How to sort Xiaomi desktop: the perfect organization

Many Xiaomi smartphone users face the same problem: After installing dozens of apps, the desktop becomes a chaotic pile of icons. The default layout often feels uncomfortable, and finding the right program takes precious seconds. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide powerful tools for ordering that allow you to turn the screen into a functional dashboard.

Competent sorting isn't just aesthetics, it's a productivity issue. Intuitive navigation speeds up interaction with the device, allowing you to run the necessary functions in a single touch. In this article, we'll look at all the available methods of organizing space, from basic icon movement to advanced grid settings and hiding system elements.

You don't have to be a tech person to learn these tricks. Xiaomi's user-friendly interface is so that most actions are done by drag and drop or through easy-to-understand menus. We'll look at the action algorithms that will help you structure content in a way that's convenient for you.

Basic principles of icons and folders organization

The foundation of order is the proper distribution of applications by folder. Unlike many other systems, MIUI allows you to create folders not only on the desktop, but also embed them in the dock bar at the bottom of the screen, which saves space. To create a folder, you just click on one icon and drag it on top of another, the system automatically forms a container.

But the standard folder name is often useless, and renaming folders is the first step to meaningful structure, calling them by functionality (like Social Media, Jobs, Finance) rather than the first app you see inside, which makes it quicker to visually search for the right software.

Inside folders, you can also change the order of the icons. Just open the folder, pinch the desired application and drag it to the desired position. Xiaomi allows you to place up to 9 and even 12 items in a single folder depending on the size of the grid chosen, which makes this tool extremely effective for grouping rarely used programs.

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Use folder color coding: Group apps with similar color icons into one folder to create visual “islands” on your desktop.

There are several grouping strategies that can be combined:

• 📁 Frequency of use: the most important applications remain in sight, the rest are hidden in deep sorting.
• 🎨 Color scheme: aesthetic approach, popular among designers.
• 🛠 By functional purpose: the classic method of separation into work, entertainment and utilities.

Screen grid setting and element scaling

One of the key customization options in Redmi and Poco smartphones is to change the density of the elements. The standard 5x6 grid can be too shallow for users with large fingers or, conversely, too sparse for those who are used to a lot of information per inch.

To change the display settings, you need to go to the system settings. The path usually looks like this: Settings → Desktop. Here you will find the item "Grid", changing this parameter instantly reconfigures all the icons and widgets, adapting them to the new cell size.

It is important to understand that changing the grid affects the location of widgets. If you already have large weather or calendar widgets configured, when you move to a smaller grid (for example, 6x9), they can shift or change their size, which will require manual adjustment layout.

A comparison of popular grid configurations is presented in the table below:

Use of widgets for functional sorting

Sorting isn't just about app icons, the widgets in HyperOS and MIUI 14 have taken a second breath and become full-fledged control tools, so instead of opening the Weather app, you can see the temperature right on the table, and that makes room for other shortcuts.

To add a widget, pinch your two fingers across your desktop or hold your finger in a free space for a long time, then select "Widgets." The system offers a huge selection of tools, from simple watches to complex interactive smart home control panels.

And you should pay special attention to the Notes and Tasks widgets, which allow you to sort not the apps, but your actions, and by placing the to-do widget on the first screen, you sort your priorities visually without going into any app.

⚠️ Warning: Too many active widgets, especially those that are updated in real time (news, quotes, weather), can increase battery consumption and RAM consumption.

Some widgets support resizing, and by pulling over the edge of the widget, you can stretch it to show more information, or compress it to make room for other elements, which gives you flexibility in space planning.

Carousel mode and classic desktop mode

In Xiaomi’s shell settings, there is a fundamental division into two types of navigation: “Classic” and “No Menu” (often referred to as iOS mode). Choosing the right mode is half of the success in sorting.

In classic mode, all installed applications are in a separate menu (App Drawer), which is called upwards swipe, and only shortcuts that you have added manually remain on the desktop, ideal for those who like cleanliness and want to decide for themselves what to see on the home screen.

No menu mode brings all apps to desktops, automatically creating new pages as programs are installed. Here sorting is done automatically by alphabet or installation time, often leading to clutter. You can switch between modes from the Settings menu. → Desktop → Desktop mode.

If you've chosen the classic mode, you can sort apps inside the All Apps menu itself. You can customize the sorting by:

• 🔤 Names: Standard alphabetical order.
• ⏱ Installation times: New apps appear first.
• 📊 Frequency of Use: Most used programs are climbing the list.

Hiding system applications and unnecessary elements

Xiaomi smartphones have a lot of system applications that can’t be removed by standard methods, but which occupy a place on the list and interfere with sorting. Fortunately, there is a feature called “Hide Apps”.

To hide the application, go to Settings → Apps → Hidden Applications (the path may vary slightly in different versions of MIUI). Here you will see a list of programs with switches. When you activate the switch, you remove the icon from public access.

This is a great way to clear desktop technical debris like Mi Credit, Get Themes, or Mi Video if you don't use them. Hidden apps don't disappear without a trace, they stay on the system and are accessible through search or special login to hidden apps menus (usually by spreading fingers in the app menu).

You can also hide notifications from certain apps so they don’t clog the notification curtain and create visual noise on a locked screen. This is done through Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification Management.

Advanced Settings: Themes and Third-Party Launchers

If standard MIUI tools aren't enough, they come to the rescue. Xiaomi's theme store offers thousands of options that completely change the look of icons, fonts, and even the logic of sorting. Some themes offer unique watch and calendar widgets that are not available in the runoff.

However, setting themes can affect the performance of the device, especially on budget Redmi models. Heavy graphics consume CPU resources. If the phone started to run slower after changing the theme, it is better to return to standard design.

For users who want absolute freedom, there are third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair that allow you to sort items down to pixel accuracy, create nested folders, and customize gestures. But remember that third-party launchers can conflict with HyperOS system features like Second Space or some kinds of widgets.

⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, some system features, such as swipe down for search or recent app menus, may not work properly or require additional permissions in the "Special Features" menu".

Using third-party launchers gives you maximum control, but takes time to fine-tune.The standard shell Xiaomi in recent versions has become flexible enough to meet the needs of 95% of users without the need to install additional software.

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Balance between beauty and performance: the more complex the visual design and the more live widgets, the higher the load on the battery and the smartphone processor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)