How to find a hidden application on Xiaomi: from standard settings to ADB-team

Hidden applications on Xiaomi smartphones are not always a sign of a virus or spyware. Often the manufacturer masks system services to avoid loading the interface with unnecessary icons, and users themselves hide programs from prying eyes through built-in MIUI functions. However, there are situations when the hidden application behaves suspiciously: consumes the battery, sends data to the network or interferes with the operation of the device.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods for detecting hidden applications on Redmi, Poco or Mi, from simple (through standard settings) to advanced (using ADB and third-party utilities).

1. Search through standard MIUI settings

Starting with the most obvious way, embedded shell tools. Xiaomi provides several paths to view all installed applications, including hidden ones, and it’s important to understand that this method won’t show system services disguised by the manufacturer (e.g., com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.market), but will help you find programs that you or someone else has hidden manually.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, click on the search icon (magnifying glass) and enter the name of the application. The system will show all matches, even hidden from the main screen.
• 📋 Scroll down to the All Apps section – this shows programs sorted alphabetically, including deactivated ones.
• ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show Systems to see service processes (but be careful – removing them could disrupt your phone’s performance!).

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If you see a gray icon on the app list that says "Disabled," it's not always a sign of hidden software, often it's a display of pre-installed Google or MIUI services that can't be removed but can be deactivated.

Pay attention to apps with non-standard names, such as:

• 🚨 com.android.XXX – Suspicious packages that mimic system;
• 📦 updateXXX.apk or serviceXXX.apk — trojans;
• 🔄 Applications with Cyrillic characters in the packet name (for example, en.XXX.hidden).

2.Using the Hidden Applications function in MIUI

MIUI has a built-in app hiding mechanism that many users activate accidentally or deliberately. If you suspect that the program is hidden this way, check this section.The method works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Poco X3/X4/X5 and the flagship Mi 11/12/13.

How to find it:

1. Press the free space on the main screen (desktop).
2. In the menu that appears, select Screen Settings (or Home Screen Settings on some firmware).
3. Scroll down and find Hidden Apps (some versions say Hidden Apps).
4. Enter a password or pattern lock if the system requests confirmation.
5. You'll see a list of all the hidden programs that you've been using, and to bring them back to the screen, click on the icon next to the name.

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If the item "Hidden applications" is not in the menu, then this function is disabled on your device or custom firmware is used without MIUI-fit support.

Important: This method will not show apps hidden by third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) and will require separate verification (see Section 5).

3. Viewing through "Security" and "Optimization"

The embedded Security app (or Global Firmware Security) contains tools for analyzing installed software, including hidden processes, and you can find programs that:

• 🔋 Increase battery consumption in the background;
• 📶 Use mobile traffic or Wi-Fi without your knowledge;
• 🛡️ have suspicious permissions (e.g. access to the SMS geolocation).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the "Scanner" or "Verification" section (the name may vary).
3. Run a full system check (not fast!).
4. After completion, scroll the results to the “Installed Applications” or “Active Processes” block.
5. Click on Show All to see the full list, including hidden ones.

Please note the applications with:

• 🚫 Unknown Developer (displayed as "-" or "Unknown");
• 📦 Without an icon or with a standard Android icon;
• 🔄 Constant activity in the background (checked in the section "Autostart").

4.Analysis through ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods didn’t work, it’s time to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level system access tool that requires connecting your phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge, but allows you to detect all installed packages, including those hidden even from MIUI.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux;
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone;
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone; Click 7 times on MIUI Version until notification appears; Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers; Enable Debugging by USB.

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the computer on your smartphone screen.

cmd

Terminal

adb devices

Make sure the device is identified (should appear its serial number).

adb shell pm list packages -f

The system will show a complete list in the format:

package:/data/app/com.example.hiddenapp-1/base.apk=com.example.hiddenapp

adb shell pm list packages -f > packages.txt

How to analyze the results:

• 🔍 Look for packages with suspicious names (e.g. com.hidden.app, com.stealth.service).
• 📁 Pay attention to the installation path: /data/app/ — user-apps; /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/ — Systemic (removal is dangerous!); /mnt/asec/ — encrypted or secure applications.
• 🛡️ Check out unknown packages through services like VirusTotal.

5. Search through third-party launchers and file managers

If the hidden application is not hidden by the system, but by a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher, Action Launcher), standard MIUI methods will not help.

Method 1: Using a File Manager

• 📁 Install Solid Explorer, FX File Manager or MiXplorer (the latter requires root rights for full access).
• 🔍 Go to the folder. /data/app/ (for user applications) or /system/app/ (systemic).
• 📋 Look for folders with names that don’t match Google’s known services or MIUI.

Method 2: Resetting the launcher settings

• 🔄 For Nova Launcher: Go to the launcher settings → "Backup and import" → "Resetting settings".
• 📱 For MIUI Launcher: Reset your settings through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings

Download ADB-Drivers on PC (if you plan to use the command line)

Check the list of installed packages through Settings → Applications

Backup of important data-->

⚠️ Note: Delete files from the folder /system/app/ If you do not have a root license, your phone may not work. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to consult a specialist.

6.Verification for viruses and spyware

If you find a suspicious app, don't rush to remove it - check for malware first.

• 🕵️‍♂️ Spy modules (tracking) SMS, bells, geolocation);
• 💰 Clickers (click on ads in the background);
• 🔋 Cryptocurrency miners (using the phone’s resources to mine Bitcoin or Monero).

Methods of verification:

⚠️ Warning: If the antivirus detects a threat in a system application (e.g. com.miui.daemon or com.android.phone), do not delete it:

1. Check the hash of the file through VirusTotal;
2. Search for package information on 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums.
3. Update your firmware to the latest version – vulnerabilities are often fixed in new builds.

7. factory reset (last resort)

If none of the methods worked, and the phone behaves suspiciously (introduces apps, displays ads, discharges quickly), there is a complete reset, which will delete all user data, but return the system to its original state.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
2. 🔄 Select “Erase All Data” (not to be confused with “Reset” which does not affect the application!).
3. ⚠️ Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (may take 5-15 minutes).
4. 🔐 After reset, do not restore data from the backup if you suspect an infection - the virus could have persisted in the backup!

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or Poco) F1) After the reset, you may need to re-activate your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

If the problem persists even after reset, it may indicate:

• 🛠️ Malware firmware (installed through unofficial Recovery);
• 🔧 Hardware backdoor (extremely rare, usually on fake devices);
• 📡 Problems with SIM-card or operator (e.g. automated services from a mobile provider).

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi