How to find the app icon on Android Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Did you install a new app on your Xiaomi, but its icon has disappeared from the desktop? MIUI Did some of the icons of some of the programs stop showing? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi smartphones, POCO Unlike the “pure” Android, the shell MIUI has its own characteristics of label management, which are not always obvious.

In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of icon disappearance – from banal (the application in the folder or on the second screen) to technical (launcher failure or restrictions). MIUI). You will learn how to find hidden applications, restore deleted shortcuts, fix display errors and even return icons of system utilities that the manufacturer hid "as unnecessary." MIUI 14/15, Where the logic of working with the desktop has changed.

Before you go into complex manipulations, check the obvious: it is possible that the icon simply moved to the folder “All applications” (Swipe up from the bottom of the screen) or was accidentally deleted from the desktop (in the desktop). MIUI If the problem is deeper, follow our instructions in order.

1. Checking obvious places: where icons usually hide

In 60% of cases, users simply do not notice that the app icon is not lost, but moved to one of the standard storages. MIUI. Start your search with these locations:

• 📱 All Apps folder -- swipe up from the bottom of the screen, and it shows all the programs you've installed, even those that have been removed from your desktop, and use the search bar at the top if there's too many apps.
• 🗂️ Folders on the desktop — MIUI automatically grouping similar applications (e.g., "Social Networks" or "Games"). Check folders called "Other" or "Recommended".
• 🔍 Search the system — swipe down the desktop and type the name of the application into the search box. If it is installed, the system will show its location.
• 📲 Second/third desktop – many users forget that the MIUI You can add additional screens. You can flip through them left-right.

If the application is found in one of these places, but its icon is not on the desktop, it is simple to return it back: click on the icon in the All Apps menu, hold your finger. 1-2 Then drag it to a free space on the screen. MIUI 14+ There is also an option "Attach on the desktop" with a long tapa on the icon.

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V MIUI 15 there was a function "Smart search" - if you swipe down on the desktop and start typing the name of the application, the system will not only find it, but also offer to create a shortcut directly from the search bar.

2. Restore deleted shortcuts (without deleting the appendix)

V MIUI There is an important difference from standard Android: removing the icon from the desktop ≠ Many users confuse these actions and think that the program is gone forever:

1. Open the All Apps menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the right app in the list (use search if required).
3. Click on the icon and hold on. 1-2 A few seconds before she gets off the ground.
4. Drag her to the desktop. MIUI 14/15 There will also be a pop-up menu with the option "Add to the desktop".

If the app doesn’t even appear in the All Apps menu, but you’re sure it’s installed, check:

• 🔒 Hidden applications – some programs (such as system utilities) may be hidden by the manufacturer.
• 🚫 Limitations MIUI — The shell may block the display of applications from "unverified" sources (e.g, APK, hand-mounted).
• 🛠️ Launcher failure – if icons are missing en masse, you may need to reboot or reset the launcher settings (more on this later).

Make sure the app is not in the "All Apps" folder"|

Checking additional desktops|

Try to find through system search (swipe down)|

Hold the icon to create a shortcut (if the application is found)-->

3. Search for hidden system applications

Xiaomi actively practices the concealment of system utilities and services, which, according to the manufacturer, "does not need the average user."

• 🔧 Developer tools (com.miui.developer)
• 📡 Testing utilities for the network (com.miui.networkassistant)
• 🔋 Battery Services (com.miui.powerkeeper)
• 🛡️ Security modules (com.miui.guardprovider)

To find and display such applications:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Go back to the basic settings and open Additional → for developers.
3. Find the option to “Show hidden apps” (in some versions) MIUI It's called "Show all applications").
4. After activation, check the All Apps menu – hidden utilities will appear in gray.

V MIUI 15 hidden system applications may not be displayed even after the developer mode is turned on. ADB-Teams or third-party launchers (for this in Section 6).

4.Rectification of launcher failures MIUI

If the icons disappear en masse or are displayed incorrectly (for example, instead of icons - gray squares), the problem is most likely in the launcher. MIUI (The program that displays the desktop. Try these methods:

⚠️ Warning: Clearing the launcher data will remove all custom desktop settings, including icons, widgets and wallpaper. Before the procedure, take screenshots of the current location of the elements to quickly restore them later.

If the icons are still not displayed after these manipulations, the problem may be deeper, for example, in the damage to system files, in which case the reset of the cache through Recovery will help:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Reset the device.

5. Problems with applications from unverified sources

MIUI aggressively blocks the display of apps not installed from Google Play or Mi App Store. APK manually (for example, through a.apk file), the icon may not appear on the desktop for the following reasons:

• 🚫 Locking the installation — MIUI By default, you can't install from unknown sources. → Annexes → Special permits → Install unknown applications Select the browser or file manager through which you installed APK, and allow installation.
• 👁️ Hiding “Unsafe” Applications — MIUI It can automatically hide programs it considers potentially dangerous. → Annexes → Application management → Hidden applications
• 🔄 Installation incomplete – if the installation process APK It's been interrupted, it can be on the system, but it doesn't have an icon.

If the application is installed, but does not appear in the menu or in the settings, check its availability through the ADB (computer):

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

If the command returns the package (e.g. package:com.example.app) but there is no icon, try manually creating a shortcut through the App Shortcut widget (the long tap on the desktop). → "Widgets").

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources can violate Xiaomi’s security policy and lead to blocking some features (for example, Google Pay will stop working.

Only from Google Play|

From the Mi App Store|

APK from trusted sources (e.g. APKMirror)|

Anybody. APK, randomly|

I don't install the app by myself (a)-->

6.Alternative methods: third-party launchers and ADB

If the standard methods don't work, there are radical measures that will require more effort, but they are guaranteed to solve the problem of missing icons.

Method 1: Installation of a third-party launcher

Launchers like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Apex Launcher are not subject to restrictions. MIUI And they'll show you all the installed applications, including the hidden system ones:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
3. Open the app menu – all icons will be displayed regardless of settings MIUI.

The advantage of the method: you can customize the display of icons to your liking (size, style, folders). MIUI (For example, the weather or footsteps may not work.

Method 2: ADB-command

If the icon is missing due to a failure in the launcher database, it can be returned via ADB (You need a computer and enabled debugging USB). Do it:

adb shell am start -n com.miui.home/.launcher.Launcher


adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

The first command restarts the launcher, the second command resets its settings, and after execution, the icons should appear in the All Apps menu.

Method 3: Manually creating a shortcut through a widget

If the application is in the system, but its icon is not displayed:

1. Click on the empty space on the desktop for a long time.
2. Pick the Widgets.
3. Find the app shortcuts widget (or "App Shortcuts").
4. Drag it to the desktop and select the desired application from the list.

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The launcher side is the most reliable solution for displaying hidden system applications of Xiaomi. MIUI and show all installed programs, including those that the manufacturer has hidden.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many problems with icons on Xiaomi arise from a lack of understanding of the logic of the work MIUI. Here are the most common user errors:

• 🗑️ "Remote" icon ≠ remote appendix MIUI Deleting the shortcut from the desktop does not remove the application itself. To uninstall the program, you need to go to Settings. → Annexes.
• 🔄 Resetting launcher settings ≠ Phone resets — many people are afraid to click "Settings Reset" on the desktop menu, thinking that it will erase all the data).
• 🔒 Limitations MIUI For Chinese firmware, if your Xiaomi is on Chinese firmware (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G For the Chinese market, some applications may be blocked at the system level, the solution is to change the region or firmware to the global version.
• 📱 Security conflict – Security app (com.miui.securitycenter) can block the display of suspicious programs:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Security → Autorun

Another common mistake is ignoring updates. MIUI (for example, MIUI 15 for Xiaomi 14) the logic of working with icons may change. If after the update, several icons are missing, check:

• 📋 Update log – the manufacturer may have moved some features elsewhere.
• 🔧 Display settings - in new versions MIUI The option is “Hide rarely used applications".

8.If nothing has worked: radical measures

If you’ve tried all the ways and the icon never came up, there are extreme measures that will take longer and can affect system stability, so only use them if the application is critical.

Method 1: Resetting the phone to factory settings

This will delete all the data, but it will return the system to its original state, where all the icons must be displayed correctly.

Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Resetting settings

Method 2: Fastboot Flashing

If the failure is caused by damage to system files, a clean firmware installation will help.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive and follow the instructions for the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

This method will return all system icons, but will require reconfiguration of the phone.

Method 3: Contacting a service center

If the problem occurs after a physical damage to the phone (for example, a fall or moisture), it may be damaged memory of the device, in which case self-intervention can aggravate the situation - it is better to contact an authorized Xiaomi service.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with a blocked bootloader (most devices purchased in official stores), an attempt to self-flash can lead to the blocking of your Mi Account.

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Factory reset is the last chance to get your missing icons back if all other methods don't work. Don't forget to back up your data before resetting!

FAQ: Frequent questions about missing icons on Xiaomi