How to make an application menu for Xiaomi: the full guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face features of the interface, which by default may differ from the usual “pure” Android. Instead of the classic grid of all programs on the desktop, the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS offers an alternative approach to organizing space. This solution is aimed at minimalism, but many users prefer to have access to all content at once.

The process of changing the appearance of the interface takes literally a few seconds and does not require root rights or complex manipulation of system files. Just go to the appropriate settings section and select the desired display mode. This action radically changes the ergonomics of using the device, making navigation more familiar to those who have previously used other brands. Below we will discuss all the steps and nuances.

Differences between desktop modes

The default mode on the Chinese manufacturer’s smartphones is activated, where all the shortcuts are located directly on desktops, similar to the approach used in Apple’s iOS. However, there is a second option, the App Menu, which hides all the programs in a separate list called up by swipe, and understanding the difference between these modes will help you choose the most convenient option for everyday use.

In the classic No Menu mode, each new software automatically creates an icon on the screen, which can lead to cluttering of the space, especially if you often install new utilities. In the menu mode, all programs are sorted automatically, and only widgets and the most important shortcuts that you add manually remain on the desktop.

📊 What desktop mode you are accustomed to?
Classic menu (swipe up)
All icons on the screen (like in iOS)
I don't care.
I'm using a third-party launcher.

Switching between these states affects not only visual perception, but also system performance when scrolling through pages. If you have a lot of heavy apps installed, having a separate list can slightly relieve desktop rendering, which is especially true for budget models with limited RAM.

Step-by-step instructions for activating the menu

To get started, you need to go to the system settings of the device, find the gear icon on your desktop or use the search bar at the top of the screen, you need a section that can be simply called "Settings" or have a specific name depending on the firmware version. The exact path may vary slightly on different Xiaomi models.

Inside the settings, look for Desktop, which is usually located at the top of the list or in the main settings of the system, and this is where the key options for customizing the interface look are contained, and if you click on this, you'll see several switches that are responsible for the grid, animations and display mode of the programs.

☑️ Algorithm of action

Done: 0 / 1

Find an option called "Mode" or "Desktop Mode." The default option is "No Menu"; click on it, and select the App Menu from the list that appears. The system will instantly make changes, and when you swipe up from the bottom of the screen, you'll see a full list of installed programs. Now you can remove unnecessary icons from the home screen, leaving only the necessary ones.

⚠️ Warning: After switching mode, all the icons that were on desktops may disappear or move to the folder created. Don't worry, your data is saved, just the way it is visually presented has changed.

Setting up sorting and appearance

Once you activate the application menu, you can flexibly manage the order of display of items. The system offers several sorting options, which is especially convenient with a large amount of software installed. You can arrange programs in alphabetical order or adjust the output of recently used applications to the top of the list.

To change the sorting settings, you need to pinch the empty space on your desktop with your finger to call the edit menu. At the bottom of the screen, you'll have settings where you can select "Sort"; you can have sorting options by name, by installation time or by frequency of use, so you can keep popular programs at hand.

ParameterDescriptionRecommendation
NamedAlphabetic orderFor those who remember the name
By frequency.Frequently used from aboveFor quick navigation
Timely.New Apps First New AppsFor active users
Grid.Number of icons in a rowDepends on the diagonal of the screen.

Also worth paying attention to the size of the grid. In the desktop settings, you can choose the number of columns and rows. For large screens flagship Xiaomi optimal grid 5x6 or 6x6, which allows you to place more elements on one screen without loss of readability.

Hiding apps and folders

The app hide feature allows you to remove from public access programs that you do not want to show to others, such as a bank client, personal photo albums or instant messengers. Unlike complete removal, hidden applications continue to work in the background and receive notifications, but their icons disappear from the menu.

To take advantage of this feature, open the Hidden Settings via the security menu or directly in the desktop settings, and you will be prompted to create a password or use biometrics to access hidden space, which creates an additional layer of digital security for your data.

How to open hidden applications?
To get into the hidden space, open a standard Gallery or Explorer app and pull your finger from the bottom up the center of the screen. If the function is set up correctly, a field will appear to enter your password or fingerprint. Alternatively, you can use a special command in search or a quick access widget if it was created.> Hidden applications are not removed from the device, they only mask from prying eyes in the standard interface. In addition to hiding, the system allows you to create smart folders. You can group programs into categories: "Socnetwork", "It helps to maintain the main menu, and it helps to maintain the desktop, especially with the work menu. Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after updating the system or accidental action, application icons disappear from the desktop or from the menu. Most often this is due to a launcher caching error or a malfunction in the system process System. UI. In most cases, the problem is solved by simply restarting the device. If the reboot didn't help, it's worth checking the settings for displaying hidden applications. You may have accidentally activated the concealment mode for all programs or a particular user. It is also worth making sure that the application has not been removed or moved to the Tools folder that you have. MIUI Oftentimes automatically creates. ⚠️ Note: If only one particular app lost icons, check notification and permission settings. The system may have restricted its work in the background, sometimes causing the shortcut to disappear from the list of recent or menus. In rare cases, cleaning the launcher cache helps. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find in the list of "Desktop" or "Launcher" and select "Clear Cache" This action will return the standard display settings, but will not delete your personal data or installed programs. Using third-party launchers If the standard features of the HyperOS shell or MIUI you do not like, you can always install a third-party launcher login, but only provide a search engine from the launcher, but the launcher's menu, the other options for the launcher, but the mobile browser from the mobile browser, the mobile browser, the mobile browser, the mobile version of the mobile version of the mobile app. However, it is worth remembering that using third-party software for the interface can increase battery and RAM consumption, especially on budget models of smartphones. To activate the third-party launcher after installation, go to Settings → Desktop and select "Manage Desktop Applications" (or similar). Here you need to assign the installed program to the main default. After that, the device interface will completely change according to the selected settings. FAQ: Does the Frequently Asked Questions Include the application menu on the speed of the smartphone? The inclusion of the application menu does not in itself affect the speed of the processor. However, if you have a very weak smartphone menu, then there is a smaller change between the desktop models. Can I put all the icons back in if I didn't like the mode? Yes, you can go back to the previous state at any time. To do that, go back to Settings → Desktop → Mode and select No Menu. All your shortcuts will go back to where they were before the changes. Where to look for remote system applications after the mode change? System applications don't go away. If you don't see them in the menu, check the Tools folder on the desktop or use a global search by pulling the screen down. They can also be hidden in the security settings. Do you search from the app, the menu, the search, the search from the desktop, or from the tab, from the tab, from the tab, from the search, from the tab, from the search, from the tab, from the tab, from the bottom, or from the search, from the search, from the search, from the search, from the web, from the web, from the web, from the web, from the web, from the web, from the web, from the web, from the web, from the web, from the web, from the web 💡Enabling the app menu is a matter of personal preference and ergonomics, not technical necessity. Choose the one that allows you to find the right programs in everyday use faster.