Modern smartphones like the Poco X3 have a lot of functionality, but the standard look of the home screen often seems too empty or disorganized. Users are used to having quick access to the most important features, whether it's calling relatives, running work apps or watching news. A desktop shortcut is the most effective way to reduce the time spent searching for the right program in the menu mazes.
In the MIUI operating system, which is installed on Xiaomi and Poco devices, the process of creating shortcuts (shortcuts) has its own features that differ from pure Android. You do not need to be a technical specialist to optimize screen space.
In this guide, we’ll look at all the ways you can personalize your Poco X3, and we’ll look at creating shortcuts for apps, adding widgets, creating shortcuts for specific contacts, and even installing web pages as separate icons to make your smartphone a truly personalized tool.
Basic principles of working with the MIUI desktop
MIUI is based on a self-contained shell that controls how you interact with icons. Before you start adding new elements, it’s important to understand the logic of how the home screen works. Unlike some other systems, there’s a clear separation between all the app menus and desktops.
The desktop is your home page, and it can have folders, widgets, shortcuts, and you can only add a shortcut to the free area of the grid, and if the screen is full, it will suggest you create a new page or put it in a folder, which helps you maintain order, but it requires careful planning.
It's worth noting that Poco X3 supports different sizes of widgets and icons. You can change the screen grid to make items larger or smaller. You just need to pinch your fingers in the free space of the screen or pinch the empty area. In the menu that appears, select Settings to change the size of the grid.
Understanding these basic principles will help you avoid confusion, because when you know that the system will offer accommodation options, the process becomes intuitive. Don't be afraid to experiment with the location, because you can go back at any time.
How to Add an Application Shortcut to the Main Screen
The most common scenario is to take a frequently used app out of the menu and prominently, and in MIUI, this is done in a number of ways, and the choice depends on your navigation preferences.
The first and easiest method is through the menu of all the apps, find the program you want in the list, pin your finger on the icon, and you'll see a context menu where you'll select Add to your desktop, and if you don't have that option, just drag the icon to the top of the screen, where the desktop preview is usually displayed.
The second is if the application is already running, open the program, then swipe from the bottom up (or menu button) to the running task mode, press the application preview and select the shortcut, which is especially useful when you just found the right utility and want to fix it.
☑️ Pre-addition verification
You just erase the link to it. If you want to completely clear the memory, you have to go to the settings and delete the program there. This is a common mistake of beginners who think that by erasing the icon, they have made room.
⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI Drag and drop icons to the top of the screen can create a copy of the shortcut, not move.
Installation of widgets and shortcut widgets
Widgets are not just decoration, they are functional shortcuts of an extended type. On Poco X3, they can display weather, currency rates, steps, or let you control music without opening an app. Installing the widget starts with calling the editing menu.
Take a long tap over an empty space on your desktop or do a finger-mixing. From the bottom menu, select Widgets. You'll see a gallery of available items. You'll find both standard watches and complex interactive panels from Google or Xiaomi.
Select the widget you want and click on it. The system will tell you to choose the size and location. Some widgets require additional adjustment immediately after installation. For example, the Notes widget will ask you to select a specific note to display.
MIUI's Secret Widgets
Using widgets saves you time, and instead of opening a weather app, looking for a city, and looking at the temperature, you see that information instantly, making the Poco X3 interface much more responsive and useful in everyday life.
Creating shortcuts for contacts and calls
For older people or frequent contact users, the contact shortcut feature is extremely useful, allowing relatives or colleagues to call in one touch without searching the phone book.
To create such a shortcut, go to the Contacts app. Find the right person in the list and open their card. In the upper right corner or in the menu (three dots), find the option to Create a shortcut or Send to the desktop.
Once confirmed, an icon will appear on the desktop with a photo of the contact, and when you click on it, you will immediately call, which eliminates unnecessary actions and reduces the risk of mistaken dialing in a stressful situation.
| Type of label | Press action | Where to find the setting | Utility. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annex | Launch of the programme | Menu of all applications | Tall. |
| Contact | Instant call. | Contact card | For frequent callers. |
| Website | Opening of the page | Chrome browser | For services |
| Setting up | Going to the menu | Settings appendix | For experts |
You can also create a shortcut to call a specific number directly, even if it is not in the contacts, using special codes or third-party launchers, but with standard MIUI tools, it is easier to work with an existing phone book.
Browser Web Site Labels
It is often necessary to have access to a specific site, such as an online bank or news portal, without entering an address every time. Google Chrome browser, which is installed on Poco X3 by default, allows you to create full site shortcuts.
Open the page you want in your browser. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen. In the drop-down menu, find Add to the home screen. You can rename the shortcut to make it less space or clearer.
When you add it to your desktop, you'll see a site icon, and when you click it, it'll open in full screen as a separate application, and it'll feel like a native program, even though it's basically just a link.
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If you use web versions of services frequently (like Telegram Web or WhatsApp Web), create shortcuts for them, which will free your phone’s memory from installing heavy official applications.
This approach is especially relevant for lighter versions of sites or services that do not have official applications in the Play Market. You get quick access to functionality without cluttering the system with unnecessary software.
Management and sorting of labels
When you have a lot of shortcuts, you have chaos. Organizing space is a key skill for a smartphone owner. Poco X3 lets you group icons into folders. Just drag and drop one shortcut onto another and they'll come together.
You can rename the folder by clicking on the name above the icons, and you can fold the apps into categories like Job, Game, Social, which frees up space on desktops and makes navigation logical. Don't keep all 50 apps on the first screen.
You can also sort alphabetically or install time through launcher settings. Go to Settings -> Desktop. You can turn on or off auto sorting, change the animation of opening folders and the behavior of the grid.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher) standard settings MIUI Labels created in the system may disappear or stop updating (for example, a message counter).
Cleaning unused shortcuts regularly helps keep the interface running fast. Although icons themselves don't consume much resources, visual noise distracts and slows the eye's search for the right item.
Frequent problems and their solution
Sometimes users find that the shortcut is not added or disappears after a reboot, most often due to a lack of space on a particular screen or a crash of the launcher cache. Try to go to the next desktop page and add the item there.
If the problem persists, the system application's Security or Themes may be damaged. Go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps, find the system launcher and try to clear its cache. Don't confuse it with a full reset.
In rare cases, system updates help. Xiaomi regularly releases patches that fix interface bugs. Check for updates in the About Phone menu. The current version of the software ensures that all personalization functions work smoothly.
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If shortcuts are permanently missing, check to see if the "Block layout" mode is activated in the desktop settings, which prevents icons from being accidentally moved or deleted.
Following these guidelines will allow you to fully customize your Poco X3 interface to your needs. Using labels correctly makes your smartphone a powerful and convenient tool for work and entertainment.