How to return a disabled application to Xiaomi: all working ways

Did you accidentally disable a system app on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, and now it's gone from the menu? Or did important features stop working after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many owners of devices based on Xiaomi firmware. Unlike standard Android, where deletion of applications is reversible through Google Play, in MIUI, disabled programs disappear from the interface completely — without the ability to quickly restore.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to return a disabled application, from standard settings to advanced methods using ADB and hidden menus. Particular attention will be paid to applications that cannot be enabled through the normal MIUI interface (for example, Security, Themes, Camera after reset). All instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and models from 2020-2026 (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5).

Why apps are turned off on Xiaomi

MIUI has two types of “delete” applications:

• 🗑️ User Removal – the program is uninstalled completely (can only be returned by reinstalling from Google Play or by using the software to re-install the program). APK).
• ⚙️ System/user disabling — the application stays in memory, but is hidden from the interface.

Reasons for disconnection:

• 🔄 Update MIUI — The firmware can automatically deactivate “extra” services (for example, duplicate applications Google and Xiaomi).
• 🛠️ Manual optimization – the user has disabled the application through Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🤖 Third-party utilities: programs like Debloater or Package Disabler can massively deactivate system components.
• 🔧 Reset – After a hard reset, some apps (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) don’t automatically recover.

⚠️ Note: If you disable critical system services (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter), this may result in a cyclical reboot or lockdown of the screen.

Method 1: Enable through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in application management menu, which works for most user applications and some system applications (e.g. Camera, Gallery, Records).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Apps (or All Apps in newer versions of MIUI).
3. In the search bar, enter the name of the disabled application (for example, “camera” or “music”).
4. Click on the found application → the button Enable (if it is active).

If the button is not Enable, it means:

• 🔴 Application removed completely (reinstallation required).
• 🟡 System-based and locked application (try Method 3 or Method 4).

Method 2: Use of the MIUI Hidden Settings (Hidden Menu)

MIUI has a hidden menu for managing system components that doesn't show up in the standard interface, and it allows you to include applications that aren't visible in the normal settings.

How to open Hidden Settings:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##4636## (some models may not work – alternative below).
2. If the code doesn’t work, install the MIUI Hidden Settings app from Google Play.
3. In the menu, select App Management. → Disabled Apps.
4. Find the right application in the list and tap it → Enable.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Works for system applications (Themes, Security, Mi Account).
• ✅ Does not require root rights or ADB.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 15 (e.g. Xiaomi 14) The hidden menu can be blocked.In this case, use Method 4 (ADB).

Method 3: Recovery through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to manage system packages, will help, which is suitable for all Xiaomi models, but requires a connection to a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Tap version 7 times until the notification “You’re a developer” appears. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and activate USB debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC

Install ADB

• Download Platform Tools from the Android website.
• Unpack the archive and open the cmd in the folder (Shift + right mouse button → “Open PowerShell window here”).
• Check the connection: Adb devices (the name of your device should be displayed).
• Find the name of the package of the disabled application (see the table below or use adb shell pm list packages -d).
• Enable the application: adb shell pm enable PAKET APPLYS For example, for Camera: adb shell pm enable com.android.camera

If the app doesn't show up after you run the command, restart your phone, and 90 percent of the time, it works even for deeply integrated services.

💡

To see the full list of packages disabled, type the command adb shell pm list packages -d. This will help find the name of the package if you do not know the exact name.

Method 4: Reinstall APK (for remote applications)

If the app has been removed completely (rather than disabled), it can only be returned by reinstalling.For system applications, Xiaomi will need the original app. APK-firmware.

Where to get APK:

• 📱 Backup – if you’ve done a backup through Mi Cloud or Titanium Backup.
• 🌐 From official sources: APKCombo - for user applications. Xiaomi Firmware Updater - for system applications. APK (You need to download the firmware for your model).
• 🔗 From the firmware - unpack the.tz file (for MIUI 12+) or.zip (for older versions) and find a folder /system/priv-app/.

How to determine:

1. Download APK to your phone.
2. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Launch the APK file and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Attention: Installation of system APK from another model or version MIUI It can cause errors in the phone. Always check compatibility!

Method 5: Resetting settings (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, it would be hard reset, which would return all system applications to their original state, but delete all user data.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will be like new – all the apps that are disabled will be restored.

Alternative method (if the phone is not turned on):

• Turn off the device.
• Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
• From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

💡

Resetting is the last chance to make your phone work again if critical system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) are disabled. Use this method only if other methods have failed.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you restore applications that are disabled, users often face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

Error 1: Application is enabled but not opened

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes system services don’t initialize immediately.
• 📥 Update the app via Google Play (if it’s there).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache: Settings → Annexes → [Name of name] → Clear the cache.

Error 2: ADB does not see the device

• 🔌 Check the cable and port USB (It is better to use the original Xiaomi cable).
• 🖥️ Install Mi drivers PC Suite.
• 🔄 Switch the connection mode from “Charging” to “File Transfer».

Error 3: Once enabled, the application immediately shuts down

This means that the system process is blocking it.

• 🛡️ Turn off Mi Optimizer (requires root or ADB): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.optimizer
• 🔧 Install a patch through Magisk (for power users).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions