Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where the desired application disappears from the desktop or ceases to appear in the standard list. This can be the result of accidental movement to the folder, activation of the “Hidden Apps” mode, or a system failure of the MIUI and HyperOS shell. Understanding exactly where shortcuts and executable files are stored is key to solving the problem.
The Chinese giant’s modern firmware has a complex menu structure and many layers of nesting, and can be searched through both standard interface tools and deep system settings that are not available to all users. In this article, we will examine all possible methods for detecting programs, including those that have been intentionally hidden or removed from the list of recent ones.
Don't panic if you don't see the icon of your favorite social network or your banking client. Most often, it's still running in the background, it's just that the visual representation of it has been removed by the user. We'll look at the algorithms for different scenarios, from simple search to debugging tools.
Standard Search Methods via MIUI and HyperOS
The most obvious, but often ignored, way is to use the built-in search functionality. Xiaomi shells allow you to search not only files, but also installed programs, even if their icons are not on the screen, just swipe down on the desktop (if Search is activated), or go to the menu of all applications and use the line at the top.
If standard search doesn't produce results, it's worth checking Google's global search, which is integrated into the system. However, a more effective method is to check the list of all installed programs through settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications. This displays the full registry of software, including system services that do not have a user interface.
This section can sort programs by size, usage rate, or installation date, and it helps you find "heavy" or long-overdue applications that may have been lost. Notice the "Display System Processes" switch, which is hidden by default.
- 🔍 Use the search bar in the All Apps menu to instantly find the program by name.
- 📂 Check the Tools folder on your desktop – there MIUI Often automatically grouping system software.
- ⚙️ Go to Advanced Settings and check the Special Opportunities section, there may be hidden services.
Importantly, newer versions of HyperOS have changed the grouping logic: Some applications can be hidden in the Recommended or Recent category if the corresponding ribbon feature is enabled. Disabling personalization in settings sometimes returns the classic look of the list.
Search for hidden applications and incognito mode
One of the most popular security features in Xiaomi smartphones is the ability to hide apps from prying eyes. If you or someone else has activated this feature, the program icon will disappear from the menu, but the program itself will continue to work.
To find hidden programs, open the standard Security app (green zipper icon). Scroll down to the Hidden Apps section. The system will request unlocking through the password, fingerprint, or Face ID that was set when you set up the feature.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from hidden apps, it may not be possible to restore access to them without a data reset or device security password.
There is also an alternative method of dialing, some firmware versions running #hidden# or similar combinations that are prescribed in the system, but the most reliable is the Security app, since the interfaces may differ depending on the regional version of the software.
In addition to hiding icons, MIUI has a Second Space, which is a full-fledged copy of a system with a separate set of applications. If you switch to the main profile, the applications from the second space will not be visible. Check if the profile switch is in the notification curtain or in the settings.
Search for Remote and System Applications through ADB
When an application is removed by a user but its traces remain, or when you need to find a system service that does not have an interface, the ADB tool comes to the rescue, a powerful method for advanced users to see the full list of packages installed on the system, including those that are hidden from the average user.
To start, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI» or "Version" OS». Then in the menu "Advanced settings" include "Debugging by USB».
☑️ Preparation for work with ADB
Once you connect to your computer and start the command line, use the command to output a list of all packets, which will allow you to find even those applications that do not have visible activity.
adb shell pm list packagesThis command will show you a huge list of all the packages, so to find a particular application, use a filter by name, for example, to search for Google apps:
adb shell pm list packages | grep googleIf an application has been removed but you want to find it in the shopping cart (a feature available on Google Play and some stores), it is done through the app store interface, not through system files. However, the remnants of deleted programs (cache, data) can remain in the /data/data/ folder, access to which is only possible with Root permissions.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB To remove or modify system packets (pm uninstall) without knowing their purpose can cause a bootloop to fail.
Data and battery analysis as a search method
Sometimes you can find an application in reverse, through resource consumption analysis, where if a program is running, it consumes energy or traffic, even if its icon is hidden, and it's effective for finding malware or forgotten background processes.
Go to Settings → Battery. This is a detailed list of all the processes that consume charge. If you see an unknown name for a packet that consumes a lot of power, this is the application you're looking for. You can often click on it and go to its settings or application information.
Similarly, the Data Use section works. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Traffic Usage. Here you can see which programs have access to the network and how much they have spent. This is a great way to find “spyware” or hidden miners that masquerade as system processes.
| Search parameter | Where to find out. | What shows |
|---|---|---|
| Battery consumption | Settings → Battery | Activity of the process in the background |
| Mobile traffic | Settings → Use of data | Network activity of the application |
| Memory. | Settings → Memory | Volume and cache |
| Permits | Settings → Protection of privacy | Access to camera, microphone, geolocation |
Using these metrics, you can calculate an application that is not displayed on the menu but is actively working, for example, if an unknown process called com.android.system is actively using GPS, you should check its access rights.
Recovery of Remote Deleted Deleteds via Google Play and Xiaomi GetApps
If an app was accidentally removed, the easiest way to “find” it and return it is to use the history of actions in the app stores. Google Play Store stores the complete history of all programs ever installed, even if they were removed from the device.
Open Google Play, click on your profile avatar, and select “Manage Apps and Device.” Go to the “Manage” tab and change the filter from “Installed” to “Uninstalled.” Here you will find a list of all the programs that have ever been on your account.
What if the app is not in Google Play history?
A similar feature is found in Xiaomi’s GetApps store, which is called the user profile inside the app, and there’s a download history section, which is especially true for regional apps that may not be available on Google Play but are present in the Xiaomi directory.
It's important to understand the difference: if an app is removed from the store by a developer, you can't find it through official directories. APK-files on third-party resources that carry security risks.
Search for application files in the file system
For deep analysis, you can use a file explorer. Standard MIUI Explorer or third-party solutions like Total Commander allow you to look into the folder structure. Although executable files (.apk) of system applications are protected, user data is often publicly available.
Go to the root directory of the internal storage. Look for folders with names corresponding to the names of the applications or their packages (for example, com.whatsapp or just WhatsApp).
It's also worth checking the Android/data folder, which is restricted in newer versions of Android, but through dedicated wires or a PC connection, you can see the contents, and it stores the cache and data of most installed programs.
- 📁 Look for folders with app names at the root of internal memory.
- 💾 Check the Download folder - there may be a lie down APK-installer.
- 🗑️ Do not delete files from the Android folder manually, it can disrupt the work of programs.
⚠️ Warning: When working with the file system, be careful. Deleting system files or active application data files can lead to loss of information or malfunction of the OS.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did the app disappear from the desktop, but is in the settings?
How to find a system application if it is not on the menu?
Can I restore a remote application without the Internet?
Where do apps go after resetting settings?
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The most reliable way to find any application on Xiaomi is to combine search through Settings → Apps and check history in Google Play, since the system registry stores information about all installed software.