Where and how to search for applications on Xiaomi: from standard to hidden

You just bought a new Xiaomi smartphone or updated your firmware MIUI, But you can't find the app you want, or maybe you think there's some useful software on the device, or the problem of finding apps on Xiaomi is one of the most common among new users. MIUI It has a unique menu structure, and some applications may be hidden in non-obvious sections or not in the standard list.

In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can find applications, from basic to advanced, how to find pre-installed programs, where to find hidden system utilities, how to use them. MI App Store and Google Play, and what to do if the application is missing after the update. MIUI (from 12 before 14) Smartphone models – from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 13/14.

If you’ve ever been lost on Xiaomi’s menu or couldn’t find even a standard calculator, this guide is for you.We’re not going to limit ourselves to the obvious tips like “look at the desktop,” but to reveal all the hidden search engines, including voice commands, gestures, and even the most basic ones. ADB-Teams for experienced users.

1. Basic Search: Desktop and Application Menu

Let’s start with the most obvious: the standard interface. MIUI. Even if you've never used a Xiaomi smartphone, these methods should be familiar to you. MIUI There are some features that you should know about.

Most Xiaomi smartphones (except for models for the European market with “clean” Android) have a shell installed by default. MIUI. It offers two main ways to access applications:

• 📱 Desktop – This displays shortcuts of frequently used programs. To see all installed apps, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen (swipe up gesture) This will open the App Menu (similar to All Apps in standard Android).
• 🔍 Search bar — at the top of the app menu, there's a field to enter. Start typing the program name, and the system will show all the matches, including the system utilities. For example, type "camera" and you'll see not only the main camera app, but also the camera. MIUI, Document scanner and other related tools.

Please note: in MIUI 14 and later, the search is smarter, and it searches not just by name, but also by function. For example, if you type in "weather," the system will offer not only a weather app, but also a weather widget, as well as geolocation settings that can affect the accuracy of the forecast.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) the "swipe up" gesture can be disabled by default. To enable it, go to Settings → Desktop → Desktop style and select the "Standard" option (without App Drawer).

2. Search through MI App Store and Google Play

If the app you want isn't on the menu, it might not be installed. MI App Store (branded store Xiaomi) or Google Play. However, there are a few nuances that many do not know about.

First of all, MI The App Store is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones for the Chinese and global markets (except Android One models, such as the Mi). A3). He's offering:

• 📦 Localized applications – many programs in MI App Store is adapted specifically for MIUI (For example, optimized for theme or gestures).
• 🔒 Security – all applications undergo additional Xiaomi checks for viruses and malicious code.
• 🎁 Exclusive content – you can find branded utilities that are not available on Google Play, for example, MIUI Theme Editor or Xiaomi Cloud with advanced features.

Open up MI App Store, look for App Market (Chinese firmware) or GetApps (Global) label on your desktop. If it's not, check Tools folder or search the app menu. Alternatively, type app.mi.com in your browser and download it. APK-Store file (relevant for models without preinstalled) MI App Store).

Google Play is easier to do, and it's installed on all global versions of Xiaomi. ROM) It may not be there:

1. Download. APK-Google Play Services and Google Play Store from APKMirror.
2. Install them manually by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of Unknown Applications).
3. Restart your smartphone and log in to your Google account.

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If MI App Store app is not installed, try clearing the store cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → GetApps → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

3. Hidden system applications: where to look for them

One of the most common problems is when a user knows that the app should be on a smartphone (like Security or Theme Store) but can't find it. MIUI Hiding some system utilities from the main menu:

Method 1: Settings. Many system applications are hidden in the settings section.

• 🔐 Security → Settings → Memory and applications → Security
• 🎨 Topics → Settings → Theme and design or shortcut Themes on the desktop
• 📡 Scanner (for) QR-code) → Settings → Connections and sharing → Scanner.

Method 2: Search in settings. Open Settings and enter the name of the application at the top of the search bar. For example, type "security" - the system will show not only the application itself, but all related settings (virus scanner, permissions, application lock).

Method 3: Through the All Apps menu (for power users) This method requires the development mode to be enabled:

1. Go to Settings → About phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Enable the option to Show all applications (may be called Show System Processes).
4. Now in the app menu (swipe up) will display all installed programs, including hidden system.

⚠️ Note: Not all hidden applications are safe to run manually, such as com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.providers.media, which can cause a failure when forced to open!

4. Voice search and gestures: non-standard ways

If you prefer to operate a smartphone without manual input, Xiaomi offers several alternative ways to search for apps, which are especially useful when you are busy or can not use the screen (for example, while driving).

Xiao's voice assistant AI (available on Chinese and some global firmware):

• 🎤 Activate the assistant with a long press on the Home button or a voice command "Hey, Xiao" AI".
• 🗣️ Say, for example, “Open the Camera app” or “Find a game Among Us".
• 🔍 The assistant will not only open the app, but will also offer to install it if it is not found.

On global firmware instead of Xiao AI It's using Google Assistant:

1. Hold the Home button or say “OK, Google.”
2. Say a command, such as “Start Spotify” or “Install WhatsApp.”
3. If the app is not installed, the assistant will suggest you go to Google Play.

Gestures and quick action:

• 👆 On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) you can assign a gesture to launch the application. → Special facilities → Gestures and movements → Quick launch.
• 🔄 Double pressing the power button can be configured to start the camera or other application (Settings) → Buttons and gestures → Power button).

5. Search through ADB Systems and Systems Commands (for Advanced)

If you didn’t find the application in standard ways, it may have been disabled, hidden or removed (for example, after rooting or unofficial firmware). ADB (Android Debug Bridge – a tool for debugging Android devices.

How to check all installed applications through ADB:

1. Install Platform Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on the debugging. USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell pm list packages -f This command will display a complete list of all packages (including system) with paths to their APK-file.

To find a particular app, use a filter, for example, to search for all apps associated with the camera:

adb shell pm list packages | grep camera

How to turn on the disabled application:

If you find the desired application in the list, but it is disabled, activate it with the command:

adb shell pm enable com.example.app

Replace com.example.app with a real package ID (e.g. com.miui.gallery for Gallery).

⚠️ Attention: Improper use ADB You can get unstable, or even a device blink. Don't disable or delete system applications unless you're sure they're there. For example, deleting com.miui.securitycenter will take away your security center, and without com.android.phone, you won't be able to call.

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ADB-commands allow you to find and restore even those applications that are not displayed in the interface MIUI. However, this method requires caution and is suitable only for experienced users.

6 Recovery of Remote Applications

If an application has been removed (for example, after resetting or manually uninstalling), it can be restored in several ways.

Method 1: Reinstallation from the store

• 📥 If the application was standard (for example, MIUI Camera or Browser, find it in the MI App Store by name MIUI [Name of name].
• 🔄 For Google apps (such as YouTube or Gmail) use Google Play.

Method 2: Recovery through backup

If you have previously created a backup copy of MIUI Backup:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backups.
2. Select the desired copy and click Restore.
3. Check the Applications and confirm the recovery.

Method 3: Manual installation of APK

For system applications (for example, Security or Themes) you can download the original APK-files from verified sources:

• 🌐 MIUI APK — Archive of system applications for different versions MIUI.
• 📁 APKMirror is a reliable source for standard Android applications.

Important: When installed APK-- make sure that the version is compatible with your firmware, MIUI Xiaomi 12’s Camera May Not Work on Redmi Note 10 Due to Hardware Differences.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after all the manipulation, some users are faced with typical problems, and let's look at the most common cases and how to solve them.

Special case: applications for second space

If you use the dual app function, remember:

• 🔄 Applications installed in the main space do not appear in the second (and vice versa).
• 📱 To find the app in the second space, switch to it via Settings. → Second space or gesture (e.g. swipe with two fingers on the lock screen).
• 🔍 Search only works in current space. To search globally, use ADB (see section 5).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions