How to Change Shortcuts on Xiaomi Smartphones: A Complete Guide to Setup MIUI

App shortcuts on Xiaomi smartphones are not just icons, but a key element of user-friendliness, which determines the speed of access to frequently used features, and the correct organization of the desktop can save minutes of daily time. However, many users face problems: standard shortcuts are not removed, new ones are not added, and after updating. MIUI The interface changes dramatically.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change shortcuts on Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO And Black Shark, from basic actions to hidden shell functions, you'll learn how to edit icons on the home screen, in folders and in the quick access bar, and what to do if the system doesn't allow you to make changes. MIUI 12, 13, 14 and 15, as the algorithms for working with labels in them are significantly different.

Why you can’t change the shortcuts on Xiaomi: common problems

Before you start setting up, it is important to understand why standard methods may not work, and most often users face the following difficulties:

• 🔒 Blocked editing mode: on some Xiaomi firmware, the shortcut movement function is disabled by default (especially relevant for corporate devices).
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI: firmware MIUI 12 The algorithm of working with labels is fundamentally different – many modern instructions simply do not fit.
• 🛡️ Security Limitations: If your device is linked to a Mi Account with Find Device activated, some actions may be blocked.
• 🎯 Production launchers: on models POCO Black Shark and alternative shells are often installed (e.g, POCO Launcher, where the logic of working with shortcuts is different.

Another common reason is the “Lite Mode” mode, which is automatically turned on on budget models (Redmi). A1, Redmi 9A). In this mode, the ability to customize shortcuts is severely limited. To check for it, go to Settings. → Special facilities → Light shell.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with enterprise firmware (such as models for the Chinese market), some shortcut editing features may be blocked at the system level. MIUI.

Basic ways to change shortcuts on the main screen

Let’s start with the simplest methods that work on most Xiaomi devices regardless of the firmware version, and these actions do not require root rights or special knowledge.

1. Relocation of labels

To move the app shortcut:

1. Touch and hold your finger on the right label for a while. 1-2 seconds.
2. When the icon “sticks” off the screen and there is a vibration, drag it to a new place.
3. Raise your finger to fix the position.

Nana MIUI 14/15 After a long press, a context menu will appear – select Move if the automatic drag and drop doesn’t work.

2. Removal of labels

Deleting the shortcut doesn't remove the app itself, it's going to stay on the menu of all programs, so you can remove the icon from the home screen.

• 🗑️ Press and hold the label. → Drag it to the top of the screen to the Remove (or basket) label).
• 🔄 Nana MIUI 15 You may need to select Edit in the context menu first.

3. Addition of new labels

To place the application on the main screen:

1. Open the menu of all applications (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the right application, click and hold its icon.
3. Drag to a free space on the main screen or in the folder.

Make sure the screen is unlocked.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Turn off the power saving mode (can block changes)

Close all background applications-->

Working with folders: how to group and edit shortcuts

Xiaomi folders allow you to organize shortcuts by category (social networks, games, utilities) and save space on the screen, but many users do not know how to properly create and customize them.

Foldering

The easiest way is:

1. Drag one shortcut to another (like WhatsApp on Telegram).
2. A folder with the category name will be automatically created (if you have a category name). MIUI recognizes the type of application).
3. To rename a folder, open it. → tap on the name at the top → introduce.

Adding/removing shortcuts from the folder

To add the app to the existing folder:

• 📂 Drag the shortcut on top of the folder and hold on for 1 second.
• 🗑️ To remove the shortcut from the folder, open it. → Press and hold the icon. → drag it outside the folder.

Features of folders on MIUI 15

In the latest version of the shell, new functions appeared:

• 🎨 Color tags: folders automatically color depending on the category (blue for social networks, green for health, etc.).
• 🔍 Search inside the folder: Swipe down inside the open folder will call the search bar.
• 📊 Usage statistics: Long-click on the folder shows which applications were running most often in it.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO F5) The default folders are displayed as a "stop" of icons without a name. To enable the classic view, go to Launcher Settings. → Appearance → Style of folders.

Change of label icons: standard and custom icons

If you are not satisfied with the appearance of standard icons, MIUI Offers several ways to change them – from built-in themes to manual replacement through third-party apps.

1. Use of design themes

The easiest way to change icons:

1. Open Settings → Themes.
2. Select the Icon section.
3. View the available icon packages and apply the one you like.

Note that not all themes support changing icons for all applications, for example, system utilities (Settings, Phone) may remain unchanged.

2 Manual modification through the "Theme Editor"

For advanced users:

• 🎨 Install the app MIUI Theme Editor (available from the Mi Store).
• 🖼️ Download your favorite icon pack in.mtz format (you can find it on sites like Mi-Themes.com).
• 🔧 Apply the theme through the editor by selecting the icons only option.

3. Third-party launchers

If built-in capabilities MIUI You are not satisfied, you can use alternative launchers:

On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 12) 4G) Some launchers may not work properly due to manufacturer restrictions. 4PDA.

Hidden functions MIUI label-work

Shell MIUI It contains a few hidden features that not all users know about, and these features can make it much easier to work with shortcuts.

1. Quickly creating a contact label

To place a shortcut on the home screen for a quick call or message:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Choose the right contact → Press More. → Add to the main screen.
3. Specify the type of shortcut: Call, Message or Video Call.

Labels for system functions

MIUI Allows you to create shortcuts for quick access to settings:

• 🔧 Press and hold the free space on the main screen. → Widgets.
• 📱 Scroll down to the Settings section.
• 🎛️ Drag shortcuts for Airplane Mode, Flashlight, Mobile Data, etc. on the screen.

Double-press mode

Nana MIUI 14/15 You have a double tap tag function to do an extra action, for example, you can set it up:

• 📞 Double tap on the phone - quick dial of the last number.
• 📷 Double tap on the camera - launch in selfie mode.

To activate:

1. Go to Settings. → Main screen screen.
2. Select Double-click on the icon.
3. Set up actions for the right applications.

Label problems and their solutions

Even after doing the right thing, shortcuts on Xiaomi can be incorrect. Let's look at the common mistakes and how to fix them.

1.Tags disappear after reboot

Cause: launcher malfunction.

• 🔄 Restart the device in Safe Mode (hold the power button) → Restarting in Safe Mode).
• 🧹 Clear the launcher's cache: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Clear the cache.
• 📥 If the problem persists, update the launcher via the Mi Store.

2. You cannot move system labels

On some firmware (especially Chinese), system applications (Settings, Messages) are blocked for editing.

• 🔓 Install a third-party launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher).
• 🛠️ Use it. ADB-Unlock command (PC required):

adb shell pm grant com.miui.home android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

⚠️ This command requires the debugging mode enabled USB and may cause a reset of the launcher settings.

3. Labels are displayed blurred

A common problem after the MIUI update. Solutions:

• 🖼️ Check the resolution of icons in the theme: go to Settings → Topics → My subjects. → Current theme → Details. → Icons Resolution (should be) 192x192 higher).
• 🔍 If you use custom icons, make sure they are tailored to your screen’s pixel density (e.g. for Redmi Note). 13 Pro+ permittingly 2712×1220 Icons are required in resolution at least 256x256).

💡

After the update MIUI Shortcuts are lost, try resetting the launcher settings: go to Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Reset settings. This will bring back the standard icon layout without removing apps.

Features of working with shortcuts on different models Xiaomi

Shortcut editing algorithms may vary depending on the device series. Let's look at the key differences.

1.Redmi series (budget models)

On the Redmi. 9A, Redmi 10A And these devices often activate the Light Shell mode, which restricts customization, so that it can be turned off:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Turn off the light shell option.
3. Reset the device.

These models may also lack support for live wallpaper and animated icons.

2. Series POCO (gaming-smartphone)

Devices POCO (POCO X5, POCO F5) frequently supplied with a brand POCO Launcher, where:

• 🎮 There is a separate folder of the game that cannot be deleted.
• 🔧 To change the icons, you need to use the built-in Customization Mode (long press on the screen). → Settings → Icon style).
• 📊 Available sorting of applications by category (social networks, multimedia, etc.) in the menu of all programs.

3. Flagship models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Mix)

On top devices, advanced functions are available:

• 🖥️ Support for desktop mode (Second screen), where shortcuts can be grouped as on a PC.
• 🌙 Adaptive icons: automatically change color in dark/light mode.
• 🔄 Ability to synchronize shortcuts between devices via Mi Account (c Settings) → Xiaomi Cloud → Synchronization → Labels).

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi

💡

Before any manipulation of shortcuts, it is recommended to back up their location through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup → Home screen shortcuts: This will allow you to quickly restore settings after a crash or update.