How to add a tab to the desktop of the Xiaomi phone

Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face confusion in terminology when trying to personalize the interface of MIUI or HyperOS. The phrase “add a tab” can mean completely different actions, from installing a weather widget to activating a hidden toolbar for quick access to functions. In this article, we will discuss all possible options for creating additional workspace or adding functional elements to the main screen.

Modern Android shells offer flexible customization, but standard methods are often hidden from the eyes of a beginner. Desktop is your personal area, and the ability to manage it is critical for comfortable use of the gadget. We will consider the regular system tools that do not require the installation of third-party software, and also touch on advanced methods of customization.

Before making any changes, it is important to understand the difference between the app shortcut, the widget, and the system panel. Android doesn't have a tab in the desktop context, it usually means the toolbar widget or the creation of a new screen page. The confusion arises from the translation and the variety of models, so the solutions for most use cases are listed below.

Interpretation of the query: what is the tab in MIUI and HyperOS

When a user is looking for a way to add a tab, they most often have in mind a widget called the Toolbox, which is a special module that allows you to bring to the desktop a set of commonly used functions such as a flashlight, calculator, voice recorder or Wi-Fi switches. Unlike standard shortcuts, this tab is an interactive grid of buttons.

The second option is to create a new desktop page, and many users call these extra screens tabs, similar to browsers, and Xiaomi just swipes left or right, but if you want to add a functional control, you'll need a widget section, and it's important not to confuse the launcher with the individual system applications.

A third, less obvious option is Second Space, which is a feature that creates a completely separate profile on the phone that switches as a tab, and this is a level of advanced system configuration that requires a separate focus on data security, and in this guide, we'll focus on adding visible interface elements to the home screen.

⚠️ Note: If you don’t find the features below, you may have a stripped-down version of your firmware installed on your device (Global Beta or China). ROM without Google services, where some widgets can be hidden or renamed.

Adding the widget "Toolbar" to the main screen

The most common way to add a functional tab is to use the system widget. To do this, unlock your smartphone and go to the home screen. Push two fingers together (bending your fingers together), or just press a blank area of the screen for a long time to get into edit mode. At the bottom of the display, a menu will appear where you want to select "Widgets".

In the list that opens, scroll down to the Tools or Systems section. Find an item called the Toolbar (sometimes called the Shortcuts or Toolbox). Click on it to see the available dimensions: 2x2, 4x2 or 4x4. Choose the appropriate size and drag it to the free screen space. Once placed, the widget may be empty.

To fill this tab with features, tap the widget you just added. You will open an editing menu where you can select up to 9 or 16 apps and system functions, and you can add not only programs, but also direct actions, such as "Enable flashlight" or "Open Bluetooth settings."

Creating new pages and managing the desktop

If by tab you meant a new page to host icons, MIUI does it automatically. Just move any shortcut to the left or right of the current screen. The system instantly creates a new blank page that you can fill with content. That's the basic principle of navigation in the launcher.

For more fine-tuning, go to Settings → Desktop. Here you can turn on the “Infinite Scroll” function so that when you move to the right of the last page you will get to the first, creating a closed ring effect. Here you can set the grid: select the layout and set a value, for example, 5x6, to fit more elements on one “tab”.

Removing the extra pages is automatic. If you remove all the apps and widgets from the page, it will disappear. However, if the Google widget (the newsfeed on the left) is attached to the screen, you can't delete this tab in the standard way, you can only turn it off in the desktop settings by unchecking the "Newsfeed" or "Google Discover".

💡

Use folders to group apps within a single page, which will make room for new widgets and maintain visual order, making tab navigation more logical.

Setting up the left screen and widget tape

The left-hand side page, often called the smart tab or App Vault, is designed for quick information: pedometer, news, shortcuts of frequently used apps. To add your elements, swipe to the right of the first screen and click on the plus or gear icon in the corner.

You can add third-party app widgets to the settings menu if they support App Vault integration, like a habit tracker or currency rate, which works independently of the main desktop and has its own formatting rules, and you can't move icons freely, they line up in a strict order.

For users who prefer minimalism, this feature is better off. The constant background activity of the news feed can consume RAM and battery power. The shutdown is done through Settings → Desktop → News Feed, where you need to select "No" or turn off the switch.

Using third-party launchers to enhance opportunities

If Xiaomi's standard tools seem limited, you can install an alternative shell. Popular launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher allow you to create folder tabs, change the grid beyond recognition and add unique widgets, which gives you complete control over the appearance of the interface.

Once a third-party launcher is installed, the system will request permission to use it by default. Agree to have the new settings take effect. In such shells, the concept of "tabs" is often implemented through swipes by icons or creating tabs inside the dock bar (bottom panel), which is impossible in a stock MIUI without root rights.

However, switching to a third-party launcher may deprive you of some system integrations. For example, control gestures specific to HyperOS may not work properly or require complex setup. In addition, the animations of opening applications may become less smooth if the device is not high performance.

⚠️ Note: When installing launchers from unknown sources, carefully check the permissions you request. Some unscrupulous programs may collect data about which applications you run and when.

Solving problems with the lack of an add button

A common problem is the lack of a + button or the inability to add a widget. This can be due to a crowded phone memory. If the vault is running out, the system blocks the creation of new objects on the desktop. Check the available space in the Settings → Memory section.

Another reason is the launcher malfunction. If the interface is frozen and doesn't respond to long presses, try clearing the cache of the Desktop app. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Desktop → Memory → Clean. Importantly, choose Clear Cache instead of Clear Everything to avoid resetting the icons.

Also check if the "Simple Mode" mode is enabled (for older people). In this mode, the interface is greatly simplified, and the addition of widgets can be blocked by the manufacturer. You can switch back through Settings → Advanced Settings → Simple Mode → Turn off.

Optimization and Impact of Widgets on Performance

Every piece of desktop that you add is a little bit of a running process. Live wallpaper, news widgets, and constantly updated social media widgets consume CPU resources. On budget Redmi or Poco models, an excess of widgets can cause the interface to slow down when you scroll through.

To save charge, it is recommended to use static widgets where possible, for example, the watch can show time without a second hand, and the weather widget is updated every 30 minutes, rather than every minute, these settings are usually available with a long press on the widget itself.

Regularly do desktop revisions, remove tabs and panels that you don't use daily, and not only does a clean interface look more aesthetically pleasing, but it also allows the system to work more robustly, especially in the background when the phone isn't actively in use.

💡

The optimal number of active widgets on one screen is no more than 3-4 pieces. Exceeding this number on devices with less than 4 GB of RAM can cause a noticeable decrease in performance.