How to return a remote application to Xiaomi Redmi: from simple ways to ADB

Remove an important application with Xiaomi Redmi and don't know how to get it back? Don't panic - in 90% of cases, the program can be restored in a few minutes. The problem is that on Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI firmware, standard Android methods do not always work due to the features of the shell. For example, some system applications can not be re-installed through Google Play, and MIUI backup functions are often disabled by default.

In this article, we will understand 5 proven ways to restore applications - from basic (via the app store) to advanced (using the application store) ADB We will pay special attention to the nuances of firmware. MIUI 14/15, You will also learn how to return pre-installed Xiaomi applications (such as Mi Browser or Security) that cannot be downloaded from the Play Market.

If you accidentally delete the app, first check the Recycle Bin folder in the app menu (available on MIUI 12+). It stores the deleted programs for 30 days. If the Recycle Bin is empty, go to the methods below.

1. Restore via Google Play (for custom apps)

The easiest way to return a remote app is to reinstall it from Google Play, which works for all programs downloaded from the official store, but is not suitable for pre-installed Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Video or Themes).

To find the remote app:

1. Open Google Play.
2. Slip on the profile icon in the upper right corner → App and device management.
3. Go to the Installed tab → Not installed.
4. Find the desired application in the list and click Install.

If the application does not appear in the list:

• 🔍 Check that you are logged in to the same Google account from which it was established.
• 📱 Make sure that the smartphone is enabled data synchronization (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization).
• 🌐 Try to find the app through a search in the Play Market by name.

⚠️ Note: If an app was removed as “junk” via the Security App (such as Cleaner or Boost), it could have been labeled “malicious.” In this case, check its reputation on Google Play or VirusTotal before installing it.

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If the app is paid and you bought it, it will remain in your Play Market library even after you delete it.

2.Restore pre-installed Xiaomi apps

Many Xiaomi system apps (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Video, Security) cannot be downloaded from Google Play. If you delete them, you can return them in two ways:

Method 1: Through MIUI Laboratory (powered by MIUI 12-15):

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap MIUI 5-7 times until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Go back to Settings → Additional → MIUI Lab.
4. Find the Recovery Applications section and select the one you want.

Method 2: Through APK-file (if the laboratory does not help):

• 📲 Download. APK the desired application from an official source (for example, APKCombo or APKMirror).
• 🔗 Make sure the version APK Compatible with your firmware (check in Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI).
• 📥 Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications).

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK Unverified sources may result in the blocking of Mi Account (if the application is modified.

3. Use of a backup copy of MIUI

If your Xiaomi Redmi has backup enabled, you can restore the remote app along with its data, which only works if the copy was created before it was deleted.

How to check and restore:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Check if there are current copies in the Local Backup section.
3. If there is a copy, tap it → Restore → select Apps.
4. Confirm the recovery and wait until it is completed (may take 5-15 minutes).

If you don’t have local copies, check out the Mi Cloud:

• 📱 Make sure you are logged in to your Mi Account (Settings) → Xiaomi account).
• 🖥️ Go to i.mi.com from your computer.
• 🔄 In the Devices section, find a backup of your Redmi and restore it.

Important: MIUI backups not only store applications, but also their data (such as saving games or settings). If you only need to return the application itself, this method is redundant.

4. Recovery through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try to restore the application via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for returning system applications that can’t be installed in the usual way (for example, Themes or Mi Remote).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on Smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 Times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
3. Connect Redmi to your computer via USB (select File Transfer mode).
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (should display the name of your device).
6. Install the remote application by its batch name, for example, for Mi Browser: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser

How to find out the package name of the application:

• 🔍 Use the command adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui" to view all system applications.
• 📄 Find the name of the app you want in the list (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video).
• 🌐 Look for a packet name on forums (for example, XDA Developers).

Install ADB Tools on PC

Enable debugging by USB on a smartphone

Connect the phone in the mode "File transfer"

Check the connection of the team `adb devices`

Find the batch name of the desired application-->

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not delete system packets with the adb uninstall command, which can make the phone inoperable.

5. Resetting settings to factory (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, the last option is a complete reset, which will return all pre-installed Xiaomi apps, but delete all user data (photos, contacts, messages).

• 📱 Remote application is critical to the phone (e.g. Security or Settings).
• 🔄 You have made a backup copy of the data (see Section 3).
• 🛠️ Other recovery methods did not help.

How to perform the reset:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
3. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, the phone will be like new — all pre-installed apps will return.

Alternative: If the reset didn't help (for example, the firmware is damaged), try reflashing the phone via Fastboot or Recovery.Instructions for your Redmi model, look at the official Xiaomi website.

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Resetting is a nuclear option, only use it if other methods have failed and you are ready to lose all the data on your phone.

6. How to avoid losing apps in the future

To avoid the problem of remote applications again, follow these tips:

• 🔒 Turn off automatic cleaning in Security App: Security → Cleanup → ⚙️ Settings → Autocleaning (disable)
• 📦 Regularly create backups: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backups
• 📱 Use alternative launchers (like Nova Launcher), where remote applications don’t disappear completely, but hide.
• 🔍 Check the permissions of applications before uninstalling – some programs (such as Google Services) are critical to the system.

If you frequently delete and restore applications, consider using cloned applications (such as Parallel Space or 2Accounts) that allow you to run copies of programs without risking losing them.

FAQ: Frequent questions about restoring applications on Xiaomi Redmi