How to view hidden apps on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their functionality, but sometimes users are faced with a situation where apps suddenly “disappear” from the home screen or menu.This can be due to concealment settings, system restrictions, or even virus software. Unlike standard removal, hidden applications continue to take up space in memory and can work in the background, consuming battery resources.

In this article, we will explore all possible methods for finding hidden applications on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from basic MIUI settings to advanced tools like ADB and file manager. Particular attention will be paid to security: some methods require superuser rights (root), which can cancel the warranty or disrupt the system.

If you suspect that apps are hidden on your device without your knowledge (for example, after transferring your phone to another user or installing questionable software), we recommend starting with the safest methods (sections 1-3) and only then moving on to technically complex solutions.

⚠️ Important: Some System Applications MIUI (For example, com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.midrop are hidden by default and are not intended to be deleted. their forced removal can lead to the failure of functions such as Mi Cloud, themes for registration or wireless file transfer.

1. Search through MIUI settings (no root)

The easiest way to find hidden apps is to use the built-in MIUI tools.This method requires no additional software and is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. At the top of the screen you will see tabs:

• 📱 Installed – All user and system applications;
• 🔍 All applications – extended list, including disabled;
• ⚙️ Special access – applications with administrator rights or for special features.

Go to the All Apps tab and scroll down.Hidden apps can be labeled with gray or an eye icon» (👁️). To get them back on the main screen:

1. Tap the name of the app;
2. Select Show on the home screen (if the option is active).
3. If there is no option, check the Disconnected section at the bottom of the list.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14+ Some system applications (e.g., com.miui.systemAdSolution) may not be listed due to security policies. ADB or root.

2.Use of launcher from third-party developers

The standard MIUI launcher (com.miui.home) limits the display of some applications. Installing an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) will allow you to see all installed programs, including hidden ones.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play (for example, Nova Launcher);
2. When you first start, select it as the default launcher;
3. Open the app menu and tap the icon «⚙️» (setting);
4. Find Hidden Apps or App Drawer Groups.
5. Uncheck the boxes from options like Hide apps or Hide system apps.

💡 Useful tip: Nova Launcher allows you to create a separate folder for hidden applications:

• 📁 Long tap on the main screen → Folders;
• 🔍 Select Hidden Apps in the List;
• 📌 Drag the folder to the desktop.

If after installing the launcher, some apps still don’t show up, check their status in Android settings: Settings → Apps → Show all apps → [Select the app] → Enable.

Install alternative launcher | Check the "Disconnected" section in MIUI| Disable battery optimization for launcher |Reboot device-->

View through the file system (for experienced users)

All installed applications are stored in Android system folders. To find them manually, you will need a file manager with root access (for example, Root Explorer, FX File Explorer or MiXplorer with superuser mode enabled).

The path to user applications:

/data/app/

System applications are located here:

/system/app/


/system/priv-app/




/vendor/app/

🔎 How to look:

• 📂 Open the folder. /data/app/ — stored APK-files of all user programs;
• 🔍 Look for folders with names like com.whatsapp, com.facebook.katana;
• 📋 Compare the list with what is seen in Settings → Annexes;
• 🚫 If the app is in the folder, but is not in the menu, it is hidden.

⚠️ Note: Delete or move files from /system/app/ Without root rights, you can cause a device to crash (completely inoperable!

For convenience, you can export a list of all applications through ADB:

adb shell pm list packages -f

This command will bring the full path to the APK of each installed application.

4.Using ADB (without root, but with USB debugging)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool that lets you control your device through your computer, and you can use it to get a list of all the applications, including hidden and disabled.

🛠️ Step-by-step instruction:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack it.
2. Turn on USB debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to become a developer) → Additional → For developers → Debugging on USB;
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with adb.exe and type: adb devices (the name of your device should appear);
5. Execute the command to output all packets: adb shell pm list packages

📌 Transcription of conclusions:

• 🔹 package: - Standard applications;
• 🔸 package:disabled: - Disabled by the user;
• 🔶 package:hidden: - hidden by the system or third-party software.

To show the hidden app, use:

adb shell pm enable [name packet]

For example, for Facebook:

adb shell pm enable com.facebook.katana

5. Virus and malware check

If apps are hidden without your involvement, it can be a sign of infection with a virus or spyware. Some Trojans (for example, Android.Triada or Android.HiddenAds) mask their processes as system services.

🛡️ How to check:

• 🔍 Install an antivirus with a signature database for MIUI (Dr.Web Light, Malwarebytes or Bitdefender);
• 📊 Check Active Processes through Settings → Battery → Battery usage – unknown high-consumption services should be alerted;
• 🔗 Use online scanners like VirusTotal to check for suspicious people APK;
• 📥 View the list of uploaded files in /storage/emulated/0/Download/ — Viruses are often disguised as updates or patches.

📊 Typical signs of infection:

⚠️ Note: If the antivirus finds threats in the system folders (for example, /system/priv-app/), The only reliable way to delete is to completely reset settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting from a backup can re-infect the device!

6. Resetting and flashing (extreme measures)

If none of the methods worked, and hidden applications continue to interfere with the device, there are two radical solutions: resetting to factory settings or flashing through Fastboot.

🔄 Resetting settings:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages);
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings;
3. Choose Delete all data and confirm;
4. After the reboot, check the list of applications – hidden programs should disappear.

📲 Fastboot Flashing (for experienced users):

• 📥 Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website;
• 🖥️ Install the Mi Flash Tool on PC;
• 🔌 Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Power with the device switched off);
• 🔄 Select the Clean All option in the Mi Flash Tool and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot flashing deletes all data, including files in internal memory.If the device was unlocked through Mi Unlock, it may be necessary to re-unblock the bootloader after the firmware is flashed.

💡

Resetting removes all user data, but does not always remove preinstalled system applications Xiaomi.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi