How to add a tab to the desktop Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways 2026

Creating shortcuts on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 desktop is a challenge that every user faces after buying a smartphone or resetting settings. Despite the intuitive MIUI interface, not everyone knows that you can place not only app icons on the home screen, but also fast commands, websites, contacts and even system settings. This feature saves time: instead of 3-4 taps to launch the desired option, you get access to one tap.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to add items to your desktop, including the hidden capabilities of MIUI 14, how to get around system limitations when the standard method doesn’t work, how to return deleted shortcuts, and why some icons disappear after the upgrade and how to avoid them.

Attention! If your Redmi 9 is running MIUI 12 or older, some features may not be available. Check the shell version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Update the software through Settings → System Update if necessary.

📊 What kind of labels do you use more often?
Drag from the menu
Long tap on the screen
System widgets
Other

1. Standard method: Drag from the application menu

This is a basic method that works on all versions of MIUI and is suitable for adding apps, games and system utilities (e.g. Camera or Phone).

Instructions:

  • 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
  • 👆 Find the right application and pinch its icon on 1-2 seconds.
  • 📲 Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to the free space of the desktop.
  • ✅ Let your finger go, the label will be created.

If you drag and drop a message saying, "Can't add to this screen," there's no free space on your desktop. Remove unnecessary shortcuts or create a new page (swipe left on the home screen → click +).

Remove unnecessary icons | Check free space |Create a new page (if necessary) |Disable Easy Desktop mode-->

2.Addition via long-press on screen

This method is convenient if you want to place on the desktop not only applications, but also widgets or action shortcuts (for example, “New Contact” or “Quick Settings”).

How it works:

  1. Click and hold the empty space on your desktop (not on the icon!).
  2. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a panel with options: 📱 «Widgets" - to add weather, hours, notes; ⚙️ «Labels – for quick access to settings; 🌐 «Folders" - to group applications.

Select the desired element and drag it to the screen.

Important! In MIUI 14, the list of available widgets depends on the apps installed. For example, if you don't use Google Weather, the corresponding widget may not be available.

What to do if there is no option "Widgets"?
If the long-press menu does not have a "Widgets" section, check: 1. MIUI version (old versions have widgets hidden). 2. Launcher settings: go to Settings → Desktop → Widgets and enable option. 3. Update the firmware - MIUI 13+ widgets are available by default.

3. Creating a shortcut for a website (without an app)

Want to quickly open your favorite site without looking for it in your browser? On Redmi 9, you can create a web page shortcut that will open in Google Chrome or MIUI Browser.

Step-by-step:

  1. Open a website in a browser (such as vk.com or youtube.com).
  2. Click on three dots (menu) → select “Add to Home Screen”.
  3. If necessary, edit the name of the label.
  4. Click “Add” – the icon will appear on the desktop.

How to do this:

  1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
  2. Select “Tags” → “Settings”.
  3. Scroll through the list and find the desired function (for example, “Mode in the plane”).
  4. Drag her on the screen.

⚠️ Attention! Not all system shortcuts work the same way. For example, a Memory Cleanup shortcut may not run full optimization, but only close background applications. → Memory.

💡

System function shortcuts don't replace full-fledged settings; they only perform basic actions (on/off) and you still need to go to the menu to fine-tune things.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Sometimes the shortcuts on Redmi 9 disappear or don't get created, and the bugs that are legible and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The label disappeared after the MIUI update.

⚠️ Attention! When upgrading to a new version MIUI (For example, from 12 to 14), the system can reset the location of the icons. To avoid this, make a backup of the desktop before upgrading: → Desktop → Backup.

Problem 2: You can't put a label on the screen.

  • Check if the Light Desktop mode is enabled (Settings → Special Opportunities → Easy Mode).
  • Make sure there is free space on the screen (maximum 5×6 icons per page).
  • Restart your phone – sometimes helps with launcher failures.

Problem 3: The site shortcut opens in the wrong browser.

By default, MIUI uses MIUI Browser for web shortcuts. To change the browser:

  1. Remove the old label.
  2. Open the site in the right browser (such as Chrome).
  3. Create the shortcut again – it will be tied to the current browser.
Can I add a shortcut to the file folder?
No, in the standard MIUI shell, you can't create a shortcut for a folder in Files or Explorer. Alternative ways: Use the Files widget (if available in your version of MIUI). Install a third-party file manager (such as Solid Explorer) that supports shortcuts.
Why has the app shortcut turned grey and not opened?
The gray icon means that: App removed but shortcut remained; App disabled in settings (Settings → Apps → Application Management); Launcher cache crashed (reboot phone will help). Solution: remove the gray shortcut and create it again.
How to change the label icon?
In the standard MIUI shell, you can't change the shortcut icon. But there are workarounds: Use custom cover folders (click the folder → Edit → Change the cover) and install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) that supports changing icons.
Can I add a shortcut to a specific chat in Telegram/WhatsApp?
Yes, but only through the messengers themselves: On Telegram: open chat → click on three dots → “Accumulate on the home screen.” On WhatsApp: open chat → click on three dots → “More” → “Add shortcut.” These shortcuts will open a specific dialog, not the app itself.
How to return standard shortcuts after resetting settings?
After a hard reset, the desktop becomes empty. To return standard icons (Phone, Messages, Camera): Open the app menu (swipe up). Find the desired app (like Camera) and drag it to the desktop. For a Google or Xiaomi folder, use a long tap on the screen → Folders.