How to add a new desktop to Xiaomi: the complete guide to MIUI

Modern Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI shell or a new HyperOS provide users with huge opportunities for customizing the interface, but the standard navigation scheme may seem unusual after switching from other Android devices. Many users wonder how to add a desktop to Xiaomi to unload the main screen and group applications into functional categories, but face the lack of the usual “plus” button or empty space for drag and drop. Unlike stock Android, where desktops are created automatically when you move the icon over the edge of the screen, Xiaomi ecosystem has its own features of space management.

Understanding the logic of the launcher allows you to turn the chaotic pile of icons into a slender and convenient navigation system. The desktop in MIUI is not just a background with widgets, but a dynamic area that responds to user actions, gestures and system settings. If you just purchased a new gadget or upgraded to the latest version of the firmware, you may need time to get used to the fact that adding a new page often occurs not through the settings menu, but directly during the process of organizing shortcuts.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the existing ways to expand the workspace, from standard methods to the use of third-party launchers for advanced users. We will also touch on the topic of memory optimization, as creating multiple screens with live widgets can affect the power consumption of a device. Xiaomi’s graphics interface is flexible enough to meet the needs of both minimalists and those who like to keep dozens of applications on hand in one click.

Basic principles of MIUI and HyperOS interface

Before you start actively editing space, you need to understand the fundamental differences between the shell and pure Android. In the standard MIUI environment, the concept of “infinite scrolling” or a fixed set of pages, depending on the chosen theme and version of the system. By default, when you install a new application, its shortcut automatically appears on the first free cell of the main screen or in a special folder “Tools”, if one is configured in the system.

It's important to understand that System Launcher is an integral part of firmware and doesn't always allow you to delete or add pages in the classic sense of the word, as it did in older versions of Android. Instead, the system dynamically manages the number of screens: if you move all the icons from the last page, it disappears. If you start shortcutting outside the existing boundaries, the system automatically generates a new area.

⚠️ Note: In some design themes or global firmware versions, the theme developer may block the creation of new pages. If standard methods don’t work, try switching to the standard theme “Classic” or “No Limits” in the theme menu.

For effective space management, you should also consider the screen resolution and pixel density of your device. On models with a large display, such as the Xiaomi Note series or the Mi Max in the past, the number of icons on a single page can be significantly higher than on compact models of the Mi or Redmi series, which affects how quickly the available space is filled and when the need for expansion arises.

Drag and Drag Method: Creating a Screen Through Overflow

The most common and intuitive way to add a desktop to Xiaomi is to use the current grid overflow method, which is the basis of most shell versions and does not require access to hidden menus or install additional software. The essence of the method is simple: you force the system to create a situation where there is no place to put a new label, and it is forced to create a new area.

To implement this method, perform the following actions:

• 📱 Press your finger on any free spot on the main screen to go into editing mode.
• 📂 Find the app or widget you want to move to the new screen you’re creating.
• 👉 Start dragging the icon to the very edge of the screen (right or left), holding it for a few seconds.
• ✨ When a new blank page preview appears, release your finger and the system will record the creation of a new desktop.

This method works on almost all devices, including budget Redmi and flagship Xiaomi 13/14. However, there are nuances: if you are trying to drag the icon and it just sticks to the edge and comes back, you may have the "Block layout" feature enabled. Check the launcher settings to make sure editing is allowed. It's also worth noting that widgets take up more space and dragging them may require more precise movements.

If you have a lot of apps installed, this is especially convenient, because you can quickly push unnecessary shortcuts to new pages by forming logical groups, like leaving the most important things on the first screen, leaving social media on the second screen, and games on the third screen, and this structuring increases productivity and reduces visual noise.

Editing Mode and Management of Shortcut Grid

The editing mode in MIUI provides advanced space manipulation capabilities beyond just drag and drop, and to get into it, you have to pinch a two-fingered thumb on the home screen, or press a blank area for a long time, and in this mode you see smaller copies of all your desktops, so you can evaluate the big picture and plan where to add a new partition.

At the bottom of the screen, editing mode often features additional tools like Add Widgets, Wallpaper and Settings, which is where you can resize the grid, which indirectly affects the number of desktops you need. If you increase the number of icons in a row (for example, from 4 to 5 or 6), the need to add new pages may disappear, as existing ones simply have more space.

To change the parameters of the grid, use the following path:

1. Go to edit mode (plug or long press).
2. Click on the gear icon or the Settings button (usually in the lower right corner).
3. Select the option “More” or “Grid Size”.
4. Set the desired number of rows and columns, such as 5x6 or 6x7.

Icon density change is a powerful tool for owners of devices with high-resolution screens. On smartphones with a diagonal of more than 6.5 inches, the standard 4x6 grid may look too sparse. By increasing density, you can fit on one screen what used to be two, thereby optimizing navigation. However, remember that too small icons can be uncomfortable for people with large fingers or low vision.

Using widgets as a catalyst for creating pages

Widgets play a special role in the Xiaomi ecosystem: They not only provide real-time information, but also often act as a trigger for creating new desktops. Because widgets are fixed sizes (e.g., 2x2, 4x2, 4x4), their placement on a filled screen is often impossible without expanding the space.

When you try to add a large widget, such as a calendar or weather station, and the current screen lacks contiguous cells, the system can offer two options: remove the interfering icons or move to a new screen. In some versions of MIUI, dragging the widget over the edge of the screen creates a new page that automatically adjusts to the size of the widget.

Popular types of widgets that require space:

• 📅 Task schedulers and schedulers (often required) 4x2 more).
• 🌤 Weather widgets with detailed animation and forecast.
• 🎵 Control panels for music players.
• 📊 CPU or memory load graphs (from optimizer applications).

Using widgets allows you to turn a new desktop into a dashboard, instead of filling it with application shortcuts, you can make it a center for monitoring the status of your device or personal affairs, especially on the top screen or a separate page dedicated to the morning briefing.

⚠️ Attention: A large number of active widgets, especially those updated via the Internet (weather, news), significantly increases battery consumption. 3-5 «heavy widgets on one desktop.

Third-party launchers: when MIUI capabilities are not enough

If the standard System Launcher seems too limited or you want to have full control over the number and behavior of desktops, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher. App stores offer dozens of options that completely replace the standard interface, providing features not available in stock firmware.

Popular alternatives include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, Smart Launcher, and Niagara Launcher.These apps allow you to not only add an infinite number of desktops, but also customize gestures, transition animation, hiding apps and creating complex scenarios. Installing a third-party launcher is a secure procedure that does not require superuser (Root) rights.

Comparison of the capabilities of the standard and third-party launcher:

To install an alternative launcher, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → By default. → Desktop and select the installed app. After that, your smartphone interface will change, and you will have access to new methods of organization, including adding desktops through the context menu or special buttons.

Optimizing and cleaning of unnecessary desktops

Sooner or later, the user faces the opposite challenge: how to remove the unnecessary desktops that have been created as a result of chaotic addition of applications. MIUI does not have a Desktop button, because the logic of the system implies that there should be no empty pages. To get rid of the excess screen, it must be completely cleaned.

The removal process is as follows:

1. Go to edit mode (plug two fingers).
2. Find the thumbnail of the desktop you want to remove.
3. Drag all icons and widgets from this page to other screens or folders.
4. Once the page is empty, it will automatically disappear from the list.

You can always add them again from the widget menu, and it’s also worth checking periodically for “hidden” pages that can consume resources if they have active widgets attached to them.

Cleaning the launcher cache can help if the system is “glutching” and does not delete empty pages or create new ones. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → System Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache. This action is safe and will not cause you to lose your data or settings, but can correct interface display errors.

💡

Tip: Regularly do desktop audits, remove app shortcuts you haven't used for more than a month, and not only will you make room, but you'll also make it faster to find the right software.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

Xiaomi’s interface flexibility allows each user to create a unique navigation structure, but requires an understanding of the basic principles of working with the grid and widgets.