How to add a shortcut to a Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways

Adding shortcuts to Xiaomi’s desktop is a seemingly simple task, but many users face unexpected challenges, especially if it comes to custom applications, system utilities or hidden MIUI features. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to add shortcuts to Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi devices, from basic to little-known, which work even on the latest versions of the firmware.

You’ll learn how to put not only standard app icons on the home screen, but also shortcuts to quickly access settings, contacts, websites, and even hidden system features, and why shortcuts sometimes “disappear” after an update and how to fix them without resetting.

1. Classic method: Adding a shortcut through the app menu

The most obvious method is dragging the icon from the general list of applications. It works on all versions of MIUI (12 to 16), but there are nuances that few people know about.

To add a label:

• 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
• 🔍 Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search at the top).
• 🖱️ Press the application icon and drag it to the desktop or folder.
• 📍 If the shortcut doesn’t stick, check if Easy Mode is on (Settings) → Special facilities).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Redmi Note 12 after updating to MIUI 14+ A bug may be triggered in which shortcuts are returned to the app menu. To fix this, restart the device or clear the launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Clear the cache).

2.Adding shortcuts for contacts and quick action

Few people know, but you can create a shortcut for a quick call or message to a specific contact on Xiaomi, which is handy if you often contact the same person.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Find the right contact and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Add to the main screen.
4. Select the shortcut type: Call, Message or Video Call.

You can also add a shortcut for quick access to:

• 📞 Last calls (Phone) → Journal → ⋮ → Add to the main screen).
• 📧 Drafts of communications (Messages) → Drafts → pinch → Add it to the screen).
• 📍 Places on the map (Google Maps) → Save. → pinch → Add to the main screen).

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If the contact shortcut doesn’t show, check if it’s hidden in the launcher settings. Go to Launcher Settings → Screen Settings → Hidden Apps and make sure the contacts aren’t on this list.

3. Widgets as an alternative to labels: when and how to use

If you need to not just open an app, but get quick access to its features (such as music management, weather or notes), you better use widgets. They take up more space, but give more features.

How to add a widget:

1. Click the empty space on the desktop and select Widgets.
2. Scroll through the list and find the widget you want (like Weather, Calendar, or Notes).
3. Press the widget and drag it to the screen.
4. Set the size and appearance (if available).

Some widgets can be made interactive – for example, the Music widget allows you to control playback directly from the home screen, and the Google Search widget gives you access to the voice assistant.

Hidden capabilities: shortcuts for system functions

MIUI has hidden shortcuts that don't appear in the app menu, but you can add them to your desktop, like a shortcut for:

• 🔋 Battery Saving Mode (Settings) → Battery → Battery savings → ⋮ → Add to the main screen).
• 📶 Mobile data (you can create a shortcut for quick on/off switching).
• 🔒 Application locking (Settings) → Annexes → Application lockdown → ⋮ → Add it to the screen).
• 📱 The “Do Not Disturb” regime».

To add this label:

1. Open the settings and find the desired section.
2. Tap on three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Add to the main screen.

⚠️ Note: Some of the scalings (especially) MIUI Global) these options may be hidden. If there is no Add to the home screen, try using the ADB-Teams or third-party launchers like Nova Launcher.

5. Web site shortcuts: How to add a site to the home screen

If you visit a particular site frequently (e.g., email, social media, or work portal), you can add it to your desktop as a shortcut, which saves time and eliminates the need to open your browser.

Methods of addition:

Through Google Chrome:

1. Open the site in Chrome.
2. Tap on three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Add to the main screen.
4. If necessary, change the name of the label.

Through MIUI Browser:

1. Open the site in the standard MIUI browser.
2. Put it on the icon. ⋯ bottom-screen.
3. Select Add to the main screen.

⚠️ Note: Site shortcuts added via Chrome can open in the browser mini version (without the address bar).To avoid this, select Open in Chrome in the shortcut settings.

The site opens without errors in the browser

The name of the label is shorter than 15 characters

JavaScript enabled (if the site is interactive)

Browser Updated to the latest version-->

6. Advanced Methods: ADB and Third Party Applications

If standard methods do not work (for example, on custom firmware or after deep changes in the system), you can use ADB or specialized utilities.

Method 1: Shortcut Maker

The Shortcut Maker app (available on Google Play) lets you create shortcuts for:

• 📱 Hidden system functions (e.g., Equipment Test or Engineering Menu).
• 🔧 Activation modes (for example, No Sound or Airplane Mode).
• 🔄 Restart applications.

Method 2: ADB-team

For power users, there is the option to create a shortcut through ADB. For example, to add a shortcut to Developer Settings:

adb shell am start -a android.settings.DEVELOPMENT_SETTINGS

Then, with Shortcut Maker, you can convert that command into a shortcut on your desktop.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Requires developer mode enabled (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times) and connect to the PC. Wrong commands can disrupt the system!

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If you need to add a shortcut to a feature that is not on the menu, first check if the manufacturer is blocking it. For example, some Xiaomi models for the European Region have disabled shortcuts for the Engineering Menu.

7. Solving the Problem: Why Labels Are Not Added or Disappeared

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the labels:

• 🚫 They don’t drag you to the desktop.
• 🔄 Disappear after rebooting.
• 📱 Displayed as empty icons.

Causes and solutions:

If the problem is not solved, try:

1. Install another launcher (such as Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher).
2. Check your device for viruses (some malware blocks desktop changes).
3. Reset system settings (Settings → Additional → Resetting), but this will delete all personal data!

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi