How to add a shortcut to the screen of the Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways

Adding shortcuts to Xiaomi’s home screen is one of the most popular features among MIUI users. Despite the apparent simplicity, many face difficulties: the application does not want to create an icon, the site refuses to save as a PWA, the system simply ignores long clicks. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to add shortcuts to MIUI 14/15, including hidden chips for Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi 12/13/14 series.

The feature of MIUI firmware is that it updates the interface frequently, and what worked in 2022 can be hidden deep in the settings or removed altogether, and we tested all the methods on the latest versions of the system (including HyperOS for new devices) and weeded out outdated tips, not only to add a standard shortcut, but also to get around the limitations of websites, contacts, and even hidden Android features.

1. Classic method: adding an app shortcut

The most obvious method is to move the icon from the app menu, which works on all Xiaomi devices, but has nuances depending on the version of MIUI.

To add a standard application label:

1. Touch the empty space on the home screen and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds.
2. In the menu that appears, select Widgets (on MIUI 15) or Shortcuts (on MIUI 14).
3. Scroll down to the App section and find what you need.
4. Drag the icon to the free screen space.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) After upgrading to HyperOS, this path may be different. If the menu doesn't appear, try an alternative way through Settings. → Main screen screen → Screen layout.

• 🔹 It works on all versions. MIUI HyperOS
• 🔹 Supports folders with applications (hold one icon over another)
• 🔹 Allows you to change the size of the icons (in the theme settings)

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If the app is not listed, check if it is hidden in the launcher settings. Go to Settings → Applications → Hidden apps and uncheck the box.

2. Creating a Website Shortcut (PWA)

Saving your site as a home screen app is a feature that often breaks down after MIUI updates. In 2026, there are only two reliable ways to do this:

Method 1: Through the Chrome browser

1. Open the site in Google Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Add to the main screen.
3. Confirm the name of the label and click Add.

Method 2: Mi Browser (for older versions of MIUI)

1. Open the site in the standard Xiaomi browser.
2. Touch the icons ⋮ → More. → Add to the main screen.
3. If there is no item, update your browser through the App Store.

⚠️ Note: Some sites (such as VKontakte or TikTok) block the creation of PWA-In this case, use official applications or a workaround through the creation of a shortcut for chrome://flags/#enable-site-per-process (only for power users).

3. Contact and Quick Action Labels

Adding a direct shortcut to a call or message to a contact is a useful feature that MIUI hides deep in the menu.

For the call:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Find the right contact and hold the icon for 2 seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select Create a shortcut.
4. Select the action type: Call, Message or Video Call.

For communications:

• 📱 Open the messages. → select chat
• 🔗 Press three points. → Details. → Labeling
• 📌 Drag the icon to the main screen

On MIUI 15 and HyperOS, this functionality may be limited. If a shortcut is not created, use the alternative:

1. Install the QuickShortcutMaker app from Play Market


2 Find the action "com.android.contacts.action.QUICK_CONTACT"




3. Create a shortcut for the right contact

4. Hidden features: shortcuts for settings and system functions

Few people know, but MIUI can create shortcuts to quickly access hidden settings, such as direct call to the developer menu or reboot to Fastboot.

Method 1: Through Activity (for power users)

1. Install Activity Launcher from Play Market.
2. Find the desired system activity (e.g. com.android.settings.DevelopmentSettings for the developer menu).
3. Create a shortcut on the main screen.

Method 2: Through widgets

• 🛠️ Keep your finger on the main screen. → Widgets
• 🔧 Scroll to the Settings or Tools section
• 📱 Select Settings Shortcuts (not available on all models)

⚠️ Note: Not all system activities are safe to call. Avoid labels called FactoryTest, HardwareTest, or EngineerMode, which can cause a system failure.

5 Problems and Solutions: Why Not Create a Label

If none of these methods work, check out these common causes:

• 🚫 Restrictions of the launcher: On some models (POCO X5 Pro) Long press disabled. Solution: turn it on in Settings → Main screen screen → Long press.
• 🔒 Data Protection: Apps with Android 13 permissions+ They can block shortcuts. Check your privacy settings.
• 🔄 Launcher cache: Clear the Launcer app cache (or POCO Launcher in Settings → Annexes.
• 📱 Power Saving Mode: Turn off battery optimization for launcher.

For diagnosis, use this checklist:

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)

Clearing the launcher cache

Verification of permits for the annex

Rebooting the device

Resetting the settings of the main screen (Settings) → Main screen screen → Reset)-->

If the problem persists, try an alternative launcher.For example, Nova Launcher or Niagara Launcher offer advanced shortcut creation options, including:

• 🎨 Icon castomization
• 🔗 Deep Links (Deep Links)
• 📂 Grouping by category

6.Alternative methods: ADB and third-party utilities

For advanced users who need non-standard solutions, these methods are suitable:

Method 1: Through ADB (without root)

adb shell pm create-shortcut --package com.example.app --activity.MainActivity --name "My shortcut"

Replace com.example.app with the application package you want (you can find out through the App Inspector).

Method 2: Shortcut Maker App

• 📥 Install from Play Market
• 🔍 Select an app or activity
• 📌 Press "Create Shortcut"

Method 3: Tasker (for automatic shortcuts)

With Tasker, you can create a shortcut that:

• 🔄 Reboots the phone to Recovery
• 📶 Turns on/off mobile data
• 🔊 Changes the sound profile.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands on HyperOS devices may require additional permissions. On Xiaomi 14 and later, some commands are blocked by default.

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For most users, standard methods from the first three sections are enough. ADB and third-party utilities are needed only for specific tasks that cannot be solved by regular means.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi