How to Move Icons to Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Pictures and Secrets

Have you just bought a Xiaomi smartphone and want to customize your desktop? Or have you been using the device for a long time, but app icons are scattered chaoticly and the right programs are drowning in a pile of unnecessary shortcuts? Moving icons to MIUI and HyperOS seems easy, but the system has its own nuances: from the number of desktops to hidden sorting functions. In this article, we will examine all possible ways to move icons, from basic drag and drop and drop to advanced tricks with folders and gestures.

It's important to understand that MIUI (especially in versions 12-14) and the new HyperOS shell have different desktop management features. For example, HyperOS has a "mental sorting" feature that automatically groups icons into categories, and older versions of MIUI have had to use third-party launchers to do this. We'll explain how to work with both systems, and we'll give you tips on how to optimize screen space. If you want to not just drag the icon, but completely redesign the desktop structure, read on.

1. Basic movement of icons: dragging with a finger

The most obvious way is to drag and drop icons by hand. It works on all versions. MIUI It's also HyperOS, but it has its own characteristics depending on the model of the smartphone. AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60 Ultra) with a long click on the icon appears an additional menu with options that are not on budget models with IPS-display.

To move the icon:

1. Click on the app icon and hold it for 1-2 seconds until it sticks off the screen.
2. If you want to move your finger to another desktop, pull to the edge of the screen (left or right) until a new desk appears.
3. Release your finger to hold the position.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Or Redmi Note 12) when dragging the icon, widget editing mode may accidentally activate. To avoid this, do not touch the top of the screen while moving. If this happens, just click on the empty desktop area to exit the mode.

2. Sorting icons by alphabet or category

If you have dozens of icons on your desktop, drag and drop them manually. MIUI and HyperOS have built-in tools for automatic sorting, for example, you can sort applications by:

• 🔤 Alphabet (from A to I or vice versa)
• 📁 Categories (social networks, games, tools, etc.)
• 📅 Installation Date (new or old first)
• 🔄 Icon Color (available only in HyperOS on flagships 2023-2026.)

To include sorting:

1. Press the empty area on the desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select Desktop Settings (or Home Screen in HyperOS).
3. Go to the Application Sorting section.
4. Select the right criteria and confirm the changes.

💡 Useful tip: If you need to quickly find an icon, but sorting does not help, use a desktop search. To do this, swipe down the center of the screen (gesture "swipe down") - a search bar will open where you can enter the name of the application.

3. Creating folders for icons: how to group applications

Xiaomi desktop folders help save space and organize applications logically, for example, you can create folders "Social network", "Games" or "Work". Unlike iOS, where folders are limited to 9 icons, MIUI and HyperOS can add up to 20 applications to a single folder (on flagships with 12 GB of RAM - up to 30).

How to create a folder:

1. Drag one icon to another and hold for 1-2 seconds.
2. Release your finger – the system will automatically create a folder with two applications.
3. To add more icons, just drag them into the folder.
4. To rename the folder, tap its name and enter a new one.

⚠️ Note: Some of the scalings (for example, on the POCO M6 Pro with a global version MIUI) folders can automatically change color depending on the wallpaper. If you don't like it, turn off the option Adaptive folder colors in the desktop settings.

4. How to hide unnecessary icons (without deleting applications)

Not all apps are on the desktop, but you don't want to delete them (like system utilities like Security or Themes). MIUI and HyperOS have an icon hiding feature that removes them from the screen but leaves them in the app menu.

• 🧹 Remove standard apps you don’t use (such as Mi Pay or Mi Video).
• 🔒 Hide confidential programs (banks, instant messengers) from prying eyes.
• 📱 Make room for widgets or wallpaper.

How to hide the icon:

1. Click the icon you want to hide.
2. In the menu that appears, select Remove (not to be confused with Remove!).
3. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear from the desktop, but will remain in the app menu.

To bring back the hidden icon:

1. Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the app menu.
2. Find the right application, pinch its icon and drag it to the desktop.

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If you have hidden the system app icon (for example, Settings), but can not find it in the menu, use a search on your smartphone (gesture "swipe down" on the desktop).

5. Transfer of icons between desktops

You can create multiple desktops on Xiaomi (up to 9 in MIUI 14 and up to 12 in HyperOS), which is convenient if you want to separate applications by topic: for example, one desk for work, another for entertainment, a third for health.

Method 1: Drag over the edge of the screen

1. Press the icon and drag it to the right or left edge of the screen.
2. Wait 1-2 seconds until the next desktop appears.
3. Release the icon in the right place.

Method 2: Through the editing menu (works in HyperOS)

1. Clutch the empty area on your desktop and select Edit.
2. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see thumbnails of all desktops, drag the icon to the thumbnail you want.
3. Click Ready to save the changes.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO C55) When moving the icon between tables, a return gesture may work (if you accidentally swipe from the edge). To avoid this, turn off the sensitivity of gestures in the settings: Settings → Display. → Gestures → Sensitivity of screen edges.

6.Advanced tricks: gestures, widgets and third-party launchers

If standard MIUI or HyperOS capabilities are not enough, you can use additional tools:

1.Gesturals for quick access

HyperOS has a Quick Gesture feature that allows you to assign swipes to open applications, such as:

• 👆 Swipe up with two fingers – open Google Pay.
• 👇 Swipe down diagonally - start the flashlight.
• ☝️ Double touch on wallpaper - open the camera.

Settings → Additional → Gestures and movements → Quick gestures.

2. Widgets instead of icons

Instead of classic icons, you can use widgets that show information directly on your desktop, such as:

• 📊 Weather widget with a forecast for 5 days.
• 🎵 Music widget with player control.
• 📅 Calendar widget with upcoming events.

To add a widget:

1. Clutch the empty area on the desktop.
2. Pick the Widgets.
3. Drag the desired widget on the screen and adjust its size.

3. Third-party launchers

If you don’t like the standard MIUI launcher, you can install an alternative, for example:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher (maximum customization).
• 🎨 Lawnchair (light and fast).
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher (Integration with Windows).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) Third-party launchers may conflict with system gestures. Check compatibility in Google Play before installing.

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Third-party launchers allow you to resize icons, add animations, and even hide the status bar, but can increase battery consumption by 5-10%.

7. Restore icons after resetting or updating

After updating the firmware or resetting the settings, the icons on the desktop may get lost. MIUI and HyperOS have a location recovery function, but it only works if:

• 🔄 You have backed up through Settings → Desktop → Backup copy.
• ☁️ Your Mi Account is linked to your device.
• 📱 You did not have Reset option enabled when you upgrade (disables in Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system → Additionally).

How to restore icons:

1. Open Settings → Desktop → Restore the layout.
2. Select the latest backup (if any).
3. Confirm the recovery. The icons will return to their places.

If you don’t have a backup, you’ll have to manually configure your desktop. To avoid this situation in the future, enable automatic backup to the Xiaomi cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → Cloud → Backup → Desktop.

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving icons to Xiaomi