but will not show all system processes (only those that can be hidden / shown manually).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hidden Apps.
3. The list will show all the programs hidden by the user. To return them to the menu, click on the eye icon next to the name.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not show deeply integrated system applications (e.g. com.miui.home – launcher).
• ❌ It does not work if the application is hidden through ADB third-party.
• ❌ No background activity information (only list of names).

⚠️ Note: If you see unfamiliar names in the hidden app list (e.g. com.sec.android.app.launcher on Xiaomi), this could be a sign of a firmware or virus swap. → Security → Scan.

Method 2: Use of MIUI Hidden Settings (for power users)

MIUI Hidden Settings (available on Google Play) allows you to see advanced system settings, including hidden apps. It does not require root rights, but some features require access to ADB.

How to use:

1. Download and install MIUI Hidden Settings.
2. Launch the application and provide access to the Special Opportunity Settings (needed for service teams to work).
3. Go to the App Manager section → Hidden Apps.
4. This will show all hidden applications, including system ones. Click on any one to see details (version, permissions, memory usage).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Shows all hidden applications, including system.
• ✅ It can be sorted by type (user/system).
• ✅ Information on permits and activity.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove system applications through MIUI Hidden Settings without understanding the consequences! For example, deleting com.miui.securitycenter will make it impossible to update the system.

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If the MIUI Hidden Settings app doesn't show some hidden programs, try restarting your phone and repeating the scan. Sometimes system processes are temporarily "hidden" from third-party utilities.

Method 3: ADB commands for advanced users

If the first two methods didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you control your smartphone through a computer, which will show all installed applications, including those hidden at the system level.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with ADB Tools.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm access to debugging on your phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Please see the full list of applications: adb shell pm list packages -f
5. To find hidden ones, filter the output by keywords (e.g. hide, miui.hidden): adb shell pm list packages | grep -i hide

Example of output for a hidden application:

package:/data/app/com.xiaomi.hiddenapp-1/base.apk=com.xiaomi.hiddenapp

To show the hidden app in the menu, use:

adb shell pm enable com.xiaomi.hiddenapp

Method 4: View through the file manager (for root users)

If you have root access, you can manually browse the application folders, which is a method that is suitable for deep diagnostics, but requires caution - wrong actions can damage the system.

Where to look for hidden applications:

• 📁 /system/app/ — System applications (cannot be removed!).
• 📁 /system/priv-app/ — Privileged System Applications.
• 📁 /data/app/ — User applications (including hidden applications).
• 📁 /data/app-lib/ — Hidden Application Library.

How to view:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to one of the folders above and find APK-file-name.
3. To identify the app, look at its AndroidManifest.xml (opens through a text editor).

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system/app/ If you don't have a backup, you can make your phone "brick." If you're not sure, backup through the phone. TWRP Or OrangeFox.

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Even if you find a suspicious app in your system folders, don't rush to delete it. First, check its name on Google or forums (like 4PDA). Many system processes have non-obvious names, but are critical to the phone's performance.

Method 5: Third-party scanning applications (without root)

If you don't want to mess with ADB or MIUI Hidden Settings, you can use third-party utilities that won't give you as much access as the previous methods, but they will help you identify suspicious programs.

The best apps to find hidden programs:

• 🔍 App Inspector – shows all installed APK, including hidden, with detailed information about permits.
• 🛡️ Malwarebytes scans the system for viruses and spyware that can hide from the user.
• 📊 SD Maid analyzes memory usage and finds junk apps, including hidden ones.
• 🔧 Package Name Viewer – displays a complete list of packages with the ability to search for keywords.

Example of work with App Inspector:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Start the scan (may take 1-2 minutes).
3. Go to the All Apps tab and sort by status (Hidden, System, User).
4. Click on the suspicious app to see its package name, permissions, and activity.

Warning: Some antiviruses (such as Dr.Web) may falsely identify Xiaomi system applications as threats.

How to distinguish a system application from a virus

Finding hidden programs is half the battle, and the key is to understand which programs are safe and which are dangerous.

What to do if you find a suspicious app:

1. Check your package name on Google or VirusTotal.
2. If it's a virus: Turn off the Internet (plane mode). Uninstall the app via ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.virus.app Scan the phone with an antivirus (e.g. Kaspersky Mobile).

ADB

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

⚠️ Note: Some viruses block access to Settings or ADB. If you can’t remove malware, try booting into Safe Mode (hold the shutdown button). → "Restarting in Safe Mode").

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi