Did you install a new app on a Xiaomi smartphone but its icon didn't appear on the home screen? Or did all the shortcuts disappear after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Black Shark devices. Unlike "pure" Android, the MIUI shell has its own nuances of working with the desktop - there is no classic "app menu" and automatic icon placement algorithms are often confusing.
In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to add an app to Xiaomi’s home screen, from basic to hidden features for power users, and focus on MIUI 14/15 solutions where the logic of working with shortcuts has changed compared to previous versions, and learn why icons can disappear on their own and how to prevent it.
1. Standard method: via the application menu
The most obvious method is to use the built-in All Apps menu, which works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13T. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the app menu (on some firmwares, you need to click on the dot at the bottom of the screen).
- Find the app you want in the list. If it's not there, check the tab recently installed or search (the magnifier at the top of the screen).
- Press the app icon for 1-2 seconds until the context menu appears.
- Select Add to the main screen (or drag the icon to the free space).
⚠️ Attention: If you press the icon for a long time, it just opens and the menu does not appear, then you have One-Handed Mode on or Navigation Gestures conflict with the system. → Additionally. → Special facilities.
☑️ Check before adding an icon
On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 Global), a bug may be triggered after the update when icons are added but not displayed.
- Restart the device (press the power button → Reboot).
- If it didn’t help, clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.
2. Alternative method: through launcher settings
If the standard method didn’t work, try configuring the display of icons through the launcher settings, a method that is especially useful for users of POCO Launcher or MIUI Launcher with customized themes.
Instructions:
- Click the empty space on the home screen → select Screen Settings (or Launcher Settings).
- Go to the Application Settings section → Hidden applications.
- Make sure the app is not hidden. If it's on the list, uncheck the box.
- Return to Screen Settings → Home Screen layout and select Standard (if installed Without shortcuts).
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 15 China) The launcher settings may not be available. In this case, use the developer mode:
Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times)
Settings → Additional → For developers → Enable “Debugging by USB” and “Allow changing system settings”What to do if there is no item "Start-up settings"
Addition via the "Application shortcuts" widget
Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden widget that allows you to add app icons to the home screen, bypassing the standard menu, which works even if the app doesn’t appear in the All Apps list.
How to do this:
- Click the empty space on the home screen → select Widgets.
- Scroll down and find the App Shortcuts widget (or App Shortcuts on English firmware).
- Drag the widget to the home screen, and you'll see a list of all the apps you've installed.
- Select the desired application – its icon will appear on the screen.
The advantage of this method is:
- 🔹 It works even for system applications that are usually hidden (e.g. Hardware Tests or Developer Mode).
- 🔹 Allows you to add duplicate icons (useful for frequently used applications).
- 🔹 Bypasses the limitations of some design themes that block the addition of shortcuts.
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If the App Shortcuts widget is not listed, try resetting the launcher settings: Settings → Apps → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear Data. Attention: This will delete all your folders and icon locations on the home screen!
4.Use of ADB to force icons to be added
For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a way to add an icon to the home screen through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
- 🔧 The application does not appear in the menu "All applications".
- 🔧 Launcher blocks the addition of shortcuts (for example, in corporate firmware).
- 🔧 Automation of the process for several devices.
Instructions:
- Install ADB Tools on your computer and connect your phone over USB (don’t forget to enable USB debugging in the developer settings).
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type in: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.miui.home/.launcher.UninstallShortcutPreview
- The phone will show a list of all the apps on the screen, and you can choose which one you want, and the icon will be added to the home screen.
To add a specific application (if you know its package), use the command:
adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT -n com.android.launcher3/.ShortcutInstallActivity -d "package:name packet" -e "duplicate" "false"| ADB Team Team | Description | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| adb shell pm list packages | Shows a list of all installed packages | To find the name of the package of the desired application |
| adb shell am start -n com.miui.home/.launcher.UninstallShortcutPreview | Opens the menu of adding labels | If the standard methods do not work |
| adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1 | Unlocks Hidden APIs | To access hidden launcher settings |
5. Solving the Problem: Why Icons Are Disappearing or Not Added
One of the most common problems with Xiaomi is the spontaneous disappearance of icons from the home screen, which can occur for several reasons:
- 🔄 Auto-cleaning: B MIUI There's a Memory Cleanup feature that can remove unused shortcuts. Turn it off in Settings. → Battery and productivity → Cleaning up memory → Settings → Deactivate "Clear labels".
- 🎨 Reset themes: When changing the theme, some launchers reset the location of the icons. Before changing the theme, back up the screen layout.
- 🔧 Launcher conflict: If you have a third-party launcher installed (like Nova), but default is MIUI Launcher, icons may disappear when switching between them.
- 📱 Firmware update: After major updates (e.g., with MIUI 14 on MIUI 15) the system may reset the screen settings.
⚠️ Note: If the icons disappear after the device is restarted, this may indicate damage to the launcher data:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage.
- Click Clear Data (not cache!).
- Restart the device – the icons must be restored.
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If icons are only missing for specific apps (like Google Play or banking apps), check if they are hidden in the security settings: Settings → Privacy → Special Access → Hidden Apps
6.Side Launchers: Alternative to the Standard MIUI Launcher
If the built-in methods don't suit, you can install a third-party launcher that offers more flexibility in setting up the home screen.
| Launcher | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Flexible gesture setting, icon pack support, layout backup | Premium version for some functions |
| POCO Launcher | Optimized for Xiaomi, lightweight, built-in memory cleanup | Less customization options than Nova |
| Microsoft Launcher | Windows integration, PC sync, minimalist design | Can brake on weak devices (Redmi 9A, POCO M3) |
| Hyperion Launcher | Support for dynamic wallpaper, adaptive icons, built-in theme editor | High battery consumption |
How to install a third-party launcher:
- Download the launcher from Google Play (or APK-file).
- After installation, click the Home button - the system will prompt you to choose the default launcher.
- Select a new launcher and confirm the choice.
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese) third-party launchers may not work smoothly due to restrictions MIUI. If after installation the launcher is constantly reset to the standard, perform:
Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Your Launcher] → Battery → Without Limitations
Settings → Additional → For developers → Disable "Optimization MIUI"7. Features for different Xiaomi models
The logic of adding icons may vary depending on the device model and firmware version, and below are the key nuances for popular lines:
- 📱 Redmi Note 11/12/13: These models have no shortcuts enabled by default, and to return the icons, press the main screen. → Screen settings → Main screen layout → Choose Standard.
- 📱 POCO F4/F5: It's used here. POCO Launcher, which automatically sorts apps into categories.To disable this: Launcher settings → Categories of applications → Shut down.
- 📱 Xiaomi 13/14 Ultra: On flagships with MIUI 15 Added Desktop Mode that simulates PC-In this mode, icons are added through the Taskbar (swipe up from the bottom edge).
- 📱 Black Shark 5/6: On gaming smartphones, shortcuts are added via Game Dock.Clutch the icon in the dock and drag to the main screen.
For devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi 10C or POCO M5), additional configuration may be required due to the limitations of Google Mobile Services (GMS).
- Install the latest version of Google Play Services from the store.
- Clear the Settings cache → Apps → Google Play Services → Storage → Clear the cache.
- Reset the device.
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On devices with MIUI China Stable (such as imported Xiaomi 14 Pros), Google Installer (GApps) is required to pre-installe Google App icons to add Google App icons.