How to return a remote or hidden app to Xiaomi’s home screen: the full guide

Did you notice that a frequently used app suddenly disappeared from Xiaomi’s home screen?This is a common problem among users of MIUI-based smartphones that can occur after a system update, a launcher crash, or random action. Unlike iOS, where apps are only removed through the App Store, on Android, icons can “disappear” for a variety of reasons, from a banal gesture error to a system bug.

In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios, from recovering hidden applications to returning deleted programs from the archive, and pay special attention to the nuances of different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), since the interface and location of options can differ significantly, and learn how to prevent icons from disappearing again and what to do if the application is not just hidden, but completely uninstalled along with the data.

Why apps are disappearing from Xiaomi’s screen

Before you start a recovery, it is important to understand the root of the problem. 80% of the icons are not due to the removal of the program, but to changes in the operation of the launcher (shell). MIUI). Here are the main reasons:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After major updates (for example, with the MIUI 13 by 14) the system can reset the desktop settings, hiding the “extra” icons.
• 👆 Misguided gesture: On the new Xiaomi (Redmi Note 12 series, POCO X5) Keeping your finger on the icon brings up a menu where it’s easy to accidentally click “Delete” or “Hide».
• 🗑️ Memory optimization: Cleaning function RAM In Settings → Applications sometimes remove unused programs without notice.
• 🔒 Parental Controls: If Safe Mode or Mi Account restrictions are enabled, applications may be blocked.
• 🛠️ Launcher failure: After the system crashes (for example, due to a lack of memory), icons can “fly” from the screen.

Interestingly, Xiaomi’s hyper-OS (new interface for global models) is less likely to have a problem due to improved launcher stability, but owners of devices with MIUI for China (such as the Redmi K60) are more likely to have this problem due to localization.

⚠️ Note: If the system application (such as Camera or Phone) is gone, do not attempt to delete it through the system. ADB This can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable).

Method 1: Recovery through the Application Menu

The easiest method is to check if the app is hidden in the general list. On Xiaomi, all installed programs are displayed in the All Apps menu, even if they are not on the desktop.

1. Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the app menu.
2. Find the app you want in the list. If it's not there, scroll down and click Show Hidden (if there's no such option, go to Method 3).
3. Hold your finger on the icon and drag it to the home screen or folder.

On MIUI 14 and later, the algorithm has changed a little: hidden applications are now placed in a separate folder Archive (the box icon in the upper right corner of the menu).

• 📦 Open the Archive in the application menu.
• 🔍 Find the app you want and click on the three dots next to it.
• 📲 Select Restore to the Main Screen.

If the application is missing from both the archive and the shared list, it may have been uninstalled, in which case move on to method 4.

Method 2: Resetting the launcher settings

The launcher (the program responsible for displaying the desktop) on Xiaomi often “glues”, especially after updates. Resetting its settings will return the standard location of the icons, but deletes all user folders and widgets.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Show All Apps.
3. Find the Launcher (or MIUI Launcher) in the list and open it.
4. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.

Once the device is rebooted, all icons will return to their default locations, a method that works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including Redmi 10/11, POCO F4 and Mi 11.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (such as custom LineageOS or Pixel Experience), a launcher reset may result in loss of wallpaper and design themes.

Method 3: Enabling the Display of Hidden Applications

MIUI has a feature to hide applications from prying eyes, so if you or someone else activated this mode, the icons will disappear from the screen, but the program will remain in the system.

To bring back hidden apps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Hidden Applications.
2. Enter your password (if it has been set).
3. Uncheck the boxes from the applications you want to return.
4. Press Ready and restart the device.

On MIUI 14, the path is a little different: Settings → Privacy → Hidden Apps. Also check the Second Space section (if the feature is activated), as apps can “move” there.

If you don’t remember the password from hidden apps, the only way to get back access is to reset your phone to factory settings. However, this will delete all the data, so try remembering your password first or contact Xiaomi support (if the device is tied to Mi Account).

Method 4: Reinstall the Remote Application

If the app is not just hidden, but removed, it will have to be reinstalled, and there are two ways Xiaomi can do it: through the Play Market or from the APK archive.

Option 1: Installation from Play Market

1. Open the Google Play Market.
2. In the search box, enter the name of the application.
3. If the program was installed earlier, you will see the Install button (not Open).
4. After installation, the icon will appear in the application menu.

Option 2: Archive recovery (for system applications)

Some pre-installed programs (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser) cannot be downloaded from the Play Market.

1. Download. APK-Application file from a trusted source (e.g., APKMirror).
2. Transfer the file to your phone (for example, via Telegram or Explorer).
3. Open the file through Explorer and allow installation from unknown sources in the security settings.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK From unverified sources, it can lead to virus infection.Always check hash amounts of files and reviews on the site.

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If the application was removed along with data (such as WhatsApp with chats), try to restore the backup. To do this, copy the /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases folder to your computer before reinstalling it, and then return it back after installing it.

Method 5: Using ADB to Return System Applications

If the system application (such as Camera, Calls or Settings) has disappeared and cannot be reinstalled through the Play Market, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will help.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. On your phone, activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone) and enable Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell pm list packages -d This command will show a list of disabled applications.
4. To return an application (e.g. com.android.camera), type: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.camera
5. Reboot the phone.

List of popular packages of system applications Xiaomi:

• 📷 com.android.camera - Camera
• 📞 com.android.contacts - Contacts
• 📞 com.android.dialer - Phone
• 📁 com.android.fileexplorer - Explorer
• 🎵 com.miui.player - Music

If the install-existing command doesn’t work, try an alternative method:

adb shell cmd package uninstall -k --user 0 name packet


adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet

This sequence first “removes” the application for the current user and then restores it.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause data loss or phone failure.Do not follow commands unless you are sure of their purpose.

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ADB is a powerful tool, but it requires caution: always back up your data before you work with system files.

Additional advice and prevention

To avoid disappearing apps again, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI: New versions fix launcher bugs. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📱 Use an alternative launcher: Nova Launcher or Lawnchair is more stable than the standard one and allows you to fix icons on the screen.
• 🔒 Turn off optimization. RAM: Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Cleanup RAM and turn off the automatic cleaning.
• 📦 Create a backup of icons: With the Home Backup & Restore app, you can save the location of all icons.

If the problem occurs after each MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous firmware version.

1. Download the desired version of MIUI from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Dots → Select a firmware file.
3. Select the downloaded file and wait for the process to be completed.

On Xiaomi with the unlocked bootloader, you can also install custom recovery (TWRP) and flash modified firmware without unnecessary system applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions