How to Enable an App on Xiaomi: All Ways From Unlocking to Optimization

Why apps don’t run on Xiaomi and how to fix it

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are powered by the MIUI custom shell, which is known for aggressive background management and power consumption. This often leads to users having trouble running apps — they either don’t open at all or close immediately after launch. The reasons range from basic installation error to system constraints that Xiaomi introduces to save battery power and improve performance.

In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios: how to enable standard and third-party applications, what to do if the program is blocked by the system, how to circumvent restrictions. MIUI Optimization, and even how to bring dead apps back to life after resetting. MIUI 14/15 HyperOS, where the logic of application management has changed.

If you're trying to run a messenger, a game, a banking app, or a system tool, you'll find a solution here, and for those who want to delve deeper, we've given hidden settings and ADB commands that aren't dokumented in the official instructions.

Method 1: Basic application launch via menu

Let's start with the simplest one, which is to standardize the application's MIUI turn on, which works for 90 percent of the time when the program is installed correctly, but the user doesn't know where to find it.

Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen) if the program icon is missing:

• 🔍 Use search by system (swipe down on the home screen) → enter the name of the application).
• 📁 Check the folder "All applications" (tap on three points in the menu) → "All applications").
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes MIUI Does not display freshly installed programs without rebut.

If the application is found but not opened:

• 🛠️ Hold your finger on the icon. → "Information on the annex" → "Warehouse" → "Clear the cache".
• 🔄 Press Forced Stop, then try to start again.
• 📥 Reinstall the program through Google Play or Mi App Store.

Method 2: Unlock applications in security settings

One of the key differences between MIUI and pure Android is the built-in Security Center, which blocks suspicious applications.

• 📱 Programmes established from APK (off-site).
• 🔒 High resolution applications (access to the SMS, geolocation, microphone).
• 🎮 Games and emulators that consume a lot of resources.

To unlock:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
3. Activate the switches: 🔓 "Auto-start (allows work in the background). 📶 "Data use" (if the application requires the Internet). 🔋 "No battery limitations (disables optimization) MIUI).

Make sure that the application is not blocked in the "Security Center"|Check Autostart Permits|Disable battery optimization for the program|Clear cache and data (if the app is buggy)-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12) the "Stop" option may be hidden after upgrading to HyperOS:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

This command will temporarily unlock hidden settings (ADB and USB debugging are required).

Method 3: Enabling hidden system applications

Some standard MIUI applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Game Turbo) can be disabled by the system or user, and cannot be removed completely, but can be deactivated, and then disappear from the menu.

To get them back:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner → "Show all applications".
3. In the filter, select "Disconnected".
4. Find the app you want (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video) and click Enable.

⚠️ Warning: Do not enable system applications called com.miui.daemon, com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.server.telecom – this can lead to unstable phone operation.

Method 4: Bypassing the limitations of MIUI Optimization (for experienced users)

Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has implemented MIUI Optimization, which aggressively closes the background processes, saving battery life but disrupting messaging apps (Telegram, WhatsApp), trackers (Strava, Google Fit) and even some banking applications.

To disable optimization for a particular application:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 taps by Build Number in Settings → About Phone).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find “Background Process Limitation” and select “No Limits”.
4. For individual applications in Settings → Annexes → [name" include: 🔄 "No restrictions" in the "Battery" section". 📱 "Prohibit optimization” (if any).

To completely disable MIUI Optimization (not recommended for beginners):

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

Once you do this, restart your phone, a method that can increase battery consumption by 15-20%, but ensures that the background applications are running smoothly.

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 0

Use the green battery mode in the power settings to compromise between performance and autonomy.-->

Method 5: Recovering Remote or Damaged Applications

If the application was deleted incorrectly (for example, through ADB or root access), or its data is corrupted, you can return it in several ways:

Option 1: Reinstall via Mi App Store

• 📱 Open the Mi App Store (or Google Play).
• 🔍 Find the app and click "Install" (even if it's already installed).
• 🔄 The system will offer "Restore" or "Update" - agree.

Option 2: Recovery through backup

If you have a backup in Mi Cloud or a local copy:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Select the backup where the app was working.
3. Check the box "Applications and data" → "Restore".

Option 3: APK Manual Recovery

For system applications (e.g. Mi Browser or Mi Calculator):

1. Download the original APK from the APKMirror website (look for the version for your model).
2. Install via file manager or command: adb install -r -d file name.apk Flag -r replaces the existing version, -d allows version downgrade.

💡

Never install APKs from unverified sources, which can lead to virus infection or data theft, and use only official mirrors (APKMirror, APKPure) or stores (Google Play, Mi App Store).

Method 6: Solving problems with banking and secure applications

Banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff, VTB Online), encrypted messengers (Signal, Session) and some corporate tools are often blocked on Xiaomi because of:

• 🔐 Lack of safety certificates (MIUI remove them to save space).
• 🛡️ Prohibition of working with root/unlocked.
• 🔄 Restrictions of background activity (see Method 4).

To correct:

1. Install certificates: Download Gmail (it automatically updates certificates) or manually install Google Play Services and Android System WebView via Google Play.

Turn off integrity check:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy_pre_p_apps 1


adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy_p_apps 1

This hides from applications the fact of unlocked bootloader (does not work on all models).

Use MagiskHide (for root):

• Install Magisk and activate MagiskHide.
• Add the banking app to the list of hidden ones.

⚠️ Note: Some banks (e.g. Alfa-Bank) block access from devices that show signs of root access or custom firmware, in which case the only solution is to use a second phone without modifications.

Method 7: Diagnostics of broken applications through ADB

If the app is persistently not running and standard methods are not working, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) for deep diagnostics, which is suitable for advanced users.

Step 1: Checking for Startup Errors

Connect your phone to your PC and do:

adb logcat | grep -i "name packet"

For example, for Telegram:

adb logcat | grep -i "org.telegram.messenger"

This will show errors in real time. Look for lines with Crash, Exception or Permission denied.

Step 2: Forced launch

Sometimes the app hangs in the background, but it doesn't open the window.

adb shell am start -n name packet/activity name

To find out the name of the activity, use:

adb shell cmd package resolve-activity -c android.intent.category.LAUNCHER name packet

Step 3: Resetting permits

If the access rights issue:

adb shell pm grant name packet android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE


adb shell pm grant name packet android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

FAQ: Frequent questions about launching apps on Xiaomi