How to Return Hidden Apps to Android Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Have you accidentally hidden an important app on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO and now you can't find it? Or have your system utilities icons gone missing after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many Xiaomi smartphone users - the hide app feature in the firmware doesn't always work intuitively, and standard recovery methods aren't always obvious.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 proven methods to bring back hidden apps on Xiaomi Android devices, including little-known tricks through the use of the app. ADB and hidden menus MIUI. You'll learn why apps disappear from the home screen, how to distinguish between really remote software and just hidden software, and what to do if standard settings don't work. MIUI 12-14 and new versions based on Android 11-14.

Before you get to the practical steps, make sure that the problem is hiding, not removing the application. To do this, check the list of all installed programs through Settings → Apps → Application Management. If the application is there, but is not on the desktop, it can be returned without reinstallation.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in hidden app display feature, which works on most Xiaomi devices without any additional tools.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon in the application menu).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hidden Apps.
4. In the list, find the desired application and uncheck the tick opposite it.

If Hidden Apps are not on the menu, your version of MIUI is using a different path.

• 📱 For MIUI 13/14: Settings → Desktop → Desktop settings → Hidden applications
• 🔍 For older versions: Use search in the "hidden" settings».
• 🔄 If it doesn’t work: Restart the device and try again – sometimes the settings cache resets the menu display.

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On some POCO models, the Hidden Apps item is hidden in Settings → Special Options → Simplified Mode. Turn off this mode if it is activated.

This is a good approach for 90% of applications that have been hidden manually through standard settings, but if you’ve used third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or system tools like Second Space, you’ll need different approaches.

2. Recovery via MIUI Hidden Settings (hidden menu)

MIUI Hidden Settings is an advanced settings menu that doesn't show up in the standard interface, and it allows you to manage hidden system settings, including recovering applications that have been removed from the desktop, to get there:

1. Open the phone (calling) application.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
3. In the menu that appears, select MIUI Hidden Settings (if not, try another method below).
4. Go to the Manage Applications section.
5. Find the Hidden Apps tab and remove restrictions from the desired programs.

If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative method through the engineering menu:

• 📞 Enter the call: ##6484## (for MIUI 12–14).
• 🔧 #64663## for older versions).
• 🛠️ In the menu, find App Management → Hidden Apps List.

Important: Changes in hidden settings can cause the system to run in an unstable way. Do not edit settings that you do not know the purpose of.

3.Using Second Space and Dual Apps

Second Space and Dual Apps in MIUI sometimes automatically hide the original versions of programs. If you have previously activated these options, check:

• 🔄 For Second Space: Open Settings → Special facilities → Second Space. Enter your password (if installed) and check if there is a hidden application in the main or second space.

For Dual Apps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Dual Apps
2. Remove the clone of the application (if you don’t need it) – the original will return to the desktop.

If you don’t remember whether these features have been activated, check for duplicate icons in the app menu.Cloned programs have a special icon (for example, a double-labeled WhatsApp icon).

Yeah, regularly.|I tried it, but it didn't come in handy.|No, I don't know what it is.|I don't know, but I'll check it out.-->

Note that some system applications (such as Security or Themes) may be automatically hidden when Second Space is activated, in which case they must be manually returned via the second space settings.

4. Recovery through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a computer-based debugging tool that requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and enabling developer mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on USB Debugging.
2. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (use the original cable).
3. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
5. Enter commands in order: adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "hidden" (will show a list of hidden packages) adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app (replace com.example.app to the name of the package from the list)

To find out the exact names of hidden application packages, use the command:

adb shell cmd package list packages -f -u

This will display a list of all user applications marked uninstalled for hidden.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download ADB Tools from the official website|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Connect your phone to the original cable|Check the visibility of the device by the adb device command-->

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not remove system applications marked com.miui or com.android, which can cause unstable operation. MIUI.

5.Resetting launcher settings

If applications are gone after a MIUI update or launcher change, resetting desktop settings will help, which does not delete data, but returns the standard icon layout.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher app (or MIUI Launcher, POCO Launcher).
3. Open the application page and select Warehouse → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

After the reboot:

• 🔄 All icons will return to standard position.
• 📁 Desktop folders will be deleted (but apps will remain).
• 🎨 The theme will be dropped to standard.

If you used a third-party launcher (like Nova or Apex), reset it through the launcher’s menu itself or reinstall it.

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Resetting the launcher is the safest way to return hidden icons without the risk of losing data, suitable if the problem occurred after updating the MIUI or changing the topic.

6. Check through Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

If applications are hidden because of a conflict with other software (such as optimizers or antiviruses), check their visibility in Safe Mode, in which all third-party programs are disabled, and you can determine who is to blame for the problem.

How to turn on Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Press the “Switch off” (or “Switch off”) item before a request to switch to safe mode appears.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

In safe mode:

• 🔍 Check if hidden apps have appeared.
• 📱 If yes, a problem in one of the installed applications.
• 🔄 Remove recently installed programs (especially SEOs like Clean Master or Clean Master). DU Speed Booster).

To exit Safe Mode, simply restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: Safe Mode disables all widgets and background processes. Don't be afraid if some settings reset after the reboot - that's okay.

Comparison of methods for recovering hidden applications

For most users, the first three methods are sufficient. ADB You should only use it if you are confident in your actions or other ways did not help.Reset launcher is a good option for problems after the update. MIUI.

Frequently asked questions