How to open hidden applications on Xiaomi: system and user

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) hide some applications from the user by default, both system utilities and manual programs, motivated by the manufacturer’s desire to simplify the interface and avoid accidental removal of critical services.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for finding and opening hidden applications on Xiaomi, from standard MIUI features to using third-party tools, focusing on security: which programs can be removed and which should not be touched, and learn how to return applications that you accidentally hidden back to the menu.

All instructions are valid for devices based on MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions) and checked on models Xiaomi 13/14 Series, Redmi Note 12/13 Pro, POCO F5/X5. If your device runs on an older version of MIUI, some menu items may differ - we will warn you about this separately.

1.Search hidden apps through MIUI's "Settings"

The easiest way is to use the built-in system tools. Xiaomi provides access to a list of all installed programs, including hidden ones, through the Settings → Applications section.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
• 🔍 Go to the Apps → Application management.
• 📋 At the top of the screen, select the All Apps tab (the default can be Installed Apps).
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the program name (e.g. com.android.settings for system settings).

All applications will be displayed here, including:

• 🔧 System utilities (e.g, MIUI Daemon, SecurityCenter).
• 📦 Google Pre-installed Services (if Hidden).
• 👤 Custom programs that you have manually hidden through Second Space or App Lock.

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If you are not sure if you can delete the application, check the name in the MIUI system process database. For example, com.miui.home is a launcher, the removal of which will lead to the collapse of the interface.

Please note: some system applications may not open when you directly click – you will need to use ADB or special commands to run them (we will discuss this in section 4).

2.Using Second Space and App Lock

Xiaomi offers two built-in tools to hide apps from prying eyes: Second Space (second desktop) and App Lock (app lock).If you previously hid programs through these features, they can be easily returned.

How to find applications in Second Space:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Enter your password (if you have set it).
3. On the screen will appear an alternative desktop with hidden applications.

How to Unblock Programs in App Lock:

• 🔒 Open the Settings. → Annexes → App Lock.
• 🔐 Enter. PIN-finger-print.
• 📱 In the list, find the hidden app and turn off the Hide icon option for it.

If you have forgotten your Second Space or App Lock password, you can only restore it through a reset (see Section 6).

3.Browse hidden apps through "Security"

Security (or Global Firmware Security) provides advanced tools for managing programs, including hidden ones, and not only can you find them, but you can also analyze their activity.

Step-by-step:

• 🛡️ Launch the Security app (shield icon).
• 🔍 Go to Application Management or App Manager.
• 📊 Select the All Apps or System Applications tab.
• 🔎 Use a title search or scroll through the list manually.

This section shows:

• 🕵️‍♂️ Applications running in the background (e.g. com.miui.analytics – statistics collection).
• 📡 Network-related services (com.android.phone – telephone functions).
• 🔄 Programs that have been deactivated by the system (Disabled in status).

Warning: Disabling system services through Security can cause the device to work in an unstable way, for example, deactivating com.miui.gallery will delete the standard gallery, and com.android.mms will disable SMS.

4.Extended method: use of ADB

For power users who need to access deep-hidden system applications, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a good tool, which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and enabling debugging mode.

Preparation:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Download ADB Tools on your PC and connect your phone via USB.

Teams for working with hidden applications:

adb shell pm list packages -f # Show all installed packages


adb shell pm list packages -d # Show disabled applications




adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings # Run system settings




adb shell pm enable com.example.app # Include the disabled application

Example: To open the hidden application com.miui.calculator, use:

adb shell am start -n com.miui.calculator/.cal.AllInOneCalculatorActivity

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Enable the developer mode on the phone

Activate debugging over USB

Download ADB Tools and unpack into a separate folder

Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable-->

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not disable system packages called com.android., com.miui., com.qualcomm.* are critical components. MIUI Android.

5. Third-party applications for searching for hidden programs

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools didn’t help, you can use third-party utilities that scan the system and show all the packages installed, including hidden ones.

Top.-3 search-in:

How to use:

1. Install one of the applications from the table.
2. Grant the ADB rights (if required).
3. In the list, find the desired application and click on it to launch or view the details.

The advantage of third-party utilities is that they often show more information than standard Xiaomi settings.

• 📌 The way APK-file (where the application is physically stored).
• 🔗 Dependencies (which system libraries it uses).
• 📊 Use statistics (how many times started, battery consumption).

⚠️ Note: Some Google Play apps may contain ads or request excessive permissions. Check reviews and ratings before installing.

6.Recover Remote or Hidden Applications

If you accidentally delete the system application or it is lost after the MIUI update, it can be restored in several ways.

Method 1: Resetting settings

This is a radical way that will bring back all the standard applications, but delete user data.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Reset all settings (not to be confused with Remove all data!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Method 2: Reinstallation through Recovery

For experienced users:

• 📥 Download the full firmware for your model from the site MIUI Downloads.
• 🔧 Go to Recovery Mode (turn off the phone, then pinch the power) + Loudness up).
• 🔄 Choose Install. update.zip and indicate the path to the downloaded file.

Method 3: Recovery through MIUI Hidden Settings

If resetting is undesirable, try:

• Install Hidden Settings for MIUI (see Section 5).
• Go to App Management → Restore Default Apps.
• Select the missing app and click Restore.

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Before resetting, be sure to back up through Settings → System → Backup. This will save your contacts, SMS and application settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi