How to return a disabled application to Xiaomi: from system utilities to hidden services

Have you removed an important app on Xiaomi or has it suddenly disappeared from the menu? In MIUI, there is a feature: many programs are not deleted completely, but only disabled - they can be restored without flashing it back. This instruction is suitable for all modern models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.) based on MIUI 12-14.

We will discuss 5 working methods, from simple (through settings) to advanced (using ADB), and focus on system applications that Xiaomi hides to save resources, but which can be returned without losing warranty. If your application is not just disabled, but removed, at the end of the article there is a section on recovery through Mi Cloud.

Why do apps turn off themselves?

There are three main reasons why MIUI programs are missing:

• 🔄 Auto Cleaning: Battery function and performance → Cleaning can deactivate rarely used applications (especially for Redmi with low memory capacity).
• 🛠️ Optimizing the system: Xiaomi hides some services (e.g. com.miui.analytics) to speed up work, but they can be returned.
• 🚫 Manual Shutdown: A user could accidentally click “Disable” in the application settings (unlike “Delete”, this is reversible).

Before you start recovery, check if the app is hidden in the All Apps folder (swipe up the screen and tap three dots in the upper right corner).

⚠️ Warning: Do not confuse disabled apps with remote ones. The former take up space in memory and can be restored, the latter require reinstallation from the Mi App Store or Google Play.

Method 1: Enable via Settings (for all applications)

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable for 90% of cases where the application has been disabled manually or by the system.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. Find the right application in the list (use a search by name).
4. If there is a grey “Disconnected” icon next to the name, click on it and confirm the inclusion.

For system utilities (e.g., Camera, FM-radio may be different:

Settings → Applications → System applications → [Application name] → Enable

If the app is not on the list, try the following method.

Method 2: Return via Hidden Settings (for system utilities)

Xiaomi hides some system tools (e.g. Hardware Tests, Developer Mode, or other features). FM-radio, but can be returned via code commands.

To enable hidden applications through MIUI Hidden Settings:

1. Install the MIUI Hidden Settings app from Google Play.
2. Open it and grant ADB permissions (instruction below).
3. In the Activity Manager section, find the app that is disabled and tap Enable.

⚠️ Warning: Do not enable unknown system services (e.g. com.miui.daemon) – this may cause the interface to freeze or overheat.

Method 3: Use of ADB (for power users)

If the app doesn’t show up in the settings, but you know its batch name (e.g. com.android.calendar for Calendar), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

First, turn on USB debugging:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.

Next, connect the phone to the PC and execute the commands:

adb devices


adb shell pm list packages -d# will show all disabled applications




adb shell pm enable com.example.app # replace with the desired package

List of package names of popular Xiaomi applications:

• 📅 Calendar: com.android.calendar
• 📷 Camera: com.android.camera or com.miui.camera
• 🎵 Music: com.miui.player
• 📻 FM-radio: com.miui.fm

💡

If you don’t know the batch name, install the App Inspector app from Google Play – it will show the Package Name for any APK on the device.

Method 4: Recovery via Mi Cloud (if the application is removed)

If the app has been removed rather than disabled, try restoring it via Mi Cloud.This method only works for apps installed from the Mi App Store (not Google Play!).

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Make sure that the Application and data synchronization is enabled.
3. Go to the Mi App Store → Profile → Installed → Archive.
4. Find the remote application and click Install.

For Google Play, use the installation history:

1. Open Google Play.
2. Slip on the profile icon → Apps and device management → Library.
3. In the list of previously installed, find the desired application and install again.

Method 5: Reinstall firmware (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, and the application is critical (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter), you have to reflash the device. It's a radical method, but it's guaranteed to bring back all the system components.

Instructions for Fastboot firmware (without data loss):

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive and connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when turned on).
3. Run the script. flash_all_except_storage.bat (for Windows) or similar to macOS/Linux.

⚠️ Note: Firmware via fastboot will reset all settings, but save user data (photos, videos, documents). → System system → Backup.

💡

Flashing is the last chance to bring back system applications, and for most tasks, 1-3 is enough.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When restoring applications, users often face typical problems:

• ❌ «App Not Installed": Clear the Google Play and Mi App Store cache in Settings → Annexes.
• ❌ «ADB Does not see the device": Install Android drivers USB Driver and check the connection by USB 2.0 (not 3.0!).
• ❌ «The system application is immediately disabled: This means that MIUI Blocks it – try to disable Mi optimization in Settings → Battery → Performance mode.

If the application does not open after recovery, try:

1. Clear its cache and data in Settings → Apps → [Name] → Storage.
2. Reboot your phone (sometimes a hard reboot helps – pinch Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions