How to add Xiaomi camera to the main screen of the smartphone

Xiaomi’s MIUI-enclosed smartphones or the new HyperOS offer users many ways to personalize the interface, but standard settings sometimes obscure the obvious features. One of the frequent requests is to bring the camera app directly to the desktop for instant access, especially for those who are active and need to capture moments in a split second.

The problem is often that users confuse widgets, app shortcuts, and system gestures. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to add a Xiaomi camera to the screen using a variety of methods, from creating a classic shortcut to customizing specialized widgets and system buttons. You’ll learn to optimize your workspace for maximum shooting efficiency.

Before we get started, it’s worth noting that the interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. However, the basic principles of working with the Android shell remain unchanged. We’ll look at universal solutions that are suitable for most models, including the Redmi Note and the flagship Mi.

Creating a standard application shortcut

The easiest and most reliable way to access the camera is to place the label of the main application on the desktop, often users delete the standard icon in an attempt to clean up, and then forget where it is, and return it through the menu of all applications, which in MIUI is usually called by a swipe up the center of the screen.

Find an icon in the app list called Camera or Camera, click on it and hold your finger for one to two seconds, and the system will suggest dragging the object, and without letting go, move the icon to the free area of your home screen and let go. Now you can access the image in one click.

If a standard icon seems boring to you, the MIUI shell allows you to change the look of the icon, go to the theme settings, select the icon section, and choose the appropriate style, which not only decorates the interface, but also makes the launch of the application more visible among other programs.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove the Camera system application through third-party launchers or ADB-This can lead to errors in the system and the inability to unlock the device through the face scanner, which is tied to the camera module.

It's important to understand that the app shortcut is just a link to an executable file. Deleting the shortcut from the desktop doesn't remove the app itself from the device's memory. If you accidentally erase the icon, it can always be restored from the menu of all installed programs or through a system search.

Using widgets for quick start-up

A more advanced option is to install a camera widget. Xiaomi widgets can act as a tool for selecting shooting mode, for example, you can display a widget that immediately opens Portrait or Night Shooting mode, bypassing the standard interface.

To add a widget, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Make a long tap (press and hold) on an empty desktop area.
• 🛠 In the lower menu, select the Widgets item.
• 🔍 In the list that opens, find the Camera section or use the search.
• ➕ Choose your favorite design and size, drag it to the screen.

Some widgets, like those from third-party developers or newer versions of HyperOS, allow for a change in transparency and shape, which allows you to fit a camera control into any wallpaper design, but it's worth remembering that active widgets can consume additional battery power, although for a camera this consumption is usually minimal.

There are also Quick Commands widgets that allow you to create a script. You can set the camera to open in a certain mode when you click on the widget, or even start recording video, which requires more in-depth customization through the Security app or Scripts.

Setting up widgets in the notification curtain

For those who prefer minimalism on the desktop, the ideal solution would be to add a camera button to the control center (curtain). In the new versions of MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS, the curtain interface was divided into notifications on the left and switches on the right, and it is on the right side that you can add the tool you want.

Open the swipe control center down from the top right corner of the screen. Find the edit button, which usually looks like a pencil or an icon with three dots in the corner. Click on it to go into the Quick Action Panel settings mode.

In the list of available, but not added, find the Camera. Click the plus-plus next to the name to move it to the active zone. Now, swiping down, you can start shooting even from a locked screen (depending on the security settings), which greatly speeds up the process.

⚠️ Attention: Adding a camera to the curtain can create the risk of accidentally turning on. If the phone is in your pocket, vibration or touch can activate the widget».

The convenience of this method is that access to the camera does not depend on which launcher is installed on the device. Even if you use a third-party shell, the Xiaomi system curtain will remain functional unless a deep modification of the system has been made.

Creating a shortcut to shooting mode through settings

The MIUI shell has a hidden shortcut function for specific application modes, which means you can create a separate icon not just for the Camera app, but exclusively for the Video or Document Scanner mode, which implements direct running of a particular shooting module without having to switch modes inside the application.

This trick often uses third-party launchers or built-in app shortcuts (if available in your Android version). However, the standard MIUI is easiest to use a specific type of Add widget if supported by the camera system app. In some cases, installing a shortcut aggregator app from Google Play helps.

Consider an alternative method through settings of the camera app itself if your model supports the creation of mode shortcuts:

• 📷 Open the Camera app.
• ⚙️ Go to Settings (three bars in the corner) and find the section Additional.
• 🔗 Look for the option “Create a shortcut” or “Add to the desktop».
• ✅ Confirm the action and a new icon will appear in the app menu.

If standard means do not create such a shortcut, you can use the command via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to create a shortcut, but this requires a connection to a PC. For the average user, it is enough to know that widgets often perform the same function, allowing you to choose the mode when placed on the screen.

Using specialized shortcuts is especially useful for bloggers or those who scan frequently. QR-You get rid of the extra click on the mode selection menu, which saves precious seconds.

Setting up physical buttons and gestures

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their flexibility in setting up physical controls. You can set the camera to start with a long press of the volume button or even double tapping on the back (Quick Tap feature) if your device supports a high-level accelerometer.

To set the buttons to start, go to Settings → Additional settings → Keyboards. Here you can select the "Start Camera" action for the volume button combination. This works even when the screen is off, making the smartphone look like a professional camera.

Also worth paying attention to is the function "Run Camera from Standby mode." In the camera settings, find Start with the screen off and activate it. Now double-pressing the volume button will instantly open the lens.

As you can see from the table, using physical buttons provides the highest reaction speed, which is critical in reporting, but for those who are afraid of random taps in their pocket, an on-screen widget will be a safer option.

Solving problems with the lack of icons

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the camera app is missing from the menu or not installed on the desktop, this can be due to a launcher error or accidental hiding of the application. First of all, check whether the icon has not hit the Tools or Systems folder, where MIUI often hides standard software.

If the search is not working, try resetting the launcher settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → System Launcher. Click Clear and select Clear All Data. Importantly, this will knock down all your icons on desktops, but return missing items.

In rare cases, the problem may be access rights. Make sure the camera app is allowed to display on top of other windows and have access to storage. Without these permissions, the widget may not display correctly or start the shooting module.

⚠️ Note: When you reset the launcher settings, all folders and widgets you created on desktops will be deleted. It is recommended to take screenshots of the location of the icons in advance to quickly restore the usual structure.

If none of the methods worked, the theme configuration file may have been corrupted. Try applying a standard Classic or Default theme in the Themes app to avoid a third-party design conflict with system widgets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The best way to access the camera depends on your habits: widgets are good for choosing modes, and physical buttons are good for shooting instantly in any situation.