How to find an application in a Xiaomi phone: all the ways to MIUI 12-14

Did you install a new app on your Xiaomi, but its icon has gone missing? MIUI So all the icons are mixed up, and now you can't find the right program? This is a situation that many Redmi smartphone users are familiar with, POCO Unlike the “pure” Android, the shell MIUI It has its own features of the organization of the desktop and the application menu, which is sometimes confusing.

In this article, we will explore all possible ways to search for applications on Xiaomi smartphones, from basic to hidden system functions, you will learn how to find the program through search, how to return a missing icon to the desktop, where to look for system utilities and how to work with hidden folders. And we will tell you what to do if the application does not appear in the system at all (spoiler: this may not be an error, but a feature). MIUI).

1. Quick search through the notification panel

The easiest way to find any application on Xiaomi is to use the built-in global search feature, which works even if the program icon is hidden or removed from the desktop.

How to do this:

1. Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. At the topmost line you will see a search box with the words “Search by phone” or a magnifying glass icon.
3. Start typing the name of the application – the system will show the results in real time.
4. Click on the desired result to open the program immediately.

✅ Pros of the method: works without the Internet, finds even system utilities (for example, Security or Theme Store), shows not only applications, but also settings, contacts and files.

⚠️ Warning: If the search doesn’t find the app you installed exactly, check the Hidden Apps folder in the launcher settings.

This method is universal and works on all versions. MIUI 12 to 14, including firmware for POCO And Black Shark. If the search bar doesn't appear in the curtain, it's disabled in the settings -- how to turn it on, read the next section.

2 Search through the menu of all applications

If you prefer the classical approach, you can use the full list of installed programs. MIUI It is called "All Apps" and is available from the home screen.

Instructions:

• 📱 On the home screen, swipe up from the bottom edge (the gesture is similar to the iPhone.
• 🔍 At the top of the screen there is a search bar – enter the name of the application.
• 📁 If there are many applications, you can sort them by alphabet, installation date or category (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
• 🖱️ To secure a frequently used app on your desktop, hold its icon and drag it to a vacant space.

💡 Council: B MIUI 14 Smart folders are available, the system automatically groups similar applications (for example, all messengers or games). If the desired program is missing, check these folders - they are marked with a special icon with several squares.

Check the folder "Hidden applications" in the launcher settings

Make sure the program is not removed (check Google Play). → My apps)

Update the launcher through the GetApps store

Reboot your phone (sometimes helps with display glitches)-->

If you don't have a search bar in the All Apps menu, you've disabled your system search to return it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → By default.
2. Select "Help" (or "Search by phone" in older versions).
3. Turn on the "Show in the notification panel" switch.

3. How to return a missing icon to your desktop

A common problem for Xiaomi users is that icons disappear from the home screen after an update or accidental click.

Method 1: Through the menu of all applications

• 📱 Open the All Apps menu (swipe up from the bottom edge).
• 🔍 Find the right app in the list or through search.
• 🖱️ Hold his icon and drag it to the desktop. If the screen is full, a new one will appear.

Method 2: Through the launcher settings

If the icon disappeared after resetting the launcher settings:

1. Keep an empty space on your desktop → Select "Desktop settings".
2. Go to "Desktop Style" → "Standard" (if another style has been chosen).
3. Click "Apply" - it will return all icons to their places.

Method 3: For system applications

Some programs (such as Camera or Phone) cannot be deleted, but their icons may disappear.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list and open its page.
3. Click on “Display on Desktop” (if the button is active).

💡

After the update MIUI missing all icons, try resetting the launcher settings: keep the empty space on the screen → Desktop settings → More. → Reset the settings. It'll bring back the standard view without losing data.

4. Search for hidden and system applications

Xiaomi hides some programs from the user by default.

• 🔧 System utilities (e.g, MIUI Optimization or SecurityCore).
• 📦 Applications from the operator (often installed automatically).
• 👁️ Programs with administrative rights (e.g., Find Device).
• 🗑️ Residual files of remote applications.

How to find hidden applications:

Through settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select "Show all processes".
3. All installed programs, including hidden ones, will appear on the list. Systems are marked with an Android icon.

Through the launcher:

1. Keep an empty space on your desktop → Desktop settings.
2. Select “Hidden Apps” (in some versions of “Hidden Folders”).
3. Uncheck the boxes you want to return to the menu.

⚠️ Important: Not all hidden applications can be safely "disclosed"; for example, com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.phone are responsible for the stable operation of the phone.

5. Search through the file manager

If the application is installed, but it doesn't appear in the menu or in the settings, you can try to find its files manually.

• 📱 Annexes installed through APK (off-shop).
• 🔄 Programs that “disappeared” after resetting settings.
• 🗃️ Remote applications that have files left behind.

Instructions:

1. Open the standard File Manager (or install Solid Explorer from Google Play).
2. Go to the file. /data/app (root rights are required; or /storage/emulated/0/Android/data (user-data).
3. Look for folders with the name of the app package (e.g. com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
4. If there is a folder but the application does not start, try reinstalling it.

🔍 How to find out the name of the package?

• Look at Google Play: in the browser address bar after id= will be the name of the package.
• Use applications like App Inspector (shows technical data of installed programs).

⚠️ Attention: Delete files from the folder /data/app without root rights, the system will not be able to update the application through Google Play. 505)".

If you found files of the remote application and want to clear them:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Select "Deep Clean" and wait for the analysis.
3. The system will show residual files - mark the unnecessary and delete.

Through a search in the curtain

All apps on the menu.

I'm using voice assistant.

Another way.-->

6.Voice Search and Google Assistant

If you're too lazy to type the app name manually, you can use voice control. Xiaomi has two options:

Method 1: Voice assistant MIUI

• 🎤 Hold the Home button (or say “OK Google” if the assistant is configured).
• 🗣️ Say “Open [app name]” (e.g., “Open Telegram").
• 📱 The assistant will either open the program or show its location.

Method 2: Google Assistant

If the standard Xiaomi assistant doesn’t find the app, try Google:

1. Activate Google Assistant (hold the Home button or say “OK, Google”).
2. Ask them, “Where do I get my name?”
3. The assistant will show the folder or offer to open the application.

⚠️ Limitations:

• 🔇 Voice search only works for apps with Russian-language names (or if you pronounce the name in English).
• 📵 In some regions (e.g. China), Google Assistant may be disabled by default.
• 🔒 For system applications (such as Settings), voice search may not work.

💡 Tip: If voice search doesn't work, check your settings:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → By default. → Assistant.
2. Select Google instead of Assistant MIUI" (if necessary).
3. Enable permissions for microphone and access to applications.

7.What to do if the application is not found

If you have tried all the methods, but the application was not found, the following reasons are possible:

1.The appendix has been removed

• 🗑️ Check out the history on Google Play: Open a store → "My apps and games" → "Library".
• 🔄 If the program is in the library, but not installed – click “Install".

2.The application is disabled

Some system programs (for example, FM-Radio or Infrared port disabled by default:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press three points. → "Show off".
3. Find the right application and click "Enable".

3. Launcher error

If the icons are missing after an update or failure:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone (hold the power button) → "Reboot").
• 🛠️ Update the launcher: Open GetApps → Find the Launcher. MIUI" → refresh.
• 📱 Reset the launcher settings: hold the empty space on the screen → Settings → More. → Reset the settings.

4.The application is hidden by the administrator of the device

On corporate phones or devices with parental control, some software may be hidden by security policies to check:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Device Administrators.
2. See which programs have administrator rights (e.g., Find Device or corporate) MDM-decision).
3. If you find a suspicious application, disable its rights (a password may be required).

💡

If the app is not in either way, but you're sure it's installed, try checking your phone for viruses. Some malware masks or blocks access to other apps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about finding apps on Xiaomi