How to set up a desktop on Xiaomi: from wallpaper to hidden features MIUI

Xiaomi's desktop is not just an app screen, it's a real business card of your smartphone. How it's organized is how user-friendly it is, how fast it can access the features it needs, and even how you can visually experience it. Unlike naked Android, firmware is the most powerful device. MIUI It offers dozens of unique customization tools, from dynamic wallpaper to hidden control gestures. 10-20% It's not even possible to imagine how deep the interface can be transformed.

In this article, we will analyze not only the basic settings - changing wallpaper or rearranging icons - but also hidden functions. MIUI 14/15, You will learn how to create unique designs with Xiaomi Themes themes, optimize screen space for productivity, and avoid common errors that lead to interface lags. Particular attention will be paid to the new chips of the latest firmware versions that appeared after the update to Android. 13/14.

1. Basic desktop setting: wallpaper, grid and icons

So let's start with the basics that lay the groundwork for further customization. MIUI They allow you to change the look of the screen in a few minutes, and the first thing you notice is the wallpaper, and unlike many other firmware, they're not static. You can choose dynamic options with paralax effect (where the background moves when the phone is tilted) or even live wallpaper based on weather.

To change the wallpaper:

• 📱 Long pressing on the free space of the desktop → Choose "Wallpaper"
• 🌄 The "Dynamic" tab - here the wallpaper reacts to the time of day (for example, the sunset is replaced by the night city)
• 🎨 Tab "Theme" - wallpaper from the collections of Xiaomi Themes (requires an Internet connection)
• 📁 The tab "My Wallpaper" - uploading your own images from the gallery

The next step is to set up the application grid. MIUI netting 4×5, But you can change it. 5×6 (for more icons) or 3×4 (For enlarged icons, this is done in the Settings menu. → Desktop → Grid size. Please note: when choosing a grid 5×6 Some widgets may not fit on the screen.

⚠️ Warning: If after changing the grid, the app icons start overlapping, try restarting your smartphone. MIUI 14, which is fixed in the following updates.

Equally important is the style of the icons. MIUI There is a built-in function of changing the shape of icons:

1. Go to Settings. → Desktop → Badge style
2. Select one of the preset packages: "Round", "Square", "Round" or "Adaptive" (change shape depending on the wallpaper)
3. For additional styles, download themes from Xiaomi Themes (some icon packages require a subscription)

Widgets and fast panels: how to speed up access to functions

Widgets in MIUI — It's not just a decoration, it's a powerful productivity tool, like the Smart Assistant widget, which can show the weather, calendar and latest notifications on a single screen, and the Quick Settings widget, which allows you to turn on/off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Flight Mode without opening the curtain. But most users are limited to the standard set, not knowing about the hidden features.

How to add and configure widgets:

• 🔧 Long press on the desktop → "Widgets"
• 📊 Drag the desired widget on the screen (for example, "Calendar" or "Notes")
• ⚙️ Click on the widget after adding - additional settings will open (for example, for the Weather widget you can select the default city or temperature measurement unit)
• 🔄 Some widgets support automatic updates (e.g. Currency Courses or News) To enable this feature, go to the widget settings → Update of data

The Google Discover widget (if installed) replaces the left screen of the desktop and displays personalized news, weather and recommendations based on your activity to activate it:

1. Swipe left on the main screen
2. Click "Enable" at the bottom of the screen
3. Sign in to your Google account (if required)
4. Set up interests in the "Settings" menu → Google → Interests"

Remove unnecessary widgets (long press) → "Delete")

Place frequently used widgets on the first screen

Set up automatic updates for dynamic widgets

Check the permissions for widgets in Settings → Annexes → Permits

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Another useful feature is the quick bar (aka Toolbar), a retractable panel with frequently used functions that swipes up from the bottom edge of the screen (if enabled in the settings) to adjust it:

1. Go to Settings. → Desktop → Toolbar
2. Turn on the "Show Toolbar" switch
3. Select the functions that will be displayed: flashlight, calculator, scanner QR-codes, etc.
4. Set up the transparency and position of the panel

3. Topics and Global Customization through Xiaomi Themes

If standard desktop settings seem limited, it’s time to get acquainted with Xiaomi Themes – the official themes store for the desktop. MIUI. Not only are there wallpapers and icons, but you can also find full-length design packages that change fonts, animations, sounds, and even the style of the system menus, and many of themes are free and paid ones cost just a few bucks. 50-200 ruble.

How to set the topic:

• 🎨 Open the Themes app (usually preinstalled on Xiaomi smartphones)

So you should look at the topics that are labeled "Super Wallpaper" -- these are interactive wallpapers that respond to gestures and time of day. For example, the theme "Mars" shows the surface of the Red Planet with dynamic lighting, and "Earth" shows a rotating globe with real clouds -- these are more battery-consuming themes, but they look impressive.

⚠️ Note: Some themes from Xiaomi Themes may contain ads or collect usage data. Check reviews and theme rating before installing. Also avoid themes marked "Beta" - they may not work smoothly.

For advanced users, it is possible to create their own themes using the tool. MIUI Theme Editor (available on Xiaomi forums) requires knowledge of basic design principles and working with.mtz files, but allows you to make a unique design that is not in the official store.

4. Hidden functions MIUI desktop

MIUI It's known for its Easter eggs and hidden features that don't even appear in official manuals. Here are some tips that will make the desktop even more convenient:

One of the most useful hidden features is the Second Space mode, which allows you to create a separate desktop with other apps, wallpapers and settings, ideal for separating work and personal life or protecting sensitive data, to activate it:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second space
2. Create a new space and set it up (you can even link another Mi Account)
3. Switch between spaces can be swiped down the notification panel and select the appropriate icon

Another little-known possibility is the tuning of animations. MIUI 15 has a separate section to control the speed and style of animation transitions between screens:

1. Activate Developer Mode (click 7 times on Version) MIUI" phone-setting)
2. Return to the main settings and open "More" → For developers"
3. Find the “Animation Speed” and “Animation Scale” items – here you can speed up or disable animations completely to improve performance.

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After the update MIUI some desktop settings have disappeared, try resetting the Louncher application settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → It'll bring back the standard parameters without losing data.

5. Optimizing the desktop for productivity

You can turn your desk into a productivity tool if you organize your space properly. Here are some professional tips:

• 📂 Grouping applications by folder: create folders for similar applications (for example, "Social Network", "Work", "Games"). To speed up access, place frequently used folders at the bottom of the screen (the reach of the thumb).
• 🔍 Desktop search: Swipe down on the home screen to open the search bar. Here you can quickly find any app or contact, even if it's hidden in a folder.
• 📌 Fixed widgets: Place the Tasks or Calendar widget on the first screen to always see the actual business. MIUI 15 Smart Reminders widget can show tasks from Google Keep or Mi Notes.
• 🔄 Automatic Sorting: Enable the option "Settings" → Desktop → Application self-sort so that new applications are automatically placed alphabetically or in categories.

For those who work with a large number of applications, the "App Vault" feature (swipe left on the home screen) is useful.

• 📅 Calendar and weather
• 🎵 Music player.
• 📊 Telephone usage statistics
• 🔧 Quick settings (lightlight, timer, etc.)

If you use Google Assistant or another voice assistant frequently, set up voice control:

1. Install the Google app (if not installed)
2. Go to Settings. → Voice assistant → Voice control
3. Turn on the “OK Google” option and train your system to recognize your voice
4. Now you can say, “OK Google, open Telegram” or “OK Google, turn on the flashlight” without unlocking your phone.

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Use the double-press gesture to quickly launch the camera or other application. This saves time, especially when the phone is locked. → Lock screen → Double-push

6. Solving Xiaomi desktop problems

Even after setting up properly, Xiaomi’s desktop can be unstable, like laying down, spontaneously restarting, or resetting, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

If the desktop has stopped responding to the presses, try the following steps:

1. Reboot your smartphone (hold the power button for 10 seconds if the screen is frozen)
2. Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache
3. If the problem persists, reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Reset the settings
4. In a pinch, install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher) from Google Play.

⚠️ Note: If the widgets are lost after resetting the launcher, you will have to add them again. Some widgets (for example, from third-party applications) may require re-authorization.

To diagnose more complex problems, use Safe Start Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the power button until the Xiaomi logo appears, then release and immediately press the volume down button.
3. Hold it until the phone boots in Safe Mode (the bottom corner will read "Safe Mode")
4. Check if the problem persists. If it doesn't, one of the apps installed is to blame.

7. Alternative launchers: when standard is not enough

If built-in capabilities MIUI They seem limited, you can set the launcher sides:

• 🎛️ Customize gestures more flexibly (e.g. swipe up for search, swipe down for notifications)
• 🖼️ Use adaptive icons that automatically adjust to wallpaper
• 🔧 Change folder style, transition animations, and even lock screen shape
• 📱 Install widgets from other manufacturers (e.g. widgets) KWGT customize)

Top.-3 launcher for Xiaomi:

To install an alternative launcher:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (for example, Nova Launcher)
2. Open the application and follow the instructions for setting up
3. When the system asks which launcher to use by default, select a new one and click "Always"
4. Customize the launcher to your needs (in Nova this is done through a long press on the desktop). → "Settings")

If you decide to return to the standard launcher MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Find the installed launcher and click "Clear Data"
3. When you next click on the Home button, the system will suggest you select the default launcher - select Louncher (standard)

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Alternative launchers may conflict with some features MIUI, Check compatibility on forums before installing, such as "Second Space" or "App Vault, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Frequently asked questions