How to turn on the application on the smartphone Xiaomi: 7 working ways

Why apps may not be included on Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI or HyperOS sometimes block the launch of applications for several reasons, most often due to battery optimization, which automatically “freezes” rarely used programs, but there are other scenarios: the application was hidden in the menu, removed from recent tasks, or the system considered it potentially dangerous (especially if it is installed from APK).

In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can turn applications on, from basic to advanced, how to re-access the program through settings, how to get around the limitations of MIUI, and what to do if the application disappears after you upgrade to HyperOS 2026.

Method 1: Start from the main menu or search

If the app is simply lost among other icons, it can be quickly found through the built-in search. Click on the search bar (usually at the bottom of the screen or swipe down) and type in the program name. The system will show all matches, including hidden folders.

If the application icon is grey or not pressed:

• 🔍 Check if it is in the Unused folder (swipe left on the home screen).
• 📱 Try to keep your finger on the icon – if a menu with the option Information about the application appears, it means it is installed, but blocked.
• 🔄 Restart the phone (clip the power supply) + Volume up for 10 seconds).

If the search does not give results, move to the next method - most likely, the application is hidden by the system or its cache is removed.

Method 2: Enable via "Settings → Applications"

The most reliable way to get back to the program is through the application management menu. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management and find the one you want on the list.

1. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Apps.
2. Turn on the System filter if you are looking for pre-installed software (e.g. Mi Video or Mi Browser).
3. If the app is gray, click on it and select Enable.

Please note the status of the application in the information about it:

Find in Settings → Applications

Check status (on/off)

Turn off Sleeping Mode in the Battery

Update or reinstall if necessary-->

If there is no item in the application list, it may have been removed as a system item (for example, through ADB), in which case only flashing or manually installing APK will help.

Method 3: Cancel battery optimization

MIUI and HyperOS aggressively optimize the background of applications to save power, and some programs may not start or close immediately to fix this:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization
2. Select All Apps in the drop-down menu.
3. Find the right application and set a No Limits mode for it.
4. Go back and turn off the option of Adaptive Battery Optimization (if it is active).

For HyperOS (2026), the path may be different:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App] → Battery → Without Limitations

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After changing the battery settings, restart the phone – this will help apply the changes to background processes.

If the app still doesn’t start, check if it’s added to the autorun blacklist:

• 🚫 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Auto-start.
• 🔓 Find the application in the list and enable auto-run for it.
• 🔄 If the option is not available, reset autorun settings via Settings → Memory. → Clear auto-start data.

Method 4: Recovery after reset or update

Once reset to factory settings or upgraded to HyperOS, some applications may disappear from the menu, because the system resets access rights and cache to return them:

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone via Fastboot or Recovery, all custom apps will be removed.

Instructions for recovery:

1. Check the Download folder – there may remain APK-remote-app files.
2. Open Google Play → Library → Find the app in the list of previously installed.
3. If the app is system-based (such as Mi Music), install it through GetApps (the Xiaomi brand store).
4. To manually install APK, allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select browser/file manager] → Install unknown applications → Allow

If the app was pre-installed (such as Mi Remote) but disappeared after the update, try:

• 🔍 Install it from Google Play (if available).
• 📥 Download the original APK from apk.xiaomi.com (official source).
• 🔧 Restore through ADB (Only for experienced users).

Method 5: Unlock hidden or blocked applications

Some applications on Xiaomi may be hidden by the manufacturer (e.g. service utilities) or blocked by corporate policy (on work phones).

For hidden system applications:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the app and find all the activities in the list.
3. Choose the right one and tap it to start.

For those blocked by the administrator (for example, on the work phone):

• 🔐 Try to delete the device profile in Settings → Accounts. → Remove the job profile.
• 📵 If the phone is tied to MDM (Mobile device management system, contact the administrator.
• 🔧 In extreme cases, reset via Fastboot (deletes all data!).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking hidden system applications can disrupt the stability of your phone.Do not change settings unless you are sure of their purpose.

Method 6: Reinstall or restore application data

If the application is installed but not launched, the problem may be a damaged cache or data.

1. Open Settings → Applications → [Select App] → Storage.
2. Click Clear Cache and Clear Data (Warning: This will delete all program settings!).
3. Restart your phone and try to start the app again.

If the cleanup didn't help:

• 📥 Remove the application and install it again from an official source.
• 🔄 Check Compatibility: Some programs don’t work on HyperOS due to changes in the software API.
• 📡 Update Google Play Services and Google Play Store to the latest version.

For applications that require root rights (e.g. Titanium Backup):

1. Install Magisk (if not already installed).


2. Enable Root access in the Magisk settings.




3. Grant permission to the application via Magisk or SuperSU.

Method 7: Testing for viruses and conflicts

Sometimes apps don't launch because of an antivirus conflict or a phone infection. Xiaomi has a built-in security scanner that can block "suspicious" programs.

What to do:

1. Open Security → Scanner → Check for viruses.
2. If the app is labeled as dangerous, click Trust or Ignore.
3. Disable third-party antiviruses (such as Avast or Kaspersky) during testing.

If the problem is in the application conflict:

• 🛠️ Start the phone in Safe Mode (clip the power supply) → Hold the power down. → Safe regime).
• 🔍 Check if the application is running in Safe Mode, if so, there is a problem in one of the installed programs.
• 🗑️ Remove newly installed apps one at a time to find the culprit.

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If the application is running in safe mode, but does not run in normal mode, the conflict with other software is to blame. Most often these are antiviruses, optimizers or launchers.

Frequent questions about launching apps on Xiaomi