How to rename the shortcut on the desktop of Xiaomi smartphone: 3 working ways

Have you added a shortcut to Xiaomi’s desktop, but the standard name looks awkward or too long? Want to organize icons by adding your own signatures — like “Work,” “Game” or “Bank”? — Unlike iOS, where renaming shortcuts requires workarounds, the MIUI shell offers several built-in solutions. However, not all of them are obvious: depending on the firmware version and the launcher used, the algorithm of actions may differ.

In this article, we’ll look at three proven methods, from standard Xiaomi features to universal tricks that work even on custom shells: how to change the name of a shortcut without root rights, what restrictions the system imposes, and what to do if the rename button is inactive; and why some applications (such as the Google Play Store) do not allow you to edit signatures and how to circumvent this restriction.

Why you can’t just rename a shortcut as a file

Many users mistakenly believe that the shortcuts on Xiaomi desktop are the same files as the Explorer, but in fact, the shortcut is a link to an application stored in the launcher database. APK-It's not a file, but it's not a separate file system object:

• 📱 Launcher controls display: Signatures under icons form shell (MIUI Launcher, Nova Launcher, and more, not Android itself.
• 🔒 Security Limitations: The system blocks name changes for system applications (e.g. Settings or Phone).
• 🔄 Service sync: Some shortcuts (like Google) are linked to cloud accounts and reset when you update.

Interestingly, in the early versions of MIUI (before 12th), shortcut renaming was available directly through long pressing, and now this feature is hidden deeper, moved to the edit menu or removed for certain categories of applications, but the workarounds remained.

Method 1: Standard name change via shortcut menu (MIUI 13/14)

The simplest method works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 13/14 shell. It is suitable for user applications (non-system) and does not require the installation of third-party software.

1. Press and hold your finger on the shortcut you want to rename until the context menu appears.
2. Select Edit (or Change - depending on localization).
3. Slip on the current name of the label - a field will appear for entering text.
4. Enter a new name (up to 20 characters) and click Ready.

If the Edit item is missing, it means:

• 🚫 System application (e.g. Camera or Messages).
• 🔄 You are using a third-party launcher (go to Method 3).
• 📵 The function is disabled in the security settings (less often).

Not a Systemic Label (User-Specified)

It is a standard MIUI Launcher.

The device has enough free memory (minimum 100 MB)

Power saving modes are turned off (can block changes)-->

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T or POCO F5), the name may be reset after editing, due to launcher optimization, to consolidate the changes:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher (or MIUI Launcher) and select Clear Cache.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

Method 2: Create a duplicate label with a new name

If standard renaming is not available, you can go a workaround: create a shortcut clone with the right signature, and remove the original in a folder, which works even for system applications, but requires the installation of an additional tool, QuickShortcutMaker (available on Google Play).

Step-by-step:

1. Install QuickShortcutMaker from the official store.
2. Open the app and find the right one (e.g. Chrome or Telegram) in the list.
3. Slip it and select an action (usually Open or Run).
4. Click Create – a new shortcut will appear on the desktop.
5. Hold it, select Edit and enter a new title.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works for all applications, including system.
• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ Save the changes after the updates.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Duplicate labels (you have to hide the original).
• ❌ Some apps (such as Google Play Store) may block short link building.

💡

If QuickShortcutMaker doesn’t find the application you want, try manually entering its batch name and you can find it through the App Inspector app (available on the Play Store).

Method 3: Use of a third-party launcher (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

The standard MIUI launcher limits customization options, but third-party shells (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) allow you to rename any shortcuts, including system ones.

How to set up:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play (or another launcher with shortcut editing support).
2. Assign it as the default launcher in the settings (Settings → Applications → By default → Launcher).
3. Long press on the label → Change → edit the title.

Comparison of popular launchers for Xiaomi:

Once the third-party launcher is installed, the original MIUI Launcher will remain in the system to return it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the installed launcher and click Clear Data.
3. In the launcher menu, select MIUI Launcher by default.

Limitations and frequent problems

Even with these methods, you may encounter difficulties, and here are the most common limitations and ways to get around them:

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g. Settings or Contacts) block level renaming MIUI. Attempt to edit them may cause the launcher to crash or reset.

• 🔐 Blocked Apps: For Google Play Store, Google Play Services and other system APK Rename is possible only through ADB (PC).
• 🔄 Reset after update: Shortcuts created through QuickShortcutMaker may disappear after an app update.Solution - repeat the procedure.
• 📛 Symbols Restriction: You cannot use the title | / \: *? " < >. For dividers, use a hyphen or a dot.

If after renaming the label stopped opening the application:

1. Remove it and recreate it.
2. Check if the application itself has been removed (sometimes the launcher saves “broken” shortcuts).
3. Clear the launcher cache in the application settings.

On devices with MIUI for POCO (e.g., POCO X5 Pro), an additional step may be required: disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings.

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Turn off MIUI Optimization and restart your phone.

How to Get the Original Name of the Label

If you’re wrong with a new name or want to return a standard signature, it’s easy to do so:

• 🔄 For labels renamed through MIUI Launcher: Long press → Edit → delete the text and click Ready (the system will substitute the original name).
• 🗑️ For duplicates created through QuickShortcutMaker: Remove the shortcut and create a new one through the standard app menu.
• 🔙 For third-party launchers: in the shortcut settings, select Reset the name (or just delete it and add it again).

If the original name is not automatically restored, check:

• Has the app itself been removed (the shortcut could have remained as a “battered” link).
• Is the function Hide shortcut names in the launcher settings enabled?

💡

The name change does not affect the app itself, only its display on the desktop. APK's original name remains the same and is visible in Settings → Apps.

Additional advice on the organization of the desktop

Renaming shortcuts is just part of customization, so that Xiaomi's desktop is really user-friendly:

• 📁 Group applications into folders: Long-click on shortcut → Drag to another label → Name the folder (for example, “Social networks” or “Work»).
• 🎨 Change icons: With Nova Launcher or Icon Pack Studio, you can set unique icons for each shortcut.
• 🔍 Hide unnecessary labels: In MIUI You can remove the icons of system applications through Settings → Desktop → Hide applications.
• 🔄 Use gestures: Set up swipes on your desktop for quick application launch (Settings) → Desktop → Gestures).

For advanced users: if you need to completely replace the APK name (not just the shortcut), it requires editing the AndroidManifest.xml file inside the APK.

• Requires root rights.
• Could disrupt the app.
• Reset after the APK update.

For most tasks, the methods described above are sufficient – they are safe and do not require deep technical knowledge.

FAQ: Frequent questions about renaming shortcuts to Xiaomi