Where to look for a remote app on a Xiaomi phone: the full guide 2026

Did you delete the app on Xiaomi by mistake — or did it just disappear from the screen after the MIUI update? — The situation is familiar to many: the icon disappears, and the program continues to occupy space in memory or even works in the background. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to find the “lost” application, from basic (check folders and search) to hidden firmware functions.

It's important to understand the difference between a remote and a hidden application. In the first case, the program is completely erased from the system (but it can be restored from a backup or a store); in the second case, it's simply hidden in the depths of the MIUI interface, and it takes a couple of minutes to return it to the screen. We'll look at both scenarios, as well as the rare cases when the application "disappears" due to launcher failures or access rights conflicts.

This article is relevant for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS. If your phone runs on an older version of the firmware, some menu items may differ - but the overall logic of the search will remain the same.

1. Search through the system menu "All applications"

The fastest way to find a lost application is to use the built-in program manager, which displays all installed applications, including those hidden from the home screen or folders.

How to open the menu:

• 📱 Swipe up the main screen (swipe up gesture) to open the app menu.
• 🔍 At the top of the screen, find the search bar (magnifying glass icon) and enter the name of the program.
• 📌 If the application is found but is not on the main screen, press its icon and drag it to the desktop.

If the search did not give results, check the Hidden Applications section:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Put three points on it (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Hidden Applications.
3. In the list, find the desired program and uncheck it to return to the screen.

💡

In MIUI 14 and HyperOS, hidden apps can be displayed in a separate tab called “Recently Hidden” – check it out if you don’t find the program in the main list.

2. Check folders and secondary screens

Often, Xiaomi users accidentally move app icons to folders or additional desktops, especially after firmware updates, when the system automatically sorts programs into categories (for example, “Games”, “Social Networks”).

How to check:

• 🗂️ Scroll through all desktops left/right – it’s possible the app is on the second or third screen.
• 📁 Open all folders on the home screen (even those that seem empty). MIUI Folders can contain up to 16 apps, and some icons are hidden under the “scroll».
• 🔄 Try changing the launcher: install Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher from Google Play – sometimes they display apps that don’t show the standard Xiaomi interface.

If you use a child mode or profile for work, check these spaces separately:

1. Open the notification panel and tap on the user's avatar.
2. Select a different profile (such as “Work”) and repeat your application search.

3.Recovery from MIUI basket

In MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, remote applications go to the Recycle Bin and are stored for up to 30 days, which is the equivalent of the recently deleted function in the gallery, but for programs, and if you deleted the application less than a month ago, you can restore it without re-installing it.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, tap on the basket icon (🗑️) or select the item in the menu (three-pointed).
3. Find the desired application in the list and click Restore.

Please note:

• ⏳ Recovery takes a few seconds – don’t interrupt the process.
• 🔄 After recovery, the application will appear in the menu, but its data (for example, logins or settings) can be reset.
• 🚫 If the cart is empty, then the application has been removed more 30 days ago or erased through ADB/Fastboot.

Make sure the app is actually removed (not hidden)

Check the date of deletion (not older than 30 days)

Free up space in memory (if the application is large)

Connect to Wi-Fi (to download updates after recovery)-->

4. Search through storage settings

If the app doesn’t appear in the menu but takes up space in memory, it can be found through the Warehouse section, a method that is useful for detecting “zombie” programs that haven’t been deleted completely or are running in the background.

How to check:

1. Go to Settings. → Warehouse.
2. Select the Application category (may be called “Other Apps” depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Go through the list by size or alphabet. If you find the right app, tap it and choose Open or Restore.

If the application takes up space but doesn’t start, try:

• 🔄 Clear the cache (Clear the cache button in the application information).
• 🗑️ Delete residual files through Settings → Annexes → [name] → Warehouse → Delete the data.
• 🔧 Reinstall the program from Google Play or APK-file.

5.Using ADB to Find Hidden Applications

For advanced users: If the app is not found in standard ways, it can be detected via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method requires connecting the phone to a computer, but allows you to see all installed packages, including system and hidden.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and activate Debugging over USB.
2. Connect your phone to your PC, open the terminal (or PowerShell in Windows) and execute the command: adb shell pm list packages -f It will display a list of all installed packages with paths to APK-file.
3. To find a specific application, use the filter: adb shell pm list packages | findstr "name packet" For example, for WhatsApp, type findstr "whatsapp".

If you find a package but can’t open it, check the status:

adb shell dumpsys package "name packet"

In conclusion, pay attention to the lines:

• Hidden=true: The application is hidden by the system.
• Disabled=true – the application is disabled.

💡

ADB-packages with the prefix com.miui. or com.xiaomi. are system applications Xiaomi. to remove them without knowing the consequences is dangerous - it can lead to malfunctions in the firmware.

6. Superuser Rights Check (Root)

If your Xiaomi has root rights, you can use a root-enabled file manager (like Root Explorer or Solid Explorer) to manually find the application files.This method is risky, but sometimes the only way to recover data.

Where to look:

Warnings:

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system without backup can lead to a phone "brick" (unable to download).Always create a backup through TWRP Mi Flash Tool before editing system folders.

⚠️ Note: On phones with HyperOS (2026)+) Xiaomi has tightened root access controls, and using Magisk or other rights tools can lead to some features being blocked (e.g. Mi Pay or Widevine) L1 high-resolution streaming).

Reinstallation of the annex from official sources

If all the previous methods didn't work, the most reliable way is to re-install.

Where to install:

• 📥 Google Play – if the application was downloaded from there. The system will prompt Update or Install (if the program is completely removed).
• 🌐 Developer’s official website – for applications distributed outside the Play Market (e.g. Mi Fit or Xiaomi Community).
• 📁 Local. APK — If you have a backup of the installation file (check the Download folders or APK phone-on).

What to do if the installation is blocked:

1. Application Not Installed Error: Delete Residual Files via Settings → Apps → [name] → Delete.
2. Packet Conflicts Error: Use ADB to Force Delete: Adb Uninstall "Package Name Package"
3. Prohibit installation from unknown sources: Allow installation of APK in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Installation of unknown applications.

8.Reset launcher settings (if icons disappeared en masse)

If not one, but several applications are missing, the problem may be in the failure of the launcher (the program responsible for displaying the main screen), in which case resetting its settings will help.

How to drop the launcher:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher app (may be called MIUI Launcher, POCO Launcher, or Home).
3. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
4. Reboot the phone.

After discharge:

• 🔄 All icons will return to standard positions (like after buying a phone).
• 📁 Folders and widgets will have to be reconfigured.
• ⚠️ If the problem recurs, try installing a side launcher (like Nova Launcher).

FAQ: Frequent questions