How to Move the Shortcut on Xiaomi Smartphone: All Ways + Hidden MIUI Features

Moving shortcuts on Xiaomi’s screen seems like a simple task, but many users face unexpected challenges: icons stick to the grid, folders are spontaneously created, and widgets refuse to drag and drop. In this article, we will examine not only basic methods of moving, but also the hidden features of MIUI 14/15, which allow you to more accurately control the location of items on the desktop.

The MIUI shell is a flexible interface, but not all of the features are obvious at first glance. For example, did you know that you can turn off automatic alignment of icons across the grid or move shortcuts between screens with a gesture? We've collected all the relevant methods, including those that are not described in the official documentation.

1. Basic method: dragging the finger

The most obvious method is to hold the icon and move it around the screen, but even here, there are nuances that are not mentioned in the standard instructions:

• 📱 Long press: Hold the shortcut for 1-2 seconds until it sticks off the screen and vibrations appear. On Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and new models, 0.8 seconds is enough – this is a sensitivity setting that can be changed in Settings → Special facilities → Touch and retention.
• 🔄 Automatic sorting: if you release the icon next to another, MIUI It automatically aligns it across the grid. To turn it off, go to Settings. → Desktop → Leveling icons and deactivating the option.
• 🚫 Prohibited Zones: You can not move shortcuts to the bottom panel (dock bar) - its contents are configured separately (for this in section 3).

If the icon doesn't move, check if the special features' Protection Against Accidental Pressing mode is activated. It blocks long-term touches, which prevents drag and drop.

2. Movement between screens

In MIUI, you can drag and drop shortcuts not only within the same screen, but also between them. Here's how it works:

1. Hold the icon until the vibration appears.
2. Without releasing your finger, move it to the edge of the screen (left or right).
3. In 0.5 seconds, an automatic scroll to the next desktop will occur.
4. Release the icon in the right place.

This method works for widgets, but with reservations:

• ⚠️ Widgets can not be moved to screens where the weather widget is already placed (it occupies the entire background).
• 📏 The size of the widget can automatically change when moving - it depends on the free space on the target screen.

On the Xiaomi 13 Pro and flagship models, a double-touch gesture is supported for quick movement: touch the icon twice (without holding) and, without tearing your finger, lead it in the right direction. This method only works if the desktop gesture option is enabled in the theme settings.

3. Setup of the dock panel (bottom panel)

The dock bar in MIUI is a fixed panel at the bottom of the screen that is displayed on all desktops, and its contents are customized separately:

1. Open Settings → Desktop → Setup the dock panel.
2. Select the number of icons (from 3 to 7).
3. Click Change icons and drag the desired apps from the list.
4. To remove the icon from the dock panel, drag it up outside the panel.

On the POCO F5 and Redmi K60 models, you can place quick actions in the dock panel (for example, turning on a flashlight or starting Google Assistant).

1. Hold the free space on the desktop.
2. Select the Widgets → Quick action.
3. Drag the desired element into the dock panel.

💡

If the docking panel disappeared after the MIUI update, restart the smartphone. 90% of the time, this solves the problem without resetting the settings.

4. Create and manage folders

Folders on Xiaomi are created automatically when you drag and drop one icon to another, but they can be configured more flexibly:

• 📁 Rename: Open the folder, tap the name, and enter a new one. MIUI 15 supported by emoji in titles (e.g., emojis, «🎮 Games»).
• 🔧 Change of view: in the theme settings (Settings) → Registration → Folder style) can be chosen between the classic view and the “pop-up” (icons appear when you click).
• 🗑️ Delete: To delete the folder, drag all icons from it back to the desktop. The empty folder will disappear automatically in 5 seconds.

Hidden function: if you hold the folder and drag it to the edge of the screen, it turns into a scroll (horizontal icon tape). This is convenient for saving space. To return the usual look, drag the folder back to the desktop.

⚠️ Note: on Xiaomi Pad 6 and tablets under MIUI folders do not support the scroll – instead, they automatically open into a full-screen view.

5. Moving widgets and their features

Widgets in MIUI are moved according to the same rules as icons, but with restrictions:

• 📊 Size: Weather and calendar widgets occupy a fixed area (2×2 or 4×2 You can't change their size, but you can move them within the space.
• ⚡ Update: Google and Mi Fit widgets only update data when connected to the Internet. If the widget "hangs", drag it 1 pixel to the side - this will force the contents to update.
• 🔒 Fixing: widgets cannot be placed on top of folders or other widgets. MIUI 15 The option to Overlay widgets (in experimental functions) appeared, but it works unstablely.

To remove the widget, drag it to the basket at the top of the screen (will appear when held). On some models (Xiaomi 12T), the basket is hidden - to call it down from the top edge of the screen when holding the widget.

6. Hidden displacement functions (for experienced)

For users who want more control over their desktop, MIUI has undocumented features:

• 🎛️ Developer Mode: Activate it (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI, slip 7 once) and turn on the debugging USB. After connecting to the PC, you can use the command adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1, to unlock additional desktop settings.
• 📏 Coverage of the grid: in Settings → Desktop → The size of the grid can be selected by the number of rows and columns (from 4×4 before 6×6). Nana MIUI 15 Adaptive grid option is available, which automatically adjusts to the size of the icons.
• 🔄 Location reset: If shortcuts “lost” after the update, reset without losing data: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Desktop → Warehouse → Clear the data.

In the models with AMOLED-You can use the screens (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Mix Fold 3) to enable dynamic wallpapers with labels attached:

1. Set the wallpaper from the Live Wallpaper section.
2. Press the desktop and select wallpaper settings → Effects of interaction.
3. Activate the option to respond to the movement of icons.

⚠️ Warning: Resizing the grid can cause all icons to reset. Before experimenting, take a screenshot of your current desktop or export the settings through Settings. → Desktop → Backup.

💡

On models with MIUI 15 Global, moving icons between screens only works if the “Performance Optimization” option in the battery settings is disabled.

7. Solving problems when moving labels

If the labels don’t move or behave strangely, check out these points:

Xiaomi with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as Xiaomi 13) may experience a bug when icons “twitch” when moving.

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Performance mode.
2. Choose Balanced instead of Energy Saving.
3. Reset the device.

Frequently asked questions