Removal of the application on Xiaomi sometimes happens by accident – just one careless click in the Settings menu → Applications or after “general cleaning” through the optimizer MIUI. Unlike files that can be recovered from the recycle bin, deleted files are APK-Files don't always leave traces in the system, but you can still get them back through embedded shell tools, backups, or even manual installation.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to restore applications on Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones – from the simplest (reinstall from Google Play) to advanced (using ADB and MIUI backups).
1.Recovery through Google Play History
The fastest way to return a remote app is to check the installation history of the Google Play Store, which works even if you removed the program months ago, since Google keeps a list of all APKs ever installed under your account.
To restore the application:
- 📱 Open Google Play Store on your smartphone.
- 👤 Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Select Application and Device Management.
- 🔍 Go to the Management tab. → Not established.
- 🔄 Find the desired application in the list and click Install.
If the app doesn’t appear in the Not Installed section, try:
- 🔎 Type the name of the program into the Google Play search bar – sometimes it does not make history due to synchronization failures.
- 🌐 Go to the web version of the Play Store on your computer and check the history there.
⚠️ Note: If an app has been removed from Google Play by a developer (for example, because of a rule violation), you can’t restore it through history. APK-file on third-party resources (see Section 4).
2.Use of a backup copy of MIUI
The MIUI shell automatically backs up user data, including a list of installed apps, and if your Xiaomi has Backup enabled, you can restore the remote app along with its settings.
Instructions:
- Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
- Select the latest backup (the date of creation must be before the application is deleted).
- Click Restore and tick the App item.
- Confirm the recovery and wait for the process to be completed.
Important nuances:
- 📅 Backup copies MIUI They're created once a week by default. If you uninstall the app right after you've redundanted, this method won't work.
- 🔄 Restore will overwrite current app data (e.g., save in games).If critical, use Google backups.
- 🚫 Some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) are not restored using this method.
Check the backup date (should be BEFORE the application is removed)
Connect your smartphone to charging (the process can take 10-30 minutes)
Free up enough memory (a backup can weigh a few gigabytes)
Turn it off. VPN (It can prevent downloading data from Xiaomi servers)-->
| Type of backup | Restores applications | Stores application data | Requires Internet connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local (MIUI) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (if included) | ❌ No. |
| Google Drive | ✅ Yes (only from Play Store) | ✅ Partially (depending on the application) | ✅ Yes. |
| Xiaomi Cloud | ❌ No. | ✅ Only contacts, notes, photos | ✅ Yes. |
| TWRP Backup | ✅ Yes (including system-wide) | ✅ Completely. | ❌ No. |
3. Restore via Google Backup (for apps from the Play Store)
If your Xiaomi has Google Account sync enabled, the system can automatically restore deleted apps when you reset or flash it back, which only works for programs installed through Google Play.
How to check and enable backup:
- Open Settings → Google → Backup.
- Make sure that the backup switch in Google Drive is active.
- Click on Backup Settings and check if the App item is enabled.
To restore applications:
- 🔄 Perform a reset settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
- 📱 When you first set up your device, select recovery from Google Account.
- ✅ Check the Applications in the list of recoverable data.
⚠️ Note: This method is not suitable if you delete the application after the last backup. APK-Manually installed files (e.g. via.apk).
💡
Before resetting your settings, export your important data (contacts, SMS, photos) through Settings → Additional → Data portability. This will prevent the loss of non-app information.
Manual installation APK-file
If the app was removed from Google Play or you installed it manually (such as a beta or modified APK), the only way to get it back is to download and install the.apk file again.
Where to get APK:
- 🔍 APKMirror is a reliable source of original APK Search by app name and check the version (should match your processor architecture: arm64, armeabi x86).
- 📂 Local backups.If you've previously backed up through Titanium Backup or Swift Backup, check the folder /sdcard/TitaniumBackup or /sdcard/SwiftBackups.
- 💻 Removal from another device. If the application is installed on another smartphone, use APK Extractor (available on Google Play) to extract a file.
How to install APK:
- Download the.apk file to the device.
- Open any file manager (such as Xiaomi Files) and find the APK you downloaded.
- Click on the file and confirm installation. If you see an "Installation locked" error, allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
What to do if the APK is not installed?
5. Recovery of system applications through ADB
If you have removed a system application (such as Mi Browser, GetApps or Security) with root or ADB rights, you will not be able to return it using standard methods.
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Platform Tools.
- 📋 The exact name of the remote application package (can be found in the listings for your Xiaomi model on the forums) XDA Developers or 4PDA).
- 🔧 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
Step-by-step:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
- Check the connection command: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
- Restore the application with the command (replace com.example.app in the name of the package): adb shell cmd package install-existing com.example.app
- Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot
If the command fails, the application has been physically removed from /system, and only:
- 🔄 Fastboot or Recovery (without loss of data if you select Save user data option).
- 📦 Install custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) where system applications can be disabled but not removed.
💡
Uninstall system applications without root rights is almost impossible. If you haven't used ADB or Magisk, chances are the application is simply disabled. Check Settings → Apps → Show all apps and click Enable.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If none of the methods worked, the reasons may be as follows:
- 🗑️ Application removed irrevocably (e.g., via TWRP partition-formatted /data).
- 🔒 Manufacturer restrictions: Some applications (e.g. Mi Pay or Mi Home) are region-specific and are not restored to unofficial firmware.
- 🛠️ Damage to system files, and then you can only do a complete flashing.
Extreme measures:
- Reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset) This will delete all data, but restore the standard set of applications.
- If the smartphone is warranty, Xiaomi specialists can reflash it with official firmware without losing IMEI.
For models POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 and newer is also available MIUI Cleaner with System Restore option. It downloads the original APK-System application files from Xiaomi servers to use:
- Open Security. → MIUI Cleaner.
- Select Deep Clean Up → System Restore.
- Tick the required applications and click Restore.