Organizing digital space on a smartphone is not just a matter of aesthetics, it is a necessity for productivity. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face a huge number of pre-installed applications that clutter the desktop. On-screen chaos prevents you from quickly finding the right programs and creates visual noise. That is why creating structured folders is the first step to comfortable use of the gadget.
The modern MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer flexible tools to customize the interface. You can not just group icons into groups, but also change their appearance, size and location. Understanding the basic principles of working with the desktop will allow you to customize the device to your unique needs. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of grouping applications.
Many users underestimate the importance of navigation, and if you have to spend extra seconds looking for a messenger or a banking application, it means that the system is not organized properly. Creating logical categories will help you navigate the menu instantly. Let's look at how to turn a chaotic set of icons into an orderly system.
Basic method of creating a folder by drag and drop
The easiest and most intuitive way to create a new folder is to use drag-and-drop, so you don't have to look for hidden menus or complex settings, just hold your finger on the icon of any application you want to put in a group, and the screen goes into editing mode, and you can move the object freely.
Drag your chosen app directly to the icon of another program you plan to add to the same category.The system automatically recognizes your action and creates a new folder by combining the two apps. By default, Xiaomi will suggest a name for that group based on the type of applications installed (for example, "Social Networks" or "Tools").
If the name you're given doesn't work, it's easy to change it. Just click on the folder you just created to open it, then tap the name at the top of the window, and the keyboard will open to let you type in any name you want, which is especially useful if you're creating specific categories like Job, Travel, or Finance.
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Use short folder names (1-2 words) to make sure they read well on the small screen and don’t crop off while watching the grid.
Just drag new icons into the existing group, but you have to keep it in mind: a crowded folder loses its meaning, turning into the same chaos, only on a smaller scale, and it is optimal to place 3 to 9 of the most commonly used programs in one group.
Working with the desktop editing mode
To get the interface more customized, there's a special editing mode, so you can pinch it with two fingers on the desktop (to put your fingers together), or you can just hold your finger on an empty area of the screen for a long time, and you can see a toolbar at the bottom of the display that offers the options "Vidgets", "Effects" and "Settings".
In this mode, you can not only create folders, but you can also manage their size. Some versions of the shell allow you to zoom widgets and folders into 2x2 or even 4x2 grid cells, which is useful for highlighting important categories on the home screen. Tap the folders in edit mode to see the available transformation options.
☑️ Optimizing the desktop
Editing mode also allows you to quickly move entire folders between desktop pages. Click the folder and drag it to the edge of the screen to go to the next page, or select a specific page from the thumbnails at the bottom. This gives you complete control over the architecture of your menu. Don't be afraid to experiment with the layout until you find the perfect diagram.
Note that in editing mode, you can delete folders, and you just drag the group you created to the top of the screen, where you see a basket icon or "Delete." When you delete the folder, everything inside the application does not disappear, but just return to the desktop as separate icons, your data and program settings remain completely safe.
Customization of appearance and sorting of content
Once you create a folder, you often want to reorder the applications inside it. In MIUI and HyperOS shells, you sort automatically or manually. Open the folder and just drag the application icon to the first place. Often-used programs can be put into a separate row by the system at the bottom of the folder for quick access.
The visual design of folders is also amenable to change, although standard features are limited: you can change the desktop wallpaper, which will affect the transparency of folders. If you use dark wallpaper, folders will become less visible, creating a depth effect. Light themes make the boundaries of folders more contrasting.
| Parameter | Standard behavior | Possibility of change |
|---|---|---|
| The name of the folder | Automatic by category | Full manual setup |
| Back of the folder | Semi-transparent blurry | Depends on the subject of the design |
| Size of icons | Standard (grid) | Through the theme settings |
| Animation of the opening | Smooth disclosure | Depends on the topic set |
For those who want maximum control, there are third-party themes in the Themes app. Custom theme installation can completely change the look of folders by adding rounds, shadows or unique backgrounds. However, the standard Xiaomi launcher is quite conservative in this regard, prioritizing stability and performance.
The secret to quick sorting
Use of folders in the "Limitless screen" mode
In the Xiaomi desktop settings, there is a feature known as "Limitless Screen" (or the classic application menu mode). Depending on the mode chosen, the logic of folders may vary slightly. In a mode where all applications are on desktops, folders serve as the main tool of the organization.
If you have a separate app menu on the desktop (as in pure Android), then the folders on the desktop are more shortcuts for quick launch. In this case, creating folders in the menu of all applications is also possible, but the functionality may be limited. Check the current mode in the Settings → Desktop section.
Switching between desktop display modes can dramatically change the way you organize folders. In classic Xiaomi mode, desktop folders are dynamic. When you remove an application from the system, its icon disappears from the folder automatically, freeing up space.
Users who are used to minimalism often create one big folder, Everything Else or Rare, by hiding rarely used software, which allows you to keep the homepage clean, leaving only 4-5 of the most important icons and one or two key folders in view, this approach greatly speeds up access to the basic functions of the phone.
Solving the problems with folder creation
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the folder is not created or behaves incorrectly, for example, when dragging an icon to another, a new group does not form, most often due to a launcher memory overflow or a temporary software failure, in which case a simple reboot of the device helps.
Another common problem is the inability to rename a folder or change the font of the name, which can occur if a third-party theme is installed that does not support all the functions of the system launcher.
⚠️ Warning: If the folders stopped opening after installing the theme or the titles became unreadable, return the standard theme in the Topics app".
Also, you should consider the limitations of the screen resolution. On models with a small display or with the "Enlarged Text" mode on, the number of visible icons in the open folder may be less, in which case you need to scroll through the content inside the folder, which is normal behavior of the system, designed to keep the interface readable.
If a folder is created but disappears immediately after closing, check if the power saving mode is on, which can aggressively unload the launcher processes. Although this is a rare scenario, it is possible on heavily modified firmware. In most cases, just wait a few seconds after creation to keep the changes.
Alternative ways of grouping applications
Beyond the standard folders, Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers other methods of organization, such as the “Second Space” feature, which allows you to create a completely separate desktop with your own folders and applications, which is ideal for separating work and personal life without having to buy a second phone.
Folder widgets are another powerful tool: you can take the contents of a particular folder directly to your desktop as a widget of different sizes, which allows you to run applications from the category without even opening the folder itself, and you can access these widgets through the widget menu (swipe to the right or pinch).
For advanced users, there are third-party launchers, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which are installed from Google Play. They provide advanced folder creation capabilities, including nesting (folder in folder), which is not possible with standard MIUI tools, but using third-party launchers can increase battery consumption.
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Standard MIUI/HyperOS tools are flexible enough for 95% of users, but for unique functionality (increased folders) you will need third-party software.
Remember, app organization is a process that is individual, and what's convenient for one user may not be acceptable for another, and some sort apps by icon color, some alphabetically, so you can intuitively find the right program in a fraction of a second, and experiment with different circuits until you find your perfect structure.