Xiaomi’s current smartphones, including the popular Redmi Note 10, offer users a flexible interface personalization system. However, faced with the need to expand the space for widgets or icons, many owners are wondering how to add a new desktop. Unlike some other operating systems, the process has its own nuances, depending on the version of the MIUI shell and the launcher chosen. Understanding these mechanisms will allow you to organize the digital space as efficiently and conveniently as possible for daily use.
It’s worth noting that in standard MIUI, adding a desktop is often confused with adding widgets or changing the display grid. The Android system that runs the smartphone dynamically manages the number of screens: they appear automatically when you move icons outside the current visible field. If you use a standard System Launcher launcher, there is no separate “Create a Screen” button on the menu – space is generated as needed. This is a fundamental difference that you need to consider before you start setting up so you don’t look for non-existent options in the depth of the menu.
Redmi Note 10 owners often want to optimize navigation by creating separate pages for groups of applications, such as social networks, games or productivity tools. These tasks do not always require the installation of third-party software. It is enough to correctly use the built-in shell functions that allow you to change the density of icons and add interactive elements. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for expanding the interface, from basic actions to advanced settings for experienced users.
Standard methods of expanding screen space
The easiest and most obvious way to get an extra desktop on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is to simply move the interface elements. When you drag the app icon to the right edge of the current screen and hold it there for a split second, the system automatically creates a new page and moves the object there, which works like a rubber tape mechanism, allowing you to create an infinite number of screens to the right.
The same principle applies when you add widgets, so if you want to put a big watch, a weather forecast or a news feed on the screen, the system will allocate space for them by moving existing icons or creating a new screen. It's important to understand that widgets occupy the grid cells, and if there is not enough space on the current screen, MIUI will suggest moving them to the next free area or create it.
⚠️ Note: If you don't create a new screen when dragging the icon to the right, you may have Desktop Fix feature enabled or a limit on the number of columns. Check the grid settings in the edit menu.
For those who prefer visual control, there is an editing mode. If you pinch two fingers in the center of the screen (finger mixing), you go into thumbnail mode. You can see all the desktops you create at once. You can swipe left or right between them, and the Add button (usually as a plus at the end of the list) allows you to create a blank page if this option is supported by the current version of the launcher.
Set up grid and icon density
The efficient use of space on the Redmi Note 10 depends on the configuration of the grid you choose. By changing the number of rows and columns, you can visually stretch or compress the contents of the screen, which indirectly affects the need to create new desktops. To access these settings, you need to go to edit mode (two fingers pinch) and click on the “Settings” button in the lower corner.
In the settings menu, you'll find a "More" option or a choice of a specific scheme, such as 5x6 or 6x6. Increasing the density of icons allows you to fit more apps on one screen, reducing the need to add new pages. However, it's worth considering that on a 6.43-inch screen, too small a grid can make it difficult to hit the desired icon with your finger.
Also available on this menu is the option "Enlarged icons", which activates the activation of the zooms of all interface elements, which automatically redistributes them to desktops, the system recalculates the location of objects, and some icons can "leave" to newly created screens, a useful feature for users with reduced vision or those who prefer a minimalist interface with large elements.
☑️ Optimization of screen grid
Remember that changing the grid only affects the standard launcher, and if you choose to install a third-party desktop application, these settings may become unavailable or work differently, in which case the configuration is made already inside the third-party application itself, and not through the MIUI system menu.
Using widgets to organize the interface
Widgets are a powerful tool for organizing the workspace, which turns a static screen into an information bar. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10, they are added through a widget menu that is called by swipe to the right of the first screen or through editing mode (plugs). Depending on the version of MIUI, you will be available a classic set of Android widgets or a branded gallery of widgets with a beautiful design.
To add a widget, just click on it in the list and drag it to a vacant space. If there is no space, the system will suggest creating a new screen or moving existing elements. Widgets can be of different sizes, from a compact 1x1 (like a flashlight switch) to a huge 4x2 (a calendar with a schedule).
It's worth noting the difference between widgets and app shortcuts. A widget is an interactive element that can display real-time information (weather, currency rates, steps), whereas a shortcut simply opens the app. MIUI allows you to customize some widgets, changing their style and color, so that they harmonize with wallpaper. This makes the desktop not only functional, but also aesthetic.
| Type of widget | Size (cells) | Functional | Screen impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clock (digital) | 4x2 | Time, date, weather | It takes up half the screen. |
| Notes | 2x2 | Quick access to the to-do list | It requires a medium space. |
| Switches | 1x1 | On/off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Minimal, comfortable in the group |
| Gallery photo | 4x2 | Image slideshow | Decorative element |
💡
Use folder widgets to group frequently used apps (like “Transport” or “Food”) and save space on the main screen.
Installation of a third-party launcher
If standard System Launcher features don’t suit you, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher offer much more flexible desktop management, where you can explicitly add new pages, change transition animations and customize gestures.
Once you install an app (like Nova Launcher), Android will prompt you to choose it as the default app. This is a critical step: without changing the default launcher, all your settings will only apply temporarily or not at all. Once you confirm your choice, the Redmi Note 10 interface will change, and you will have access to the new settings menu.
In most third-party launchers, the process of adding a desktop is intuitive. Usually, just scroll the screen to the end to the right and press the "+" or "Add Screen" button that appears. Some launchers allow you to do this through prolonged tapping on empty space or through a special menu of grid settings, the advantage of which is that you are not limited to MIUI logic and can create as many screens as you want.
⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, some Xiaomi system features, such as “Second Space” or specific gestures MIUI, They may work incorrectly or become inaccessible.
Recovery of Remote Desktops
Sometimes users accidentally delete entire desktops or download launcher settings, and then the interface becomes uncomfortable. MIUI does not have a direct Recover Remote Screen function, because screens are a dynamic structure. However, if icons or widgets are missing, they can be returned from the application menu. Just find the desired application in the general list (swipe up) and drag it to a free place, which will automatically form a new screen if necessary.
In more complex cases, when the launcher is unstable or does not create new pages, you may need to reset the launcher settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, search the System Launcher list, and select Clear → Settings Reset. Important: this action will return the location of the icons to factory status, but will not remove the apps from the phone.
If you’ve used a third-party launcher and it’s stopped displaying desktops correctly, try clearing its cache or reinstalling the app. Often the problem lies in version conflict or a lack of RAM, especially if there are a lot of background processes open on the Redmi Note 10.
What to do if the button “Settings” in the launcher is inactive?
Problems with creating new screens and their solution
Xiaomi users sometimes face a situation where the desktop just “does not want” to be created. the icon does not drag and drop, a new screen does not appear. Most often this is due to a crowded launcher memory or a software failure in the MIUI shell. The first thing recommended is a banal but effective reboot of the device, which cleans temporary files and restarts system processes.
Another reason could be the activated Simplified Mode (for older people), which tightly fixes the layout of the screen and prevents it from changing. Check if this mode is enabled in the main settings. Also make sure that the phone has enough free internal memory: although the icons take up little space, a critical shortage can block the interface.
If nothing works, you can try updating the components of Google Play Services and the launcher itself through the app store. Sometimes the problem lies in the outdated versions of the system libraries that are responsible for rendering the interface. In extreme cases, resetting all the phone settings will help, but this method should be resorted to only if other methods have failed.
💡
In most cases, the problem with adding screens is solved by restarting the launcher or resetting its settings through the application menu.