Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are powerful and often come with a lot of pre-installed software. Owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi flagships face a screen that is literally full of icons. It not only visually clutters the interface, but also makes it difficult to find the right programs in everyday use. Which is why the question of how to make a folder on the desktop becomes one of the most popular among users who want to put things in order in the digital space.
Organizing space is not just an aesthetic choice, it's a way to increase productivity. When important applications are scattered across different screens, precious time is wasted finding them. Labeling allows instant messaging, banking applications or games to be found. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer an intuitive grouping mechanism that doesn't require third-party launchers.
In this guide, we will go into detail about the process of creating, renaming and deleting folders. You will learn about the nuances of working with a desktop that are often overlooked even by experienced users. We will look at standard methods and possible alternatives for different versions of firmware. The key point is the accuracy of the finger movement when dragging, because too fast or slow action may not activate the creation of the container. Let's start putting order in your smartphone.
The basic principle of creating a folder on MIUI and HyperOS
The process of creating a new group of applications on Xiaomi devices is as unified as possible and similar to the logic of other Android operating systems. The main method is simply to drag one shortcut on top of another. You do not need to search for hidden menus or enter special codes.
Find two apps that you want to combine. These can be, for example, all social networks or banking software. Press the icon of the first application and hold it until there is a slight vibration or a change in the scale of the interface. Without letting your finger go, drag the selected shortcut directly to the center of the icon of the second application. At this point, the second shortcut should visually stand out, signaling readiness to accept the "neighbor".
Once you let go of your finger, the system automatically creates a container that fits both apps. Usually, this container is given a standard name based on a category of programs (for example, "Tools" or "Social Networks"). If you release an icon next to the other, but not directly on it, the folder will not be created, but simply change the order of shortcuts. Accuracy of hit is the key to success.
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If the folder is not created the first time, try to change the force of the press. Too little click is perceived as a normal click, and too strong can cause the editing menu of the icon.
It's worth noting that different versions of firmware can have different animations of the process. In older versions of MIUI, icons just collapsed, whereas in HyperOS, there's a smoother fusion effect. It's also important that there's enough free space on the desktop to open a new folder. If the screen is full, the system can suggest moving shortcuts to the next page.
Step-by-step instructions: detailed algorithm of actions
For those who prefer to follow a clear plan, we have developed a detailed algorithm that ensures results even on devices with sensitive screens or specific sensor settings, and make sure you are on the home screen before you start.
☑️ Checklist for folder creation
The first step is to select the "base." Choose the app that will be the main one in the folder (usually the one you overlaid on), press the icon. In some design themes, if you press it long enough, the icons can start to shake. This is a signal that the edit mode is activated. Now, without taking your finger off the screen, start moving towards the second application.
Step two is to combine. Bring the first icon to the second. It's important to point it exactly in the center. When the second icon zooms in or lights up, it means that the system has recognized your intention to create a group. Let go of your finger. A new folder with two apps inside will appear on the screen. Now you can move that folder to any convenient location on the desktop or to the dock at the bottom of the screen.
The third step is filling. To add the third, fourth and subsequent applications to the created group, the procedure is repeated. You can drag new shortcuts from the desktop into the open folder, or drag the folder itself into other shortcuts. The limit on the number of applications in one folder is limited only by common sense and ease of navigation, technically there can be several dozen.
⚠️ Attention: If you drag and drop a folder to another folder, they'll be merged into one large group. If you accidentally create an extra folder, just drag all the applications out of it, and the empty container will disappear automatically.
Content Management: Rename and Sort
Once a folder is created, the system often assigns a name to it automatically, based on the type of contained applications. However, automatic names like "Utilities" or "Google" are not always user-friendly. Customization allows you to specify your own names that you can understand. To do this, just click on the folder to open it, and then click on the field with the name at the top of the window that opens.
And you'll have a virtual keyboard that allows you to type in any text you want, and you can use emojis, which are very popular among Xiaomi users, to visually encode categories "🎮 Games, and with finances — "💰 After you type in, press the "Done" button or simply tap the blank area of the screen outside the keyboard.
Inside the folder, you can also sort applications, you can change the order of the apps by clamping and dragging the icons, which is useful if the most important programs you use every day and they need to be at hand (usually in the top row), and you can remove the application from the folder by simply dragging it outside the container to the free desktop space.
This is just a way of organizing the interface. If you drag and drop all the apps from the folder, it will cease to exist. Also, some versions of MIUI have the "Delete folder" feature through the context menu, which is called by a long tap over the empty space inside the open folder, although this functionality is not present in all regional firmware.
Features of working with a dock bar and screens
The dock bar (bottom line with icons) is a zone of attention, because applications from there are available from any desktop screen. You can create a folder right in the dock bar in the same way: drag one icon to another. But there is a caveat: if the dock bar is already full, creating a new folder may require shifting existing elements.
When you move a folder from the main area of the screen to the dock, it can automatically shrink in size to fit into the space allocated. In HyperOS, the icon sizes in the dockbar folders may be different from those on the desktop, which is done to preserve the visual harmony of the interface.
| Location. | Max. annexes (roughly) | Features of display | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop | No restrictions (with scrolling) | Large icons, 4x4 or 5x5 grid | Only on the current page |
| Dock bar (bottom) | 4-5 folders (depending on size) | Compact view, no signatures | Always in sight. |
| Appendix menu | No restrictions. | Alphabetical order, search | Swipe up. |
If you use No App Menu mode (when all the shortcuts are on the desktop), creating folders becomes critical for navigation. In the separate application menu mode, folders on the desktop serve to quickly access favorites, whereas in the menu everything is sorted automatically. The display mode selection is in the settings of the Settings → Desktop screen.
Problems in creating folders and their solution
Despite the simplicity of the process, users sometimes face difficulties. Often the problem lies in the installed theme. Some third-party themes downloaded from the Themes store may have bugs or not support standard folder gestures. In such cases, icons can simply swap places, but not combine.
Another common cause is crowded launcher cache, where if MIUI is unstable, gestures can be processed with a delay, which can be done by cleaning the memory or restarting the device, and it's also worth checking if Simplified Mode (for older people) mode is on, where folder creation functionality can be limited or modified.
What if the theme blocks folder creation?
If you can't grab an icon, check your touch sensitivity settings. In rare cases, a low-quality security glass can interfere with multi-touch gestures. Try creating a folder using a different finger or slightly changing the angle of the phone. Also make sure you don't use One-Handed Mode, which reduces the screen's workspace and can interfere with accurate positioning.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to create folders during the animation of the transition between screens or immediately after the screen is turned on.
Alternative methods and third-party launchers
Xiaomi's standard tools are convenient, but not always functional. If the built-in launcher doesn't suit you, you can install a third-party, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. In them, the process of creating folders is similar, but often extended with additional features: changing the shape of folders, opening animations, background transparency.
To install a third-party launcher, download it from Google Play, run it and follow the instructions. Android will ask for confirmation to change the default launcher. After that, you can create folders using new tools. However, it is worth remembering that third-party launchers can consume more battery life and do not always perfectly integrate with MIUI system functions such as gestures or secondary space.
In conclusion, app grouping is a basic skill that greatly improves the smartphone experience: Regularly “review” your folders, delete the unused and add a new one. This supports digital hygiene and allows your Xiaomi to work faster, since the system does not need to index randomly scattered shortcuts.
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Regular cleaning and structuring of the desktop not only pleases the eye, but also saves time finding applications, making smartphone use more efficient.