How to Use Activity Launcher on Xiaomi to Move and Launch Applications

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the limitations of the MIUI or HyperOS shell, which hides system components and does not allow you to freely manage shortcuts. The standard App Portability feature only works to move icons between desktops, but it is powerless if you need to create a shortcut for a hidden system function or a specific customization screen. This is where the Activity Launcher utility comes to the scene, allowing you to look under the hood of the Android operating system.

Using this tool, you can customize the interface almost without limit, so you can either put a specific section on the home screen that is usually hidden in the depth of the menu, or run a system application that does not have an icon in the launcher, which is especially true for advanced users who want to optimize the workflow and have quick access to the desired functions in one click.

Before you start taking action, you need to understand that Activity Launcher is not just a file manager, but a tool for working with Activity. Each page you open in Android is a separate activity. The program scans all installed packages and displays a list of all available activities, including those that developers have hidden from the eyes of the average user. On Xiaomi devices, this allows you to bypass some of the limitations of the shell.

But safety is important. Working with hidden system components requires caution. Running some activities can lead to unpredictable system behavior or cyclical reboot if the component is not designed to be directly called. So, before mass labeling, it is recommended to study the purpose of the process being called. Backup of important data in such a situation will never be superfluous.

Installation and initial configuration of Activity Launcher

The first step is to get the application installation file, and since the utility is not always available on the official Google Play store for all regions or models, most often it has to be downloaded as a download. APK-file from trusted repositories such as F-Droid or GitHub. Once the file is uploaded, you must allow installation from unknown sources in your Xiaomi security settings.

Once installed and first run, the application will request the necessary permissions. Unlike regular programs, Activity Launcher does not require superuser rights (Root) for basic functionality, making it safe to use on guaranteed devices.

• 📲 Download the current version APK-file from an official source or trusted repository.
• 🔒 Allow installation of applications from unknown sources in the Device Protection section».
• 🚀 Run the program and wait for the scanning of all system packages to be completed.
• 🔍 Use the search bar to quickly find the right system component.

The interface may seem overloaded with a huge amount of recording, but it only indicates the depth of access to the system. For convenience, you can use the "Show Only Activity Launched" feature, which will filter out the technical debris and leave only those components that can be safely started, which makes navigation much easier for beginners.

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When searching for system settings, use English package names, such as com.miui.home, to search for desktop elements.

Search for hidden activities and system components

The tool's power is revealed at the time of search. The app list shows not only user programs, but also MIUI system services. For example, you can find the activity responsible for display testing, sensor calibration or hidden engineering menus. The best way to find a specific item is to use the English-language packet names.

When you open up a list of activities in a particular application, you'll see a lot of entries. Those that have a little man logo or a launch icon are entry points. These are the ones we need to create shortcuts. Some activities may not have a name, but appear as com.android.settings.SubSettings with a long hash, in which case you need to do a sample or look for information in the specification.

⚠️ Warning: Running activities marked "Unexported" or without icons can cause an app to crash or black screen. Be selective in choosing targets for creating shortcuts.

Of particular interest are permissions and battery management activities. Xiaomi often has situations where the system aggressively unloads background processes. By shortening the battery management activity of a particular application, you get quick access to autostart settings and energy savings, which is critical for stable instant messengers.

Instructions for creating shortcuts and transferring applications

The shortcut process is as simple and intuitive as possible. Once you find the right activity in the list, just click on it. The system will prompt you to create a shortcut on the desktop. In the case of the MIUI shell, additional confirmation of permission to create a shortcut may be required, since Xiaomi's security system strictly controls interface changes.

Once confirmed, a new icon will appear on the desktop, which can be moved between pages, placed in folders or added to widgets, just like a regular application. If a standard Xiaomi launcher blocks shortcut creation, you can temporarily install a third-party launcher, create shortcuts, and then return to the native interface — shortcuts are usually saved.

You can use standard system tools to group shortcuts, and the icons that you create are placed on the All Apps menu if the launcher supports this behavior, or they're only on the desktop, so you can organize the space by function, not by package.

Working with system settings and engineering menus

One of the most popular features of Activity Launcher on Xiaomi is access to hidden settings, such as com.miui.misys activity or the like, which can open access to system logs or advanced security settings, and is useful in diagnosing network problems or determining the cause of battery discharge.

It also allows you to access a hardware testing menu that is usually hidden, and to run the appropriate activity to check the vibrator, speakers, proximity sensor and other modules without entering special codes into the caller, which is especially useful if the standard engineering menu codes are blocked by the operator or region.

It’s important to understand that package names may vary depending on the Android version and the MIUI shell version.What worked on the Redmi Note 8 may have a different address on the Xiaomi 13. So always look closely at the activity description, if available, or focus on the icon.