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

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) often hide some pre-installed applications from the user, this is done to optimize the interface and protect system processes, but sometimes you need to access such programs – for example, to free up memory, disable unnecessary services or restore accidentally hidden applications.

In this article, we will go into detail all the ways to find hidden applications on Xiaomi, including system methods and third-party utilities, you will learn how to display hidden programs through settings, how to use them. ADB-We'll take a look at the teams for power users, and what applications will help automate the process. Separately, we'll look at how to distinguish secure system applications from potentially malicious ones.

It's important to understand that not all hidden apps can be removed without consequences, and some of them are critical to the operation of MIUI, Xiaomi's proprietary shell, and we'll give you recommendations on which programs are best left untapped and which ones can be safely deactivated.

Why Xiaomi Hide Apps and Which Ones Are Safe to Delete

The manufacturer hides applications for several reasons:

• 🔧 System optimization – to avoid cluttering the menu with unnecessary services (for example, com.miui.analytics for collecting statistics).
• 🛡️ Accidental Deletion Protection – Critical components like com.android.phone are hidden so that the user does not turn them off.
• 📦 Bloatware Preinstalled – Advertising and affiliate apps (Mi Browser, Mi Music) that Xiaomi hides but does not remove.
• 🔄 Remains after updates – old versions of apps that have not been completely uninstalled.

Not all hidden apps are equally useful, but here's a quick table of examples and recommendations:

An important nuance: on devices with global firmware (MIUI Global), some hidden applications may be missing, while in the Chinese version (MIUI China), they are much more due to local services (Mi Pay, Mi Credit, etc.).

⚠️ Note: Deleting system applications without a backup can cause your smartphone to fail. If you are unsure of the purpose of the program, it is better to disable (deactivate) rather than remove it completely.

Method 1: View hidden applications through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It does not require superuser rights (root) and is suitable for most models (Redmi Note 10, POCO X3, Mi 11, etc.).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Show all applications.
3. Hidden programs will appear in the list – they are usually marked with a gray color or an eye icon with a cross-out (👁️➖).
4. Slip on the desired application to view the information or disable it.

If this method does not work, try an alternative way:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → System system → The phone.
• Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Activate the option to Show Hidden Apps (if you have one in your version of MIUI).

On some devices (e.g. POCO F3), hidden applications can only be displayed after the system cache is reset.

Settings → Memory → Clear the cache of applications

Enable the Developer Mode (if required)

Clear the system cache

Update MIUI to the latest version

Backup of important data-->

Method 2: Using ADB for experienced users

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Activate USB debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 taps) Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging on USB
3. Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
5. Enter the command to view all applications (including hidden ones): adb shell pm list packages -f
6. To filter only hidden packets, use: adb shell pm list packages -d (option -d shows disabled packets).

Example of team withdrawal:

package:/data/app/com.miui.analytics-1/base.apk=com.miui.analytics


package:/system/priv-app/MiuiCamera/MiuiCamera.apk=com.android.camera

To show the hidden app in the menu, use:

adb shell pm enable <name packet>

For example, to return the Mi Calculator:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.calculator

⚠️ Attention: Some teams ADB If you get a Permission denied error, your device is not rooted. In this case, use alternative methods (see next section).

💡

Before working with ADB, back up your data through adb backup or built-in MIUI tools (Settings → System → Backup).

Method 3: Third-party applications for finding hidden programs

If you are uncomfortable with ADB, you can use specialized utilities from Google Play, which automate the search process and often provide additional information about applications.

Top.-3 tested applications:

• 🔍 App Inspector - shows all installed packages, including hidden ones, with the ability to filter by status (active / disabled). Pros: simple interface, no advertising. Cons: does not allow you to remove system applications.
• 🛠️ System App Remover (ROOT) — It requires superuser rights, but it gives you full control over hidden programs.
• 📊 Package Name Viewer - displays packet names and status (hidden/visible). Pros: export list to file. Cons: no application management feature.

Instructions for using App Inspector:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Launch it and provide access to the Application Settings (if requested).
3. Go to the All Apps tab.
4. Click on the filter (funnel icon) and select Unplugged or Hidden.
5. Slip on the application to view details or open its settings in MIUI.

For System App Remover (root only):

1. Open the application and provide root access.




2. Go to the "System Apps" tab.




3. Find the right application (use search).




4. Press "Uninstall" (delete) or "Freeze" (freeze).

⚠️ Note: Apps like System App Remover can remove critical components MIUI, Check the reviews of a particular package on forums before using it (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Method 4: Find hidden applications through the file manager

Some hidden applications can be detected by manually browsing system folders, and any file manager with root access (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) will do.

Where to look:

• 📁 /system/app/ — System applications critical to the work MIUI.
• 📁 /system/priv-app/ — Privileged system programs (e.g. Google services).
• 📁 /data/app/ — User and some hidden applications.
• 📁 /data/app-lib/ — hidden-package libraries.

How to view:

1. Open the file manager and provide root access (if required).
2. Go to one of the folders mentioned.
3. Look for files with the.apk extension – these are the installed applications.
4. To find out the name of the package, look at the folder name (e.g. com.miui.gallery).

Example of folder structure:

/system/priv-app/




├── MiuiCamera/




│   ├── MiuiCamera.apk




│   └── oat/




├── MiuiGallery/




│   ├── MiuiGallery.apk




│   └── lib/

If you find an unnecessary application, you can:

• 🗑️ Delete (only if you are sure it is not a system!).
• 🔄 Rename the extension from.apk to.bak (this will disable it without deleting it).
• 📋 Copy the name of the package for further management through ADB.

💡

Be careful when working with /system/ folder - changes here can cause your device to fail. Always back up before deleting files.

Method 5: Recovery of Accidentally Hidden Applications

Sometimes users hide applications themselves through a launcher (such as a POCO Launcher or MIUI Launcher) and then can’t find them, in which case resetting the launcher settings or manual restoration will help.

How to return hidden applications:

1. For POCO Launcher: Long-Tap Desktop → Settings → Hidden Apps → Remove the Ticks
2. For a standard launcher MIUI: Settings → Annexes → Application management → ⋮ → Show all applications
3. Launcher Reset: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Find a launcher (such as MIUI Launcher) → Storage → Clear data Attention: this will reset all desktop settings (widgets, folders).

If the application was hidden through Second Space (MIUI function to create a second workspace):

• 🔄 Switch between spaces by swiping two fingers across the lock screen.
• 📱 Check if the app is in another space.
• 🗑️ If you want to remove Second Space completely: Settings → Special facilities → Second Space → Delete

To recover system applications hidden through pm hide (ADB), use:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 <pack>

Replace the <packet> with the name of the application (e.g. com.miui.notes for Notes).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with hidden applications, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Additional recommendations:

• 🔄 Always back up before you delete your system applications. TWRP or embedded tools MIUI.
• 📋 Keep a list of deleted packages so that in case of problems, you know what to restore.
• 🛠️ Use Debloater scripts instead of manually deleting. for example, Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools allows you to safely disable unnecessary services.

⚠️ Note: On bootloader-locked devices, some operations (such as uninstalling system applications) may trigger the Anti-Rollback protection, making the smartphone unusable without Xiaomi’s official unlocker.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi