How to add a shortcut to Xiaomi phone: all ways in 2 minutes

Have you just installed a new app on your Xiaomi and want its icon always on hand? Or do you need to quickly call your favorite contact without digging through the phone book? Adding shortcuts to the home screen is one of the most sought-after features MIUI, But not everyone knows about the full capabilities of this system. Unlike the "bare" Android, Xiaomi firmware offers advanced options for creating shortcuts, including hidden chips for experienced users.

In this article, we’ll explore not only basic methods (via app menus or widgets), but also little-known tricks like creating a shortcut for hidden mode or quick access to developer settings. MIUI And how to fix it without resetting. All the instructions are relevant for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO firmware MIUI 12-15 (including global and Chinese builds).

Basic method: adding an app shortcut

The easiest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones is to transfer the app icon directly from the main menu, which is suitable for 90% of tasks, but has a limitation: you can only add those programs that are already installed on the system.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Unlock your phone and swipe up the main screen to open the app menu (if you have a swipe up gesture enabled for the menu).
2. Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search at the top of the screen).
3. Press the application icon for 1-2 seconds until it “sticks” from the background.
4. Drag it to a vacant seat on the home screen or in the dock panel (bottom of the screen).
5. Release your finger – the label will be automatically created.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using POCO Launcher or third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), the steps may be slightly different.In some custom firmware, you first click on the icon to create a shortcut, and then select Add to the home screen in the context menu.

Make sure the application is installed (check in Settings). → Annexes)

There is free space on the home screen (remove unnecessary widgets)

Turn off Easy Mode in Settings (it blocks screen changes)

Update the firmware to the latest version (in older versions) MIUI There are bugs with labels)-->

2. Creating a contact shortcut (quick call)

If you need to quickly contact a frequently used contact, you don’t have to open the Phone app every time. MIUI There's a built-in feature for creating contact shortcuts right on the home screen.

How to do this:

• 📞 Open the Contact Application (or Phone) → Contacts).
• 🔍 Find the right contact in the list (you can use the search).
• 🖱️ Press and hold the contact name until the context menu appears.
• 📱 Select Create a Shortcut (or Add to the Home Screen in new versions) MIUI).
• 🎯 Drag the icon that appears to the free space on the screen.

Now, when you click on this shortcut, you'll be asked to choose an action: call, send a message, or open a contact card, which is handy if you're communicating with the same person frequently through different channels.

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If a contact shortcut is not created, check if the contact is hidden in the sync settings (for example, if it is saved only in a Google account and sync is disabled).

3. Web site labels (PWA)

Do you often visit the same site (e.g., VK, YouTube, or corporate portal)? Instead of opening your browser and entering an address every time, you can create a shortcut for a web page right on the home screen. MIUI This is done through the Progressive Web App (PWA).

Instructions for the Mi Browser browser (standard in Xiaomi firmware):

• 🌐 Open the desired site in the browser.
• ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the upper right corner (browser menu).
• 📱 Select Add to the main screen.
• 🖼️ If necessary, edit the name of the label.
• ✅ Click Add – the icon will appear on the screen.

If you use Google Chrome, the process is a little different:

1. Open the site in Chrome.
2. Press three points. → Add to the main screen.
3. Confirm the addition.

⚠️ Note: Some websites (e.g., banking or government portals) may block the creation of a website. PWA-In this case, you'll have to bookmark your browser.

Mi Browser (built-in)

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

Other-->

4.System shortcuts and hidden functions

Few people know, but in MIUI You can create shortcuts not only for apps, but also for system functions, like quick access to developer mode settings, battery settings, or even a hidden album in a gallery:

The method works through the Widgets menu:

• 🖱️ Click and hold the empty space on the main screen.
• 📱 At the bottom of the screen, select Widgets.
• 🔧 Scroll down to the Settings or Tools section.
• 🎯 Find the right widget (for example, Switches for quick access to the widget). Wi-Fi/Bluetooth or a setting shortcut for a specific menu section).
• 📲 Drag the widget to the main screen and set it up (select a specific feature).

Here are some useful system shortcuts that you can add:

5.Tags and their solution

Sometimes shortcuts on Xiaomi may disappear, duplicate or fail, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

🔹 Labels disappear after reboot

This is the problem with old versions. MIUI 12 and below:

• Update the firmware to the latest version (preferably) MIUI 14+).
• Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.
• Turn off battery optimization for launcher: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Launcher → No restrictions.

🔹 You can’t create a shortcut for some applications

Some system applications (such as Security or Themes) block shortcuts in new versions. MIUI. Bypass:

1. Download the Activity Launcher app from Google Play.
2. Find the system application you want and select activity (e.g..ui.MainActivity).
3. Create a shortcut through this app.

🔹 Labels are not updated (old icon)

If after updating the application, the label icon remains old, follow the following steps:

• Remove the old shortcut from the main screen.
• Clear the launcher data: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data (⚠️ This will reset all your screen settings!).
• Re-create the label.

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If the problem with labels appeared after the update MIUI, Try resetting the launcher settings to standard: Settings → Main screen screen → Reset the settings.

6. Alternative methods: widgets and third-party applications

If the standard capabilities MIUI You can use widgets or third-party utilities to create extended shortcuts:

📌 Widgets as a substitute for labels

Instead of a shortcut, you can add a widget that shows you more information, like:

• 📅 Calendar widget – shows upcoming events.
• 🎵 Music widget – control the player without opening the application.
• 📊 Weather widget – current temperature and forecast.

To add a widget:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
2. Pick the Widgets.
3. Scroll through the list and select the desired widget (for example, Weather). 4×1).
4. Drag it to the screen and set it up (if required).

🛠️ Third-party applications for labels

If you need custom icons or shortcut groupings, try these apps:

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers (such as Nova Launcher) some features MIUI For example, support for Super Wallpapers (animated wallpaper) or Xiaomi gestures will disappear.

7. Shortcut optimization: folders and sorting

If you have dozens of shortcuts on your home screen, it's time to clean up. MIUI There are built-in tools for grouping and sorting:

📁 Foldering

To combine similar labels:

1. Drag one label to another and hold on.
2. Release – a folder with an automatic name (e.g. Tools) will be created.
3. Click on the name of the folder to rename it.
4. Add other shortcuts to the folder by drag and drop.

🔤 Alphabetical sorting

If the shortcuts in the app menu are randomly located:

• Open the application menu (swipe up).
• Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
• Select Sort. → Alphabetically.

🎨 Changing icons

V MIUI You can change the icons of labels with the help of themes:

1. Go to Settings → Themes.
2. Choose a theme with your favorite icons (or download a new one from the Mi Theme Store).
3. Apply the theme – all label icons will change automatically.

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To return standard icons, select the Default theme in the theme settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi