How to return remote applications on Xiaomi phone: all ways

Why Apps Are Disappearing With Xiaomi and How to Fix It

Have you removed an important app on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO and now you can't find it? Or did it disappear by itself after a system update? This problem is familiar to many owners of MIUI-based smartphones. The reasons can range from accidental deletion to shell failures. Fortunately, you can bring the app back to Xiaomi in a number of ways - and most of them don't require special knowledge.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working recovery methods, including re-entering the cart, reinstalling through Google Play, using built-in MIUI features, and even manual recovery through ADB for power users.

Importantly, if an app is missing after resetting or firmware, some methods may not work, in which case you will need to set up your Mi Account or Google account, but in order.

Method 1: Recovery from the MIUI basket

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi smartphones have a built-in application basket, the equivalent of a desktop basket, and if you’ve recently deleted the program (within 30 days), it can be returned in just two clicks.

How it works:

• 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
• 🗑️ In the upper right corner, click on the basket icon (garbage bin icon).
• 🔍 Find the right application in the list and tap it.
• ↩️ Click Restore – the program will appear again on the home screen.

Note that the Recycle Bin stores the remote applications for a limited time (by default 30 days), after which they are deleted irrevocably, and the Recycle Bin does not display system applications - their recovery requires other methods.

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If the cart icon is not displayed, check the settings: go to Settings → Desktop → App Recycle Bin and turn on the “Show icon” option.

Method 2: Reinstall via Google Play

The most versatile method is re-installation through the Google Play Store, which is suitable for all applications that you downloaded from the official store, including games and software from third-party developers.

Step-by-step:

1. 🛒 Open the Google Play Store.
2. 🔍 In the search bar, enter the name of the remote application.
3. 📥 If the program has already been installed, instead of the "Install" button, you will see a green "Update" or "Install" icon (if the application is hidden.
4. ⚙️ Confirm the installation – the application will download and appear in the menu.

If the app is not in search, check:

• 📌 It may have been removed from Google Play (for example, at the request of a developer or for violating the rules). APK-file on reliable resources like APKMirror.
• 📌 Make sure you are logged in to the same Google account you used to install the program from.

Method 3: Recovery through MIUI settings

MIUI has a hidden feature for recovering hidden or uninstalled system applications, and it works even for programs that aren’t displayed in the Recycle Bin.

How to enable hidden applications:

1. ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
2. ☰ In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select "Show all apps".
3. 🔍 Find the application you want in the list (it can be marked as “Disabled” or “Hidden").
4. 🔄 Click on it and select "Enable" or "Show".

To recover fully remote system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music or Security):

• 📲 Go to Settings. → About the phone and several times tap on the "Version" MIUI", activate the developer mode.
• 🔧 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include "Debugging by" USB".
• 💻 Connect your phone to your computer and use it. ADB-Recovery command (more in method 5).

Method 4: Restore from backup

If you regularly back up your programs via Mi Cloud or Google Drive, you can return your deleted applications from the archive, a method that is suitable for recovering not only programs, but also their data (for example, saved in games or settings).

Instructions for Mi Cloud:

• ☁️ Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
• 📥 Select "Restore from backup".
• 📅 Specify the date of creation of the backup (preferably the one when the application was still installed).
• 🔄 Confirm the recovery – the phone will restart and the apps will return to their places.

For Google Drive:

• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → System system → Backup.
• 📥 Click "Recover Data" and select the right backup.
• 🔍 Make sure the recovery list says "Applications".

Disable two-factor authentication in Mi Account (if enabled)

Connect your phone to charge (the process can take up to 30 minutes)

Make sure there is enough space on the phone (the backup can weigh a few GB)

Do not interrupt the recovery process.

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Important: Restore from backup will replace the current data with the backup data, which means that any changes made after copy creation (for example, new contacts or messages) will be lost.

Method 5: Manual recovery via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods fail and the application is completely uninstalled (e.g., via ADB or after resetting), it can be restored using the command line, which is suitable for system applications that cannot be returned via MIUI or Google Play.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot Tools.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB.
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).
• 📄 APK-Remote application file (can be downloaded from APKMirror or from firmware).

Step-by-step:

1. 🔗 Connect your phone to your computer and confirm your debugging permission.
2. 🖥️ Open the command line (CMD) file ADB.
3. 📋 Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device appears in the list, you can continue.
4. 📥 Install. APK-File command: adb install -r -d path to file.apk Flag -r reinstallation, -d — allows downgrading of the version.
5. 🔄 System applications may need to be moved to the system partition: adb shell pm install -r -d /system/priv-app/name folders/name.apk

Warning: misuse of ADB can damage the system. Do not delete or modify system files unless you are sure of their purpose. To restore mission-critical applications (such as the Services Framework), it is better to use firmware through Fastboot.

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ADB-commands allow you to restore even those applications that were removed from the system partition. However, this method requires technical knowledge and can void the warranty.

What to do if the application is not restored

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be deeper. Here are the possible causes and solutions:

If the problem is related to system failures, try:

• 🔄 Reset your settings (but it will delete all data!).
• 📥 Update MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Contact the Xiaomi service center if the phone is guaranteed.

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Before resetting your settings, save important data (photos, contacts, messages) via Mi Cloud or local copy, and after resetting the application can be restored from the backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about restoring apps on Xiaomi