How to set up a desktop on a Xiaomi smartphone: a complete guide to MIUI

Xiaomi desktop based on the shell MIUI — It's not just a set of icons, it's a powerful personalization tool that many users use only 20 percent of their capabilities, and even basic settings like changing wallpapers or moving icons hide the pitfalls. For example, why widgets disappeared after the update, or how to return the classic app menu instead of the smart search for App Vault. This article is not about the obvious actions like “press your finger on the screen”, but about the system subtleties that distinguish the Redmi Note 12 from the “smart” search for the App Vault. POCO F5, MIUI 14 from HyperOS.

We will not only analyze visual customization, but also hidden parameters such as disabling animations to speed up the interface or adjusting gestures for quick access to your favorite applications. We will focus on the problems that users face after updates, for example, when the search bar disappears or the settings of the icon grid are confused. All instructions are tested on current firmware in 2026 and adapted for different models: from budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Basic setting of the desktop: wallpaper, icons and grid

Let's start with the basics, the ones that are available out of the box, but are often ignored. MIUI It has nuances: for example, dynamic wallpapers consume up to 15% of the extra battery per day, and static images from the gallery can automatically adjust to a dark theme.

To change the wallpaper:

• 🎨 Long pressing on the free screen space → «Wallpaper» → Choose a category (MIUI, Super Wallpapers or "My Wallpapers»).
• 🔄 To automatically change wallpaper, activate the option "Dynamic Wallpaper" (not available on all models).
• 🖼️ To prevent wallpaper from stretching, select “Filling” in the settings instead of “Size of screen».

The grid of icons is another controversial issue. MIUI offer 4×5, 4×6 or 5×6, but on certain devices (for example, POCO X5 Pro) mode available 5×7, activated through the settings → Desktop → Grid size. Notice that when you change the grid, all the widgets are dropped and you have to reconfigure them.

To change the size of the icons:

1. Go to Settings. → Desktop → Size of badges.
2. Choose one of three options: “Small”, “Mediocre” or “Big”.
3. To apply the changes, restart the launcher (or simply restart the smartphone).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the path to icon settings has changed: now it’s Settings → Screen. → The scale of the icons also disappeared the option "Resize the font size on the icons", which was in the MIUI 13.

Widgets and Quick Bars: What to Add and How It Works

Widgets in MIUI There are three types: system (weather, watches, smart home management), applications (music, calendar, notes) and custom (from third-party launchers like Nova Launcher). For example, the Mi Fit step widget only appears after the first synchronization with the smartwatch.

To add a widget:

1. Long press on the free screen space → “Widgets”.
2. Scroll to the left – there are additional widgets hidden (for example, “Quick Settings” or “Data Control”).
3. Drag the widget onto the screen and adjust its size (not all widgets support zooming).

The App Vault panel, the left-hand page of the desktop, which replaces the classic app menu, is particularly noteworthy.

• 🔍 Disable completely in Settings → Desktop → App Vault (Option "Hide the panel»).
• ⚙️ Configure the displayed widgets (weather, calendar, quick action).
• 📱 Replace with the classic application menu through Settings → Desktop → Desktop style → No App Vault.

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If the weather widget is not updated, check the permissions for the weather app in Settings → Annexes → Permit management → Location. Often, the problem is solved by restarting the application.

Hidden Desktop Functions: Gestures, Animations and Modes

MIUI It hides a number of features that are not obvious at first glance, such as double-tapping to lock the screen is included in Settings. → Screen locking → Double-touch locking, which works even on a locked screen, and saves time if you have the proximity sensor turned off.

Another useful option is hidden folders, to create an invisible folder.

1. Create a regular folder on your desktop.
2. Drag it to the top of the screen (above the notification panel) and hold it for 2 seconds.
3. The folder will disappear, but will remain accessible through a search or swipe gesture down on the desktop.

For speed lovers, there is a setting to turn off animations:

Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times to activate the developer mode)


Settings → Additional → Developers → The scale of the animation window / transition (set 0.5x or turn off)

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 13T Pro and newer with HyperOS, the path to developer mode has changed: now you need to tap on Settings → The phone. → The build number. The "Debug by" option also disappeared. USB default, which was previously used for automatic connection to the PC.

Problems after the update: what to do if the settings are lost

Updates MIUI They often reset user desktop settings. Typical problems:

• 🔄 Widgets are gone - usually associated with a launcher update.Solution: Remove updates for the Desktop app in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Desktop → Remove updates.
• 📱 The grid of icons is lost - check the settings in Settings → Desktop → Grid size. Sometimes it helps to reset to the factory launcher settings (long tap on the screen). → «Desktop settings» → «Reset»).
• 🔍 The search bar is missing – activate it in Settings → Desktop → Search bar. On HyperOS, this option is called "Search bar».

If, after updating, MIUI 14 or HyperOS is missing gallery wallpaper, follow the following steps:

Remove the Wallpaper app cache in Settings → Annexes → Wallpaper. → Clear the cache

Reset the device

Re-select wallpaper from the gallery (sometimes it helps to choose a standard picture, and then return to your own)

If the wallpaper still doesn’t show up, install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) and set up the wallpaper through it.-->

Nana POCO F5 and other devices with POCO Launcher after the update may appear error "Can not download widgets:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → POCO Launcher.
2. Press "Storage» → «Clear the data" (this will reset all launcher settings!).
3. Reboot your smartphone.

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If the app icons are missing after the update, check if they are hidden in the launcher settings. MIUI 14: Hidden Apps feature that can automatically hide rarely used programs.

Customization for advanced: third-party launchers and ADB-team

Standard launcher MIUI This is limited in capabilities, so many users install alternatives like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Hyperion Launcher:

• 🎛️ Flexible gesture settings (such as swiping up to start the camera).
• 🖼️ Adaptive icons (automatic change of icon shape to the chosen theme).
• 🔧 Backup of desktop settings (useful before resetting or updating).

For installation of a third-party launcher:

1. Download. APK-file from the official website (for example, Nova Launcher).
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. When you first start, select the default launcher in the window that appears.

For advanced users available ADB-teams that allow:

• Disable App Vault completely (even if the option is hidden in the settings):
• Remove the limit on the number of icons on the desktop:
• Return the old style of the notification bar (not working on all devices):

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB This can cause system instability. Before using them, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and Reset: On HyperOS devices, some commands (such as disabling App Vault) may not work due to changes in the OS structure.

Optimizing productivity: how to speed up the desktop

If the Xiaomi desktop is slowing down or hanging, the problem most often involves:

• 🗑️ Overloaded launcher cache (especially after long use).
• 📱 Too many widgets (each weather or music widget consumes RAM).
• 🔄 Animations and Transitional Effects That Boot the Processor.

To speed up the work:

Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Annexes → Desktop → Clear the cache

Turn off unnecessary widgets (especially dynamic wallpaper and weather)

Reduce the number of desktop pages to 2-3

Turn off animations in developer mode (see section above)-->

On devices with 4GB of RAM or less (e.g. Redmi) 10A) recommended:

• Use the lightweight mode (Settings) → Special facilities → Lightweight mode).
• Disable application prediction in Settings → Annexes → Prediction of applications.
• Install a lightweight launcher like Lawnchair or KISS Launcher.

To check the current system load:

1. Activate the developer mode (see the instructions above).
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers → Processor monitor.
3. Turn on the option “Show CPU boot” – now the current load will be displayed in the upper right corner.

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If the desktop is slowing down even after optimization, check if the battery saving mode is on in aggressive mode. MIUI It limits background activity, but sometimes blocks system processes of the launcher.

Comparison of Opportunities on Different Versions MIUI hyperos

Desktop functionality is highly dependent on the firmware version, and below is a comparison of key features:

On HyperOS (installed on Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70 and newer) new functions have been introduced:

• 🌓 Adaptive wallpaper that changes depending on the time of day.
• 🔄 Smart Sorting Applications – Rarely used programs are automatically moved to the Others folder».
• 🎨 Castomy icon styles (5 pre-installed packages available).

However, HyperOS has removed some of the usual options:

• 🚫 There is no way to completely disable App Vault – just hide the panel.
• 🔍 The option “Show battery percentage in icon” has disappeared (now only in the status bar).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions