How to find hidden apps on Xiaomi: from system to hidden

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) are known for their abundance of pre-installed applications and services, some of which can be hidden from the user, both system utilities and programs deliberately hidden through MIUI functions.

In this article, we’ll break down 7 working methods to discover hidden apps on Xiaomi – from standard tools MIUI Advanced techniques with the use of ADB We will pay special attention to the differences between system hidden applications (which cannot be removed without root rights) and those that the user or third-party software has hidden. MIUI 12-14 based on Android 11-14.

1. Search through the All Apps menu in MIUI

The easiest way is to use the built-in feature to display all installed programs, including hidden ones, which requires no additional tools and works on all Xiaomi models:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, tap the icon «⋮» (three dots) and select Show all applications.
3. All programs will appear in the list, including those that were hidden through the Hide Apps feature in MIUI.

Note that deep-integrated system services (e.g., com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.midrop) will not be displayed here.

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If there are too many apps on the list, search by name at the top line, for example, type "miui" or "xiaomi" to find system utilities.

2.Using the Hidden Applications function in MIUI

MIUI has a built-in mechanism to hide applications from the home screen and application menu. To find programs hidden by the user (not the system!), follow the following steps:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Main screen screen.
• 📱 Select Hidden Applications (some firmware may call Hidden Applications).
• 🔓 Enter a password or pattern lock if requested.
• 📋 This will show all the apps you or another person have hidden through standard settings. MIUI.

Important: This section only shows programs that have been manually hidden through the MIUI interface. System services or applications hidden by viruses will not appear here.

3. View all packages through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android devices, which will show all installed packages, including system and hidden.

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-plug-in.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
3. Execute the command to output a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages -f System applications will be marked as /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.

The list will contain hundreds of packages – to find suspicious, look for names with keywords: spy, hidden, monitor, miui.hidden or unknown Chinese characters.

4. Analysis through third-party utilities (without root)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use specialized applications from Google Play, which provide a user-friendly interface for viewing all installed packages, including hidden ones.

Warning: Some applications may request permissions that appear excessive (such as accessing SMS or contacts).

Install one of the apps in the table above | Check reviews and rating before installation |Do not provide unnecessary permissions |Compare the packages found with the list of known MIUI-->

5. File system search (root or TWRP required)

On root-rights or custom-recovery (TWRP) devices, you can manually check folders where applications are stored, a method that is suitable for advanced users because it requires access to system partitions.

The main ways where hidden applications can be located:

• /system/app/ – Standard system applications
• /system/priv-app/ - Privileged System Applications
• /data/app/ – User applications (including hidden applications)
• /data/app-private/ – applications with limited access.

For the viewing:

1. Use a root-access file manager (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to the specified folders and view the lists of.apk files.
3. Note files with unusual names or dates of change.

⚠️ Note: Delete or modify files in /system/ without knowing the consequences, it can cause the device to fail. TWRP before modification.

6. Check for spyware availability

If you suspect that the device has hidden spying applications (for example, for surveillance or data theft), standard methods may not work.

• 🛡️ Install antivirus with rootkits scanning function (such as Malwarebytes or Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus).
• 🔍 Check the list of running processes through ADB: adb shell ps -A | grep -i "spy\|monitor\|hidden"
• 📡 Use network monitors (such as NetGuard or PCAPdroid) to track suspicious activity.
• 🔄 If nothing helps, complete a full reset (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).

Signs of spyware:

• Unexplained traffic increase (check in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic);
• Quick battery discharge in standby mode;
• Spontaneous turn on of microphone or camera (checked through indicators in the status bar);
• Heating the device for no apparent reason.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 name.package

This will stop it from working without physically removing it.-->

7. Reset Hidden MIUI Settings

If you hid the apps yourself and forgot how to return them, you can reset the corresponding MIUI settings without completely resetting the device.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset App Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm action. This will bring back visibility to all hidden applications through MIUI, but it won't affect personal data.

If this method didn’t work, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Click the empty space on the main screen → Launcher settings.
2. Find the option Reset Settings or Restore by default.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware, resetting the launcher settings may return standard icons and widgets, but does not guarantee the return of hidden applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi