How to Find Hidden Apps on Xiaomi Redmi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their functionality, but sometimes users are faced with a situation where applications “disappear” from the menu or do not appear in the list of installed programs. This can occur for various reasons, from deliberate concealment by the user to the actions of viruses or features of the MIUI firmware. In some cases, we are talking about system services that the manufacturer hides to simplify the interface, but which still consume the resources of the device.

It is important to understand that hidden applications fall into two categories: those that the user has hidden (for example, through the launcher settings), and those that are masked by the system or malware. In this article, we will analyze both scenarios and show how to detect such programs without risk to the device, especially focusing on the Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 and other popular lines where the problem manifests itself most often.

Why apps are getting hidden on Xiaomi Redmi

Before you go into search, it is worth understanding the reasons why applications can “disappear”:

• 🔹 User activities: many launchers (including standard ones) MIUI Launcher allows you to hide application icons through long pressing or desktop settings. This does not remove the program, it only removes it from view.
• 🔹 System Restrictions: Some services from Google or Xiaomi (e.g. com.xiaomi.mipicks or com.google.android.gms) are not displayed in the menu by default, but are in the background.
• 🔹 Viruses and malware: Trojans can mask their processes as system, as well as hide other applications so that the user does not notice their activity.
• 🔹 Firmware errors: after updating MIUI Sometimes the display settings are confused, and the applications stop showing in the list.

For example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, some Redmi Note 11 users complained that the Google Play Store or Gallery icons had disappeared, and in most cases this was due to the launcher’s automatic concealment rather than the removal of the program.

⚠️ Note: If you notice that there are hidden applications that you have not installed (for example, com.android.bips or com.qualcomm.qti), this may be a sign of infection.

Method 1: Verification through application settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for finding both custom and part of the system applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the top search bar, type the name of the missing app (e.g., “Gallery” or “Camera”).
3. If the application is found but does not appear on the desktop, click on it and select Show on the home screen.

This method works for most user programs, but it won't show deep-hidden system services. For example, you won't find com.xiaomi.miui.analytics through this path, because it doesn't have a graphical interface.

Check the permissions in Settings → Apps → Permissions

Clear the cache and app data

Reset the device

Update the app through Google Play-->

Method 2: Using a launcher from a third-party developer

The standard MIUI launcher sometimes "gluts" and does not show all installed programs, the solution may be to install an alternative launcher, for example:

• 📱 Nova Launcher – allows you to display all applications, including hidden system (you need to enable the option “Show system applications” in the settings).
• 📱 Apex Launcher – has the function of searching for all installed APK, Even those that are not on the standard menu.
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher – automatically scans the device for all programs and sorts them by category.

After installing an alternative launcher:

1. Assign it to the default launcher (at the first start, the system will prompt you to do this).
2. Open the app menu and find the Hidden or System tab.
3. If the program is not available, try using the built-in search by name.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may not open when you click from a third-party launcher.

Method 3: Search through ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level system access tool that is suitable for detecting all installed packages, including those that are not displayed in the GUI.

The work will require:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then enable debugging in Settings → Additionally. → For developers).

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 must appear serial number of your device.
3. Get a list of all installed packages: adb shell pm list packages -f This command will display a complete list of APKs with paths to their files.
4. To find a specific application, use the filter: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'part of the name' For example, to search for all Google applications: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'google'

If you find a suspicious package (for example, with an unfamiliar name or from an unknown developer), you can get more information about it:

adb shell dumpsys package name packet

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Save the output of the adb shell pm list packages to a text file for further analysis, and add at the end of the command > packages.txt (Windows) or | tee packages.txt (macOS/Linux).

Method 4: Verification through the file manager

All installed applications are stored in the form APK-To find them, you'll need a file manager with access to root directories, like:

• 📁 Solid Explorer (required to enable root access if superuser rights are available).
• 📁 FX File Explorer – Supports viewing system folders without root, but with limitations.
• 📁 MiXplorer – optimized for Xiaomi devices and can show hidden files.

Where to look:

1. Open the file manager and go to /data/app/ – this is where custom applications are stored.
2. For system APKs, check the folders: /system/app//system/priv-app//vendor/app/
3. The folder names correspond to the package names (e.g. com.android.chrome for Google Chrome).

If you find an APK but can’t open it, it could mean that:

• 🔴 Application disabled in settings (Settings) → Annexes → Disconnected).
• 🔴 It is a system service without a graphical interface.
• 🔴 File is corrupted (often after incorrect updates).

Method 5: Analysis of Active Processes

Even if the application is hidden, it can run in the background. To see all the active processes, use the built-in MIUI tool or third-party utilities:

Option 1: Through the Developer Settings

1. Activate the Developer Mode (as described in Method 3).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Processes.
3. This will show all running services, including hidden ones. Notice unfamiliar names with com prefixes.

Option 2: Simple System Monitor application

This utility shows:

• 📊 All active processes with indication of consumption CPU and RAM.
• 📊 Hidden services that are not visible in the Task Manager.
• 📊 Application network activity (useful for spyware detection).

If you find a suspicious process, check it through a search on Google or 4PDA forums, for example, the process of com.android.adservices can be a legitimate service of Google, and com.system.update can be a sign of a virus.

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If you see a name on the process list that starts with com.sec.android. or com.samsung. on a Xiaomi device, that's a 100% sign of infection.

Method 6: Checking through Safe Mode

If you suspect that apps are hidden by a virus, run the device in Safe Mode, which disables all third-party programs, and you can see which ones are masked:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Press and hold the option “Switch off (or turn off power)” before a request to switch to Safe Mode appears.
3. Confirm the transition. The device will reboot, and at the bottom of the screen will appear the inscription "Safe Mode".

In this mode:

• 🔍 Check if hidden apps have appeared before.
• 🔍 If yes, a problem in one of the installed programs (possibly a virus).
• 🔍 If not, applications are hidden at the system or firmware level.

To exit Safe Mode, simply restart the device.

Method 7: Using an antivirus for deep scanning

If you suspect that hidden apps are linked to malware, do a full device check.Recommended antiviruses for Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🛡️ Dr.Web Light is effective against Trojans masquerading as system processes.
• 🛡️ Malwarebytes – specializes in spyware and advertising module detection.
• 🛡️ Bitdefender Mobile Security – has a scanning function installed APK for suspicious authorization.

How to do the check:

1. Install antivirus from Google Play.
2. Start a full scan (not fast!).
3. Pay attention to the warnings about: 🚨 Rights-based annexes android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES (can install other programs). 🚨 Processes that consume traffic in the background. 🚨 APK with non-conforming certificates (e.g., signed by Google or Xiaomi).

If the antivirus finds threats, follow its removal guidelines and then check if the hidden apps are back.

What to do if you find a suspicious app

If you find an unknown or potentially dangerous application, follow the algorithm:

1. Check the name of the package through a Google search, and often by name (e.g. com.android.fakeupdate) you can tell if it is a virus or a system service.
2. Disable the application (if it is not a system process): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 name packet
3. Delete (only if you are sure that it is not system software!): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name packet
4. Check the device for viruses (as described in Method 7).

Deleting them can result in a bootloop (a looped boot) or loss of functionality (e.g., a mobile network or camera disappears).

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi Redmi