How to Set Up Your Desktop Icons on Xiaomi: From Sort to Reset

Xiaomi’s desktop is the owner’s calling card: chaotic icons create the impression of clutter, and neat app arrangement saves time and nerves. But even experienced Redmi or POCO users don’t always know how to quickly get the screen in order. In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to organize icons, from manual sorting to hidden MIUI shell features that work on models from Xiaomi 11T to budget Redmi Note 12.

The problem of desktop clutter is compounded by the fact that MIUI does not by default categorize applications (unlike iOS or Samsung One UI), and once the system is updated, icons are often reset and new programs are installed randomly, and we will show you how to avoid chaos, from basic actions to little-known tricks, including the hidden automatic sorting alphabetic function that is found in MIUI 14+.

1. Manual sorting of badges: drag and lock

The most obvious, but not always convenient, way to move icons is manually, which is intuitive in MIUI, but there are nuances that many people don't know about, like locking the icon's position so it doesn't move when you add new apps.

How to drag:

• 📱 Press and hold your finger on any 1–2 second icon until it increases and vibrations appear.
• 🔄 Move the icon to the right place by following the green guides (they show possible positions).
• 🏷️ To fix the icon in place, drag it to the line "Accumulate on the screen at the top of the screen" (appears after a long press).

Important: if you drag the icon to another screen, wait for the animation to flip — otherwise the application can stick between the pages. On the POCO F5 and newer models, the drag and drop gesture between the screens without pause is supported.

⚠️ Note: Not all icons can be moved, such as system widgets (weather, watches) and Google folders are often blocked. To move them, first delete the widget or unblock the folder.

2. Folder creation: grouping by category

Folders save space and logically separate applications, and in MIUI, you can create them not only on the desktop, but also in the app menu.

Instructions for creating a folder:

1. Press and hold one icon, then drag it to another.
2. Release your finger when the gray circle appears - this is the future folder.
3. Name the folder (for example, “Social networks” or “Games”).

Additional opportunities:

• 📁 To add an app to an existing folder, just drag it to its icon.
• 🔍 To find the folder quickly, swipe down the desktop and type its name in the search.
• 🎨 Nana MIUI 14 and newer folders support color icons – click on the folder → Change the icon.

Give the folder a short name (up to 8 characters)

Place frequently used folders on the first screen

Use emoji in titles (e.g., emoji, "🎮 Games")

Do not store more than 20 applications in folders (slows the opening)-->

3. Change of the desktop grid: more or less icons

By default, MIUI offers a 4×5 or 5×5 grid, but it can be changed, which is useful if you need to place more apps on a single screen or, conversely, increase their size for convenience.

How to change the grid:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select Screen Settings (or Layout Settings on older versions).
3. Item Desktop grid → Choose an option (from) 3×3 before 5×6).

Tips for choosing a grid:

• 📱 3×3 or 4×4: Suitable for large icons (convenient for older users or on smaller Redmi screens) A2).
• 🔢 5×5 or 5×6: maximum of applications on the screen (optimum for the POCO X5 Pro with a large display).
• ⚠️ Grid. 5×6 It can slow down animations on weak smartphones (e.g. Redmi) 9A).

Automatic sorting: alphabet and categories

Few people know, but MIUI 14 and later has a hidden auto-sort icon feature that works differently than iOS or Pixel Launcher, but can save time.

How to turn on automatic sorting:

1. Open the application menu (swipe up the desktop).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Sort.
3. Select: Alphabetically (A-Z or Z-A), By installation date (new first), By frequency of use (most used at the top).

Limitations of function:

• ❌ It only works in the app menu, not on the desktop.
• ❌ It doesn’t save folders, you have to recreate them.
• ✅ Nana POCO Launcher (alternative launcher from Xiaomi) sorting works on the desktop.

💡

To quickly find an app in a long list, swipe your finger on the alphabetical scale to the right in the app menu (works like in contacts).

5. Resetting the desktop to factory settings

If the chaos on the desktop has become uncontrollable, it is easier to return everything to its original state. In MIUI, there are two ways to reset: soft (badges only) and hard (all launcher settings).

Soft reset (retains wallpaper and widgets):

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points (⋮) → Launcher Reset

Hard reset (full reset, including wallpaper):

Settings → About phone → Resetting settings → Resetting desktop settings

⚠️ Attention: Hard reset will remove: All folders and their contents (applications will remain installed), Widget settings (will have to be configured again), Desktop Wallpaper (the standard image will return). On Xiaomi 13 and newer models, before reset, the system will offer to save the current location in the Mi Cloud.

💡

Before reset, take a screenshot of your desktop (at the same time press Volume Down + Power) – this will help restore the order of the icons manually.

6.Alternative launchers: Nova, POCO Launcher and others

If standard MIUI capabilities don't suit you, you can install a third-party launcher, which offers flexible sorting settings, gestures, and even automatic categorization.

Top.-3 launcher for Xiaomi:

How to install an alternative launcher:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click Home and select a new launcher as your primary.
3. Set up sorting in the launcher menu (usually a long press on the desktop → Settings).

7. Hiding unnecessary icons: how to remove excess from the screen

Sometimes it's easier to hide unwanted icons than to sort them, and in MIUI, you can do this in two ways: through the app menu or through the Hide Apps function.

Method 1: Remove from the desktop (the application will remain in the menu):

• 📱 Press and hold the icon. → Drag it up to the inscription Remove (not to be confused with the removal of the application!).
• 🔍 To return: Open the app menu, find the program and drag it back.

Method 2: Completely hide the application (not visible anywhere):

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Select the App → Hide

⚠️ Note: Hidden apps don't show up in search and menus, but they continue to work in the background. To return them, go to Settings → Annexes → Hidden applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about badge ordering