How to turn off applications on Xiaomi: all working methods

Have you deleted or accidentally disabled a system app on Xiaomi and now you can't find it on the menu? Or have important utilities like Security, Them or Cameras disappeared after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones - the manufacturer actively optimizes firmware by hiding or deactivating underutilized services. But you can return them back without complex manipulation.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to enable disabled applications on Xiaomi, including methods for users without root rights and advanced solutions for those who are ready to deep-tube the system. You’ll learn how to restore access to hidden utilities through Settings, ADB, MIUI Hidden Settings and even manually through the file system.

Why apps are turned off on Xiaomi

MIUI will automatically deactivate or hide applications for several reasons:

• 🔄 System update: After Mayorapdate (e.g., with MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) some utilities may disappear from the menu, as their functionality is moved to other sections or removed as outdated.
• 🗑️ Memory optimization: The system disables underutilized applications (e.g, FM-radio, infrared remote or recording conversations to save resources.
• 🛠️ Manual disconnection by the user: In Settings → Annexes → Application management can be deactivated system utilities, after which they disappear from the launcher.
• 📦 Regional restrictions: Some models (such as the global versions of the Redmi Note 12) lack apps like Mi Pay or Mi Home due to geo-locking.

It is important to understand the difference between hidden and disabled applications: Hidden remain in the system, but are not displayed in the menu (they can be returned through the launcher settings). ADB.

Method 1: Enable through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to return the application through the Application Management menu, which works for most system utilities that have been manually or automatically disabled.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
3. In the list, find the app you want (e.g. Camera, Security, or Themes).
4. Click on it and select Enable (if the button is active).

If the app doesn’t appear in the list, try:

• 🔍 Use a name search at the top of the screen.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes after a reboot hidden utilities appear in the menu.
• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (new assemblies return previously deleted functions).

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (such as MiuiDaemon or Analytics) cannot be enabled manually, which can cause disruptions. MIUI. If the button is inactive, use other methods.

Method 2: Return via launcher settings

If the application is not removed, but simply hidden from the menu, it can be returned via the MIUI Launcher shell settings:

1. Click on the empty space on the home screen and select Launcher Settings (or Home Screen Settings).
2. Go to Hidden Applications (in some versions of MIUI it is called Hidden Applications).
3. Uncheck the box in front of the desired application.

If there is no Hidden Applications section, try an alternative path:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three points → Special access → Hidden applications.

This method works for:

• 📱 Standard utilities (Camera, Gallery, Records).
• 🎵 Musical Players (Mi Music).
• 📡 Service applications (FM-radio, infrared).

Method 3: Use MIUI Hidden Settings (without root)

For advanced users who don’t want root rights, there’s MIUI Hidden Settings (formerly known as Activity Launcher) that lets you run hidden system components and return remote functions.

Instructions:

1. Download MIUI Hidden Settings from Google Play.
2. Open the application and provide access to Special features (needed for the utility to work).
3. In the main menu, select Hidden Apps or Deactivated Components.
4. Find the right application and tap it → Enable it.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require rooting or ADB.
• ✅ Shows even deep-hidden system utilities (e.g. EngineerMode for testing iron).
• ✅ Allows you to run individual Activity windows that are not visible in the standard interface.

⚠️ Warning: Do not include unknown system components with names like com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.ab, which can lead to increased battery consumption or malfunctions. MIUI.

Method 4: Enable via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but allows you to include even those applications that are locked at the system level.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on Smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times to unlock Developer Mode) Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB (enable)
2. Connect Xiaomi to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Download Platform Tools (part of the Android SDK) and unpack into any folder.
4. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
5. Follow the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
6. Find out the batch name of the disabled application (for example, for the Camera it is com.android.camera). List of popular packages: com.miui.gallery - Gallery com.android.camera - Camera com.miui.securitycenter - Security com.miui.themes - Themes com.miui.fm — FM-radio com.xiaomi.scanner - Scanner
7. Enable the application by command: adb shell pm enable com.name.package For example, for camera: adb shell pm enable com.android.camera

If after completing the command, the application does not appear in the menu, restart the smartphone or use the command to force the start:

adb shell am start -n com.name.packet/.name.activity

You can find out the name of the activity through MIUI Hidden Settings or the App Inspector utility.

💡

If you don’t know the packet name of the application, use the command adb shell pm list packages -d – it will show a list of all disabled packets.

⚠️ Warning: Do not enable system packages called com.miui.daemon, com.xiaomi.xmsf or com.android.providers.partnerbookmarks – this may disrupt the stability of the work MIUI.

Method 5: Manual file system recovery (requires root)

If you are ready to get root rights (for example, through Magisk), you can manually restore disabled applications by copying their files from a backup or other firmware, which is suitable for cases where the application has been removed completely, rather than simply deactivated.

Instructions:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with root support.
2. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/ (depending on the type of application).
3. Find a folder with the name of the app disabled (for example, MiuiCamera for the camera).
4. If the folder is empty or missing, download it from the firmware for your model (can be found on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums).
5. Copy the folder to /system/priv-app/, set the rights to 755 (for the folder) and 644 (for the files inside).
6. Reboot your smartphone.

Examples of paths for popular applications:

• 📸 /system/priv-app/MiuiCamera/ — standard-camera.
• 🔒 /system/priv-app/MiuiSecurityCenter/ — security.
• 🎨 /system/priv-app/ThemeManager/ — utilities.

💡

Before copying files to system folders, be sure to back up via TWRP or Titanum Backup. An error in access rights can lead to a bootloop ( looped reboot).

Important: On Project Treble devices, the path to system applications may be different. Use the mount | grep system command in ADB to find out the exact path.

What to do if the application cannot be returned

Some system utilities can't be repaired with standard methods. Here's what to do in these cases:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI: In new versions, firmware can return previously deleted functions (for example, an IR remote or a remote control). FM-radio).
• 📥 Install an alternative from Google Play: FM-radio: Spirit FM Or NextRadio. For the IR remote: Mi Remote (official) or AnyMote. For the recording of conversations: Cube Call Recorder.
• 🌍 Change the firmware region: Some apps (such as Mi Pay or Mi Home) are only available in Chinese builds. MIUI. To change the region, use the utility MIUI Region Changer (requires an unlocked bootloader).
• ⚙️ Reflash the device: If the application is critical (like a Camera or Modem), install custom firmware like Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS, where it is guaranteed to work.

Examples of applications that are often impossible to return:

FAQ: Frequent questions about restoring apps on Xiaomi