How to disable shortcuts on Xiaomi: remove unnecessary icons from the desktop

Why are there too many tags on Xiaomi and can they be removed?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based desktop is often hijacked by unnecessary shortcuts such as app duplicates, ad widgets, or system utilities like Mi Video, Mi Music, and GetApps, which are rooted in Xiaomi’s aggressive policy of promoting its own services, as well as the features of the shell, which automatically creates shortcuts for newly installed programs.

Fortunately, most of these icons can be removed or hidden without any system consequences. However, there are nuances: some shortcuts (such as Phone or Messages) are system-based and not deleteable. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from basic to advanced, including methods for devices with a locked bootloader and without superuser rights.

Important: the procedure differs depending on the MIUI version (12, 13, 14 or 15) and the smartphone model. For example, on a POCO F5 with MIUI 14, the path to shortcut settings will be different than on a Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 12.5.

Method 1: Standard removal of a shortcut from the desktop

The simplest method is suitable for 90% of user shortcuts (including games, instant messengers and third-party applications), it requires no additional settings and works on all versions of MIUI:

1. Press and hold your finger on an unnecessary label.
2. After 1-2 seconds, a context menu with a basket icon (or the inscription Delete) will appear.
3. Drag the label into the cart and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: This method does not delete the application itself, but only removes its icon from the desktop. To uninstall the program completely, go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.

If the cart does not appear, check:

• 🔄 Is the label a widget (deletion is different – see Method 3).
• 📱 Is the screen locked (on some Xiaomi models, removing shortcuts is impossible in lock mode).
• 🔧 Are the controls not switched off (in Settings) → Additionally. → Special facilities).

Method 2: Disabling Automatic Shortcut Creation

The MIUI shell by default adds icons to the desktop of all newly installed applications.

1. Open the Settings. → Desktop.
2. Select Add shortcuts to new applications.
3. Switch the slider to the off position.

On MIUI 14/15, the path may be different:

Settings → Screen → Home Screen → Automatically add shortcuts

After that, new applications will not clog the desktop; existing shortcuts will have to be manually removed (see Method 1).

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If there are no Add shortcuts to new applications, upgrade to the latest version of MIUI or use Lawnchair, an alternative launcher with flexible settings.

Method 3: Removing widgets and system shortcuts

Some icons (such as Weather, Calendar or Mi Home) are widgets and are not removed in the standard way.

1. Press and hold the widget.
2. In the menu that appears, select Remove the widget (or drag it up the screen to the Remove inscription).
3. Confirm the action.

For system applications (e.g. Security, Topics), standard removal is not available.

• 📦 Hide the shortcut in the folder (create a folder on the desktop and move the unnecessary icon there).
• 🔧 Disable the application through Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Name of name] → Shut down.
• 🛠️ Use it. ADB (For advanced users, see Method 5).

Check out the MIUI version

Make a backup copy of the data

Make sure that the application is not critical to the system

Have a USB cable on hand (for ADB)

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Method 4: Use of an alternative launcher

If standard methods don’t work, install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher) to:

• 🧹 Completely hide system labels.
• 🎨 Customize the appearance of the desktop.
• 🔒 Block Automatic Addition of New Icons.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Tap and hold the empty space on the desktop → Desktop settings.
3. Go to App Settings → Hide Apps.
4. Check the unneeded labels and save the changes.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ After installing a third-party launcher, a notification about a “unoptimized application” may appear.

Method 5: Removing System Shortcuts through ADB (for experienced)

If you need to uninstall embedded applications (such as Mi Browser, Mi Pay, or Mi Community) that cannot be disabled by standard methods, use the app. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires a PC, USB-cable and enabled debugging by USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Enable debugging over USB: Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
5. Remove the unnecessary application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.package.name (replace com.xiaomi.package.name with the real name of the package).

🔍 How to find out the name of the package? Install the App Inspector app from Google Play or use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'xiaomi'

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system packages can cause a smartphone to function unstable. For example, deleting com.miui.securitycenter will disable Security, and deleting com.android.contacts will disable Contacts. Before experimenting, back up your phone using Mi Cloud.

What if the tags return after the reset?

If the deleted labels appear again, the problem lies in one of three factors:

1. Launcher cache – clean it in Settings → Applications → Launcher → Clear cache.
2. Auto-update MIUI — Some updates reset desktop settings. Turn off automatic updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update.
3. Sync with Mi Account – if you are logged in to a Xiaomi account, your desktop can be restored from the cloud. disable sync in Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Sync.

If the problem persists, try resetting the launcher settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Reset Settings

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On devices with MIUI 15 (HyperOS), shortcuts can be restored due to the Smart Desktop feature. Turn it off in Settings → Screen → Home Screen → Smart Desktop.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing shortcuts on Xiaomi