What Xiaomi Phone Desktop Shortcuts Mean: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi’s desktop isn’t just a background image with app icons, but it’s a whole arsenal of tools that make it easier to access features, speed up routine tasks, and even save battery life. But what if you see on the screen some obscure icons, labels or labels that are not obvious? MIUI, their hidden capabilities and ways to manage them – from basic icons to dynamic widgets.

Many users mistakenly believe that shortcuts are just “app shortcuts” like on a computer, but in fact, Xiaomi has them divided into static (links to programs), dynamic (widgets with updated information) and system (hidden functions). MIUI). For example, a weather icon can be both a shortcut to run an application and a widget that shows the temperature in real time, and we can figure out how to distinguish them and why they are needed.

What are shortcuts on the Xiaomi desktop and why do you need them?

The shortcut on the Xiaomi screen is a graphical element that performs one of three functions:

• 📱 Launching an application is a classic icon that opens the program (for example, Google Play or Gallery).
• ⚙️ Quick access to settings – for example, a shortcut to enable Flight Mode or Flashlight.
• 📊 Display dynamic information – weather, calendar, steps, etc. widgets.

Unlike Android in its pure form, MIUI It uses shortcuts to integrate with Xiaomi’s branded services, such as the Mi Home icon, which can be not only a link to an app, but also a widget that shows the status of connected smart devices. Instead of opening the app, you can see if the robot vacuum cleaner is on or if the smart curtains are closed.

It’s important to understand that shortcuts don’t take up extra memory — they’re just “links” to functions or data. However, widgets (especially those with animations) can slightly increase battery consumption as they update information in the background, and we’ll talk about this in the optimization section.

Types of shortcuts on Xiaomi: from icons to widgets

V MIUI Labels are divided into 4 main categories, each of which has its own characteristics and settings:

Dynamic shortcuts are a different thing, and they come in context, for example, if you call a contact often, MIUI It can automatically create a shortcut for quick dialing on the desktop, or when you connect Bluetooth headphones, you'll see a play-control widget. → Personalization → Contextual clues.

Important nuance: on some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ or Xiaomi 13 Ultra) weather and calendar widgets can only be updated with an active internet connection. If the data is not updated, check the permissions for the Weather app in Settings → Annexes → Permits.

How to add a shortcut to the Xiaomi desktop: step-by-step instructions

Adding a label depends on the type of label. Let's look at all the options:

Annex label

The easiest way is:

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the desired application and pinch its icon for 1-2 seconds.
3. Drag to a free space on the desktop.

2. Widget.

Widgets are added through a special menu:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select Widgets from the bottom menu.
3. Scroll through the list, select the widget you want (like Weather or Calendar) and drag it to the screen.
4. Some widgets (such as Mi Fit) require authorization in your Xiaomi account.

3. Quick settings

These labels are added through the notification panel:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (or ✏️) top-right.
3. Press the desired setting (for example, the flashlight) and drag it to the desktop.

The widget is supported by your version. MIUI

There is enough free space on the screen (minimum 2×2 cells)

The application to which the widget belongs is installed and updated

Permissions for the application are included (geolocation, notifications, etc.)

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If no label is added, check:

• 🔄 Updates MIUI — Some features are only available in new versions.
• 📱 Phone model – on a budget Redmi (for example, Redmi) 9A) It may be a reduced function.
• 🔒 Launcher restrictions – if a third-party launcher is used (e.g. Nova Launcher), shortcuts MIUI may not work.

How to Remove or Hide Unnecessary Labels

Removing shortcuts is as simple as adding them, but there are nuances for different types:

Removal of application icons

Just press the icon and drag it to the top of the screen where it says Delete. Attention: this only removes the shortcut, not the app itself! To uninstall the program, drag it to Delete App (if available).

Removal of widgets

Like icons, you can pinch the widget and drag it to the cart. Some widgets (like the system) can't be removed, you can only turn them off in the settings:

Settings → Desktop → Widgets → [Stop unnecessary]

Hiding system labels

System shortcuts (such as Test or EngineerMode) cannot be removed, but they can be hidden:

1. Install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher).
2. In the launcher settings, select Hide Apps.
3. Check the unneeded system shortcuts.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F5) post-refresh MIUI hidden shortcuts may reappear on the desktop. To avoid this, disable the automatic update of the launcher in Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Auto-update.

Hidden shortcuts: what Xiaomi widgets can do

Widgets MIUI — These are not just static icons, they can perform complex tasks, interact with other Xiaomi devices, and even save battery life:

• 🌡️ Weather widget – when you press the temperature, you can see a detailed forecast with graphs of precipitation and wind. On models with Always-On Display (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), the weather is displayed even on the screen turned off.
• 📅 Calendar widget – supports synchronization with Google Calendar and birthday reminders from Contacts.
• 🏃 Mi Fit Widget – Shows not only steps, but also pulse, stress level (if connected Mi Band) and even training tips.
• 🔊 Music widget – controls playback on any device on the local network (for example, on Xiaomi) TV or the Mi Smart Speaker column).

One of the most useful widgets is the Smart Home, which allows you to:

• Control smart lamps (turn on / off, change color).
• View Xiaomi cameras in real time.
• Start automation (for example, “If it rains, close the curtains”).

⚠️ Warning: Mi Home and Mi Fit widgets require constant access to geolocation and the Internet:

• 📶 Network connection (Wi-Fi or mobile Internet).
• 📍 Geolocation Permits in Settings → Confidentiality → Permits → geodata.
• 🔄 Updates to Mi Home and Mi Fit apps in Google Play.

💡

If the weather widget shows incorrect data, try manually specifying your city in the Weather app settings. To do this, open the app, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select City Management.

Desktop Optimization: How to Organize Shortcuts for Maximum Convenience

Chaotic shortcuts slow down your smartphone, here are 5 rules to help you organize your desktop effectively:

1. Group by frequency of use – on the first screen, place only those applications that you use daily (messengers, phone, camera).
2. Use folders for similar applications (e.g., all games in one folder, social networks in another) to create a folder, drag and drop one icon to another.
3. Separate widgets and icons – it is better to place widgets on a separate screen so as not to overload the main one.
4. Set up your gestures - in MIUI You can assign swipes to run applications, for example, swipe down on the desktop can open the weather. → Desktop → Gestures.
5. Hide the unnecessary – remove shortcuts for apps you don’t use (you can always find them through search).

For advanced users, there are several more life hacks:

• 🔄 Automatic change of wallpaper - in Settings → Wallpaper can be included Dynamic wallpaper, which varies depending on the time of day.
• 🎨 Dark theme for widgets – if dark theme is enabled (Settings) → Screen. → Dark theme, widgets adapt too.
• 🔒 Block shortcuts – to avoid accidentally removing an important shortcut, press it and select Block (not available on all models).

If you travel frequently or use your smartphone for work, it is recommended to create separate desktops for different tasks.

• 🏠 Home screen – messengers, social networks, entertainment.
• 💼 Workscreen – Mail, Calendar, Google Docs.
• 🏝️ Travels – cards, translator, tickets.

💡

The optimal number of shortcuts on a single screen is no more than 12-15, and if there are more, you should divide them into folders or additional desktops.

Xiaomi shortcuts: Why they disappear or don’t work

Sometimes shortcuts on Xiaomi behave strangely: disappear after an update, do not update the data or duplicate, let's analyze the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

If the problem is not solved, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or Lawnchair if you use it).
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the launcher data will remove all your desktop settings (shortcuts, folders, widgets) before taking screenshots of the current layout to quickly restore it.

If the labels continue to disappear, the problem may be in the damaged cache of the system, in which case the cache reset via recovery mode will help:

1. Turn off the phone.


2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.




3. Select Wipe Cache Partition (use volume buttons for navigation).




4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi