How to Change Shortcuts on Xiaomi Lock Screen: A Complete Guide with Nuances

Why Xiaomi Lock Screen Shortcuts Are Important – and How to Set Them Right

Xiaomi's lock screen is not just a random tap protection, it's a full-fledged tool for quick access to key features. Labels on it save time: instead of finding an app on the menu, you just tap a flashlight, a camera, or a voice assistant. But a standard set of two or three icons (usually a flashlight and a camera) is not always convenient. Someone wants to add Google Assistant, someone wants to add Screen Recording, and someone is hampered by the extra QQ Music label that appeared after the MIUI update.

The problem is that Xiaomi regularly changes the logic of lock screen settings in new firmware versions. What worked in MIUI 12 may disappear in MIUI 14, and some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) have unique limitations. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change shortcuts, from standard settings to hidden capabilities through ADB and third-party launchers.

Standard method: changing shortcuts through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions). Importantly, on some Android 13+ devices, some features may be blocked due to Google’s tightening security policy.

To change the labels:

1. Open Settings → Lock screen (or Lock and Password in older versions).
2. Select Lock Screen Shortcuts (in some firmware it is called Quick Shortcuts).
3. Click on the icon of the shortcut you want to replace (such as a flashlight or a camera).
4. In the list that appears, select a new application from the ones offered (usually Voice Search, Google Assistant, Screen Recording or Calculator).

⚠️ Note: If the list does not contain the desired application, it means that it does not support the work from the lock screen due to the technical limitations of Android. For example, WhatsApp or Telegram can not be added in this way - they require unlocking the device to protect personal data.

Shortcuts are available in lock screen settings (not hidden by the manufacturer)

The device is not in power saving mode (can block changes)

The application you want to add supports work from a locked screen.

There are no active restrictions from the administrator on the device (for example, a corporate profile)-->

What shortcuts can be added to the lock screen Xiaomi

The list of available shortcuts depends on the version of MIUI and the smartphone model. The table below is the current options for most devices (data checked on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Lite and POCO X5 Pro with MIUI 14):

💡 Useful tip: If you need shortcuts for Spotify or another music service, first enable the option to Show Locks on the screen in the settings of the app itself.

Lantern and camera

Google Assistant or Voice Search

Screen recording or dictaphone

Musical applications (Spotify, Yandex Music)

Other options-->

Hidden Opportunities: How to Add Non-standard Shortcuts through ADB

If the desired application is not in the standard list, but it supports work from a locked screen (for example, Tasker or MacroDroid), you can use ADB commands. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and enabling debugging over USB, but gives access to hidden MIUI settings.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB Tools and execute the command:

adb shell settings put secure sysui_lockscreen_shortcuts "com.example.app1,com.example.app2"

Where com.example.app1 is the package name of the desired application (you can find it through the App Inspector in Google Play).

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause a lock screen to crash. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup. Also note that after the update MIUI settings may reset.

Problems and Errors When Changing Labels: How to Fix

Even after you set it right, shortcuts may not work, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

• 🔄 Shortcuts reset after reboot: This is a bug of some versions MIUI 13–14 Helps reset the lock screen settings via Settings → Annexes → Application management → Settings (cogs) → Resetting settings.
• 🚫 The application does not start from the lock screen: Check if the option to show locks on the screen is enabled in the settings of this application. For Google Assistant, you also need to activate Allow access from the locked screen in Settings → Annexes → Google.
• 🔒 The shortcuts disappeared after the update: Xiaomi sometimes removes non-standard shortcuts when updating the firmware. ADB or resetting.
• ⚡ Label works with delay: The fault may be battery optimization.Add app to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Find the right one and choose without restrictions.

Critical information: On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi 10C or POCO M5), the Google Assistant label may be blocked by default due to local restrictions. To unlock it, you need to change the region in your smartphone settings to India or the European Union.

Alternative methods: third-party launchers and widgets

If the standard methods do not suit, you can use third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) or widgets for the lock screen, which is suitable for advanced users, as it requires additional settings.

Example from Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. In the launcher settings, select Lock Screen → Widgets.
3. Add the widget Application shortcuts and customize it to your needs.
4. Return the standard launcher, but the widgets will remain on the lock screen.

⚠️ Warning: Widgets on the lock screen may conflict with system shortcuts MIUI. If after installing the launcher, standard shortcuts disappeared, reset the lock screen settings via Settings → Lock screen → Reset.

💡

If you use POCO Launcher, it has a built-in quick access to applications through a gesture up from the bottom edge of the lock screen, which can replace standard shortcuts.

Comparison of methods: what way to choose

To determine the best method, evaluate your needs and technical skills:

💡

If you only need standard shortcuts (flashlight, camera, voice search), use the built-in MIUI settings. Advanced features (such as Tasker or MacroDroid shortcuts) will require ADB or third-party launchers.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions