Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 9 offer users a huge opportunity to customize the interface. The MIUI shell on these devices allows them to not only install applications, but also flexibly manage their display. Often it is necessary to bring a specific function, contact or web page directly to the main screen for quick access. This saves time and makes using the gadget more comfortable.
Redmi 9 owners sometimes find that standard shortcuts may not be obvious because of menu features. In this article, we will go into detail all the ways to add app icons, widgets and web links. You will learn not only to create new items, but also to organize the screen space correctly.
We're going to look at both the standard tools of the system and the hidden capabilities of the Chrome browser and other shells. Getting the desktop setup right makes your smartphone a powerful tool for work and entertainment. Let's figure out how to make your interface as user-friendly as possible.
Basic methods of adding applications to the screen
The easiest way to populate your home screen is to move the programs you already have installed from the general menu, and MIUI has the default mode, where all the apps are in a separate folder, but you can take them out, and you open the app menu, find the icon you want, and you can pinch it for a few seconds.
Once the device has responded to a long press, you will feel a slight vibration. Now, without tearing your finger, drag the icon to the top of the screen or just release it if the mode allows free movement, the system automatically creates an application shortcut on the desktop.
If you have Classic Mode enabled menus where all programs are on desktops right after installation, you don't need to create anything, they're already there. However, if you accidentally delete an icon, it's easy to return it through settings. Go to Settings → Desktop and make sure that the display mode matches your preferences.
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In the "Folders" mode, all applications are hidden in the menu, but they can be freely brought to the desktop with a long press.
It's worth noting that some system utilities can be hidden in the Tools folder. Find this standard folder on the screen, pinch the desired application and drag it outside the folder, so you can have direct access to the calculator, voice recorder or calendar.
Creating website shortcuts through the browser
Often users need quick access to a particular site, such as a news portal or a personal account, in which case creating a web shortcut would be the ideal solution, and it works as a separate application: clicking immediately opens the desired page.
To implement this method, the best way to use the Google Chrome browser, which is preinstalled on Redmi 9. Open the browser and go to the site you want to add. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen to open the page settings menu.
In the drop-down list, find the item "Add to the home screen" (or "Create a shortcut"). The system will prompt you to confirm the name of the shortcut. After clicking the "Add" button, the site icon will appear among the other applications.
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If you use the Mi Browser browser, the algorithm is the same: menu (three bars) → Add to the desktop.
Similar functionality is available in other popular browsers, such as Opera or Yandex. The interface may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same: menu → Add to the home screen. This is a great way to turn frequently visited sites into full-fledged applications.
Configuring and using widgets
Widgets are dynamic elements that display information directly on the desktop without having to open an app. On Xiaomi Redmi 9, they can display weather, currency, news or calendar, which makes the interface lively and informative.
To add a widget, swipe to the right of the left screen (where Google Discover is located) or pinch the empty space on the desktop. In the bottom menu that appears, select "Widgets." Opens a gallery of all available elements for the current theme of the design.
Choose the right size and style of widget, then drag it to the vacant space. Some widgets, like Notes or Calendar, allow you to resize after installation, and you need to clamp the widget and pull the special markers around the edges.
| Type of widget | Function | Demands the Internet. |
|---|---|---|
| Clock/Date | Time show. | No. |
| Weather. | Forecast and temperature | Yes. |
| Music. | Player control | No. |
| Stepper | Activity statistics | No. |
The Secret of Big Widgets
If you notice that the battery is draining faster, try reducing the number of active widgets on the screen.
Working with folders and grouping shortcuts
When shortcuts grow, the desktop becomes a mess. Redmi 9 allows you to create folders to group applications into categories, which helps you maintain order and find the right programs in seconds.
To create a folder, just drag and drop one app icon onto another. The system automatically creates a folder with the default name (usually the app category), and you can rename the folder by clicking on it and entering a new name.
- 📁 Gaming: Collect all gaming apps into one folder for quick access.
- 📁 Social networks: unite messengers and social platforms.
- 📁 Work: Post, documents and calendar in one place.
You can still build a structure inside the folder, although MIUI It doesn't support folders in folders attached. However, you can place them inside. 40-50 Icons, by organizing them on a page-by-page basis, which is especially useful for users who install hundreds of apps.
To delete a folder, you just drag all the apps from it to the desktop, and when the folder is empty, it disappears automatically, and you can also delete the entire folder if you first pull all the shortcuts out of it, except one, and the last one stays on the table.
Removal and management of existing labels
Not all shortcuts are needed all the time. Over time, the interface becomes overgrown with unnecessary elements that only get in the way. There are two ways to remove the app shortcut on Xiaomi, depending on what you want to do.
The first way is to remove only the shortcut from the desktop, but save the application itself to the system. Press the icon, and in the menu that appears, select "Delete" (basket icon or cross).
The second way is to completely uninstall the program. In the same long-press menu, select "Delete the application." The system will warn you that all data will be erased. This is useful for cleaning memory of unused software.
⚠️ Note: Deleting system shortcuts (such as "Phone" or "Messages") may cause inconvenience, but the applications themselves cannot be removed without root rights.
If you accidentally delete an important shortcut, don't panic. Go to the menu of all the apps, find the program, pinch it and drag it back to the desktop. The recovery process takes a few seconds.
Solution and additional settings
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where shortcuts are not created or disappear after a reboot, this can be due to overcrowded memory or launcher errors, in which case cleaning the system cache helps.
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find the listing for Desktop (or System Launcher). Click Clear → Clear Cache. This will not delete your data, but will correct the display errors.
- 🔄 Reset launcher: If problems persist, select "Clear all data" from the same menu.
- 🔄 Update MIUI: Check for system updates, as newer versions often contain patches for interface bugs.
- 🔄 Third-party launchers: if the standard interface is not good for you, you can install Nova Launcher or Niagara Launcher from Play Market.
☑️ Diagnostics of label problems
Using third-party launchers gives even more freedom, allowing you to change the grid, animations and shortcut behavior. However, the standard MIUI launcher is optimized best and consumes fewer battery resources.