How to Open a Hidden Application on Xiaomi: All Working Methods

Why Apps Are Hiding on Xiaomi and How It Works

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones have a built-in app hiding feature, both system and user-based, originally designed to protect privacy (such as hiding banking apps or messengers from prying eyes), but often lead to confusion: users accidentally hide programs or can’t find pre-installed Xiaomi services such as Mi Video, Mi Music or Security.

Unlike Android in its pure form, where hiding applications requires third-party launchers, MIUI integrates this feature at the system level. Applications are not removed — they are simply excluded from the main list in menus and search. However, their processes continue to work in the background, and data (cache, settings) are stored. This is important to understand if you are trying to free up memory: a hidden application does not free up space on the device, but only masks its icon.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to find and open hidden apps on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO, from standard MIUI tools to advanced methods using ADB and third-party utilities. Note: Some methods require super-user rights (root), which can violate the warranty and security of the device.

Method 1: Search through the “Settings” of MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It works on all modern firmware versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14/HyperOS) and does not require additional programs.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
4. At the top of the screen will appear tab Hidden - click on it.
5. Select the desired application and tap Show.

If there are no Hidden Tabs, then there are no hidden apps on your device (or they were hidden through another method), in which case try the alternative methods below.

Make sure you are logged in to your main MI (non-guest) account

Check for MIUI updates in Settings → About the phone

Restart the device (sometimes the menu cache is reset)

- Try searching through the notification bar (swipe down) → magnifying-glass)-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) After upgrading to HyperOS, the Hidden tab may not be available. In this case, use Method 3 (via HyperOS) MIUI Hidden Settings).

Method 2: Use Second Space or Dual Apps

Second Space and Dual Apps are MIUI features that allow you to create isolated workspaces, and users sometimes confuse them with hidden applications, especially if the application is installed only in one of the spaces.

How to check:

• 🔍 Second Space: Swipe down the main screen → Click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → Select Second Space. If it's activated, switch between spaces and check for the app.
• 📱 Dual Apps: Open the Settings → Annexes → Dual Apps. This displays cloned versions of messengers (like WhatsApp or Telegram) If the app was hidden through cloning, the original can remain in the main space.

If the app is found in Second Space, but you need to move it to the main space:

1. Open the Settings. → Second Space.
2. Select Application Management.
3. Click on the three dots next to the desired application and select Move to the main space.

Method 3: MIUI Hidden Settings (Hidden Settings)

For advanced users, Xiaomi offers a hidden settings menu where you can manage system parameters that are not available in the standard interface.

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Once you enter this code, you will open the Testing menu, but you need another tool to work with hidden applications, MIUI Hidden Settings (an application from the XDA Developers community).

Instructions:

1. Download MIUI Hidden Settings (available on XDA or 4PDA).
2. Install. APK-File (Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings) → Security).
3. Open the application and go to the Manage Applications section.
4. Select Hidden Apps, and all hidden programs will be displayed here.
5. Slip on the desired application and click Un-hide.

⚠️ Attention: Use MIUI Hidden Settings on HyperOS devices can cause Mi Share and Quick Apps to crash. Before changing your settings, back up via Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

Standard settings MIUI|Second Space|MIUI Hidden Settings|ADB-team|None of the above.-->

Method 4: ADB-Teams for experienced users

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a computer debugging tool that works for all Xiaomi models, but requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and activate Debugging over USB.

File transfer

ADB Tools

cmd

adb.exe

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed).

adb shell pm list packages -f

(Secret applications will be marked as hidden.)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app

(Replace com.example.app with a real package)

Examples of Xiaomi’s popular hidden app packages:

• 🎵 com.miui.player — Mi Music
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• 🔒 com.miui.securitycenter — Security
• 📊 com.miui.analytics – Miui Analytics (system data collector)

💡

If the adb shell pm list packages command returns the permission denied error, try adb root first (requires an unlocked bootloader).

Method 5: Third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

If the hidden application does not show up even after using ADB, the problem may be in the MIUI system launcher.Installing an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) often solves the problem, as third-party shells ignore MIUI concealment settings.

How it works:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Set it as the default launcher (a suggestion will appear at the first start).
3. Open the app menu (swipe up) and tap on three points → Settings.
4. Select Hidden Applications – all programs, including those hidden through MIUI, will be displayed here.
5. To return the icon to the main screen, pinch it and drag it to the right place.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require rooting or ADB.
• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI HyperOS.
• ✅ Allows you to flexibly configure the display of icons (size, folders, gestures).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It takes up additional memory (about 10-15 MB).
• ❌ Some system applications (Security, Cleaner) may conflict with the launcher.

💡

Third-party launchers are the only way to see hidden apps on devices with a locked bootloader and without access to ADB.

Method 6: Recovery through resetting settings

If none of the methods worked, and the hidden application is critical (such as Mi Account or Find Device), the last measure is resetting, which will delete all data from the device, but return all system applications to their original state.

How to perform the reset:

1. Back up your important data (Settings → Additional → Backup).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose Delete all data (not Reset!).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔄 All hidden applications will become visible.
• 📱 The device will return to factory settings (you will have to reconfigure accounts, Wi-Fi, etc.).
• 🔐 If Second Space was turned on before the reset, its data will be deleted without the possibility of recovery.

⚠️ Note: HyperOS devices may need to re-activate your Mi Account via reset SMS Or backup email. Make sure you have access to the number tied!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with hidden applications, Xiaomi users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

If you are trying to find a specific application (e.g. Google Play Services or Mi Video) but are not sure of its package name, use the APKMirror service – it contains the exact identifiers (com.google.android.gms, com.miui.videoplayer, etc.).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions