Xiaomi Hidden Apps: How to Find, Open, and Manage Them in 2026

Xiaomi's MIUI-based smartphones are known not only for their rich functionality, but also for their hidden capabilities, including hidden apps, system utilities, service menus, or even standard programs that the manufacturer has hidden from the user's eyes. Why? Most often to protect against accidental changes, optimizing the interface, or complying with license agreements. However, access to them can open up new possibilities, from fine-tuning the system to restoring remote functions.

In this article, you will find the ways to find and open hidden applications on Xiaomi for 2026, including models on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS. We will analyze both the official methods through settings, and advanced ones using ADB, third-party launchers and engineering menus. Importantly, some actions require super-user rights (root) or can affect the warranty, we will warn you about this in advance.

Why Xiaomi is hiding apps: official and unofficial reasons

The manufacturer never advertises a full list of hidden utilities, but the main reasons for hiding them can be distinguished:

• 🔧 System Stability: Applications like com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.midrop run in the background and are not designed to be manually controlled.
• 📄 License Restrictions: Some services (e.g. Google Play Services or Widevine) are hidden due to copyright requirements.
• 🔄 Regional differences: in firmware for different countries can be blocked individual functions (for example, Mi Pay in Russia).
• 🛠️ Testing new features: Xiaomi often hides beta versions of tools that later appear in stable updates.

On the other hand, hidden applications are useful:

• 🔍 Recovery of utilities deleted by mistake (for example, FM-radio).
• ⚡ Optimizing productivity by disabling unnecessary services.
• 🔧 Access to the Engineering Menu for Iron Diagnostics.

⚠️ Attention: Activating hidden applications without understanding their purpose can lead to loss of warranty, data leakage or unstable system operation. MIUI.

Method 1: Find hidden applications through standard MIUI settings

The safest method is to use built-in shell tools. It does not require root rights and is suitable for most models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. In the list, find the Systems section - even those utilities that are not visible in the menu are displayed here.
4. To run the hidden app, click on it and select Open (if the button is active).

The method limitation: not all hidden applications can be run this way, for example, com.miui.player will open, while com.xiaomi.market will not.

Learn the name and purpose (Google search)

Check other users’ feedback on the consequences

Create a backup of data (via Settings → About Phone → Backup)

Make sure your smartphone is at least 50% charged

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Method 2: Use of MIUI Hidden Settings (without root)

MIUI Hidden Settings is an informal application that unlocks access to hidden MIUI menus without the need for super-user privileges. It works on most devices with MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS, but requires pre-configuration.

Step-by-step:

1. Download. APK-file MIUI Hidden Settings from a verified source (e.g, 4PDA).
2. Install the application by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of Unknown Applications).
3. Run MIUI Hidden Settings and provide access to Settings (a request will appear).
4. In the main menu, select Activity Launcher, where all hidden apps and activities will be displayed.

Examples of what can be found:

• 📡 com.android.settings.TestingSettings – a menu for testing the network and sensors.
• 🔊 com.miui.soundrecorder – hidden voice recorder with advanced settings.
• 📱 com.miui.hyperos.launcher - Experimental features of HyperOS.

⚠️ Attention: Some activities in MIUI Hidden Settings can run processes that cannot be closed by standard means, for example, activation of com.miui.bugreport will lead to constant sending of logs to Xiaomi servers, which will increase traffic consumption.

Method 3: ADB-Teams for experienced users

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to manage hidden system components, which requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and basic command line knowledge.

Preparation:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version → Back to Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
2. Download ADB Tools on PC and unpack it into a separate folder.
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm your trust in the device.

Teams for working with hidden applications:

View a list of all applications (including hidden ones)


adb shell pm list packages -f




Running a hidden application by packet name



adb shell am start -n com.xiaomi.mipicks/.ui.HomeActivity




Disabling a hidden service (e.g. analytics)



adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics




Backup.



adb shell pm enable com.miui.analytics

Critical information: Disabling system packages via ADB can result in a bootloop. for example, deactivating com.miui.home will remove the standard launcher and the phone will not be able to boot the desktop.

💡

Before working with ADB, create a full backup through the command adb backup -apk -shared -all -f backup.ab. This will save all applications and data in case of a crash.

Method 4: Third-party launchers to access hidden utilities

Some launchers (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) are able to display hidden apps on menus, which works because they scan the system deeper than a standard MIUI launcher.

How to set up:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Press your finger on the home screen → Settings → Apps and widgets → Hidden apps.
3. Activate the option to Show hidden applications.
4. Return to the main screen, swipe up and find the Hidden section.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 Does not require rooting or ADB.
• 🔹 Allows you to create shortcuts for quick access.
• 🔹 It works on all versions. MIUI HyperOS.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Not all hidden applications will be available to run.
• ❌ The launcher consumes additional RAM.

💡

Third-party launchers are the safest way to view hidden applications, but they don’t give you full control over system utilities. Deep customization will still require ADB or root.

Method 5: Engineering menus and service codes (for diagnostics)

Xiaomi, like other manufacturers, hides the hardware component diagnostics tool, which can be opened through service codes or special applications like the MTK Engineering Mode (for devices running MediaTek processors).

Popular service codes for Xiaomi:

• 📞 ##4636## - information about battery, network and usage statistics.
• 📞 ##6484## - Camera and display test.
• 📞 ##64663## - Sensor check (gyroscope, accelerometer).
• 📞 ##225## - Calibration of sensors.

Warning: Not all codes work on new models (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Turbo 3) as Xiaomi is gradually blocking access to the engineering menu through the app. USSD-The alternative is the annex CIT (It's built into the firmware, but hidden, to find it:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Slip 5 times on the kernel version.
3. Enter the password 12345 (if requested).

⚠️ Attention: Changing the parameters in the engineering menu (for example, the Band Selection settings for the modem) can disrupt the network or lead to overheating of the processor.

What to do if the hidden application does not start?

If you find a hidden application but it doesn’t open or it gives you an error, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔴 No dependencies: some utilities require additional libraries (e.g. libmiui.so).
• 🔴 Lockdown MIUI: The shell may prevent the system components from manually running.
• 🔴 Damaged files: If the firmware was modified, some packets could be lost.
• 🔴 Regional Restrictions: Apps may be blocked for your country.

Decisions:

1. Try running the application through ADB: adb shell am start -n [name packet]/.[activity].
2. Set up the missing ones. APK-Manual files (see APKMirror).
3. Perform a reset (Settings → Reset), but note that the data will be deleted.
4. Update your firmware to the latest version – sometimes Xiaomi restores access to hidden features in new builds.

If nothing helps, the last option remains – obtaining root-rights and manual editing of files in the Internet. /system/priv-app/. However, this cancels the warranty and increases the risk of system disruption.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi