Removed an important app from Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro and you don't know how to get it back? This situation is familiar to many: accidentally clicking, clearing the cache through "storage settings" or even resetting to factory settings can lead to software loss. Fortunately, you can restore remote applications on Android in several ways, from simple (via Google Play) to advanced (using ADB and backups).
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods adapted specifically for the Redmi 9 Pro with the MIUI 12/13/14 shell. You will learn how to return both standard programs (Gallery, Camera, Notes) and third-party programs (for example, WhatsApp or Viber), even if they are not displayed in the app store, and how to avoid data loss during recovery and what to do if the application does not start after installation.
We warn you right away that not all methods are universal, such as system applications (like the system). MIUI Security or Theme Store can not simply download from the Play Market – they will need APK-file ADB. But user programs are restored in a few clicks!
1.Restore via Google Play: A quick way for custom apps
If you delete an app that was originally installed from Google Play (such as Instagram, Telegram, or YouTube), it’s easiest to return it through your download history, which works for all Google accounts linked to your phone and doesn’t require root rights or technical skills.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open Google Play Store on your Redmi 9 Pro.
- 👤 Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Select Application and Device Management.
- 🔍 Go to the Control tab. → Established → Not installed (or the Library in new versions).
- ⬇️ Find the desired application in the list and click Install.
If the application is not displayed in the library, check:
- 🔄 Account Synchronization: Go to Settings → Google accounts → Synchronize and update data.
- 📧 Account Accuracy: The app may have been installed under a different Google account.
- 🌍 Regional restrictions: Some programs (such as Netflix or banking) may not be available in your country.
💡
If the app is not in the library, try typing its name into the Google Play search box – sometimes it appears in the results marked “Already purchased.”
⚠️ Note: This method is not suitable for Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music or Cleaner) and cannot be installed through the Play Market, alternative methods will be required (see Section 3).
2.Restore from MIUI backup: for system and user applications
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro supports backups through the built-in Local Backup feature in MIUI. If you enabled this option before uninstalling apps, the chances of successful recovery are high.The method works for both custom programs and some system ones (such as Camera or Gallery).
How to restore:
- ⚙️ Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup.
- 📁 Select the most recent copy (check the date of creation – it must be before the application is removed).
- ↩️ Click Restore and confirm the action. It takes 5-15 minutes.
- 🔄 After completion, restart your phone: Settings → The phone. → Reboot.
What's recovering:
| Type of data | Recovering? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| User Applications (APK) | ✅ Yes. | Only if they were installed at the time of creation of the copy |
| Xiaomi System Applications | ⚠️ Partially. | Only those that have been deactivated, not completely removed, are restored. |
| Application data (save, settings) | ✅ Yes. | If the option "Application Data" was included in the copy settings |
| SMS and call log | ✅ Yes. | Provided they were included in the backup copy |
⚠️ Note: If the backup was created after the application was deleted, this method will not work. Also note that the recovery will rewrite the current data (for example, new ones). SMS contact or contact information, so make a fresh copy of important information.
Create a new backup of current data|Check the space available (at least 1 GB is required)|Connect your phone to charge.|Turn it off. VPN (may interfere with the process)-->
Installation APK-Manual Files: for System and Remote Applications
If the application has been removed completely (including system programs) MIUI), There is no such thing as Google Play, but there is only one option left: install it. APK-This is a manual file. This is a method that works for you:
- 📱 Xiaomi System Applications (Mi Video, Mi Music, Security, etc.).
- 🔍 Apps removed from the Play Market (such as older versions of WhatsApp or other apps) VK).
- 🛠️ Programs that are not supported in your area.
Where to get APK:
- Official sources: 🌐 Apk.mi.com – official website APK Xiaomi. 📱 GetApps (app store) MIUI) — Sometimes there are systems.
- Third-party resources (at your own risk!): 📦 APKPure or APKMirror – Check the hashes of files! 🔗 Thematic forums (e.g, 4PDA), where dumps of system applications for specific models are laid out.
How to install APK:
- 📥 Download the file to your phone or computer.
- 🔗 If you downloaded it on PC, transfer it to Redmi 9 Pro through USB-cable.
- 📂 Open the File Manager → find the downloaded APK → press it.
- ⚙️ When the warning "Installation is blocked" appears, go to Settings → Annexes → Special access → Install unknown applications and allow installation for your file manager.
- ↩️ After installation, restart the phone.
How to check APK pre-installing viruses?
⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources, it may lead to:
- 🛡️ Virus Infection (especially if the file is downloaded from torrent trackers).
- 🔒 Data theft (some modified) APK contain spyware).
- 🚫 Blocking your account (for example, if you install a pirated version of Netflix or a banking app).
4.Recovery through ADB: for power users
If standard methods didn’t work, and the application was system-based (e.g. Mi Drop or Mi Remote), you can try to restore it via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires USB debugging enabled and basic command-line knowledge.
Warning: the wrong ADB commands can disrupt your phone, and if you’re not sure, skip this section or consult a specialist.
Instructions:
- 🔧 Enable Developer Mode on Redmi 9 Pro: Go to Settings → About the phone. Press 7 times on the version. MIUI, Notice: “You have become a developer".
- ⚙️ Activate Debugging on USB: Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, turn on the debugging switch. USB.
USB-cable
ADB Tools
Command line.
Terminal
ADB
adb devicesThe name of your device (e.g., 1234abcd device) should appear.
com.example.app
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.example.appMi Video
com.miui.videoplayer
Where to find the batch names of MIUI system applications:
| Annex | Package name (package name) |
|---|---|
| Mi Video | com.miui.videoplayer |
| Mi Music | com.miui.player |
| Mi Remote | com.duokan.phone.remotecontroller |
| Security (Security) | com.miui.securitycenter |
| Cleaner (Cleaning) | com.miui.cleanmaster |
If the install-existing command does not work, try:
- 🔄 Restart the phone and try again.
- 📥 Download APK Appendix (see Section 3) and install it through ADB: adb install path/to/file.apk
Yeah, often.|I tried it a couple times.|No, but I want to learn.|No, and no planning.-->
5. Factory reset: a last resort
If none of the methods worked, and the remote application was system-critical and critical (like Settings or Phone), then all that remains is a complete reset of the phone, which will return all standard MIUI programs, but deletes all user data (photos, messages, apps).
How to reset Redmi 9 Pro:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Resetting settings.
- ⚠️ Select Erase All Data (Reset to Factory Settings).
- 🔐 Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes.
⚠️ Attention:
- 📲 Make a backup of all important data (photos, contacts, SMS) Before resetting. Use Mi Cloud, Google Drive or USB-transmission.
- 🔒 After the reset, the phone will require you to enter the Xiaomi account that was tied to the reset (Mi Account protection!
- 📱 Apps installed after buying a phone won’t be restored – they will have to be installed again.
If the application is still missing after reset, it has been removed from the firmware (for example, when updating MIUI), in which case only flashing the phone to an older version or custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) will help, this is a complex procedure that requires unlocking the bootloader and is risky for beginners.
💡
Factory reset is the last chance to bring back system applications, but it erases all user data. Always back up before reset!
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after a successful recovery, applications may not work properly, and let's look at the common bugs and how to fix them.
Problem 1: The app is installed but does not open or close immediately.
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
- 🧹 Clear the app's cache: Settings → Annexes → Select a program → Clear the cache.
- 📥 Reinstall the app (remove and install again).
- 🛠️ If it is a system application, try restoring it through ADB (see section 4).
Problem 2: The app doesn’t appear in the menu, but takes up space in the memory.
- 🔍 Check Hidden Apps: Swipe your finger up the screen → press ⋮ (three-point) → Hidden applications.
- ⚙️ Enable display: Settings → Main screen screen → Show hidden applications.
- 📂 Use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer) and check the folder /data/app file-based.
Problem 3: Once restored from backup, applications are unstable.
- 🔄 Update apps through Google Play.
- 📶 Check your Internet connection – some programs require authorization.
- 🛡️ Disable Mi Optimizer (can block background work): Settings → Annexes → Application management → ⋮ → Special access → Optimizing the battery.
Problem 4: You can’t install the APK, and you get an “Application not installed” error.
- 📌 Make sure that the download is correct. APK (architecture arm64, Redmi 9 Pro is powered by Snapdragon 720G).
- ⚙️ Include installation from unknown sources (see Section 3).
- 🗑️ Remove the remnants of the old version: Settings → Annexes → Find the app → Delete.
- 🔧 Use it. ADB For forced installation: adb install -r -t path/to/file.apk Flag -r replaces an existing application, -t testable.