How to rename a folder on the Xiaomi Redmi desktop: the complete guide

Organizing digital space on a smartphone is not just a matter of aesthetics, it's also a way to make your device much more efficient. When you have a lot of apps on your Xiaomi Redmi desktop, your eyes run out, and finding the right widget or program becomes a tedious process. That's why creating thematic groupings is the first step to order. But often the standard names that the system assigns automatically don't reflect the essence of the content or just look sloppy.

Owners of devices running MIUI shells and the new HyperOS often face the need to change the shortcut of the created group to more accurately describe, which may be necessary if you created a folder for banking applications called "Tools", or if you want to use emojis to visually differentiate categories. The process of changing the name is intuitive, but has its own nuances depending on the firmware version and the specific model of your gadget.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps of working with folders on the home screen of your smartphone, you will learn not only the basic methods of renaming, but also get acquainted with the additional features of customization interface available in the Xiaomi ecosystem.

The basic principle of creating and managing folders in MIUI

Before you start changing names, you need to understand the basic mechanism of working with groups of applications in the shell from Xiaomi. The fundamental principle here is the same for all versions of Android that the manufacturer uses: a folder is created by dragging one app icon on top of another. When you hold your finger on the icon and move it to the next one, the system automatically forms a container. At this point, the operating system prompts you to enter the name, assigning a default value based on the type of applications inside.

Once a group is formed, it is managed by prolonged pressing or through the desktop editing menu. It is important to note that the algorithm for actions can vary slightly in different versions of MIUI. For example, in older versions, it was enough to simply click on the name to open the keyboard, whereas in new builds it is necessary to enter editing mode, this is done to prevent accidental changes in the interface during active use of the smartphone.

If you want to change the name of an existing folder, you'll need to do a series of sequential actions. First, make sure you're on the home screen, not on the menu of all apps if you have the appropriate mode enabled. Then find the target group that you plan to change the name of. In some cases, the system may block renaming of system folders such as Google or Tools if they are secure components of the launcher, but user groups are always open for editing.

⚠️ Note: Do not try to rename the system folders created by the manufacturer with third-party launchers without proper preparation, as this can lead to incorrect display of icons or interface failures.

Step-by-step: how to change the folder name

The most common and safe way to change the name of the app group on Xiaomi Redmi is to use the built-in launcher functionality. First, unlock the device and go to the desktop. Find the folder that you need to rename. Now you need to enter editing mode. Depending on your smartphone settings, you can do this in two ways: either by long-term pressing on an empty screen space, or by pinching two fingers (mixing your fingers together).

When you activate the edit mode, the interface changes, you get additional buttons at the bottom of the screen, and the icons can shrink. At that point, click on the folder you want to change. Usually, under or directly on it, a text field with the current name will appear. Tap this text and a virtual keyboard will appear on the screen. Type the desired name using Cyrillic, Latin or special characters.

Once you have entered the new text, be sure to confirm the action. In newer versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, it is often enough to simply click on any free screen or "Done" button to keep the changes. If you use older versions, you may need to click a special tick. Make sure the new name reads well and does not crop due to character limitations.

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Use short 1-2 word titles, as long headers on the Xiaomi desktop are often cut by an ellipsis and look unaesthetic.

Working with keyboard and special symbols

When you start typing a new folder name on Xiaomi Redmi, you open up a standard system keyboard, which could be a Gboard, SwiftKey, or a native MIUI keyboard. Each of these has its own character display features. It's important to understand that the font used in folder names has limited support for some rare glyphs and emojis. If you type in a character that's too complex, it can show up as a square or a question mark.

To create a unique style, many users tend to add emojis to the folder name. This is really possible and makes desktop navigation more intuitive"📱 Connection, and games —"🎮 To do this, simply switch the keyboard to enter the emoji before typing, but remember that the font size in the folder header is small and complex images can become unreadable.

Also worth mentioning is the support for different languages. MIUI shell fully supports Cyrillic, so you can safely name folders in Russian, Ukrainian or any other language available in the system. There are usually no problems with encoding, but if you plan to sync the theme with your computer or use specific fonts from the theme store, check how they display the characters you choose.

Problems with renaming and their solution

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the folder name input field on Xiaomi Redmi does not appear or does not respond to touch. This can be caused by a temporary failure in the launcher, the system application responsible for the desktop. In this case, the first thing to do is to restart the device. A simple reboot often clears the RAM cache and eliminates minor software conflicts that interfere with the normal functioning of the interface.

Another common problem is limiting the length of the name: MIUI and HyperOS have limits on the number of characters in the folder header. If you're trying to type in a long phrase, the system may simply stop you from entering extra characters or crop the text after saving. The optimal length of the title is up to 10-12 characters, including spaces, which ensures that the text is readable at any screen size and in any display mode.

If the problem is more serious and concerns the incorrect operation of the touchscreen in a specific area of the screen (where the name is located), try using a stylus or clear the screen from contamination. It is also worth checking the system updates in the Settings → About the phone, as new security and stability patches often fix bugs associated with the interface.

⚠️ Note: If the name input field appears but the keyboard does not pop up, check the language and input settings.

Customization: fonts and themes of design

For those who want to go beyond standard settings, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers extensive customization options through the Themes app. By changing the theme of the entire smartphone, you can radically change the look of folders, including the font that displays their name. The theme store has thousands of options, from minimalist to extremely pretentious, where text can be changed beyond recognition.

However, setting third-party themes can affect readability. Some design fonts don't go well with Cyrillic or make letters too thin. Before applying the topic globally, use a preview function. Pay attention to how the folder name looks on the home screen. If the font is too decorative, renaming the folder can become meaningless, as the text will be difficult to understand.

Also worth mentioning is the possibility of resizing the desktop grid. In Settings → Desktop (or through editing mode), you can select the number of icons in a row. When you increase the density of icons (for example, from 4x5 to 5x6), the space for the folder name decreases, and long names will be cropped more. Therefore, when setting up a dense grid, it is recommended to use the shortest possible names or only emojis.

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Changing the theme of the design is the most effective way to change the style of the font in the names of folders, but requires careful selection to preserve the readability of the text.

Third-party launchers as an alternative

If standard MIUI or HyperOS shell features don’t suit you, you can always install a third-party launcher from Google Play Market. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher offer much more flexible control over folders, which can change not only the name, but also the transparency of the folder background, the opening animation, the number of pages inside the folder, and even the color of the title text.

Installing a third-party launcher requires several steps. Once you download the application from the store, launch it and follow the configuration instructions. Android will ask for permission to use this launcher by default. Once confirmed, your desktop will change. In such launchers, renaming is often even easier: double tap on the name of the folder immediately opens the editing field without having to go into full-screen editing mode.

However, third-party solutions have their downsides: They can consume more battery life, and integration with Xiaomi system features (such as gestures to control or hide bangs) can work incorrectly. In addition, MIUI shell updates sometimes “reset” third-party launcher settings, returning the standard view. So weigh the pros and cons before installing.

• ⚡ Niagara Launcher – a minimalist approach where folders are replaced by lists, which speeds up access.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)