Where to look for a remote application on Xiaomi Redmi 9: from system settings to hidden folders

Did you delete the app on Xiaomi Redmi 9 by mistake — or did it just disappear from the menu? — This is a situation familiar to many smartphone users on MIUI. The reasons can range from an accidental tap to a shell failure, hiding an icon, or even the action of a virus. Fortunately, 90% of the time the app is not lost irrevocably — it can be restored, found in the archive or reinstalled in a couple of minutes.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible scenarios, from basic (checking the All Apps folder) to advanced (working with ADB and backups), and focus on the unique features of MIUI 12/13 on Redmi 9 that are often confusing, such as automatic hiding of underutilized programs or conflicts with App Duplicates. If you don’t find a solution in the first sections, read to the end: there are non-obvious life hacks waiting.

1. Checking obvious places: All Apps folder and search

Before you panic, make sure the app is actually removed, not just hidden or moved.On Redmi 9 with MIUI, icons are often "lost" due to the interface features:

• 📁 All Apps folder: swipe up the home screen to open the full list of installed programs.
• 🔍 Search by system: Swipe down on the home screen and type the name of the application into the search bar. MIUI Searches not only in the menu, but also in settings, files and even web results.
• 📌 Folders: Sometimes icons are hidden in automatically created folders like Tools or Entertainment. Check them manually.

If you don't find the app, it may have been uninstalled or disabled in the settings, so let's move on to the next step.

2. Restore via “Application Management” in Settings

MIUI allows you to disable system and user applications, after which they disappear from the menu, but remain in the memory of the device.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Applications (or System Processes if you are looking for embedded software).
3. Find the app you want in the list. If there's an Enable button next to it, click it.
4. After turning on the icon will return to the menu “All applications”.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g. com.miui.analytics) cannot be enabled manually, as disabling them may disrupt the operation of the system. MIUI. Don’t touch unfamiliar services called Android. or Miui. at the beginning.

Find the application in the list "Disconnected"

View the "Systems" tab (if you are looking for embedded software)

Check if there is a "Restore" or "Update" button

Make sure the app is not hidden through Show on Screen"-->

3. Verification of hidden and archived applications

MIUI automatically archives rarely used programs to make room, archived applications are not displayed in the menu, but remain in memory, to return them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Archived Applications.
2. Select the desired application and tap Restore.
3. Wait a few seconds, the icon will appear on the menu.

If you don't have Archived Applications, you're disabled. Check the hidden folders too:

• 🔒 Open the Settings. → Confidentiality → Special permits → Show hidden files.
• 📂 Go to the files. → Internal memory. → Android → Data and look for a folder with the name of the application (for example, com.whatsapp).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from the folder Android/data manually, this can disrupt the application. Use this method only to check for the availability of the program.

4.Search in Xiaomi backups and cloud

If the app has been recently removed, it can be restored from a local backup or the Xiaomi cloud.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backups.
2. Select the most recent copy (see the date of creation).
3. Click Restore and select only the app you want (or tick all if you’re not afraid to overwrite the current data).

To recover from the cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backups.
2. Select the device (Redmi 9) and the date of the copy.
3. Find the Application section and tick the necessary programs.

💡 Useful advice: if there are no backups, check the Recycle Bin in the Files app. APK-files are stored for up to 30 days.

5. Reinstall the app via Google Play or APK

If the application is permanently removed, you just have to reinstall it, and you can do this in a number of ways:

• 📥 Google Play: Open a store, find an app, and click Install. If it's purchased, check the Library tab.
• 📎 APK-File: If the application is not in Play (e.g., regional restrictions), download it from trusted sources like APKMirror and install it manually.
• 🔄 Play Market Cash: Sometimes Cache Cleaning a Store Helps: Settings → Annexes → Google Play Store → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Attention: during installation APK from unknown sources, disable the check MIUI In Settings → Confidentiality → Special permits → Install unknown applications, but remember, it increases the risk of virus infection.

If the application was system (for example, Camera or Gallery) – it can only be restored through firmware or Fastboot.

💡

Before reinstalling, check if MIUI Security is blocking it. Go to Settings → Security → Application Blocker and make sure the program you want isn’t blacklisted.

6. Advanced methods: ADB, Fastboot and root access

If the standard methods didn't work, and the application was system-based, you'd have to use technical tools. These are the methods that are suitable for power users!

Method 1: Recovery through ADB

If the application has been uninstalled but its APK is still in the system, you can try reinstalling it via ADB:

adb shell cmd package install-existing <packet name>

To find out the name of the package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep <part of title>

Method 2: Fastboot Firmware

If critical system software (such as Launcher) is removed, only flashing it will help. Download the official firmware for Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) from en.miui.com and run through the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Attention: incorrect actions with ADB Or Fastboot can squirt the device, and if you're not sure, go to the service center.

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Use ADB and Fastboot only if you are confident in your actions. For most users, the methods from the previous sections are sufficient.

7. How to Prevent Loss of Applications in the Future

To avoid losing apps on Redmi 9, follow the following simple rules:

• 🔄 Regular backups: set up automatic backup creation in Settings → Additionally. → Backup (select weekly copying).
• 📌 Icon fastening: Hold your finger on the app icon and select Secure on the screen so it doesn’t disappear after the update. MIUI.
• 🛡️ Disabling Archiving: If you do not want to MIUI automatically hides rarely used programs, disable the function in Settings → Battery and productivity → Archiving of applications.
• 📂 Checking Hidden Folders: Check Settings once a month → Main screen screen → Hidden apps to make sure nothing is hidden.

It is also useful to install an application manager like App Cloner or Island, which will help you track changes in the installed software list.

FAQ: Frequent questions about lost apps on Xiaomi