How to view hidden apps on Android Xiaomi: the complete guide

Why Xiaomi can have hidden apps and how dangerous it is

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones run on customized MIUI firmware, which out of the box contains dozens of pre-installed apps, some of which the manufacturer deliberately hides from the user — it can be system services, duplicate functions (for example, two browsers or two app stores), or diagnostic programs that are not designed for everyday use, but sometimes hidden applications appear for other reasons.

Here are three key situations where you may need to find them:

• 🔍 Malware is often disguised as system processes (e.g., com.android.system with random digits) and does not appear in the standard application list.
• 📱 Optimizing productivity: Hidden services MIUI (Miui.analytics or miui.daemon can consume battery and traffic in the background.
• 🛠️ Manual removal of bloatware. Many users want to get rid of unnecessary applications (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music) that can not be removed by standard methods.

However, there are risks: removing critical system processes can lead to unstable phone operation or even a "brick" (complete device failure).

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (without root)

The safest method is to use built-in firmware tools, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and later) and does not require superuser rights.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
3. Turn on the Show System switch (if you have one in your MIUI version).

The list will show all installed programs, including hidden ones.

• 📌 com.miui.* - System firmware services;
• 📌 com.android.* – basic components of Android;
• 📌 com.qualcomm. or com.mediatek. – processor drivers.

If you see an unfamiliar app with a suspicious name (e.g. com.system.update.fast), don’t rush to remove it. First check it through VirusTotal or manually search the Internet for information about it.

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To quickly find information about an unknown app, copy its full name (e.g. com.xiaomi.mipicks) and type the word “safe” or “virus” into your browser’s search bar.

Method 2: Using the Developer Menu

MIUI has a hidden menu for developers that lets you see background processes and services.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
4. Find the option to Do Not Save Actions (or Do Not Stay Activated) and turn it on, which will cause the system to show all running processes.
5. Now open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Show all the processes.

In this mode, you will see all active background services, including those that are usually hidden.

• 🔄 com.miui.powerkeeper - Battery Optimizer;
• 📡 com.xiaomi.location.fused – geolocation service;
• 🛡️ com.miui.guardprovider - antivirus MIUI Security.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable processes with the names android. or media. - This can cause failures in the camera, sound or network connection.

Method 3: Use of ADB (for power users)

If standard methods do not help, you can connect to the phone via Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — A debugging tool that allows you to control the system from a computer, USB-cable and the enabled debugging mode USB.

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → For developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and run the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Execute the command to output a list of all applications: adb shell pm list packages -f

The result will show all packets, including hidden ones. To save the list to a file, use:

adb shell pm list packages -f > apps_list.txt

To remove an unnecessary application (e.g., com.miui.analytics) type:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB It can lead to errors in the work MIUI. Always back up before doing this, for example, deleting com.android.providers.media will disrupt access to the gallery.

Method 4: Third-Party Apps for Hidden Software Search

If you are uncomfortable working with ADB, You can use specialized tools from Google Play, which scan the system and show all the packages installed, including hidden ones.-3 tested applications:

Example of working with App Manager:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Go to the User Apps or System Apps tab.
3. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) and select Show system.
4. To find a specific application, use the magnifying glass icon.

If an application is marked as disabled, it means that it is disabled but not deleted, and such programs can be safely removed unless they are critical to the system's operation.

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Third-party applications for finding hidden software do not require root rights, but their effectiveness depends on the version of Android. On new smartphones (Android 12+), some system packages can be hidden even from such utilities.

Method 5: Testing through Task Manager (for viruses)

If you suspect that there is malware on the phone that is hidden from the standard app list, check the active processes through the Task Manager. In MIUI, it is called Security and has built-in monitoring:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to Accelerate or Task Manager.
3. Click more or show all the processes.
4. Look out for processes with suspicious names (e.g. update.apk, service.secure) or high battery consumption.

Viruses are often disguised as system services, but they can be calculated by the following features:

• 🔋 Unreasonably high battery consumption (over 10% per hour).
• 📶 Data transfer in the background (checked in Settings) → SIM cards and mobile networks → Traffic).
• 📛 Permits that do not correspond to functionality (for example, access to the SMS flashlight).

If you find a suspicious process, write down its name and check it through VirusTotal or Malwarebytes.

Method 6: Viewing Hidden Files Through Explorer

Some applications (especially viruses) can hide their files in folders that don't show up in standard Explorer, so you can turn on the hidden files and folders to see them.

1. Open any file manager (such as embedded Files or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to the Explorer settings and turn on the option to Show hidden files.
3. Open the root folder of the device and check the following directories: 📁 /data/app/ — user-apps; 📁 /system/priv-app/ — system-application; 📁 /data/data/ — file.

Look for folders with random names (e.g. com.a1b2.c3d4) or creation dates that coincide with the time the phone was troubled. Viruses often hide in folders with names like:

• 🚨 system_update;
• 🚨 android_security;
• 🚨 com.google.play.update (fake).

⚠️ Note: Do not delete files from folders /system/ without root rights, it can cause firmware to crash. If you find a suspicious file, you better use antivirus to delete it.

Method 7: Root access for full control

If you're willing to take risks, getting root rights will give you full access to the system, including all hidden apps and files. However, this method is only suitable for advanced users, because:

• 🔓 Violates Xiaomi’s Guarantee;
• 🛡️ Increases vulnerability to viruses;
• 🔄 It can cause the phone to fail in case of an error.

To get root on Xiaomi, they usually use:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and a wait of 7-14 days).
2. Install custom recovery (e.g. TWRP).
3. Magisk firmware for root rights management.

After getting root, you can:

• 🔍 See all system files in Root Explorer;
• 🗑️ Remove any applications via Titanium Backup;
• 🔧 Modify system settings.

Example of commands to remove system applications through ADB root:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Folder name




mount -o ro,remount /system

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Before getting root, make a full backup via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool.This will allow you to recover the phone in the event of a crash.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi