How to find hidden apps on Xiaomi: all the ways + safe disposal

Have you ever noticed that your Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco suddenly runs out of memory when you have barely installed anything? Or that strange processes in the task manager eat up the battery? MIUI These programs are not displayed in the standard application menu, but actively consume the resources of the device.

In this article, we will learn how to find hidden apps on Xiaomi Android smartphones of all generations (including the latest models on the market). MIUI 14/15 And HyperOS, which ones can be safely turned off and which ones are not recommended to be removed, and you will also learn how to distinguish viruses from legitimate system services, and what to do if the phone starts to glitches after manipulation with software.

We warn you: not all hidden APK-Some people are responsible for critical functions, from camera operation to security updates, and our job is to identify them, not blindly delete everything.

Why Xiaomi has hidden apps and how they are dangerous

Smartphone manufacturers (not only Xiaomi, but also Samsung, Huawei) install on the device the so-called bloatware (from English. bloatware) - preinstalled programs that the user can not remove by standard means. MIUI it:

• 📱 System services such as com.miui.analytics (statistics collection) or com.xiaomi.midrop (file transfer over Wi-Fi).
• 🛒 Advertising modules - com.miui.systemAdSolution (responsible for targeted advertising in the Internet) MIUI).
• 🔄 Duplicate applications – second browser, second file manager, second theme store.
• 🔒 Security services: com.miui.guardprovider (antivirus) or com.miui.cleanmaster (optimizer).

The danger of hidden applications is as follows:

1. Resource consumption: Even in the background, they consume RAM and CPU, leading to lags and overheating.
2. Data collection: Some modules (e.g. com.miui.analytics) send information about your smartphone usage to Xiaomi servers.
3. Security vulnerabilities: outdated system APK They may contain the flaws that viruses exploit.

But it's not all that bad: some of the hidden apps are really necessary, like com.android.phone for mobile communications, and com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice for modem operation, and if you delete them, you lose the network altogether.

How to find hidden apps on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Standard section Settings → Apps don't show everything. To see the full list of installed software (including hidden software), use one of the methods below.

Method 1: Through Developer Settings (without root)

This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer, including HyperOS.

Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on MIUI Version in Settings → About Phone)

Activate debugging over USB in Settings → Additional → For developers

Connect your phone to your PC (if you use it) ADB)

Make a backup copy of important data-->

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
3. Turn on the System filter - now you will see a list of all APK, including.

Note the apps with names like com.miui., com.xiaomi. or com.android.*. These are the most commonly “invisible” to the user.

Method 2: Through ADB (rootless, but with a PC)

If the first method didn’t show all the apps, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — Android Debugging Tool: You’ll need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and Google’s Platform Tools program.

adb shell pm list packages -f

This command will display a complete list of all packets (including hidden ones) with paths to their destinations. APK-To save the list to a file on a PC, use:

adb shell pm list packages -f > packages.txt

Now you can analyze the list in the text editor. Look for packages with keywords:

• 🔍 Miui, Xiaomi, Mipay, Mibrowser – branded services.
• 🔍 Google, Android – system components of Android.
• 🔍 Qualcomm, mediatek – drivers for the processor.

💡

If the adb device command doesn’t find your phone, check if debugging is enabled. USB Windows may require manual driver installation through Device Manager.

Method 3: Through a file manager (with or without root)

Hidden. APK-files are stored in system folders that are not available by default, but they can be viewed even without root rights using special file managers, such as, FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer.

1. Install one of the managers and give them access to the storage.
2. Go to the root directory (/) and open the folder. /system/app or /system/priv-app.
3. You'll find it here. APK-files of all system applications, including hidden.

Without root rights, you can’t delete files from here, but at least you can see what’s installed on your device.

Method 4: Through third-party applications (e.g. App Inspector)

Google Play has utilities that scan the system and show all packages installed, including hidden ones. One of the best is App Inspector (from Ubuntu Touch developer).

After installation:

1. Open the app and give it root access (if any).
2. Go to the All Apps tab.
3. Sort the list by System Apps.

App Inspector will show not only the names of packages, but also their resolutions, which will help to identify potentially dangerous modules.

Method 5: Through TWRP (only for stitched phones)

If your Xiaomi has a custom recavator installed TWRP, You can view and remove the system APK straight out:

1. Boot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
4. Remove unnecessary APK-files (but first do backup!).

This method is the most risky: improper removal can lead to a bootloop, only use it if you know exactly what you're doing.

💡

The most secure way to view hidden applications is through the developer’s settings or ADB. Removing without understanding the consequences can disrupt your phone.

What hidden apps on Xiaomi can be removed and which ones can’t

Now that you know how to find the hidden APK, It's important to understand which ones you can remove or disable and which ones you can't touch. Below is a table with the most common system packages on the Internet. MIUI and their appointment.

If you're not sure what the package is, don't delete it. Instead, you can:

• 🔕 Disable via Settings → Annexes → [Select an application] → Shut down.
• 📵 Freeze with utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root).
• 🔄 Limit background activity in battery settings.

How to safely remove hidden apps on Xiaomi

If you want to get rid of unnecessary systems APK, Follow this instruction. We'll look at two methods: ADB (rootless and through TWRP (root).

Method 1: Removal via ADB (without root)

This is a good way for most users, because it doesn't require super-user rights. You'll need a computer with Platform Tools installed.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and make sure that the debugging is done USB included.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to delete the packet (replace com.example.app with the name of the unnecessary packet): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app
4. Reboot the phone.

The --user 0 key means that the application is only deleted for the current user (without affecting system files), which reduces the risk of critical errors.

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.example.app

Method 2: Removal through TWRP (root)

This method is more radical and requires installed Recovery. TWRP It's root-rights. It allows you to completely erase. APK from the system, but the risks are higher.

1. Load to TWRP (clip Power + Volume Up).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Open the folder. /system/app or /system/priv-app.
4. Find a folder with the name of the unnecessary package (for example, Analytics for com.miui.analytics) and delete it.
5. Reboot the phone.

Once that's removed, the app will disappear forever, and if the phone stops working properly, you'll have to refashion.

💡

Always backup in. TWRP Before you delete system files, select Backup and save System and Boot partitions.

How to distinguish a hidden system application from a virus

Not all hidden processes on Xiaomi are harmless, some of which can be viruses or spyware.

Signs of the virus in hidden applications

• 🚨 Unknown package – the name does not contain miui, Xiaomi, Android or google.
• 🚨 High battery consumption – the process consumes >10% charge in the background.
• 🚨 Suspicious Permits – Access to the SMS, Geolocation, phone calls without obvious reason.
• 🚨 Impossible to disable – the button Disable in the settings is inactive.

If you find a suspicious package, check it through VirusTotal:

1. Download. APK-file /system/app or /data/app.
2. Upload it to the VirusTotal website.
3. Check the results of the scan with antiviruses.

What to do if you find a virus

⚠️ Note: Some viruses masquerade as system processes (e.g. com.android.system.update).Be sure before deleting it, it is not a legitimate package.

If you have confirmed that the package is malicious:

1. Try to remove it through ADB (as described above).
2. If you don’t, scan your phone with an antivirus (Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).
3. In extreme cases, make a reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).

After the virus is removed, it is recommended to change the passwords from the accounts and check if there were unauthorized payments (if the virus had access to bank data).

What to do if after removing hidden apps, the phone breaks down

If you delete a critical package and your phone stops working (it doesn't turn on, it gets stuck on the logo, bugs fly out), don't panic. In most cases, the situation can be fixed.

Scenario 1: The phone turns on but glides

If the interface works but some features are not available (e.g., the camera or mobile network is not working), try:

• 🔄 Return the Remote Application through ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.example.app
• 📱 Reset the settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting settings).
• 🔧 Update MIUI through settings → Updating the system.

Scenario 2: Phone not turned on (bootloop or brick)

If the device is stuck on the logo or does not respond to buttons, you will need to flash through Fastboot:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Download the phone to Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
3. Connect to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash all [firmware name].zip

⚠️ Note: Fastboot flashing erases all data on your phone. If you have Mi Account and Find Device enabled, you may need to unlock your account after you have firmware.

Scenario 3: Critical system files are deleted

If you delete files from /system through TWRP and the phone doesn't load, restore the backup:

1. Download to TWRP.
2. Select Restore and specify the folder with backup.
3. Restore the System partition.

If there is no backup, only the firmware through Fastboot or EDL (In the most severe cases, the assistance of a service center may be required.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi