How to return a remote application on Xiaomi Android smartphone: the full guide

Why are apps disappearing from Xiaomi and can they be restored?

Removing an app on Xiaomi is a routine operation, but sometimes it turns out to be a problem, where users find that the program they want to use is missing from the menu and Google Play is missing or not installed. from random tap on the button “Delete” to malfunctions in work MIUI In some cases, the applications themselves are to blame, for example, if they were installed as system (built into firmware), but after resetting the settings disappeared.

The good news is that 80 percent of the time, the remote application can be returned, and the way it's been removed depends on how it was removed.

• 🗑️ Through standard removal (remains in the Recycle Bin» MIUI 30 days).
• 🔧 Through system settings (complete removal without rollback capability).
• 🛠️ With help. ADB or root-right (remote as system software).
• 📱 After resetting to factory settings (re-installation required).

It is important to understand that Xiaomi system applications (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Video) cannot be restored by standard methods – they will have to be installed manually or through firmware.

Before you start your recovery, check:

• 🔍 Is there an application in the Recycle Bin folder (Settings) → Annexes → Basket).
• 🔄 Is it not in the menu (the settings)? → Main screen screen → Hidden applications).
• 📥 Is it available on Google Play or Mi App Store.

If nothing worked, read on. We'll take a look at all the working methods, from the simplest to the most technically complex.

Method 1: Recovery from the Recycle Bin» MIUI (if it has passed ≤30 days)

S MIUI 12 and later, Xiaomi firmware introduced the Recycle Bin feature, an analogue of a computer basket where remote applications are temporarily stored. This is the fastest way to return the program if you deleted it in the standard way (through a long click on the icon or app menu).

How to restore:

1. Open the Settings → Applications → Recycle Bin.
2. Find the application you want in the list (they are sorted by date of removal).
3. Slip it and select "Restore".

The application will return to the main screen or menu, and all its data (cache, settings) will be restored.

The application was deleted no more than 30 days ago|

There is enough free space in the Recycle Bin (maximum - 10 remote applications)|

You do not have the Recycle Bin function disabled in the settings MIUI|

The smartphone wasn’t rebooted in Safe Mode (this cleans the Recycle Bin)-->

Limitations of the method:

• ⏳ It only works for 30 days after removal.
• 📦 No more than 10 apps are stored in the Recycle Bin (old ones are automatically deleted when new ones are added).
• 🚫 It does not work for system applications (e.g. Mi Music, Mi Calculator, etc).
• 🔄 If the smartphone was reset to factory settings, the basket is cleaned.

⚠️ Note: If you use third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher), the Recycle Bin feature» MIUI Return the standard launcher before recovery.

Method 2: Re-install from Google Play or Mi App Store

If the application is not in the Recycle Bin or has been more than 30 days, the most reliable way is to install it again.

1. Open the Google Play Store or Mi App Store.
2. Enter the name of the application in the search bar.
3. If it is available, click "Install".

If the app doesn’t show up in search, check:

• 🌍 Your Google account region (some apps are not available in certain countries).
• 📱 Compatible with your Xiaomi model (e.g. Redmi Note 10 may not support software for the same model) POCO F5).
• 🔒 Age restrictions (in Google account settings).

💡

If the app was purchased but doesn't appear in Google Play's "My Apps," make sure you're signed in to the same account you bought from, sometimes changing region in your payment settings helps.

For system applications, Xiaomi (e.g. Mi Remote, Mi Home) sometimes helps install via the Mi App Store:

1. Open the Mi App Store (if not, download from the official website).
2. Go to the "Management" section» → «Established» → «Remote».
3. Find the right application and click “Install”.

Method 3: Restore by backup (Mi Cloud or Google Drive)

If you regularly back up, the chances of returning a remote app with its data are much higher. Xiaomi offers two main backup methods: through Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud) and Google Drive (built-in Android feature).

Recovery from Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Restore Data.
2. Select the backup that had the desired application.
3. Check the “Applications” box and confirm the recovery.

⚠️ Warning: Restore from Mi Cloud will overwrite the current application data. If you add new files after the backup (for example, in a gallery), they may disappear.

Recovery from Google Drive:

1. When you first turn on your smartphone after reset, select “Recover data from Google”.
2. If the phone is already set up, reset (Settings) → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Reset settings) and restore data when you start.

If there is no backup, try manual data recovery through ADB (However, please note that without a backup, it is almost impossible to return the application settings (such as logins, game progress) - they will have to be reconfigured.

Method 4: Installation through ADB (for system and remote applications)

If the application has been removed as a system application (for example, through ADB Or it's root-righted, or it's not in the stores, so you can try to install it manually:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers (you can download from the Android Studio website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📄 APK-Application file (can be downloaded from APKMirror or APKPure).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB and allow debugging.
2. Open the command line (Win) + R → Enter cmd) and check the connection: adb devices should display the name of your device.
3. Install. APK: adb install to file.apk For example: adb install C:\Downloads\com.xiaomi.calculator.apk
4. If there is a mistake INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_APK, Try it out: Adb install -r -t path to file.apk (flag) -r — reinstallation, -t — test-mode).

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Installation through ADB No data recovery applications - only yourself APK. If you want to return, for example, your message history to Mi Messages, you will need to use backup or sync with the cloud.

System applications (e.g. Mi Security, Mi Pay) may require additional commands:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.security

Where com.xiaomi.security is the batch name of the application (you can find it through the App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages).

⚠️ Attention: Installation of modified APK System applications from other versions MIUI This can cause malfunctions in your smartphone. Use only official files from trusted sources.

Method 5: Recovery after reset to factory settings

If the application is lost after a hard reset (reset to factory settings), the algorithm of actions depends on whether it was pre-installed or manually installed:

For pre-installed apps (Mi Browser, Mi Music, etc.):

• 🔄 They must be restored automatically after the first Internet connection (unless System Application Recovery is disabled in Settings). → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
• 📥 If this does not happen, try updating. MIUI through settings → The phone. → System update – sometimes apps come back with a new firmware.

For manually installed applications:

• 📲 Install them again from Google Play or Mi App Store (see Method 2).
• 🔄 If you have backup enabled in Mi Cloud or Google Drive before the reset, restore data when you first set up your phone.

If the application has been purchased:

• 💳 Check the Library section of Google Play – purchases are linked to your account.
• 🔑 For applications from the Mi App Store, you may need to re-enter your Xiaomi account.

💡

After resetting to factory settings, Xiaomi sometimes blocks the installation of applications from unknown sources. → Annexes → Special permits → Install unknown applications and allow installation for your browser or file manager.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If none of the methods worked, consider the following options:

If the application is critical (such as a banking or work application) and you can’t restore it, consider the following steps:

1. Contact Xiaomi through the official website – sometimes they can provide original support. APK system-application.
2. Check the forums (for example, XDA Developers or 4PDA) — They often back up system applications.
3. If the problem is MIUI, Try to roll back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot (instructions are available on the same forums).

In extreme cases, if the application was part of the firmware and it can not be restored, you only need to reflash the phone using the Mi Flash Tool – but this will lead to complete loss of data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about restoring apps on Xiaomi