How to bring back hidden apps to Xiaomi: the complete guide to MIUI 12-14

Have you accidentally hidden an important app on Xiaomi and now you can't find it? Or after the MIUI update, some programs disappeared from the menu? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones - the MIUI interface offers a feature to hide applications, but it is not always obvious how to return them back. Unlike standard removal, hidden programs do not take up space in memory, but do not appear in the installed list.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to bring hidden apps back to Xiaomi, from standard MIUI settings to power users’ ADB, how to distinguish hidden from uninstalled programs, why some system applications can’t be returned without additional manipulation, and what to do if an application disappears after resetting. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12, 13 and 14 on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

Why apps are disappearing on Xiaomi: Hiding vs Deleting

Before you restore applications, it's important to understand what happened to them, and there are two mechanisms in MIUI that can cause programs to go missing:

• 🔍 Hiding an application is a Second Space function, or manually hiding through settings. The application stays in the system, but it doesn't show up in the menu and search. It can be returned without reinstalling it.
• 🗑️ Delete (uninstall) - complete deletion of program files. requires re-installation from Google Play or APK.
• 🔄 Disabling the system application – the App Disabler function in MIUI. The application remains in memory, but does not work and does not update.

How to distinguish hidden from remote applications?

The critical nuance: Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Themes) cannot be removed by standard methods — they can only be hidden or disabled. If they are gone, they can always be returned through the MIUI settings.

⚠️ Note: If you have used Second Space features or Duplicate Apps in MIUI, Hidden programs may be in an alternate space. → Second Space before the restoration.

Method 1: Recovery through MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It works for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on firmware versions 12-14.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hidden Apps.
4. In the list, find the desired application and tap on it.
5. Click Show (or Cancel Hiding in older versions of MIUI).

If the Hidden Applications section is not on the menu:

• 🔎 Try searching in the settings (lamp at the top of the screen) and enter the query "hidden".
• 📱 In some models (POCO F3, Redmi Note 11 may be different: Settings → System system → Additionally. → Hidden applications.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Sometimes you need to restart the device to make the menu item appear.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure that your Xiaomi account is linked to your device

Disable VPN (can block system functions)

Battery charge of at least 30%-->

Method limitation: Only those applications that were hidden manually can be returned through MIUI settings. If the program disappeared after using Second Space or Duplicate Applications, another method will be required (see Section 4).

Method 2: Use of the Nova Launcher

If the hidden application does not appear in the standard MIUI launcher, but is present in the system, it can be “pulled” using a third-party launcher.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. When you first start, select Nova Launcher as the default launcher.
3. On your desktop, make a long tap (hold your finger for 2-3 seconds) and select Nova Settings.
4. Go to Application Settings → Hidden Applications.
5. In the list, find the desired application and uncheck it.
6. Return to the desktop – the app should appear on the menu.

Advantages of the method:

• 🛠️ It works even if the application is hidden at the level. MIUI.
• 🔍 Allows you to see all installed programs, including system.
• 📱 No need to root or connect to a PC.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, POCO X5 Pro) after installing Nova Launcher, the desktop return gesture may disappear. To return it, go to Settings Nova → Gestures and controls → The gesture is "Home" and enable the option to use the system gesture.

If the app didn’t appear in Nova Launcher, try updating the launcher’s cache:

Settings Nova → Backup → Clear the cache

Method 3: Returns via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods fail, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for restoring system applications that have been disabled or hidden at the MIUI level.

What you need:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) on your computer and type:

adb shell

1. To see a list of all apps (including hidden ones), do:

pm list packages -f

1. Find the app you want (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video) and copy the package name.
2. To return the application, enter:

pm install-existing <package name>

1. Reboot your smartphone.

Examples of commands for popular Xiaomi apps:

• 🎵 Mi Music: pm install-existing com.miui.player
• 📺 Mi Video: pm install-existing com.miui.videoplayer
• 🖼️ Themes: pm install-existing com.android.themes
• 📡 FM Radio: pm install-existing com.miui.fm

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB This can cause system instability if entered incorrectly. Do not use pm uninstall or pm disable commands for system applications - this can cause errors in the system. MIUI.

Through MIUI settings

Used Nova Launcher

Tried ADB.

I haven't tried anything, it's my first time.

Another way.-->

Method 4: Recovery from Second Space or Duplicate Applications

Second Space and Dubbed Applications in MIUI allow you to create isolated environments with separate settings and applications, and if you've been hiding programs in one of those spaces, you should look for them there.

How to return applications from Second Space:

1. Open the Settings. → Second Space.
2. Enter your password (if you have set it).
3. Go to Application Management inside Second Space.
4. Find the app you want and click Remove from Second Space (this will return it to the main space).

How to return duplicate applications:

• 📲 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Duplicate annexes.
• 🔧 Find a duplicate of the desired application and click on it.
• 🗑️ Select Remove Duplicate – the original app will remain in the main space.

Important nuances:

• 🔐 If you forget the Second Space password, it can only be reset via resetting (space data will be lost).
• 📱 Duplicate applications take up additional space in memory - after their removal, they will be freed up to the next day. 50-200 MB depending on the program.
• 🔄 Some system applications (e.g. Mi Home or Mi Fit) cannot be duplicated.

💡

If you use Second Space frequently, create a shortcut for quick switching: add the Second Space widget to your desktop via a long tap → Widgets → System.

Method 5: Reset the launcher settings (if the applications are missing after the update)

After updating MIUI, the launcher settings sometimes get confused, which causes hidden or disabled applications to stop showing even in the menu, in which case the launcher reset will help.

Instructions for the standard MIUI launcher:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI (or MIUI Launcher) launcher in the list.
3. Open the application page and click Storage.
4. Choose Clear Data and Clear Cache.
5. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

What happens after the reset:

• 📱 All labels on the desktop will be reset to standard.
• 🔍 Hidden apps (if they haven’t been removed) will be visible again on the menu.
• 📁 Desktop folders will disappear – they will have to be recreated.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 11T, Redmi K50) Resetting the launcher can cause weather widgets and clocks to disappear. To return them, restart the device or update the widgets manually through a long tap on the desktop.

If the apps still don’t show up after reset, try the combination:

Settings → Display → Style of the lock screen → Additional → Resetting the launcher settings

What if none of the methods worked?

If you tried all the methods but the app never came along, one of the following situations may have occurred:

• 🗑️ The app was removed completely (not hidden), in which case it must be installed again from Google Play or APK.
• 🔧 The application is system-based and has been disabled through ADB Or third-party utilities like Package Disabler. Try to return it with a command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing <package name>

• 📱 The smartphone has custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which does not have Xiaomi proprietary applications.
• 🔄 There was a database failure. MIUI. It will help to reset the settings to the factory (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings), but it will delete all data.

How to install a remote system application manually:

1. Find it. APK-Application file on a trusted resource (e.g. APKMirror).
2. Download a version that is compatible with your model and MIUI version.
3. Install APK through any file manager (allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security).

List of official APKs for Xiaomi system applications:

• 🎵 Mi Music: APKMirror
• 📺 Mi Video: APKMirror
• 🖼️ Themes: APKMirror

💡

If an application is critical to the system (e.g., Security or Finder), deleting it can cause a cyclical reboot of the smartphone, in which case only flashing through Fastboot will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi