How to find a remote program on Xiaomi Android smartphone: all ways

Have you removed an important app on Xiaomi and now you can't find it? Or suspect that malware is hidden on the device? In the Android operating system (especially on MIUI, HyperOS firmware), programs can disappear from the menu for several reasons: from accidental removal to virus action or system optimizations. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to detect remote or hidden applications on Redmi, POCO, Xiaomi 11/12/13/14 and other models.

It is important to understand the difference between a remote and a hidden application: the former is physically absent from the device’s memory, the latter simply does not appear in the launcher, but continues to occupy space and consume resources. We will look at methods for both cases, including working with ADB, analyzing system folders and using specialized utilities. If you are not sure about your technical skills, start with the simplest methods (sections 1-3), and then move on to the advanced ones.

1. Check in the "All Appendices" menu

The fastest way to find a lost app is to check the full list of installed software. On MIUI/HyperOS, many programs are hidden by default from the main menu but remain on the system list.

How to open it:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, click on the magnifying glass icon (search) and enter the program name.
• 📁 Scroll down to the "All Apps" section (including system ones).
• 🔄 If the application is found but does not appear on the desktop, click on it. → "Show on the main screen".

If the application is not on this list, it is either removed or disabled (see next section).Please note: some system utilities (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may be hidden from the user, but they can be activated via ADB.

2. Search for disabled applications

MIUI and HyperOS automatically disable underutilized programs to save battery life, but these applications are not removed, but do not work in the background and do not appear in the menu.

To find them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Select "Show all processes".
3. In the filter (funnel icon) select "Disconnected".
4. If the desired application is in the list, click on it → “Enable”.

Once turned on, the program will reappear in the menu, and if it is not disabled, check hidden folders (section 4) or system logs (section 6).

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On some POCO models, disabled applications can only be seen through ADB. Use the command

adb shell pm list packages -d

3.Using the built-in MIUI search

MIUI/HyperOS' global search feature searches not only in menus, but also in settings, files, and even text messages, and helps you find apps that:

• 🗃️ Hidden in folders on the desktop.
• 🔧 Renamed (for example, after updating).
• 📱 Established as APK, but not integrated into the system.

How to use:

1. Swipe down the main screen (guest to call the search).
2. Enter the name of the app or part of it (e.g., “camera” instead of “Xiaomi Camera”).
3. If the results have an item "Open settings of the application", it means that it is installed, but hidden.

If your search doesn’t work, try typing in a batch name (e.g. com.android.chrome for Chrome) and you can find it through ADB or sites like Google Play (in the address bar after id=).

4. Verification of the file system through the conductor

Remote applications leave traces in /data/app (user) and /system/app (system) folders, but access to them requires root rights or ADB. If you don't have root access, use these methods:

Method 1. Through the built-in MIUI conductor:

• 📁 Open the Files app (or "Conductor").
• 🔍 Go to the Inner Memory → Android → data.
• 🔒 If the data folder does not open, you do not have superuser rights.

Method 2. via ADB (without root):

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode).

If the /data/app folder has files with the name of the remote application, but it does not appear in the menu, then there has been a cache error. Try to clear the launcher data: Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear the data.

Analysis of system logs

Logcat logs record all actions, including installing and uninstalling programs, which will help determine when and which application was removed.

How to view logs:

1. Enter the command to view logs in real time: adb logcat | findstr "PackageManager" (for Mac/Linux, use grep instead of findstr).

If the logs are too large, save them to a file:

adb logcat -d > log.txt

Then, open log.txt in the text editor and look for remote programs.

Check if the debugging is included USB|Reboot the phone and repeat the command.|Use alternative utilities (e.g. MatLog from F-Droid)|Try to view logs through the "Termux" app"-->

6 Recovery of Remote Applications

If you confirm that the program is indeed deleted, it can be restored in several ways:

To recover from the MIUI basket:

1. Open the Security" → "Basket".
2. Find the remote app (if there is one).
3. Put it on him. → "Restore".

If the application is system-based (e.g. com.miui.calculator), it can only be returned via ADB or flashing.

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.calculator

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Xiaomi system applications cannot be restored through Google Play, but must be activated through ADB or reinstall the firmware.

7. Search for hidden malware

If you suspect that a spyware or virus is hidden on your phone, standard methods may not work. Malware often masquerades as system processes (e.g., com.android.system) and is not displayed on the menu.

How to detect them:

• 🛡️ Install an antivirus with system folder scanning (such as Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).
• 🔍 Check the list of running processes through ADB: adb shell ps -A | findstr "suspicious" (replace "suspicious" with a suspicious word).
• 📊 Use traffic analysis tools (such as NetGuard) to identify suspicious activity.

Typical signs of hidden malware:

• 🔋 Battery discharge without apparent cause.
• 📶 Increased traffic in the background.
• 📱 Spontaneous reboot or heating of the body.
• 📎 Unknown files appear in the Download folder.

⚠️ Note: Some "optimizers" (such as Clean Master) may themselves be a source of hidden advertising. 4PDA.

FAQ: Frequent questions

⚠️ Warning: If you find a suspicious app with a name that mimics system (e.g. com.android.google.update), don't manually delete it.