PRO-Mode for shortcuts on Xiaomi: how to activate hidden settings of the main screen

Have you ever wondered why some Xiaomi smartphones manage to create shortcuts with unique icons, resize widgets, or even hide standard icons of system applications? PRO-launcher MIUI, It's a feature that allows you to customize the home screen deeply, but it's not that easy to get to it, because it's through the engineering menu and the hidden settings.

In this article, we will not only show you how to activate PRO-Mode for shortcuts on any Xiaomi smartphone (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13 and other models, but also reveal all the features that open up after unlocking. You will learn how to create shortcuts for any action (for example, direct calling a specific contact or running hidden features), change icons without third-party launchers, and avoid typical errors that can lead to a launcher reset. Some methods require permission to debug USB, Prepare your computer with Mi drivers installed in advance. PC Suite.

What is PRO-mode of shortcuts on Xiaomi and why it is needed

PRO-launcher MIUI — It's an advanced set of tools for managing the home screen, which is usually only available to developers or in firmware test builds. Unlike standard features (dropping icons, creating folders), here you get:

• 🎨 Customization of icons: replacing standard icons with any images from the gallery or icon packs (without root rights).
• 🔧 Creating shortcuts for hidden features: for example, direct access to developer mode, hardware tests, or even running specific features ADB-single-stack.
• 📱 Flexible widget management: changing the size, transparency and even binding widgets to certain gestures.
• 🔒 Hiding system applications: the ability to remove unnecessary icons (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music) from the screen without disabling the programs themselves.

In practice, this means you can turn the home screen into a unique space adapted to your needs. For example, create a shortcut to quickly turn on a mobile hotspot with a given name and password, or add an icon that immediately opens the battery settings for a particular application. MIUI 14+) access PRO-The regime is restricted due to Xiaomi’s security policy.

Preparation of the smartphone: what to do before activation

Before proceeding with the unlocking PRO-Make sure your smartphone meets the minimum requirements:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: lower MIUI 12 (on older firmware, the method may not work).
• 🔧 Developer Mode: Must be enabled (how to do it – read below).
• 🖥️ Debugging by USB: activated in the settings for developers.
• 📁 Backup: Save the current launcher settings (for example, via Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Backup copy).

If the developer mode is not already on, do the following:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified “You became a developer!”).
3. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new section for developers.
4. Activate the USB Debugging Switches and Allow OEM Unlock.

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If after activating the developer mode, there is no For developers in the settings, restart the smartphone - sometimes the menu appears only after the reboot.

Also check if your device has a third-party launcher (such as Nova Launcher or Hyperion) installed on your device). PRO-The mode only works with a standard launcher MIUI, So temporarily return it to default:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → By default → Reset Settings

Method 1: Activation PRO-mode through the engineering menu (without PC)

This method is suitable for most Xiaomi models on MIUI 12-14 and does not require a computer connection. However, it does not work on all firmware - if nothing has changed after completing the steps, try an alternative method with ADB.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##6484## (this will trigger the MIUI Testing Menu).
2. In the window that appears, select Launcher Provider (if it is not available, then the method is not suitable for your model).
3. Tap on Set Launcher Provider and enter the value: com.miui.home.launcher.LauncherProvider
4. Reboot your smartphone. Once you turn on, press the free space on the home screen and a new item will appear in the menu. PRO-setting.

If nothing has changed since the reboot, check:

• ✅ Correctness of the entered code (sometimes instead of 6484 works 4636).
• ✅ Lack of updates MIUI (Sometimes after the update, the engineering menu is blocked).
• ✅ Is there a third-party launcher installed (even if it is not active by default).

Method 2: Unlocking with ADB (Universal Method)

If the engineering menu is not available, the most reliable way to activate the PRO-regimen ADB-This method works on all Xiaomi models, but requires a computer with drivers installed and debugging enabled. USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and unpack ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
3. In the ADB folder, run the command line (Shift + right mouse button → “Open PowerShell window here”).
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
5. Give permission to debug on the smartphone screen (a request will appear).
6. Enter the activation command. PRO-Mode: Adb shell settings put global miui_launcher_pro_mode 1
7. Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot

After the reboot, press the free space on the main screen - a new item will appear in the menu. PRO-If you don't have one, try repeating the command or checking if the debugging settings have reset (sometimes you need to re-confirm your PC permission after a reboot).

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Team team. miui_launcher_pro_mode 1 It's only firmware. MIUI 12–14. For older versions (MIUI 11 Other commands may be required: adb shell settings put global launcher_pro_mode_enabled 1.

How to use PRO-mode: creating custom labels

After activation PRO-You get access to advanced launcher settings to create a custom shortcut:

1. Click the free space on the home screen and select Widgets.
2. Scroll down to section. PRO-Tags (or Actions, depending on version) MIUI).
3. Select the type of label: 📞 Quick Call: Creates an icon for direct contact calls. 📁 Action folder: Groups multiple commands into a single shortcut (e.g. enable Bluetooth) + mobile). ⚙️ System Action: Launches hidden functions (e.g. Camera Test or Engineering Menu Mode). 🖼️ Custom icon: allows you to replace the icon with any image from the gallery.

Set up the shortcut parameters (for example, for a quick call, specify a contact, for a system action - a command).

Save the label on the main screen.

Important: Some system actions (e.g., start-up) ADB-commands or build.prop modifications may require root rights. Without them, the shortcut will either not work or will only perform the action after confirmation through debugging. USB.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with PRO-In the current mode, users often face problems that can lead to a launcher reset or even a cyclical smartphone reboot. Here are the most common errors and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If after activation PRO-Launcher mode has started to constantly reboot, reset its settings through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data. It will remove all shortcuts and widgets, but it will restore the system to work.

• 🔄 The launcher is rebooted after the shortcut is created: this is usually due to conflict with the topics set. PRO-Return the standard theme to the mode MIUI.
• 🚫 No point. PRO-settings after activation: check if a third-party launcher is installed (even if it is not active). ADB with superuser rights (adb shell su) 0 settings put global miui_launcher_pro_mode 1).
• 🔒 Labels do not work after update MIUI: Xiaomi sometimes resets hidden settings when updating.Repeat activation via ADB.
• 📱 The smartphone does not respond to commands ADB: Make sure that the debugging is included USB and Mi drivers PC Suite installed correctly. Try another one. USB-cable.

If you encounter an adb: device unauthorized error, it means that your smartphone does not trust your computer.

1. Turn it off and plug it back in. USB-cable.
2. On the screen of the smartphone will appear the request “Allow debugging over USB?” – tick “Always allow from this computer” and click “Allow”.
3. If the request does not appear, go to Settings → For developers and cancel all debugging permissions, then connect the cable again.

Additional features: hidden functions of PRO-mode

Besides creating custom labels, PRO-The mode opens access to other hidden functions of the launcher MIUI. Here's what else we can do:

• 📐 Change in screen size: in PRO-settings can set the number of rows and columns of icons (for example, 5×6 opportunistic 4×5).
• 🎭 Hiding icon labels: disabling names under icons for a minimalist look.
• 🔄 Label gestures: linking swipes to specific actions (for example, swiping up the Camera icon opens the Gallery).
• 🖼️ Adaptive icons: automatic change of icon shape depending on the wallpaper.

To resize the grid:

1. Click the free space on the main screen and select PRO-setting → Grid size.
2. Specify the number of rows (Rows) and columns (Columns).
3. Click Apply and confirm the changes.

⚠️ Note: Installation of too many rows/columns (e.g, 7×7) This can lead to icon overlays or launcher errors — 5×5 or 5×6.

To activate gestures for labels:

PRO- settings → Gestures → Add gesture → Select icon and action

For example, you can configure the swipe to the left on the icon Phone opens the Last calls, and swipe to the right – Contacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about PRO-Xiaomi