How to view frequently used apps on Xiaomi: all ways to use MIUI

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones collect a lot of data about your activity — including app usage statistics — and it’s useful not only for optimizing your system, but also for the user: it helps you identify voracious programs, track your time on social media, or simply clear your list of unnecessary utilities.

Depending on the version of MIUI (12 to 14) and the device model (Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.), the location of the section with statistics may differ. Moreover, some methods require the activation of hidden functions or the use of third-party tools. In this guide, we will discuss all available methods, from standard settings to advanced tricks for power users.

It’s important to understand that MIUI limits access to full app statistics in the latest versions (starting with MIUI 13), but workarounds still work. If you’re using an Android 13+ device, some features may be hidden — that’s what we’ll talk about, too.

1. Standard method: section "Use statistics" in settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI feature, which displays application usage times and launches, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices without any additional manipulation.

To find a list of frequently used apps:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Battery and Performance (on some models, just Battery).
3. Slip on Battery Use or Usage Statistics.
4. Select the Application Use tab (may be called Application Activity).

Here you'll see:

• 📊 List of applications sorted by time of use (from more to less).
• ⏱️ Activity time for each application in the last 24 hours or 7 days.
• 🔄 Number of launches (on some versions) MIUI).
• 📉 Hours of activity (not available on all devices).

Note: if you don’t see the Usage Statistics section, it may be hidden due to regional restrictions (e.g., on EU firmware).

2. via the "Security Center" (for MIUI 12 and later)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi moved some of the statistics to the Security Center, a separate application that monitors permissions, viruses, and program activity, which provides more detailed information than the standard settings section.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security Center app (the shield icon on your desktop).
2. Go to the Optimization or Acceleration tab (depending on the version).
3. Slap the button on Usage Statistics or Application Activity.
4. Choose the period: Today, Yesterday or 7 days.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 More detailed statistics, including background activity.
• 📱 Possibility of sorting by use time, number of launches or battery consumption.
• 🚫 Application blocking function directly from statistics (useful to limit time on social networks).

⚠️ Note: Some of the scoring for POCO (for example, POCO F4 GT) Use statistics may not be available in the Security Center, in which case use the method №1 №3.

3. Hidden section "Frequently used" in the launcher MIUI

Few people know, but the MIUI shell automatically analyzes your habits and generates a list of frequently used applications — but doesn't always show it explicitly.

How to find him:

1. On the home screen, make a long tap from scratch (not on the icon!).
2. In the menu that opens, select Screen Settings or Launcher Settings.
3. Scroll down and find the Frequently Used Apps section (may be called Favorite Apps).
4. Slip it to see the full list.

Features of this method:

• 📱 The list is automatically generated based on your activity over the past few years. 2-3 weekdays.
• 🔄 It can be edited: add or remove applications manually.
• 📌 Applications from this list load into memory faster when startup.
• 🔍 Only the programs you have run are displayed here. 3-5 once.

Update MIUI to the latest version |Check out if the section is hidden in the launcher settings |Reset the launcher settings (Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Reset) |Reboot the device-->

4.Using Digital Wellbeing (Android 9+)

If your Xiaomi smartphone runs Android 9 or newer (which is pretty much all models after 2019), you can use Google’s built-in Digital Wellbeing feature.It provides deeper analytics than standard MIUI tools.

How to turn on and use:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls.
2. If the function is disabled, tap on Show Usage Data and confirm activation.
3. Select the Control Panel tab (or Dashboard in English firmware).
4. Scroll down to see the full list of apps with usage times.

How Digital Wellbeing is better than standard MIUI statistics

Note: on some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese ones), Digital Wellbeing can be disabled by default or hidden, in which case it can be activated via Settings → System → Additional → Special Features → Digital Wellbeing.

5. Advanced method: ADB-Teams for experienced users

If you want complete statistics with all the technical details (including hidden system processes), you can use ADB, the Android debugging tool, which is suitable for MIUI 13/14 and requires a connection to a computer.

What you'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-tool.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Return to the Extra → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Teams for statistics:

# Connecting the device


adb devices




Getting a list of frequently used applications (top-20)



adb shell dumpsys usage stats | grep -E "mPackageName|mLastTimeUsed|mLastTimeUsed"




Exporting complete statistics to file (for analysis)



adb shell dumpsys usagestats > usage_stats.txt

What you can learn with ADB:

• 📅 The exact time of the last launch of each application.
• ⏳ Total activity time in the foreground.
• 🔄 Number of switches between programs.
• 📊 Data on background processes that are not visible in standard statistics.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Do not change system settings through these commands unless you are confident in your actions - this can lead to unstable operation of the device or resetting of settings.

adb shell pm grant com.android.settings android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS

6. Third-party applications for activity analysis

If the built-in MIUI tools don’t suit you, you can use third-party utilities that offer advanced analytics, data visualization, and additional features (such as blocking applications on a schedule).

Top.-3 apps:

How to set up ActionDash (as an example):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. When you first start, provide access to the Usage Statistics.
3. Go to the Apps tab to see a list of frequently used programs.
4. Click on any app to see the activity schedule by day.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• 📈 More visual graphics and data visualization.
• 🔔 The ability to set notifications about exceeding the time limit.
• 📤 Exports of statistics to Excel/CSV PC-analysis.
• 🔒 Additional features: application lock, focus mode.

⚠️ Note: Some activity tracking apps (such as App Usage Tracker) may consume an extra battery because they are in the background.

💡

Third-party apps provide more data than built-in MIUI tools, but require additional permissions. Always check reviews and ratings before installing!

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Frequently Used Apps on Xiaomi