Moving icons on the Xiaomi Redmi desktop seems like a simple task — until you face the limitations of the standard MIUI launcher. Users often complain about the “stick” of icons to the grid, the inability to freely place or accidentally create folders when dragging. In this article, we will analyze not only the basic ways of moving, but also hidden MIUI settings, alternative launchers, and solutions for cases when icons “do not listen” (for example, after updating or resetting).
The Redmi feature is that even within a single model (say, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and Redmi 10C), the interface may differ due to MIUI versions (12, 13 or 14) and regional firmware. We take these nuances into account and give universal instructions that work on 90% of the line devices. If your smartphone behaves “not like everyone else”, check the shell version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
Warning for beginners: Some methods (such as changing settings through ADB or installing third-party launchers) require unlocking the bootloader or turning on the developer mode. If you are not ready for experiments, follow the first three ways in this article.
1. Basic movement of icons in the standard MIUI launcher
The standard MIUI launcher allows you to move icons, but with limitations: they stick to an invisible grid, and free placement is turned off by default.
- Unlock the desktop. Tap and hold the blank area of the screen until the icons start to shake. The toolbar will appear at the bottom.
- Drag and drop icons. Tap the icon and move it to the right place without letting go. If the icon jumps back, you're in the zone of another icon (MIUI automatically creates a folder when overlaid).
- Drag the icon up the screen and you will see a basket ("Delete") or the "Hide" option (depending on the version of MIUI).
⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 on some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi) K50) If you hold the icon for a long time, you get a context menu instead of a "shaking" menu. To get back to the classic behavior, go to Settings. → Desktop → Additionally. → Edit Mode and select “Classic».
If the icons don’t move at all, check:
- 🔒 Protection against change in some firmware (e.g. Redmi) 9A) There is an option Settings → Desktop → Layout protection - turn it off.
- 📱 Easy version mode. In Settings → Special facilities → Easy mode disable the simplified interface.
- 🔄 Cache error. Clear launcher cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
2. How to enable free placement of icons (without grid)
MIUI by default binds icons to the grid, but this feature can be disabled.The method works on most Redmi (except models with POCO Launcher, where the settings are different).
Instructions:
- Touch and hold the empty desktop area → select Desktop Settings (or Home Screen).
- Go to Maket. → Desktop grid.
- Turn off the “Grid-Based” option (or “Icon Alignment” in older versions).
- Save the changes and go back to the desktop.
Now you can place icons anywhere on the screen, including the edges.
- 📏 Minimum distance. Icons won't stick together» — MIUI leaves a small indent.
- 🔙 Reset when updating. After major updates (e.g., with MIUI 13 over 14) setting can reset.
- 📱 Not on all models. A1 redmi 10A No option due to simplified firmware.
What to do if there is no “Grid-link” option?
3. Moving icons with gestures (for MIUI 13/14)
Newer versions of MIUI have desktop gestures that speed up icon movement, and these combinations work on the Redmi Note 11/12, Redmi K40/50 and later:
| Gesture. | Action. | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Double touch + hold the icon | Opens the Quick Action Menu (Delete/Hide/Change) | It only works from the empty screen space. |
| Swipe up the icon | Creates a folder (if there are other icons nearby) | In MIUI 14, you can cancel the icon by pulling it back. |
| Keeping the icon + swipe left / right | Moves the icon to the neighboring desktop | It doesn't work in "No grid" mode. |
| Plug gesture (two fingers) | Reduces/Increases the scale for regrouping icons | Only in MIUI 14 on flagships (Redmi K60) |
⚠️ Note: If gestures don't work, check the settings in Settings → Additional settings → Gestures. Sometimes conflict with navigational gestures (e.g. swipe from below to return to the back).
On the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 12.5, the double-touch gesture can conflict with Screen Awakens. To fix this, turn off Settings → Lock Screen → Double-touch to wake up.
4.Alternative launchers for total freedom
If the standard MIUI launcher limits you, install a third-party solution.
- 🏆 Nova Launcher - supports free placement, gestures, backup layout.
- 🎨 Lawnchair – open source, lightweight, with support for Android 13/14. Ideal for weak Redmis (like Redmi) 8A).
- 🔧 POCO Launcher – the official launcher from Xiaomi, but with advanced settings (available in Google Play).
- 🌌 Hyperion Launcher – for fans of animations and dynamic wallpaper.
Installation instructions:
- Download the launcher from Google Play (or APK from the official website).
- After installation, click Home → select the new launcher as Default.
- Customize the layout: Usually the options are hidden under a long tap on the desktop.
Make sure your phone has enough memory (minimum 200MB)
Take a screenshot of the current location of the icons
Turn off battery optimization for new launcher
Check compatibility with the Android version-->
⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI For Russia (without Google services), Google Play may not be available. APK only from trusted sources (e.g. APKMirror).
5 Problem Solving: Icons don’t move or disappear
Sometimes the icons on Xiaomi Redmi stick, disappear, or refuse to move. Consider the typical reasons and ways to fix:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Icons return to place after moving | Layout protection or cache failure enabled | Turn off Settings → Desktop → Protect the layout or clear the launcher cache |
| Icons disappear after update | Resetting the launcher settings in MIUI | Restart your phone or restore your backup (if you have) |
| You can’t move the icons to a new desktop. | Limiting the number of tables (maximum 5 in MIUI) | Remove unnecessary desks or use folders |
| Icons 'jump' when dragging | Conflict with gestures or “Children’s Mode” enabled | Turn off Settings → Special features → Mode for children |
If the problem persists, try resetting the launcher settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find “Luncher” (or “MIUI Launcher”) → “Storage”.
- Click Clear Data (not cache!) Warning: This will delete all your desktop settings!
- Reboot the phone.
💡
If the icons are not restored after reset, check the /sdcard/MIUI/backup/Launcher folder, which can store automatic backups of the layout. Copy the backup.db file to the same folder with a new name (e.g. restore.db) and restart the device.
6. Hidden MIUI chips for working with icons
MIUI hides some useful features that few people know about.
- 🔄 Quickly switch layouts. → Desktop → Themes can save several options for the location of icons and switch between them.
- 📂 Automatic folders. Turn on Settings. → Desktop → Self-sorting – icons will be grouped into categories (e.g., “Social Networks”, “Games»).
- 🎨 Change the size of the icons. → Desktop → Size of icons can be selected "Small", "Mediocre" or "Large».
- 🔍 Search for hidden icons. Swipe down on your desktop. → Enter the name of the application in the search bar → hold the icon → Select "Show on the desktop».
Redmi with MIUI 14 has a feature called Smart Folders, which automatically change color depending on the wallpaper.
- Tap and hold the folder → select “Folder Settings”.
- Activate the option “Adaptive Design”.
💡
On Redmi K50 Gaming and other gaming models, the launcher features a special Game Space mode, where game icons are automatically grouped and optimized for performance. Included in Settings → Special Features → Game Space.