How to turn on the app menu on Xiaomi: all ways to smartphones and TV

The app menu on Xiaomi devices is a central hub where all installed programs, games and system utilities are collected, and without access to it, users lose the ability to quickly run software, manage shortcuts on the desktop or even find recently downloaded applications. The problem is especially relevant after firmware updates, resetting settings or when switching from MIUI The new HyperOS, where the interface has changed dramatically.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to include the application menu on Redmi smartphones, POCO, Xiaomi (including flagship series) 13/14) and Mi TVs TV. We will also focus on the typical errors that can cause the menu to disappear, and give recommendations for configuring the display for convenience. 2023–2026 Years and take into account the latest updates.

Why can the app menu be hidden?

Before we get to the ways of inclusion, it is important to understand the reasons why the application menu becomes unavailable, most often due to:

• 🔄 Update of the firmware: transition from MIUI HyperOS or installing a major update can reset the launcher settings.
• 🧹 Reset to factory settings: After a hard reset, some system settings return to default values, including hiding the menu.
• 📱 Using a third-party launcher: programs like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher can conflict with the system interface.
• 👶 "For Children" mode: in some versions MIUI This mode blocks access to the full list of applications.
• 🛠️ Rooting or Modifying System Files: Changes to the System /system/app This can lead to failures in the launcher.

On Xiaomi Mi TVs TV The app menu is often lost after a reset or when the hotel mode (Hotel Mode) is activated, which limits the functionality of the device, and the problem may be associated with the update of Google Play Services, which is responsible for displaying installed programs.

⚠️ Note: If the application menu disappeared after installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the reason may be the lack of proprietary Xiaomi libraries.

Method 1: Standard Including Through Settings (MIUI/HyperOS)

On most Xiaomi smartphones, the app menu is activated through system settings. MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS 1.0:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the desktop or in the notification curtain).
2. Go to the Desktop section (or Home Screen in HyperOS).
3. Select the Starter Settings item → Appendix menu.
4. Activate the App Menu Switch (HyperOS may call it the Full Application List).
5. If you don’t have an option, try changing your desktop style to Standard (in the same menu).

In some models (for example, POCO F5 Redmi Note 12 may be slightly different:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Desktop settings

Once activated, the app menu will appear as a separate icon on the desktop (usually in the dock panel at the bottom) or will be swiped up from the bottom of the screen.

Make sure the latest version of the firmware is installed on the device.

Disable third-party launchers (if you use)

Check if the "Children's Mode" or "Guest Mode" is activated

Reboot your smartphone before changing your settings-->

Method 2: Recovery through resetting launcher settings

If the app menu is gone after experimenting with settings or setting themes, resetting the system launcher will help, which does not affect user data, but will return all visual settings to the factory:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter a launcher (or launcher for English firmware).
3. Select the Launcher app (or MIUI Launcher/Hyper Launcher).
4. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.
5. Reset the device.

After the reboot, the app menu should appear. If it hasn't, try it again:

• 📱 Remove the launcher cache (in the same Warehouse menu).
• 🔄 Update the launcher via Google Play (if available).
• 🎨 Change the theme to standard in Settings → Theme.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware, a launcher reset may cause widgets to disappear from your desktop. Take screenshots of the current icon arrangement in advance to quickly restore it.

Standard. MIUI/Hyper Launcher

Nova Launcher

POCO Launcher

Another third-party launcher

I don't know what it is.-->

Method 3: Activate through gestures (for HyperOS)

In HyperOS, Xiaomi has dramatically changed the navigation system, and the app menu can now be opened with a gesture. If you can't see the menu icon, try:

• 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen (similar to iOS or Pixel Launcher).
• 👇 Swipe down the center of the desktop (on some models).
• 🔍 Long pressing on the free space of the desktop → Home screen settings → include a gesture for the app menu.

If the gestures don’t work, check their settings:

Settings → Display → Navigation buttons → Navigation type

Select Gesture Navigation and make sure the App Menu option is activated.

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If gestures conflict with other actions (e.g., calling Google Assistant), disable conflicting options in Settings. → Special facilities → Gestures and movements.

Method 4: Enable the menu on Xiaomi Mi TVs TV

On Xiaomi TVs, the app menu is called "All Apps" and is available by default through the main panel. If it's missing, use these methods:

Method 1: Through Smart Settings TV

1. On the remote, press the Settings button.
2. Go to the Apps → Application management.
3. Select the App Screen Settings.
4. Activate the option to Show all applications.

Method 2: Resetting the Mi launcher TV

If the menu does not appear even after turning on the settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → System applications.
2. Find Mi. TV Launcher or PatchWall (depending on the model).
3. Choose Clear Data and Clear Cache.
4. Restart the TV (Put the Power button on the remote for 5 seconds).

On Google TVs TV (Like Mi. TV Q2 2023) the app menu is integrated into the main feed to see the full list:

• 🔝 Press the Home button on the remote.
• 📌 Scroll down to the section of your application.
• 🔍 Or use the search (button with a magnifying glass).

⚠️ Note: On hotel mode TVs, the app menu may be blocked by the administrator. To turn it off, go to Settings. → Accounts and security → Hotel mode and enter the standard PIN-code 1234 or 0000.

Method 5: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not help, you can try to enable the application menu through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge – This method is suitable for smartphones and requires a connection to a computer.

Make sure first that:

• 🖥️ PCs are installed. ADB Tools.
• 📱 On the smartphone included debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock Developer Settings).
• 🔌 The device is connected to the computer by the original cable.

Next, run on the command line (or Terminal on the macOS/Linux):

adb shell settings put global launcher_show_all_apps 1


adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MAIN -c android.intent.category.HOME -n com.miui.home/.launcher.Launcher

If the command doesn’t work, try an alternative for HyperOS:

adb shell cmd overlay enable-exclusive com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural_all_apps


adb reboot

On some Xiaomi firmware, the app menu may be blocked by the manufacturer's policies. ADB-teams will return the error Permission denied – you will need rooting or flashing.

Method 6: Reinstall the launcher through Recovery

The last method is to reinstall the system launcher over the receivers, which will help if the application menu is lost due to damage to system files.

Procedure:

1. Download the official launcher for your model from the forum Xiaomi.eu or 4PDA (Look for a file with a name MiuiHome.apk or HyperLauncher.apk).
2. Move the file to SD-card or internal memory of the smartphone.
3. Boot to Recovery (turn off the device, then press the Power) + Volume Up).
4. Choose Install. → Please indicate the path to the downloaded launcher file.
5. After installation, run the Wipe cache and restart.

If you have a custom recavator installed (TWRP), further:

• 🔧 Check the integrity of the system partition (Advanced) → File Manager).
• 📁 Restore a backup copy of the launcher (if any).
• 🔄 Reflash the official firmware through Fastboot.

⚠️ Note: Reinstallation of the launcher through the receivers may result in a bootloop if the launcher file is not compatible with your firmware version!

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If none of these methods worked, the problem could be a hardware failure (memory damage) or a deep modification of the system, in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center with the error code (if it is displayed).

Additional tips for setting up the app menu

After successful inclusion of the application menu, it can be customized to your needs:

• 📂 Sorting: in MIUI Click on three dots in the app menu → Sorting (by alphabet, installation date or manually).
• 🔍 Search: Use the search bar at the top of the menu for quick access.
• 📌 Fixing: Hold the app icon → Attach it to the desktop.
• 🗑️ Hiding: HyperOS can hide apps from displaying in the menu (long press) → Hide).
• 🎨 Icon Topics: In Settings → Select a package of icons for uniformity.

On Xiaomi TVs, it's helpful:

• 📺 Change the order of applications: in the menu "All applications" click Change (button with a pencil on the remote control).
• 🔒 Block Apps: In the application settings, activate Launch Lock (good for kids).
• 🔄 Update the list: If new apps don’t show up, go to Settings → Annexes → Update the list.

For convenience, you can create folders in the application menu:

1. Open the app menu.
2. Hold the icon of one application and drag it to another.
3. Name the folder (for example, “Social networks” or “Games”).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the app menu on Xiaomi