Did you remove the app shortcut from Xiaomi's desktop, but the program is still installed? Or did the icons disappear without a trace after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones - the shell interface often hides applications in non-obvious places. Unlike "pure" Android, where all programs are displayed in the menu, MIUI can automatically sort them by folder or hide "system" utilities altogether.
In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to return access to any application, from basic (menu search) to advanced (launcher and ADB- command settings), we will also analyze why shortcuts disappear after updates or resets, and how to prevent them from losing them in the future. The instructions are valid for all modern Xiaomi models on MIUI 12–14 and HyperOS.
1. Search through the Apps menu
The fastest way to find a lost app is to use the built-in menu search, which works even if the shortcut has been removed from the desktop or hidden by the system.
How to do this:
- 📱 Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the app menu (if you have a navigation gesture) or tap the round icon at the bottom of the screen (if you use buttons).
- 🔍 At the top of the screen, you'll see a search bar -- type in the name of the app (even partial).
- 📌 The appendix found can:
If the search does not give results, check:
- ✅ The correct spelling of the name (sometimes Chinese applications are displayed in hieroglyphics).
- ✅ Is the application disabled in settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management).
- ✅ Is it system-based (some Xiaomi utilities don't appear in the general list).
⚠️ Warning: In MIUI 14 and HyperOS, a search in the application menu may not show duplicate shortcuts (for example, if you have two versions of the same messenger installed).
2. Global search by system
If the app doesn't show up in the menu, try the built-in search across the smartphone. It searches not only in the menu, but also in settings, files, and even text messages.
Instructions:
- Swipe your finger down the desktop (or tap the magnifying glass at the top of the screen) to open the search bar.
- Type the name of the app. If you don't know the exact name, try keywords (e.g., "camera," "gallery," "settings").
- In the search results, find the “Applications” section – there will be all matches, including hidden ones.
- Click on the desired app to open it, or hold your finger to create a shortcut on your desktop.
Advantages of this method:
- 🔍 Looks for all installed programs, even those that don't appear on the menu.
- 📂 Finds not only applications, but also associated settings (e.g., Camera Resolutions).
- 🌐 Works on all versions of MIUI and HyperOS.
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If a global search doesn’t find an app, try typing it in English (many Xiaomi system utilities have original names, such as Security instead of Security).
If this didn't work, it may have been disabled or removed. Go to the next section to check its status.
3. Checking the status of the application in the settings
Sometimes shortcuts disappear not because of a system bug, but because the app has been disabled or hidden manually. To check this, go to Xiaomi's settings.
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- At the top of the screen, select the All Apps tab (sometimes called Installed).
- Scroll through the list or search within this menu.
- If the app is on the list but has the “Disabled” label next to it, click on it and select “Enable”.
- If the app is hidden, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show Hidden.
What to do if the application is disabled but not turned on?
- 🔄 Try updating it via Google Play or GetApps (if it is third-party software).
- 📥 If this is a system application, you may need to reset your settings (but that’s a last resort!).
- 🛠️ For some Xiaomi utilities (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) it can help to clear the cache in the app settings.
| Status of the annex | What does it mean? | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Disconnected. | The app is deactivated, but it's not deleted. It's not on the menu. | Click Enable in the application settings. |
| Hiddenly. | The shortcut has been removed from the desktop, but the app is active. | Return it via the app menu or search. |
| Removed. | The application is uninstalled (not displayed in the list). | Install it from Google Play or APK. |
| Systemic (without label) | Some Xiaomi utilities do not have a default icon. | Use an ADB or third-party launcher (see Section 5). |
⚠️ Warning: Do not disable Xiaomi system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.settings) – this can lead to unstable smartphone performance or loss of functionality (e.g., gestures or notifications will fail).
4. Recovery of shortcuts through launcher settings
If the application is installed and active, but its shortcut is still not displayed, the problem may be in the launcher settings (the program responsible for the desktop). MIUI and HyperOS have hidden options that allow you to reset the location of icons or show all installed programs.
How to Restore Labels:
- Keep your finger on the empty desktop until the menu appears.
- Select Desktop Settings (or Launcher Settings, depending on the MIUI version).
- Scroll down and find the “Reset Settings” or “Restore Default Icons” section.
- Confirm the action – the system will return all standard labels to their place.
If the reset didn't help, try another launcher:
- 📱 Install an alternative launcher from Google Play (e.g. Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, or Microsoft Launcher).
- 🔄 Once installed, select it as the default launcher (the system will prompt you to do this automatically).
- 🔍 In the new launcher, all apps will appear in the menu, and you can create shortcuts again.
Make sure the label is not hidden in the folder|Check the Hidden Apps tab in the menu|Try another launcher for diagnosis|Make a backup copy of the location of the icons (if important)-->
In MIUI 14 and HyperOS, some system applications (such as Mi Share or Game Turbo) may not appear in the default launcher menu. To return them, you need to edit the configuration file via ADB (see section 5).
5. Advanced Methods: ADB and System Commands
If standard methods did not help, and the application is critical (for example, Settings or Phone), you can use the ADB debugging bridge. This method is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting the smartphone to the computer.
Instructions for restoring labels through ADB:
- 🖥️ Install Platform Tools on your computer and enable debugging on USB on Xiaomi (Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI → Press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB).
- 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your PC and open Command Prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the adb folder.
- 📋 Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (the serial number of your device should appear).
- 🔧 To show all hidden applications, run: adb shell cmd package list packages -f (this will display a list of all packages, including system ones).
- 🎯 If you want to return the shortcut to a particular application (e.g. Settings), use: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings (replace com.android.settings with your application package).
List of useful ADB- commands for working with applications:
| Team team. | Description |
|---|---|
| adb shell pm list packages | Shows all the packages installed. |
| adb shell pm enable com.example.app | It includes a disabled application (replace com.example.app with a real package). |
| adb shell pm clear com.example.app | Clears the application data (can help if the shortcut disappears after the update). |
| adb shell am start -n com.example.app/.MainActivity | It runs a specific application (you need to know Activity). |
How to find out the name of the application package?
⚠️ Warning: Inexperienced use of ADB may result in data loss or system instability. Do not change system application settings (e.g., com.miui.home or android) unless you are sure of the consequences. Pm enable and am start are sufficient to restore shortcuts.
6.Preventing the loss of labels in the future
To prevent app shortcuts from disappearing after updates or random actions, follow these tips:
- 📌 Secure important applications on your desktop: hold the icon and drag it to the bottom panel (dock station).These shortcuts are less likely to disappear when resets.
- 📂 Group similar programs into folders, which makes them harder to lose when cleaning the screen.
- 🔄 Regularly update MIUI — newer versions fix bugs with missing shortcuts (especially relevant for HyperOS).
- 📱 Use a backup of the launcher settings (Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher has this feature).
- 🚫 Do not disable system applications unnecessarily - this can cause associated shortcuts to disappear.
If you often encounter the problem of missing icons, consider installing an alternative launcher. For example, Nova Launcher allows you to:
- 🔒 Block accidental removal of labels.
- 📊 Sort applications by alphabet, installation date, or category.
- 🎨 Customize the appearance of icons (including size and shape).
- 🔍 Search hidden applications through built-in search.
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Alternative launchers (like Nova or Apex) not only solve the problem of missing shortcuts, but also offer flexible interface settings that are not available in the standard MIUI launcher.