How to find hidden apps on Xiaomi: a full guide with instructions

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones out of the box contain dozens of pre-installed apps, from useful services to unnecessary software that takes up memory and consumes battery power. Some of them are hidden from the user: they do not appear in the app menu, but continue to work in the background. In this article, we will understand how to find hidden applications on Xiaomi, which can be safely disabled, and which are not recommended to be removed.

The problem of hidden applications is relevant for all devices based on MIUI — from the budget Redmi 10A to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Even after resetting, some system services remain invisible. We will show working ways to detect them, both through standard settings and using third-party tools, focusing on the risks of removing system components and alternative methods of optimizing the phone.

Why Xiaomi is hiding apps from the user

The manufacturer hides some of the software for several reasons:

• 🔧 System Stability: Some Services are Critical to Work MIUI (For example, com.miui.securitycenter is responsible for security.
• 📱 Pre-installed partner services: Xiaomi collaborates with Google, Facebook, Netflix and other companies whose apps are integrated into firmware.
• 🔄 Updates over the air: Hidden components are responsible for delivery OTA-Updates (e.g. com.miui.updater).
• 🛡️ Security: Services like com.miui.guardprovider protect your device from malware, but work in the background.

It's important to understand that not all hidden applications are harmful, like com.android.providers.media, which is responsible for accessing multimedia files, and com.miui.player, which is responsible for playing video, but some of them can be turned off without consequences.

Method 1: Find hidden applications through MIUI settings

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It does not require root rights and is suitable for all models, including the Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Show all applications".
3. The list will include system services with a gray icon, which are sorted alphabetically.
4. To find a specific application, use the search bar at the top.

Note that some applications will be marked “Disabled” – meaning that they are deactivated but not deleted. They can be turned on or removed (if the button is active).

Duplicate services (e.g., two browsers)

High battery consumption applications

Services you do not use (such as Mi Pay or Mi Video)>)

Updates for system applications (Updates tab)

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Method 2: Using ADB to display all applications

If the standard settings don’t show all the hidden programs, Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, will help. This method requires connecting the phone to a PC, but does not need root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
2. On your phone, activate Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to turn on Developer Mode).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line in the ADB folder and do:

adb devices


adb shell pm list packages -f

The first command checks the connection, the second command displays a complete list of all installed packets, including hidden ones.

adb shell pm list packages -f > apps_list.txt

In the list, look for packages with prefixes:

• com.miui. – MIUI system services;
• com.android. — Android components
• com.google. — Google services;
• com.xiaomi. - Branded applications.

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To quickly find unnecessary apps, sort the list by keywords: grep "miui" apps_list.txt (for Linux/macOS) Or use a search in a notebook.

Method 3: Third-party applications for analysis of hidden software

If you're having trouble with ADB, use specialized utilities that scan the system and show you all the packages you've installed, including the hidden ones.

Example of work with App Inspector:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the application settings.
3. Go to the "All Packages" tab.
4. Sort the list by size or name to find suspicious apps.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, SD Maid requires ADB-Connect your phone to your PC and execute the adb command. -d shell pm grant eu.thedarken.sdm android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS, to unlock additional functions.

What hidden applications can be removed without consequences

Not all system packages are equally useful. Below is a list of apps that you can disable or uninstall on most Xiaomi devices (take a backup before you act!):

• 🎵 com.miui.music – standard music player (if you use Spotify or YouTube Music);
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer - video player (alternative — VLC or MX Player);
• 📰 com.miui.weather2 — Weather widget (replaced with AccuWeather);
• 💰 com.xiaomi.payment – Mi Pay (unless you use contactless payments);
• 📖 com.xiaomi.joyose – Mi Drop (file transfer service);
• 🎮 com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service – gaming services (if you are not playing).

Critical packages that should not be touched:

• com.android.settings – system settings;
• com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center
• com.miui.home - MIUI launcher;
• com.android.phone – telephone functions.

How to remove hidden applications: step-by-step methods

There are three ways to get rid of unnecessary packets: through ADB, through root rights, or by disabling (no deletion).

Method 1: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

This method is safer than deleting, because it allows you to return the application back.

adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.payment # hides the app from the user


adb shell pm disable-user com.xiaomi.payment # disables it completely

To return the app:

adb shell pm enable com.xiaomi.payment

Method 2: Removal via ADB (requires caution)

Command for complete removal:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.payment

The --user 0 flag means that the packet is only deleted for the current user (does not affect system files), but firmware updates can restore remote applications.

Method 3: Removal with root rights

If you have root, use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup.

1. Open a file manager with root access.
2. Go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
3. Find a folder with the name of the package (for example, MiPay) and delete it.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of packets from /system/ If you don't have a backup, you can make your phone inoperable. TWRP OrangeFox before such operations.

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Disabling applications via ADB is the safest method, and complete removal is recommended only for experienced users with a backup system.

How Hidden Apps Affect Productivity

Even the system services that are disabled can consume resources, and let's look at how they affect key parameters of the phone:

To assess the real impact, use AccuBattery (for battery) or DevCheck (for CPU/memory analysis). For example, com.miui.analytics (analytics service) can consume up to 5% of the charge per day, even if you are not using it.

Tip: after disabling unnecessary services, restart your phone and check:

• 🔋 Battery operating time (c Settings) → Battery);
• 📈 Use of RAM (in Settings) → Memory);
• 🔥 Processor heating (through AIDA64).

FAQ: Frequent questions about hidden apps on Xiaomi