How to add the application to the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi: all ways and life hacks

Why Xiaomi Redmi’s Lock screen doesn’t have your apps (and how to fix it)

Xiaomi Redmi’s lock screen is not just a random tap protection, but a full-fledged tool for quick access to key features. But many users face a problem: by default, only system utilities like a flashlight, camera or Google Assistant are displayed here, and the right messengers, players or banking applications have to unlock the phone to open. This wastes precious seconds — especially when you are in a hurry to respond to a message or turn on music.

In this article, we’ll look at all the official and hidden ways to add apps to the Redmi lock screen (relevant to MIUI 12/13/14 and newer versions), how to get around the system limitations, which apps can be added and which ones can’t, and why some shortcuts disappear after the update, and we’ll also reveal a unique trick with the Quick Tools widget, which works even on budget models like the Redmi 9A or Redmi Note 10.

We warn you that not all applications support this feature because of Xiaomi’s security policy, for example, banking programs (SberBank, Tinkoff) or payment services (YMoney, Qiwi) are most often blocked by the system, but there are no restrictions for messengers, players and utilities – the main thing is to know the correct algorithm.

Method 1: Adding via Fast Tools (works on 90% of Redmi models)

The most versatile method is to use the built-in Quick Tools widget, which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 11, Redmi 10, POCO X3 and others. The algorithm is simple, but there are nuances with the choice of applications.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the phone and make a long press in the free space of the main screen.
2. At the bottom of the screen will appear a panel with options – select “Widgets”.
3. Scroll down to the Quick Tools block and drag it to the home screen.
4. Click on the widget that appears, and the settings menu will open. Here, select Add Shortcut.
5. In the list of applications, find the right one (for example, Telegram, YouTube Music or Google Maps) and confirm the choice.
6. Return to the lock screen – now your app will be available as a shortcut at the bottom of the screen (near the flashlight and camera).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as WhatsApp or WhatsApp) VK) This is due to their internal settings, in which case you can try to update the application to the latest version or use Method 3 (via the app). ADB).

The app shortcut is in the main menu

The app is updated to the latest version

Widgets are included on the phone (Settings → Main screen → Widgets)

Free space in the bottom panel of the lock screen (maximum 5 shortcuts)

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If the Quick Tools widget doesn't appear in the list, you've disabled the Quick Ball feature on your device to enable it:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Quick Ball.
2. Activate the slider and adjust the display (we recommend choosing “Show always”).
3. Return to adding the widget – now it should appear.

Method 2: Using Double Pressing to Start Quickly

If your Redmi model supports the Double Tap to Wake gesture, you can set the app to launch directly from the locked screen. K40, POCO F3 and other devices with AMOLED-screen.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Lock screen → Additional.
2. Find the option “Double tap to wake” and turn it on.
3. Below will appear the item “Run the application” – select it.
4. In the list, select the desired app (such as Spotify or Google Podcasts).
5. Now that the screen is off, tap it twice – the phone will turn on and immediately open the selected app (without the need to unlock!).

⚠️ Note: This method only works if you are disabled. PIN-If the screen is password protected, the system will first require unlocking, and the feature can drain the battery faster (5-10%), as the screen periodically wakes up».

Through Fast Tools.

Double tap to launch

With ADB (for Advanced)

I'm good with standard labels.

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Method 3: Adding via ADB (for advanced users)

If the first two methods didn't work, the advanced way is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is Google's official tool that lets you manually add shortcuts to the lock screen even if the system blocks them, a method that works for Redmi on MIUI 13/14 and requires a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. On your phone, turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Click on MIUI Version 7 times in a row until the notification “You’ve become a developer!” appears.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable: “USB debugging” (USB debugging) “Wi-Fi debugging” (optional if there is no cable)

Connect your phone to your computer via USB (select File Transfer mode).

Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB and type:

adb devices

If the device is determined, enter:

adb shell settings put secure sysui_lockscreen_shortcut_left "com.example.app"

Replace com.example.app with your app’s batch name (you can find out through App Inspector or Google Play).

For the right label, use:

adb shell settings put secure sysui_lockscreen_shortcut_right "com.example.app"

Restart the phone – shortcuts will appear on the lock screen.

🔹 Examples of packet names of popular applications:

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI labels added through ADB, To avoid this, back up the team:

adb shell settings list secure | grep sysui_lockscreen

Save the output to the text file - after updating, repeat the commands from it.

Method 4: Widgets on the lock screen (only for MIUI 14+)

The latest versions of MIUI 14 have the ability to add widgets directly to the lock screen, and while the feature does not work on all Redmi models, but if you have a Redmi Note 12, Redmi K50 or later, try this method.

How to set up:

1. Unlock your phone and go to Settings → Lock screen → Widgets.
2. Turn on the slider "Show widgets."
3. Click Add widget and select from the list (like Weather, Calendar, or Google Keep).
4. On the lock screen, swipe to the left - a panel with widgets will appear.

🔹 Limitations:

• 📱 Widgets only work on AMOLED-screens (on Redmi) 9T or Redmi 8A s IPS function may not be present).
• 🔒 Not all widgets support unblocked display (e.g., Gmail will require input). PIN-code).
• 🔄 After resetting the widgets will disappear – they will have to be added again.

💡

If the widget doesn’t update automatically, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find it, and click “Clear Cache.” Once you reboot, the data will retrieve.

Why apps disappear from the lock screen (and how to fix it)

Many Xiaomi Redmi users are facing a problem: added shortcuts or Suddenly widgets disappear after rebooting, updating or resetting settings.

🔹 Reason 1: Update MIUI

After a major update (e.g., from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), the system resets the user's lock screen settings. Solution: Repeat adding shortcuts via Method 1 or Method 3 (ADB).

🔹 Reason 2: Cleaning the cache of system applications

If you cleaned the cache through Settings → Storage or apps like CCleaner, the Quick Tools widget might have deleted.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Quick Tools (Quick Tools).
3. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Data”.
4. Reboot your phone and add shortcuts again.

🔹 Reason 3: Conflict with the shell from the manufacturer

On some models (e.g. Redmi for the global market vs. the Chinese version), the lock screen functions may differ. Solution: check the firmware region in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If it says CN (China) and you use a global SIM, consider flashing on MIUI Global.

💡

If shortcuts disappear after each update, back up your settings through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will keep the lock screen configuration.

What apps can be added to the lock screen (and which ones can’t)

Not all programs support the display on the lock screen of Xiaomi. Here is the full list of restrictions and workarounds:

✅ Works without problems:

• 📱 Messengers: Telegram, Viber, Signal (but not WhatsApp on some firmware).
• 🎵 Music Players: YouTube Music, Spotify, VK Music.
• 📍 Maps and navigation: Google Maps, Yandex.Maps, 2GIS.
• 📝 Notes and Tasks: Google Keep, ColorNote, Microsoft To-Do.
• 🔦 Utilities: Lantern, Calculator, Alarm clock.

❌ Blocked by the system:

• 💳 Banking applications: SberBank, Tinkoff, VTB, Alpha-Click.
• 💰 Payment services: YuMoney, Qiwi, PayPal.
• 🔐 Two-factor authentication applications: Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator.
• 📱 Social networks: Facebook, Instagram (sometimes working, but require unblocking).

🔹 Bypasses for blocked applications:

1. Use the Quick Tools widget to run the browser version (for example, open SberBank Online via Chrome in Desktop mode).
2. Set up a voice assistant (Google Assistant or Alice) to launch the app on command (e.g., “OK Google, open SberBank”).
3. Create a shortcut on the home screen and use the Double Touch gesture (Method 2) for quick access.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi lock screen