How to rename a folder on the Xiaomi home screen: 3 working ways

Why can’t you just rename your folder to Android?

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO And often, we have this unexpected problem: the standard way to rename folders that is common with pure Android doesn't work here, so instead of having a long tap on the name or calling the context menu, the system either ignores the actions or suggests that you delete the folder. MIUI, which, for the sake of simplicity, hides some functions.

Unlike the Samsung One UI or Google Pixel Launcher, where renaming folders is intuitive, MIUI requires knowledge of "secret" gestures or workarounds. Moreover, the logic of the work has changed in different versions of the shell: what worked on MIUI 12 may not work on MIUI 14. For example, in older versions you could hold the folder for editing, and now this method works only for widgets.

An additional confusion is that on some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the renaming function is available directly, but on budget devices like the POCO M5 it is not. This is due to Xiaomi’s policy of simplifying the interface for different user segments. But don’t be quick to blame the manufacturer: we have collected all the ways to rename folders in this article.

📊 What version? MIUI you use?
MIUI 14
MIUI 13
MIUI 12 or older
I don't know.

Method 1: Standard renaming (works on MIUI 14 and later)

If your smartphone runs MIUI 14/15 (relevant to Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and later), try the official method:

  1. Open the folder you want to rename with one tap.
  2. Tap the folder name at the top of the screen (above the app icons).
  3. A cursor will appear – enter a new name and press Ready on the keyboard.

It's the easiest way to do this, but it doesn't work on all devices, and if you don't get a tap name after that, you don't get a name for it.

  • 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
  • 📱 Check the model: on some devices (e.g. Redmi) 10A) function.
  • 🛠️ Reset the launcher settings (see Method 3).

Update MIUI to the current version

Close all background applications

Make sure the folder is not empty (contains at least 1 app)

Check if the "Light Interface" mode is activated"-->

Method 2: A workaround through "Edit Mode"

On devices with MIUI 12-13 (e.g. Xiaomi 11T, Redmi Note 10 Pro), the standard renaming is often blocked, in which case the editing mode of the home screen will help:

  1. Hold your finger to an empty seat on the home screen until the menu appears.
  2. Select Screen Settings (or Settings, depending on version).
  3. Slip on the folder you want to rename, and its contents will open.
  4. Click on the current folder name (top) and enter a new one.

If this method has not worked:

  • 🔧 Try another launcher: install Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher from Google Play – in these, renaming folders always works.
  • 📲 Use the Developer Mode: Activate it in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Slip 7 times) and check the launcher settings.
Why isn't the tap on the folder name working?
In MIUI 12-13, taping the name of a folder opens the contents of the folder, not the editing mode. This is done to simplify the interface, but creates confusion. Xiaomi's developers have suggested that users open folders more often than rename them, so priority is given to the first action.

Method 3: Reset the launcher settings (if nothing helps)

If folders refuse to be renamed and previous methods fail, the problem may be the failure of the MIUI Launcher settings.

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the MIUI (or Launcher) launcher and open its settings.
  3. Select Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.
  4. Reboot your smartphone.

Warning: After the launcher is reset, all folders on the home screen will disappear and the application icons will return to their original state.

Alternative Resetting Method (without loss of data):

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

This command must be entered via ADB (plug the phone into a PC with USB debugging enabled).

💡

Before resetting your launcher, export your settings through Settings → Additional → Backup. This will save not only folders, but also wallpaper, widgets and theme settings.

Table: Method compatibility with MIUI versions

MethodMIUI 14/15MIUI 12/13MIUI 11 and olderNotes
Tap by folder name✅ Yes.❌ No.❌ No.It only works on new devices.
Screen editing mode✅ Yes.✅ Partially.⚠️ Rarely.MIUI 12 may require an update
Launcher reset✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.Universal method, but resets the settings
Third-party launcher✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.Requires the installation of Nova Launcher or analogue

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even after a successful renaming, users face unexpected challenges, and here are the most common ones:

  • 🔤 The folder name is reset after rebooting → It's a bug. MIUI, Solution: Clear the Launcher app cache MIUI customized.
  • 📵 Cyrillic or emoji should not be used. → Limitation MIUI. Rename the folder via Nova Launcher, then return to the standard launcher.
  • 🔒 The folder is not renamed in the "For children" mode" → Turn off the child mode in Settings → Special opportunities → Childhood regime.

⚠️ Note: If the folder is invisible after renaming, check if Hidden Folders are activated in the launcher settings. On some firmware (Xiaomi.eu), this option is activated randomly when editing.

Another common problem is the duplication of folder names. MIUI doesn't prohibit the creation of folders with the same names, but it can cause system updates to crash, to avoid conflicts:

  • Use unique names (e.g., "Social Networks 1", "Social Networks 2").
  • Do not use symbols /:: *? < > | - they can cause errors.

💡

If the folder refuses to be renamed, try updating MIUI first. 80% of the time, the problem is solved by switching to the latest version of the shell.

Alternative solutions: third-party launchers and ADB

If none of the standard methods worked, radical methods remain:

1. Installation of a third-party launcher

Launchers like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher not only allow you to rename folders in two clicks, but also offer additional features:

  • 🎨 Configure folder icons (color, shape, size).
  • 📂 nested folders (in MIUI They're not default).
  • 🔍 Search inside folders by application name.

Cons: Some system widgets (such as Weather or Steps) may not work in third-party launchers.

2. ADB commands for advanced users

If you are familiar with ADB, you can manually change the folder name through the launcher database:

adb shell content update --uri content://com.miui.home.launcher.settings/folders --bind name:s: "New name" --where "title='Old folder'"

Warning: improper use of ADB can cause launcher failure.We recommend backing up before experiments.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable Teams ADB For renaming folders, you may not work because of the manufacturer's limitations, and only a launcher reset or third-party software will help.

Can I rename a folder on a locked Xiaomi screen?
No, folder renaming is only available on the home screen or in the application menu. On the lock screen, you can only open folders (if you have an option in Settings → Lock Screen → Application Shortcuts).
Why did the folders change their name after the MIUI update?
This is a well-known MIUI 13-14 bug, when after major updates, the system resets user folder names to standard ones (Folder 1, Folder 2). To avoid this, before updating: Take screenshots of the home screen. Export launcher settings through Settings → Additional → Backup. Use a third-party launcher - it is independent of MIUI updates.
How to rename a folder in the app menu (not on the home screen)?
The only difference is that on MIUI 14 you first open the folder, then tap the folder at the top. On MIUI 12-13, hold the folder, then select Edit. If the folder doesn't change its name, try moving it to the home screen, renaming it there, and then returning it back.
Can I automatically rename folders on a schedule?
No, MIUI doesn't have an automatic renaming feature built in, but you can use Tasker + AutoInput plugin to simulate clicks (requires root or ADB), MacroDroid to create a macro to rename (does not work on all devices), and the solutions are available on 4PDA or XDA Developers forums, but they require technical skills.
Why are the POCO F4 folders renamed differently than the Redmi Note 12?
POCO devices (e.g., POCO F4, POCO X5 Pro) use a modified version of MIUI called POCO Launcher. It uses a different folder logic: To rename the folder, hold the folder and choose to edit the name. In POCO Launcher, you can use emoji in folder names (in standard MIUI, this is often blocked). If you don't like POCO Launcher, you can turn it off in Settings → Applications → Default Management → Launcher and go to standard MIUI Launcher.