Did you install a new app on a Xiaomi smartphone, but it doesn't start or disappear from the screen? Or did the system turn it off to "battery save"? This problem is familiar to many owners of devices based on MIUI, the brand's proprietary shell. Unlike "pure" Android, here the applications are governed by additional optimization, auto-start and permissions settings.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to turn on the app on Xiaomi, from simple (via the settings menu) to advanced (using ADB). You’ll learn how to bypass the limitations of MIUI, return hidden icons to the desktop and even make the system utilities that the manufacturer disabled by default work. Instructions are suitable for all modern models: Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5/F5, Xiaomi 13/14 and others.
Before you get to the action, check two things: is there enough memory on the device (apps may not run due to space shortage) and is the MIUI version current (old firmware has bugs with auto-run).
1. Enable the application through the "Settings MIUI"
The most obvious, but often ignored, way is to check the basic settings of the application. In MIUI, even the installed programs can be disabled by the system to save resources.
Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. Find the app you want in the list (use search if it's not in the visible zone). If there's a gray off icon next to the name, tap it and confirm it. If there's no button but the app doesn't start, move on to the next step.
- 🔍 Check the permissions: in the app menu, select “Permissions” and turn on all the necessary (especially “Storage”, “Camera”, “Microphone»).
- 📱 Reset settings: in the same menu, click “Reset default settings” – this will help if the app “hangs».
- 🔄 Clear the cache: The Clear Cache button often solves freeze issues when you start.
If the application disappeared from the desktop, but is visible in the App Management menu, return its icon: pinch the empty space on the screen → “Widgets” → find the application in the list and drag it to the desktop.
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In MIUI 14+, some system applications (such as Security or Themes) can be hidden. To return them, go to Settings → Desktop → Screen Settings → Show system applications.
2. Autostart setup and battery optimization
Xiaomi aggressively optimizes the background of applications to save battery life, which means that many programs (especially messengers, trackers or games) may not start automatically or close after a few minutes after folding.
Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, select the desired application and open the AutoStart section. Turn on the AutoStart switch and allow Background Activity. For instant messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp), also turn on “Show notifications” and “No restrictions” in the Battery Optimization section.
| Setting up | Where to turn it on | What applications are important for |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Settings → Applications → [Application Name] → AutoRun | Messengers, social networks, trackers |
| Background activity | Settings → Applications → [Application Name] → Permissions → Background Activity | Games, music players, navigators |
| No battery restrictions | Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → [Application Name] | All applications that should work in the background |
| Showing notifications | Settings → Notifications → [Application Name] | Messengers, email clients, news aggregators |
If the application still closes after 5-10 seconds after folding, check the Memory Protection settings in Settings → Special Features → Memory Protection. Add the app to the exception list.
3. Recover hidden or remote applications
Sometimes MIUI doesn't just disable apps, it hides them from the menu completely (especially with system utilities like Security or Theme), and users often accidentally delete icons from the desktop, thinking they've uninstalled the program.
Method 1: Through the All Apps menu
Swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen to open the app menu. At the top of the screen, tap three dots (or "Edit") and select "Show Hidden Apps." This will show all the programs that MIUI hid. Click on what you want and select "Show on Desktop."
Method 2: Through Desktop Settings
Click on the empty space on the desktop → Desktop Settings → Hidden Apps. Uncheck the programs you want to return. This method works for system utilities that Xiaomi hides “to simplify the interface.”
Make sure the app is not removed through the Play Market|Check the “Recent” folder in the app menu|Restart your phone (sometimes the icons come back after the reboot)|Try to find the application through a search by system (swipe down on desktop)-->
If the application was remote system (for example, "Music" or "Calendar"), it can only be returned via ADB or flashing.
4 Advanced Methods: ADB and Hidden MIUI Commands
If the standard methods didn’t work, it’s time to move on to technical solutions, which can even enable applications that Xiaomi has blocked at the system level (for example, com.miui.hiddenmenu for the engineering menu).
Method 1: Incorporate through ADB (without root)
You will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the ADB tool. Follow the instructions:
- Turn on USB Debugging** on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (stick 7 times to become a developer) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB.
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and type: adb shell pm enable com.example.app Replace com.example.app with a real application package (you can find it through adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword").
To enable hidden system applications (such as an engineering menu), use the command:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.hiddenmenuMethod 2: Resetting application settings
If the problem is in the settings conflict, reset:
adb shell pm clear com.example.appThis will clear the application’s data and cache, returning it to a “post-installation” state.
How to find out the name of the application package?
Note: ADB commands can cause system instability if used to modify system applications. Do not change packages with com.android. or com.miui. prefixes without understanding the consequences.
5. Features for specific Xiaomi models
Some Xiaomi devices have unique limitations or, conversely, additional features for managing applications.
Redmi Note 11/12/13 and POCO X4/X5
These models often turn off background work to save battery life, to fix:
- 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery → Battery optimization and select “No Limits” mode for the application».
- 🔄 Enable "Application Protection"** in Settings → Special opportunities → Application protection.
Xiaomi 13/14 and Mix Fold
Xiaomi’s flagships use MIUI hyper-optimization, which can block even allowed applications.
- 🛡️ Open the Settings. → Confidentiality → Special permits → Access notifications and enable access for the desired application.
- 📦 If the app disappears after the update, check the folder MIUI → HiddenApps in the file manager (hidden applications are stored there).
Redmi A1/A2 (budget models)
On weak devices, MIUI Go (a simplified version of the shell) can automatically remove unused applications.
- 🚫 Turn off "Car Cleaning"** in Settings → Warehouse → Autocleaning.
- 📌 Secure important apps in the multitasking menu (swipe up) → hold the icon → «Secure»).
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On POCO with global firmware (POCO Launcher), hidden applications can be returned through the launcher settings: press the screen → Settings → Hidden applications.
6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even after the app is turned on, users face new challenges.-5 mistakes and their solutions:
⚠️ Note: If, after the application is enabled through ADB It disappears after the reboot, so it's, MIUI Blocks it as "incompatible." Solution: disable app signature verification in the developer settings (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Verification of applications through USB).
- 🔴 App Not Installed Error: Clear the cache of Google Play Market and Google Play Services, then reinstall the app.
- 🔴 App opens and closes immediately: Check compatibility with Android version (in Settings) → For example, some games require Android 12.+, on the Redmi. 9A (Android 10 will not be launched.
- 🔴 Icon is there, but the app won't open: Maybe damaged APK-Delete the application, clear the folder. /sdcard/Android/obb/[name packet] and install it again.
If none of the methods worked, check to see if the package is locked at the firmware level. For example, in Chinese versions of MIUI, some Google services (com.google.android.gms) are disabled by default and do not turn on without flashing.
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Before installing third-party applications (APKs), disable Virus Protection** in Settings → Security → Virus Protection, otherwise MIUI may block them as “suspicious.”