How to Enable a System App on Xiaomi: All Working Methods

System applications on Xiaomi smartphones are often hidden from users or disabled by default, which may be due to performance optimization, battery savings or MIUI’s policy of simplifying the interface. However, many of these applications contain useful features, from hidden diagnostic tools to alternative launchers or service utilities, which can be turned on without superuser rights (root), using standard settings or additional tools.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to activate system applications on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – from simple manipulations in the menu to using ADB. Particular attention will be paid to models with MIUI 12-14, where the logic of working with system components has changed. If you encounter the message “Application disabled by the administrator” or simply do not find the right utility in the list of programs – these instructions will help bring it back to life.

Why is Xiaomi disabling system applications?

The manufacturer will deactivate some of the pre-installed software for several reasons:

• 🔋 Battery savings: Background processes of system utilities (e.g. com.miui.analytic) can consume resources.
• 📱 Simplification of the interface: in MIUI hidden duplicate functions (alternative cameras, older versions of applications).
• 🛡️ Security: Some tools (e.g. com.miui.permcenter) can be used to bypass restrictions.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: Chinese services (e.g. Mi Pay or Mi Video) are disabled on global firmware).

It is important to understand that not all system applications can be safely enabled, some of which may conflict with the current version of MIUI or cause crashes, for example, activating an outdated version of the Mi Browser on a new firmware often causes errors when opening web pages.

⚠️ Note: Enable applications like com.miui.securitycenter via ADB This can lead to blocking of certain functions. MIUI, For example, scan for viruses or optimize memory. Before experimenting, back up your data.

Method 1: Through Application Settings (without ADB)

The easiest method is to use the built-in program management menu.It works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10 and later, but only shows those applications that were previously explicitly disabled by the user (rather than hidden by the system).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Show all apps."
3. In the list, find the system application you want (e.g. Mi Remote or Game Turbo).
4. Click on it and select “Enable” (if the button is active).

If you don't have an "Enable" button, you're locked at the system level, and you'll need one of the following methods.

• 🔄 «Stopped – you can start manually.
• 🚫 «Disabled – activation is required through ADB or developer settings.
• 🔒 «It is not displayed on the menu (needed). ADB).

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure that the device has enough free memory (minimum 1 GB)

Disable VPN or proxy – they can block access to system functions

Remember the name of the application package (e.g. com.miui.calculator)

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Method 2: Using the Developer’s Settings

MIUI has a hidden menu for developers to manage system components, so you can activate it.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Press 7 times in a row on the item "Version" MIUI» (A notification will appear saying, “You have become a developer»).
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.

Next:

• 🔧 Find the option “Manage system applications” (on some firmware it is called “Debugging by” USB → Disabling applications»).
• 📋 In the list, tick the apps you want to include (e.g. com.miui.notes for standard notes).
• 🔄 Restart the device – the changes will take effect.

This method does not work on all models, for example, on Xiaomi 12T and POCO F4 with MIUI 14, the system application management option may not be available, in which case only ADB will help.

Xiaomi 13/13 Pro|Redmi Note 12|POCO X5|Xiaomi 12T|Another model |I don't know

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Method 3: Activation through ADB (without root)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a universal tool for managing Android devices through a computer, which allows you to turn on any system application, even if it is hidden in MIUI.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Utilities. ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
• 🔑 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and allow debugging via USB (a request will appear on the phone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. To enable the application, use: adb shell pm enable com.name.package For example, for a standard calculator: adb shell pm enable com.miui.calculator
5. Reset the device.

If you don’t know the name of the package you want, get a list of all system components by the command:

adb shell pm list packages -s

Look for the names with the prefix com.miui. or com.xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: Some packages (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may cause a cyclical reboot of the device when forced on. If the phone stops loading normally after the adb shell pm enable command, return to the device. ADB and disable the packet by command: adb shell pm disable com.name.packet

Method 4: Using third-party applications (without PC)

If you don't have access to your computer, you can try activating system utilities using specialized applications from Google Play.

• 📱 Activity Launcher – Shows hidden system components and allows you to run them directly, suitable for activating individual functions (for example, hidden camera settings).
• 🔧 Package Disabler – manages the status of applications (on/off), but requires permissions ADB full-time.
• 🔍 MIUI Hidden Settings – reveals additional menus MIUI, including hidden system utilities.

Example of Activity Launcher:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and select the “All Actions” tab.
3. In the list, find the system application you need (for example, Mi Sound Recorder).
4. Click on it and the hidden utility will open.

Method limitation: Not all system applications can be run this way, such as Mi Pay or Mi Credit requiring additional authorization and are often blocked when you try to activate through third-party launchers.

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Method 5: Manual editing of system files (for experienced)

This method is only suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP or root rights, it allows you to manually edit files responsible for the status of system applications, but is fraught with the risk of damaging the firmware.

What needs to be done:

1. Create a backup of the /system partition via TWRP.
2. Open /system/priv-app/packet name/packet name.xml file in a text editor (e.g., Root Explorer).
3. Find the line android:enabled="false" and replace it with android:enabled="true."
4. Save the changes, return the original access rights (usually 644) and restart the device.

Example for the Mi Radio app:

<package name="com.miui.fm" codePath="/system/priv-app/MiuiFM" nativeLibraryPath="/system/priv-app/MiuiFM/lib" android:enabled="true">

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing XML-files can lead to bootloop ( looped download).If the phone does not turn on after changes, restore the backup through TWRP Or reflash the device using the Mi Flash Tool.

Table: Compatibility of methods with MIUI versions

Since MIUI 14, Xiaomi has tightened control over system components, for example, trying to enable Mi Pay via ADB on global firmware is now blocked by the authorization server, in which case only flashing to the Chinese version of MIUI can help.

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Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When working with system applications, users often face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

• 🔌 «ADB Not seeing the device: Make sure the debugging is USB included (Settings) → For developers → Debugging by USB). Install Xiaomi drivers on your PC (download from the official website). USB-cable (some cables are only for charging purposes).
• 🔄 «The app turns on, but closes immediately": Clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → [Name of the annex] → Warehouse → Clear the cache. Check the compatibility of the package with your version. MIUI (Some of the tools only work on Chinese firmware).
• 🚫 «Team team. ADB Returns an error": Make sure you type the packet name correctly (registration is important!). Try reconnecting the device or restarting it. ADB Adb kill server team.

If it doesn’t appear on the menu after you turn on the system application, try:

1. Reset the device.
2. Add its shortcut manually through widgets (Long-click on the screen → Widgets).
3. Use an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) that shows all installed applications.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions