How to recover deleted applications on a Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphone: all methods

Deleted an important application from Xiaomi Redmi 8 and don’t know how to get it back? Don't panic - in 90% of cases, apps are restored within a few minutes. Even if you cleared the cache or reset the settings, the chances of success remain high. In this article we will look at 7 proven methods, including recovery via Google Play, hidden functions MIUI, backups and tools for advanced users.

Feature Redmi 8 (code name olive) - work on the base Android 9/10 with shell MIUI 11-12. This means that standard recovery methods may differ from stock Android. For example, there is a built-in one that saves the history of installations, and a unique Xiaomi feature. We will take into account all the nuances of the model so that you can recover deleted software without risk to the system. MIUI application manager, which saves installation history, and "App Archive" function - a unique feature of Xiaomi. We will take into account all the nuances of the model so that you can return the deleted software without risk to the system.

Important: if the application was remote device administrator (for example, through an MDM solution on a work phone), restore it standard methods will not work - you will need superuser rights (root). In other cases, follow the instructions below.

1. Restoring through Google Play history

The fastest way is to use the installation history in Google Play Store. This method works even if you haven't made backups, since Google automatically saves a list of all applications you've ever installed.

How to return an application:

• 📱 Open Google Play Market on your phone.
• 👤 Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → select Manage applications and device.
• 🔍 Go to the Manage tab data-i="62">Installed → Installed → Not installed.
• 🔄 Find the desired application in the list and click Install.

If the application does not appear in the list, check:

• 🔒 Google account from which it was installed (you may have used a different profile).
• 🌐 Account region - some applications may not be available in your country.
• 📅 Date of deletion - history on Google Play is stored for a limited time (usually up to 1 year).

⚠️ Attention: If the application was deleted through Settings → Applications → Uninstall for all users, it may not be displayed in Google Play history. In this case, try the methods in the following sections.

2. Using the MIUI application archive

Xiaomi Redmi 8 has a built-in function "Archive applications", which automatically saves APK files of deleted apps. This method only works if:

• 📦 The archiving function was enabled before uninstallation applications.
• 🧹 You did not clear the system cache after uninstallation.
• 🔄 The phone was not reset to factory settings.

Recovery instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Application Archive.
3. Find the desired application in the list and click Restore.
4. Confirm installation if you are prompted for permissions.

If the archive is empty, check the storage settings:

• 📂 Go to Settings → Storage → Application Archive.
• 🔧 Make sure the option Autoarchive is enabled.
• 🗑️ If the archive is disabled, try restoring the data through MIUI Cloud (section 4).

Check whether autoarchive is enabled in the settings

Make sure that your phone has enough free memory

Connect to Wi-Fi to download dependencies (if required)

Do not interrupt the recovery process-->

3. Restoring from a MIUI Cloud backup

If you previously enabled synchronization with MIUI Cloudthe chances of returning a deleted application are much higher. Xiaomi saves not only contacts and photos, but also a list of installed apps (subject to the activation of the function Application backup).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Open Settings → About phone → Backup and reset.
2. Select Restore from backup.
3. Authorize in your Mi Account (if not authorized).
4. Select the latest backup before the deletion date applications.
5. Tick the checkbox Applications and their data → click Restore.

Method limitations:

• 🔄 Restore will replace all current applications those that were at the time the backup was created.
• 📅 If the backup is old, you will lose data from applications installed later.
• 🔒 Some system applications (for example, com.miui.securitycenter) are not restored.

⚠️ Attention: After restoring from MIUI Cloud, the phone may automatically reboot. Do not interrupt the process, even if the screen goes dark for 2-3 minutes - this is normal Redmi 8 with its hardware features.

4. Manual recovery via APK files

If the application was deleted, but you remember its name, you can try install it manually via an APK file. This method is suitable for:

• 📱 Applications removed from Google Play (for example, APKMirror, Aptoide).
• 🔧 Xiaomi system utilities that cannot be restored using standard methods.
• 📁 Applications for which you have a local copy of the APK.

Where to get the APK:

• 🔍 Official sources:
  • APKMirror (check the hash sums of the files!).
  • APKPure (use only versions with green check mark).
• 💾 Local sources:
  • Check the folder /sdcard/Download/ or /sdcard/MIUI/backup/ on your phone.
  • If you previously made a backup via Titanium Backup or Swift Backup, look for files with the extension .apk or .tb.

How to install APK on Redmi 8:

1. Download the APK file to your phone or transfer it from your PC.
2. Open File manager → find the downloaded file.
3. Tap on the file → click Install.
4. If it appears error "Installation blocked", go to Settings → Applications → Special access → Install unknown applications and allow installation for your file manager.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.package.name

5. Restoring through third-party backup managers

If you used backup applications (for example, Titanium Backup, Swift Backup or OAndBackupX), the chances of recovery are much higher. These apps save not only APK files, but also application data, which is critical for instant messengers or games.

Instructions for Titanium Backup (required root):

1. Install Titanium Backup from Google Play.
2. Open the application and provide rootaccess.
3. Go to the Backups tab.
4. Find the desired application in the list (marked in green if there is a backup).
5. Tap on it → select Restore.
6. Tick the boxes Application and Data → click Start.

For users without root suitable Swift Backup:

• 🔧 Install Swift Backup i Swift Backup for Rootless (for devices without root).
• 📂 Connect your phone to the PC and copy the folder from backups (usually /sdcard/SwiftBackups/) to internal memory.
• 🔄 In the application, select Restore → specify the path to the backup.

Important: Backups made on other devices may not work on Redmi 8 due to differences in Android version or processor architecture. Before restoring, check compatibility.

6. Restoring via ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not help, you can try restoring the application via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for:

• 🔧 Xiaomi system applications deleted by mistake.
• 📦 Applications that are not displayed in Google Play or the MIUI archive.
• 🔄 Restoring after an unsuccessful system update.

Prerequisites:

• 💻 Computer with ADB tools installed.
• 🔌 USB cable for connection Redmi 8.
• 🔧 Enabled USB debugging (Settings → About phone → MIUI version → tap on the version 7 times → return to Advanced → For developers → Debugging USB).

Steps for recovery:

1. Connect your phone to the PC and confirm access for debugging.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to connection check:

   adb devices

   The device serial number should be displayed.

4. To see a list of all ever installed applications (including deleted ones), run:

   adb shell pm list packages -u

   (-u shows only deleted packages).

5. Find the desired application in the list (for example, com.whatsapp) and restore it:

   adb shell cmd package install-existing com.whatsapp

A critical nuance for Redmi 8: if the application was deleted as a system one (for example, through the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.package), you can only restore it by reinstalling the APK manually or resetting the phone to factory settings.

⚠️ Attention: ADB commands can harm the system if entered incorrectly. For example, the command adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.settings will delete the phone settings, which will lead to the device not working. Always double check package names.

7. Extreme measures: reset to factory settings

If none of the methods worked, it remains resetting the phone to factory settings. This will return all pre-installed applications MIUI, but will delete all user data (photos, messages, accounts). Use this method only as a last resort!

How to reset Redmi 8:

1. Make a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, documents).
2. Open Settings → About phone → Backup and reset.
3. Select Reset settings → Erase all data.
4. Enter the password (if required) and confirm the reset.
5. After the reboot, go through the initial setup.

What happens after the reset:

• ✅ All pre-installed applications MIUI (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music) will return.
• ✅ System services (com.miui.securitycenter, com.android.contacts) will be restored.
• ❌ All user applications installed by you will disappear (they will have to be installed again).
• ❌ Application data (saved games, instant messenger chats) will be lost.

If the reset did not help return the desired application, this means that:

• 🔧 The application was not pre-installed in your version MIUI.
• 📦 It was removed at the firmware level (for example, via TWRP or Magisk).
• 🔄 Your firmware version is out of date and the app is no longer supported.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions