Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which are powered by MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, are complex ecosystems where software management goes beyond just flipping through screens. Users often face situations where, after a system update or random icon sorting, the desired program disappears from view, which can cause panic, especially if it comes to system utilities or important banking services that are essential for everyday life.
In fact, the Android operating system, in conjunction with the proprietary shell, provides many tools for navigating installed software. Deep integration of search engines allows you to find not only shortcuts on the desktop, but also hidden settings, contacts and even specific functions within applications. Understanding the logic of the file system and the application registry will help you quickly navigate the smartphone space, regardless of the device model.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available search methods, from standard global search to advanced methods through ADB and system process analysis. You will learn why some programs do not appear in the menu, how to find deleted but not completely erased data, and what tools of the GetApps built-in store can be useful for software localization. Xiaomi system search indexes not only application names, but also their key functions, which allows you to find settings without logging into the menu.
Using global search MIUI and HyperOS
The most obvious, but often underrated, way to find an app is to use the built-in global search widget. Unlike standard Android search, Xiaomi algorithms are set to index the content of the system more deeply. To activate a search, just swipe down the center of the desktop or click on the search bar if it is fixed at the top of the screen.
If you type in the app name in part, the system will suggest options from installed software, web search, and even contacts. It's important to note that in new versions of the HyperOS shell, the algorithm has become even smarter: it understands synonyms. For example, when you type in the word "calculator," it will find an application, even if it is renamed or hidden in a folder called "Tools." This is especially useful when you do not remember the exact name of the program.
To search more accurately, you can use Google Assistant or Xiao AI (in Chinese versions) integrated into the search bar. Voice input allows you to find applications even when the keyboard is uncomfortable or the screen is busy with other tasks. Just say "Open [app name]", and the system will execute a command, bypassing manual folder brutes.
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To speed up your search, add frequently used apps to the Favorites section inside the search widget by swiping to the right of the input bar.
It is also worth mentioning the “Search in Settings” feature, which is often confused with the search for applications. If you are looking for a specific feature (for example, “flight mode” or “Bluetooth”), a global search will immediately redirect you to the appropriate Settings menu, which saves time for manual navigation through the system sections.
Search for hidden and system applications
One of the frequent problems Xiaomi users have is the disappearance of application icons. This can happen for several reasons: the application was hidden through the Hidden Apps function, removed from the desktop (but remained in the system), or is system and has no visible interface. To find hidden programs, you need to use a special gesture in the Security application or in the gallery, depending on the version of the shell.
Most of the time, hidden content is accessed through the Security app. Scroll down inside this app before the password field appears, or use a special gesture (such as finger-bending or long-pressing) if it was previously configured. It stores programs that the user has decided to hide from prying eyes. Importantly, if you forget the password or the hidden application access pattern, it will be extremely difficult to restore access without resetting data due to the MIUI security policy.
Where is the hidden application data stored?
System applications like MIUI Daemon, Analytics, or Google Play services often don't have an icon on the menu, but consume resources. You can only find them through the application management menu. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. This shows the full list of installed software, including system software. In the upper right corner there is a switch that allows you to display or hide system processes.
If the application has been removed from the desktop but not completely removed (uninstalled), it can be found in the Launcher’s Recycle Bin or through a search by name. In new versions of HyperOS, remote applications are temporarily stored in the user’s cloud profile, allowing you to quickly restore them without re-downloading from the store.
Work with GetApps store and archives
The GetApps app store (formerly Mi Apps) is not just a place to download new software, but also a powerful tool to manage already installed programs. Unlike Google Play, GetApps has deep integration with the Xiaomi shell and can prompt updates for system components that are not visible in the standard store.
To find previously installed apps or check the status of updates, open GetApps and go to the user profile (human icon). the "Manage" or "My applications" section contains tabs "Installed", "Uninstalled" and "Updates." Here you can find applications that have been removed from the device but are linked to your Mi Account. This is useful if you have changed your phone and want to quickly restore the software set.
GetApps also has an Application Archive feature that allows you to temporarily remove rarely used programs from your device, freeing up space but keeping them shortcuts on the menu. When you click on this shortcut, the system will prompt you to quickly restore the application from the cloud, which is an effective way to combat memory shortages without completely losing access to services.
- 📲 Regional Restrictions: Some apps in GetApps may not be available in your region due to licensing restrictions, even if they are on the global Google Play.
- 🔄 Auto Update: GetApps often updates system applications (camera, gallery, voice recorder) faster than they come through OTA-firmware update.
- 🛡️ Security: All apps in GetApps are further tested for viruses by Xiaomi servers, which reduces the risk of infection, but does not guarantee 100% protection.
When searching for apps inside the store, use filters by category or rating. Algorithms (recommendations) in GetApps often offer analogues of popular programs, optimized specifically for Snapdragon or MediaTek processors used in Xiaomi smartphones.
Task Manager and Process Management
For advanced users who want to understand which applications are running in the background and consuming resources, Task Manager is indispensable. In MIUI and HyperOS, it is called by swipe from the bottom up with a delay or through the menu button (depending on the type of navigation). However, the standard view shows only active windows. To find "heavy" processes that are not visible to the user, you need to go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Memory (the path may differ in different versions).
This shows a process list, sorted by memory consumption. If you're looking for an application that slows down the system, the name will be at the top of the list. Clicking on the process allows you to go to (detailed information) about an application where you can force it to stop or clear the cache, and this is an effective way to find the culprit of battery discharge or interface lags.
☑️ Diagnostics of the suspended application
Be careful about forced shutdowns of system processes, such as stopping the System UI or MIUI Home process will result in a reboot of the interface, and in the worst case, a cyclic bootloop if system files are corrupted. Always check the process name before interfering.
For a deeper analysis, you can use the built-in optimizer. Click on the "Security" button and select "Clean up." The system will scan the running background processes and suggest closing those that have not been used for a long time. This is a "soft" search for applications that interfere with the smartphone.
Search through file manager and explorer
The Android file system that underpins Xiaomi allows you to search for applications through their installation files (APKs) or data folders. The standard Files Explorer (or File Manager from Xiaomi) has a built-in application analyzer. Go to the Apps category inside the explorer and you will see a list of all installed software broken down into Systems, Users and Recently Installed.
This search method is unique in that it allows you to find the installation file (APK) already installed application, if such option is enabled in the Explorer settings. APK-A file and transfer it to another device, even if the application is not available in stores. This is often used to save old versions of programs that have been updated with errors.
| Type of search | Where to find | What shows | What do you need? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global search | Desktop (swipe down) | Labels, settings, contacts | Quick start of programs |
| Task Manager | The menu of tasks running | Active windows and processes | Closing of suspended applications |
| File manager | Category "Annexes" | APK-file | Backup of installers |
| System settings | All applications | Complete software registry | Removal and management of rights |
When searching through the file manager, look for the Android/data folder. This folder stores the cache and data of many applications (games, messengers). If the application is "missing" or reset, checking for a folder with its name (usually the same as the batch name, for example, com.telegram.messenger) in this directory will help to determine whether data is left on the device.
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A file manager is the only way to find an installation file (APK) of an already running application to back it up.
Advanced Search through ADB and Debugging
For experts and developers, the most powerful search tool is USB debugging (ADB). By connecting a Xiaomi smartphone to a computer and activating developer mode, you can get a complete list of all packages, including those that are completely hidden from the interface. This is the only way to find ghost apps or system components that do not have a user interface.
To do a search, you need to enter a command in the terminal on your computer, which will display a list of all packages installed. To find a particular application, use the grep filter (on Linux/Mac) or findstr (on Windows).
adb shell pm list packages | grep -i "name"This command will find all the packages that contain the word in the name, for example, a search for the word "miui" will show all the system components of the shell, this is useful for identifying hidden telemetry or advertising modules that can be embedded in the system. Knowing the exact name of the package, it can be frozen or deleted through ADB, even if the "Delete" button in the settings is inactive.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Removing a critical component (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter) can cause the phone to fail, communication to be lost, or the system to be booted.
Also through ADB You can find apps that have been installed for another user (in guest or second space mode) if you have access to console user switch commands. --user everything_ID_Users will be able to see hidden software.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is the app in the settings but there is no icon on the screen?
How to find a remote application in Xiaomi?
Can I find a hidden application without a password?
Where to find system applications that cannot be removed?
⚠️ Note: Search and Modification of System Applications Through ADB or file managers with root rights can disrupt payment services (Google Pay, Mir Pay) and banking applications due to the protection SafetyNet/Play Integrity.