How to move icons on the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi: the full guide

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer users great flexibility in configuring the interface, allowing them to turn a standard screen into a convenient tool for work and entertainment. However, when the number of installed programs is in the tens, the standard grid stops coping, and there is a need for competent organization of space. The ability to properly move the icons of applications on Xiaomi Redmi is a basic skill that greatly speeds up access to the desired functions and makes using the gadget more comfortable.

MIUI shells and the new HyperOS have their own navigation features that can confuse a newcomer who switches from a different brand or an earlier version of Android. Unlike stock Android, there are specific editing modes, grid limitations and unique grouping capabilities. In this article, we will detail the mechanics of moving items, creating folders and hiding unnecessary shortcuts so that you can fully personalize your device to your own needs.

Before you start actively reorganizing, it's worth noting that all actions are safe and reversible. You won't delete programs by simply changing their location unless you use the uninstall function. Desktop navigation requires only light touch and drag, but knowing the hidden gestures will save you time. Let's look at the basics of working with your smartphone interface.

Basic principles of navigation and editing modes

To start any shortcut manipulation, you need to activate editing mode. On Xiaomi smartphones, this is done by pressing your finger at the free area of the screen or the application icon itself. Once you feel a slight vibration and the icons start to "shake" or the bottom toolbar appears, the system will go into editing mode, at which point the user interface is blocked from random program launches, allowing you to safely move objects.

There are several ways to move around, each of which is suitable for different scenarios: simple drag-and-drop allows you to swap adjacent elements in places. If you need to move the icon to another page, hold your finger on the icon and, without letting go, pull it to the edge of the screen. The screen automatically scrolls in the right direction, allowing you to place the object anywhere in the virtual space. This is especially useful when creating thematic pages.

It's important to understand the difference between moving inside and between pages. MIUI and HyperOS use the concept of an infinite desktop feed that can be extended horizontally. You can create as many new pages as you want by simply dragging the icon to the very end of the current feed. It's also worth remembering that at the top of the screen, in edit mode, there's often a "Add widgets" or "Elements" button that opens access to additional content.

⚠️ Note: When you drag and drop the icon into the basket or cross area that appears at the bottom of the screen, the application will be removed from the desktop. In some shell versions, this action may also suggest removing the application itself from the device’s memory, so be careful when targeting.

For those who prefer precision, there is a possibility of rescaling the grid. Standard settings can be uncomfortable if you have thumbs or very small icons. Changing the density of the elements is the first step to an ergonomic interface. Grid density directly affects how many apps fit on a single screen without having to scrolle.

Setting up the desktop grid and element density

One of the most useful features in Xiaomi’s setup arsenal is the ability to change the number of rows and columns on the desktop. By default, the system offers the optimal balance, but advanced users often want to see more information at once. To change these settings, you need to go to the edit menu (long press) and select the Settings button (usually a gear) or immediately see the option to change the grid in the bottom bar.

In the menu that opens, you'll see layout options like 4x5, 5x5, or even 6x6 for larger screen devices. Choosing a denser grid like 6 rows by 6 columns will allow you to place up to 36 apps on one screen, not counting the dock bar at the bottom. This is ideal for users who use a lot of utilities and don't like to create folders. However, it's worth considering that too small icons can be uncomfortable to click.

The bottom panel, or dock bar, is a special area, and it's unique in that the apps that you see on all the pages of your desktop, and it's the perfect place for the most commonly used programs, like phone, messaging, browser and instant messengers. In some versions of the shell, you can also adjust the number of slots in the dock by combining them with the main grid or by allocating them into a separate zone.

There's also the ability to hide signatures under icons, which visually frees up space and makes the interface cleaner. This option is in the same screen settings. If you know your apps' location by memory or icon colors, turning off text can be helpful. However, for new devices or older users, it's best to leave the captions on for easy navigation.

Creating, renaming and managing folders

As the number of apps grows, folders come to the rescue. On Xiaomi, the process of creating them is intuitively simple: just drag and drop one icon over the other. The system automatically creates a container that puts both apps in. The default folder name is generated based on the category of applications (for example, "Social" or "Tools"), but it can be easily changed.

To edit a folder, just click on it to open it, and then tap the name at the top, and it opens a keyboard that lets you type in any name, use an emoji, or leave the field blank for minimalism, and you can keep moving apps, changing their order, and even resizing the folder itself, adding new pages if you don't have a standard size. Grouping apps by functionality is the key to cleanliness on the screen.

An important feature of Xiaomi's shells is that you can quickly access applications inside the folder without opening it completely. If you swipe down the folder (in some versions of MIUI) or just touch it in a certain way, you can run the program with a single touch, which speeds up work and eliminates unnecessary finger movements, and you can add not only applications to the folder, but also small widgets, although the functionality of the widgets inside the folders is limited.

And remember, folders can be moved around the desktop just like single icons, you can create a thematic structure: Work, Entertainment, Finance. This is especially true for users who use their smartphone for a wide range of tasks. The logical structure of the menu helps to find the right application faster in a stressful situation.

Working with widgets and floating windows

Widgets are not just decoration, but functional elements that display information to the desktop without running applications. On Xiaomi, they are accessed through prolonged clicking on an empty area and selecting the "Vidgets" item or swiping to the right of the first screen (depending on the launcher settings), Here you can find hours, weather, steps, notes and shortcuts for quick communication.

The widgets are moved in a similar way to icons, but with their size in mind. The widget takes up several grid cells, so when you drag and drop it, it will stick to the boundaries that are freed by other elements. If you try to put the widget over the occupied area, the system will either shift the adjacent icons or prevent the action from being taken by highlighting the occupied area in red.

Of particular interest is the floating windows or sidebar feature, which is often integrated with widgets. Although it's not really icon movement, knowing this mechanism expands the possibilities of multitasking. You can take an application out into a floating window, move it around the screen on top of other programs, and change its size. The sidebar, called by a swipe from the edge of the screen, is often used to activate this feature.

When adding a large widget (for example, a calendar for a month), it is recommended to immediately free up space for it by removing or moving unnecessary icons. chaotic overlay of widgets on important buttons can lead to accidental clicks. Organization of space for widgets requires preliminary planning layout of the desktop.

Hiding applications and the second level of the desktop

Xiaomi has powerful tools in its arsenal for those who want to get the extra out of sight without removing apps. App Hiding allows you to remove the shortcut from the general list and from the desktop, making it available only through a special code or set in search, which is useful for financial applications, personal photo albums or games that you do not want to show to outsiders.

To activate this feature, go to Settings → Applications → Hidden Applications (the path may vary slightly in different versions of MIUI). Once turned on, it will show a list of programs that are available for hiding. Once you select the right applications, their icons will disappear from the desktop. To access them, you usually use the thumb gesture on the lock screen or in the menu of all applications, or enter secret code in a search.

And then there's the concept of Second Space, which is basically creating a second user profile inside a smartphone, and you can move whole groups of apps there, and they'll only be available once you have a separate password or fingerprint associated with that profile, and it's a radical but effective way to separate your work and your personal lives, completely isolating the icon sets from each other.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password or biometric key from hidden applications or a second space, it will be extremely difficult or impossible to restore access to data inside them.

Also worth mentioning is the Child Mode or Literary Mode feature, which drastically changes the interface by leaving only the allowed icons on the screen. While this is not a movement in the classical sense, it is an effective way to limit the available icon set for certain users of the device.

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Use dark wallpaper with minimalist design to make the bright icons of the app look more contrasting and easier to find visually.

Frequent problems in displacement and their solution

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the icons do not move, but do not move, or automatically return to the original position. Most often this is due to the enabled function "Setting layout." Check the desktop settings: if the option is enabled to block changes, the system will prevent any attempts to move, protecting the current order from accidental shifts in the pocket.

Another common problem is the lack of space, and if you're trying to move a widget or a folder and the system is not allowing you to move it, then there's no free, continuous space in the target area of the right size, and unlike iOS, where icons can move automatically, MIUI sometimes requires you to manually create a hole of the right size, temporarily removing adjacent elements.

In rare cases, a launcher bug may occur when the interface freezes in editing mode, in which case it helps to restart the device or clear the cache of the system application "Themes" or "Luncher". System failure is rarely critical, but requires intervention to restore the normal operation of the interface.

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If the icons are not moving, first check whether blocking changes in the desktop settings is enabled, and make sure that there is free space on the screen for the object to be moved.

Also, it is worth considering that some system applications can be protected from being removed or moved to certain areas (for example, you can not remove a standard phone from the dock bar in some regions without third-party launchers).

Using third-party launchers for advanced users

If standard MIUI or HyperOS capabilities aren't enough, there's always the option of installing a third-party launcher. Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair offer an unprecedented level of control over each icon, where you can resize each icon individually, customize animations when you click, create complex gestures, and change the grid to pixel-accurate.

Installing a third-party launcher does not require root rights and is done via Google Play. Once you install and select the default launcher, you will have access to new look settings. However, it is worth remembering that third-party shells can consume more battery resources and do not always perfectly integrate with Xiaomi system features such as sidebar or gesture control.

For most users, the built-in tools are more than enough. The flexibility of setting up the grid, folders and widgets in modern versions of MIUI allows you to create a unique and convenient interface without installing additional software. The main thing is to experiment with the location and find the option that is convenient for your hand and style of interaction.