Modern mobile devices based on the operating system Android offer users not only the standard launch of apps through icons on the desktop, but also advanced capabilities for managing software through the system menu. Sometimes it becomes necessary to launch an application that was installed bypassing the official store, or to debug your own development, or to forcefully activate a service that is not displayed in the launcher. In such cases, the standard approach does not work, and intervention in the deep settings of the system is required.
The process of launching through the settings may vary depending on the version Android and the specific shell of the manufacturer, be it MIUI, OneUI or pure Stock Android. The main tools here are the “Applications” section, the “For Developers” menu and debugging capabilities via a computer. Understanding these mechanisms allows you not only to solve problems with non-working software, but also to optimize the operation of the device by disabling unnecessary processes or forcibly launching necessary services.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods of manually managing applications through system parameters. You'll learn how to activate hidden menus, how to use debugging tools ADB to directly launch an activity, and what precautions to take to avoid compromising the stability of the operating system.
Activating Developer Mode and USB Debugging
The first and most important step for advanced application management is to unlock the hidden settings section known as “For Developers”. By default, this item is hidden from the eyes of the average user to prevent accidental changes to critical system parameters. To access it, you need to go to the menu Settings and find the section About phone or Phone information.
Inside this section you need to find item Build number. This is where the key to advanced capabilities lies. You need to quickly click on this item seven times in a row. The system counts the clicks and after completing the series, it will issue a notification that you have become a developer. If the device is protected by a password or pattern, the system will ask for confirmation before activating the mode.
After successful activation, a new item will appear in the main settings menu, usually at the very bottom of the list or in the "System" section. For developers. Entering this menu provides access to dozens of technical parameters, including control of background processes, interface animation and, most importantly for our task, debugging USB.
⚠️ Attention: Enabling USB debugging gives the computer full access to the file system and phone control commands. Never connect your device to unreliable public charging stations with this mode active, as this creates the risk of data leakage.
Inside the developer menu, find the switch USB debugging and activate it. When you turn it on for the first time, the system will display a warning about potential risks, which you must agree to. This feature allows the computer to send commands directly to the operating system, including a command to launch a specific application or its component.
Running applications through the Applications menu in the settings
The easiest and safest way to launch a app through the settings is to use the built-in application manager. This method is useful in cases where the application icon has been removed from the desktop, but the app itself remains installed on the system, or if the shortcut is not displayed due to a launcher failure.
To begin, go to the Settings section and select Applications or All applications. You will see a complete list of installed software. In some shells, such as Samsung or Xiaomidevices, you may need to click on the three dots in the corner of the screen and select the option Show system processesif you are looking for a hidden service.
Find the desired application in the list and tap on it. The app information screen opens, showing memory usage, permissions, and version. At the top of this screen, next to the name and icon, there is often a Open or Runbutton. Clicking on it initiates the same process as clicking on a shortcut on the desktop.
- 📱 This method is ideal for launching system utilities that do not have a user interface.
- 🛠️ Allows you to force stop a frozen application before starting it again.
- 🔍 Allows you to check whether the application is disabled in the power saving settings.
If the “Open” button is inactive (gray), this means that the application is currently disabled by the system. In this case, you must first press the Enable, which is nearby, and only after that the launch function will become available. This is a common situation for pre-installed software, which manufacturers allow to disable but not delete.
If the “Open” button is missing, try clearing the application cache in the same settings menu. Sometimes accumulated temporary files block the correct start of an activity.
Using ADB commands to directly launch an activity
For users with advanced skills, the most powerful tool is the debug interface Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to launch not just the entire application, but a specific activity, which is indispensable when testing hidden functions or restoring access to the interface after an unsuccessful system modification. Activity (activity), which is indispensable when testing hidden functions or restoring access to the interface after an unsuccessful system modification.
To work, you will need a computer with installed device drivers and platform tools. ADB. Connect your smartphone to the PC via a USB cable, making sure that a confirmation of the debugging request appears on the phone screen. After connecting, open a command line or terminal on your computer and check the connection with the command adb devices.
The main command to run is as follows: adb shell am start -n [package]/[activity]. Here am means Activity Manager, and the flags indicate a specific component. The problem is that you need to know the exact package name and activity name. You can find them out using utilities on the phone itself or through a command adb shell dumpsys window windowsthat will show the currently active window.
adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.SettingsThis particular command, for example, will force open the main Android settings menu even if the shortcut has been deleted. In the same way, you can launch a calculator, phone book or hidden engineering menus.
⚠️ Attention: Command line interfaces and package names may differ depending on the Android version and custom firmware. What works on pure Android may cause an error on the MIUI or OneUI shell.
It is also possible to launch applications by package name without specifying a specific activity. The command adb shell monkey -p com.example.app -c android.intent.category.LAUNCHER 1 will try to find the main activity associated with the launch icon and execute it. This is a safer method that imitates the user's action when clicking on the icon.
What to do if ADB does not see the device?
Make sure that there are no unknown devices with a yellow icon in the Windows Device Manager. Try replacing the USB cable with an original one, as cheap cables often only support charging and not data transfer. Also check if the “File Transfer” (MTP) mode is selected in the phone’s notification shade.
Managing startup and background processes
Many users are interested in launching applications through settings in the context of managing startup. Android does not have a single startup registry like Windows, but manufacturers implement their own mechanisms to control which apps can start with the system. This is done in order to save battery power and RAM.
In the settings there is often a section Battery or Energy savingwhere you can find the item Launch applications or Autostart. Here is a list of apps that have permission to run in the background. If the application you need is turned off in this list, it will not launch on its own after rebooting the phone, even if it is the messenger from which you are waiting for notifications.
In addition, in the menu For developers there is an option Background process limit. By default, it is set to "Standard Limit", but if the user accidentally or intentionally changes it to "No background processes", then any application will close immediately after you minimize it. This creates the illusion that the application does not start or constantly crashes.
| Setting parameter | Impact on startup | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Autostart | Allows startup after turning on the phone | Enabled for instant messengers |
| Background process | Determines the life of the application in minimized form | Standard limit |
| Battery optimization | Limits work in the background to save money energy | No (for important applications) |
| Do not turn off the screen | Prevents sleep when charging (for debugging) | Off (normal mode) |
For critical applications such as alarm clocks or activity trackers, you need to go to the battery settings, find the specific application and select the option No restrictions or Do not optimize. This ensures that the system will not “kill” the application process to save energy, and it will be able to correctly start its services at the right time.
☑️ Checking power saving settings
Launching deleted applications and restoring shortcuts
A frequent situation is the loss of an application shortcut from the desktop. The user may accidentally delete an icon, thinking they are uninstalling a app, or a launcher crash causes all icons to disappear. In this case, the application continues to take up space in memory, but it is impossible to launch it in the usual way.
In addition to the previously described method through the “Applications” menu, there are specialized launcher utilities or applications for creating shortcuts, such as Shortcut Maker. They scan installed packages and allow you to create a new icon for any activity, even hidden ones. This is especially useful for launching hidden engineering menus of telecom operators or manufacturer diagnostic utilities.
If the application has been completely uninstalled, then it cannot be launched through the settings. However, the account Google Play stores the installation history. By going to the application store settings, you can find the section Manage applications and device -> Management -> Not installed. From here you can quickly return the app to the device, after which it will become available for launch.
In some cases, especially on Chinese versions of firmware, applications may be hidden in a special “hidden folder applications." It is accessed through gestures in the menu of all applications (for example, spreading your fingers to the sides) or through a special item in the security settings. Check this section if you cannot find an important app.
⚠️ Warning: Creating shortcuts for system activities through third-party apps may cause the phone to freeze or reboot when you click on the icon if the selected activity is not intended for direct user launch.
Restoring a shortcut through application settings is the most reliable way to regain access to the app without installing additional software, but it does not automatically create an icon on the desktop.
Diagnostics of startup problems and safe mode
If the application does not start even through the settings, giving an error or simply closing, the problem may lie in a conflict with other software or damage to system files. In such cases, Safe Modecomes to the rescue. In this mode, only system applications are loaded, which allows you to identify the culprit of the failure.
To enter safe mode, you usually need to hold down the power button on the screen, and then hold down the “Shutdown” or “Reboot” icon that appears with your finger for a long time. Once confirmed, the phone will reboot with “Safe Mode” marked in the corner of the screen. Try running the problematic application through the settings in this mode.
If the application starts correctly in safe mode, it means that the conflict is caused by some third-party application that you recently installed. This could be an antivirus, a memory cleaner, or another utility that intercepts control. You will need to methodically remove recently installed apps to find the source of the problem.
- 🚫 In safe mode, all downloaded applications are temporarily disabled, but not deleted.
- 🔄 Exiting safe mode is carried out by simply rebooting the device.
- 📉 If the application does not work even in safe mode, its files or cache are probably damaged.
You should also pay attention to permissions. In modern versions of Android (from 10 and above), there is a one-time permissions mechanism. If you previously selected the "Allow only once" option to access your camera or microphone, the app may not launch or crash when attempting to use these features, requiring you to re-verify permissions in Settings.
Before entering Safe Mode, take a photo of the error screen. After rebooting to normal mode, the error message may disappear, and you will forget the exact text that will help you search for a solution on the Internet.
Is it possible to launch an application if it is deleted from memory?
No, if the application is completely removed from the system (uninstalled), it is impossible to launch it through the settings. The settings control only those packages that are physically present in the device's memory. You need to reinstall the application from the store or via an APK file.
Why is the “Open” button in the settings gray and not clickable?
This means the application is disabled. The system does not allow you to run disabled software. First, click the “Enable” button in the application card, wait until the activation process is completed, after which the “Open” button will become active.
Is it safe to use ADB commands for a regular user?
Using basic start commands (am start) is safe. However, commands related to removing system applications (pm uninstall) or changing global settings (settings put global) can lead to the phone not working (bootloop). Be extremely careful.
How to launch an application that does not have an icon (hidden service)?
Such applications are usually not intended to be launched directly by the user. However, knowing the name of the package, you can try to launch their main activity through ADB or create a shortcut through the Shortcut Maker application, if this activity exists and is not protected by access rights.
Does Power Saver mode affect the launch of applications through the settings?
Yes, in the strict power saving mode, the system may block the launch of background services and some applications, even if you try to open them through the settings. It is recommended to disable power saving mode before diagnosing startup problems.