How to return the application to Xiaomi: all working ways in 2026

You've deleted the app you want on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO -- and now you can't find it? This problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones with MIUI firmware. Unlike pure Android, it's nuanced to recover remote programs, from hidden system folders to the MI App Store. In this article, we'll look at 5 proven ways to return the app, from basic to advanced, including recovery through ADB and backups.

It's important to understand that some applications in MIUI are not removed completely, but only hidden from the menu. Others, such as pre-installed Xiaomi services, can be deactivated through system settings. We'll look at all scenarios from accidental removal to targeted reset to factory settings. If you use a model older than the Redmi Note 10 (2021), note that the MIUI 14+ interface may be different - but the principles of recovery remain the same.

1. Checking Hidden Applications in MIUI

The first thing you need to do is make sure that the app is actually removed, not just hidden. MIUI has a Hidden Apps feature that hides icons from the main menu, but doesn't uninstall them.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hidden Apps.
3. If the desired application is in the list, uncheck it to return the icon to the main screen.

If the list of hidden applications is empty, move to the following method. Please note that some system utilities (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) can be disabled, but not removed.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → All Apps → [Title] → Enable

2.Recovery via MI App Store or Google Play

If the app has been removed completely, the easiest way to return it is to reinstall it through official stores.

• 📱 MI App Store: Some pre-installed Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Home or Mi Browser) can only be restored through the branded store. Open it, go to the Management section → Remote and find the right application in history.
• 🤖 Google Play: For third-party apps (like WhatsApp or Instagram), use your installation history. → Application and Device Management → Established → Not on this device.

Important: if the app was preinstalled by the manufacturer (for example, Mi Community or GetApps), it may not be in Google Play.In this case, try downloading APK from the official Xiaomi site or through APKMirror, but be careful - installing APK from unverified sources can lead to blocking the Mi Account or infection with viruses.

⚠️ Attention: When installed APK The application is not installed manually, which means that the device already has a newer version of the program (for example, updated through Google Play), in which case, first delete the residual files through Settings. → Annexes → [Name of name] → Remove updates.

Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)

Update the MI App Store and Google Play to the latest version

Clear the store cache in the app settings

Make sure that the device has enough memory (minimum 500 MB)-->

3.Using backups of MIUI

If you regularly back up your MIUI Backup, you can restore the remote application in a few steps, and this method works even for system utilities that can't be reinstalled through stores.

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backups.
2. Select the most recent copy created before you delete the application.
3. Click Restore and tick only the Application section (so as not to erase other data).
4. Confirm the recovery and wait until the process is complete (may take 5-15 minutes).

If you don’t have local copies, check out the Mi Cloud:

Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backups

Please note: Recovery from the cloud requires authorization in your Mi Account and may take longer due to download speed limitations.

4. Recovery through ADB (for power users)

If the application has been removed as a system (e.g., via ADB or root), it can only be returned by re-installing the APK with system rights. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and enabled debugging over USB.

1. Download ADB Tools on your PC and connect your phone via USB.
2. Open the command line in the adb folder and do: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
3. Download the APK of the desired application (for example, with APKMirror) and install it as system: adb install -r -d --fastdeploy name file.apk For system applications, you may need a command: adb shell cmd package install-existing package applications

Critical nuance: for system applications Xiaomi (for example, com.miui.gallery or com.miui.calculator) you need to know the exact name of the package. ADB:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui"

This method is suitable for models with unlocked bootloader (Redmi Note 11, POCO F4 and later). On devices with locked bootloader (Mi 13 Ultra, Xiaomi 14), it will not work.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not execute commands unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 The packet removes the application for the current user, but does not erase it completely – this can create conflicts when re-installing.

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Before working with ADB, create a full backup through TWRP (if installed) or MIUI Backup. This will help restore the system in case of an error.

5. Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, you'll have a hard reset, which will bring back all the pre-installed applications, but delete the user data.

• 📲 Backup your contacts, photos and documents (via Mi Cloud or manually on PC).
• 🔐 Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account – after the reset, you will need authorization to unlock.
• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50% – interruption of the process can lead to errors in the system.

Resetting instructions:

Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Resetting → Erase All Data

On new models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) after reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account to unlock.

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Factory reset is the only way to return remote system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) without root rights.

6.Alternative methods: third-party launchers and APKs

If the application is not critical to the system, but you need to return it, consider alternative options:

• 🎨 Third-party launchers: Some remote icons can be displayed in launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher. Install them through Google Play and check the list of all apps.
• 📦 APK-Extractors: If the application was on the device before, it APK can be extracted from backup or through programs such as APK Extractor (requires root).
• 🔄 Application cloning: Some services (such as Mi Home) can be cloned via Parallel Space or 2Accounts.

For POCO models (e.g., POCO X5 Pro or POCO F5), some pre-installed Xiaomi applications can be replaced with Google-based ones, in which case the original versions can only be restored through firmware or ADB.

FAQ: Frequent questions about restoring apps on Xiaomi