How to swap screens on Xiaomi smartphone: all working ways

Shifting screens on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face after updating MIUI, changing the launcher or accidentally resetting the settings. Unlike iPhone or Samsung, where the order of the desktops changes intuitively, on Redmi, POCO or Mi devices, this process can hide in non-obvious menus or even require workarounds, especially when owners of models with full-screen gestures (for example, Xiaomi 12T or POCO F5), where standard finger retention does not work.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to rearrange screens, from basic methods in the standard MIUI Launcher launcher to manual edits through ADB for power users. You’ll also learn why the swipe stops working after upgrading to MIUI 14/15 and how to get screen control back on HyperOS models. If you tried to drag the icon off the screen but nothing happened, you’re not alone: this is a problem typical for firmware in the newer 2022.

Why Xiaomi can’t just drag the screen like other smartphones

The main reason for the inconvenience lies in the philosophy of the MIUI interface. Unlike Android One or Samsung/Oppo shells, where desktops are managed as physical pages (they can be “flicked” in the editor), Xiaomi screens are tied to virtual containers.

• 📱 No “empty” screen – if you have 3 desktops, you can’t delete the average without transferring icons.
• 🔄 Gestures conflict – on models with Full Screen Gestures (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), swipe left/right can be interpreted as a transition between applications rather than screens.
• 🔧 The launcher blocks the changes in the MIUI 12+ Disabled drag-and-drop for screens to simplify the interface".

An additional confusion is made by automatic sorting: if you remove all the icons from the screen, the system can delete them altogether or move them to the last place, this behavior is sewn in the firmware and is not configured through standard menus. However, there are workarounds, which we will discuss below.

Method 1: Standard method for MIUI Launcher (works on 80% of models)

This is a good way to do it for most MIUI 10–14 and HyperOS devices unless full-screen gestures are activated.

1. Open any desktop and press long (2-3 seconds) from the blank space of the screen.
2. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see thumbnails of all the desktops, and hold your finger on the thumbnail of the screen you want to move.
3. Keep your finger on the right, drag the thumbnail left or right. If the screen doesn't move, try wiggling it slightly to the sides, sometimes "unlocking" the drag and drop.
4. After the permutation, press Ready (or Back button) to save the changes.

⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 with a MIUI 13.0.6) screen thumbnails may not be displayed. In this case, try method 2 or 3.

Method 2: Through launcher settings (for MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS)

If standard drag and drop doesn't work, try enabling hidden editing through the launcher menu, a technique that's especially relevant for HyperOS devices where the interface is heavily modified.

1. Press your finger on an empty desktop space and select Desktop Settings (or Home settings in English firmware).
2. Go to the Advanced (or Additional) section.
3. Find the option to edit screen layout (can be called Screen layout or Desktop settings).
4. In the menu that opens, you'll see a grid of screens, hold the screen icon (not the thumbnail, but the number icon itself) and drag it to a new place.

🔹 Note: On certain firmware (e.g, MIUI 14 for POCO F4) This section may not be available. In that case, try resetting the launcher settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher → Storage → Clear data

After resetting, the launcher will return to the factory settings, but all icons and widgets will be saved - only the order of the screens will be reset.

Method 3: Use of an alternative launcher (Nova, POCO Launcher)

If standard methods don't work, the most reliable way is to install a third-party launcher, which not only solves the problem of rearranging screens, but also adds flexibility to the interface setup.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports gestures, adaptive icons and flexible screen management. MIUI 14+ HyperOS.
• 🔄 POCO Launcher – optimized for Xiaomi devices, has a built-in screen sorting function.
• 📱 Lawnchair is a lightweight open source launcher that supports Android 13/14.

Instructions for setting up Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Click the Home button and select Nova as the default launcher.
3. Press your finger on the desktop → Settings → Desktop.
4. Enable the option of Infinite Scrolling and Drag screens.
5. Now you can swipe screens up/down in editing mode.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 10C, POCO M5) After installing a third-party launcher, system gestures (for example, swipe from the bottom for return) may disappear. → Display. → Full screen mode → Type of navigation: Gestures and select System Navigation.

Method 4: Manual editing via ADB (for advanced users)

If none of the above methods worked, it is possible to edit the launcher settings directly via ADB. This method requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge, but it is guaranteed to work on all versions of MIUI and HyperOS.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Return to the Extra → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-TypeC Cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put secure miui_home_screen_order "1,0,2"

Where 1.0.2 is a new order of screens (the numbers correspond to their ID starting with 0). For example, to swap the first and second screens, use "0.1.2".

1. Reboot the launcher with the command:

adb shell am force-stop com.miui.home

🔹 Note: To find out the current order of screens, use the command:

adb shell settings get secure miui_home_screen_order

If the command returns the empty value, your firmware will use a different key.

adb shell settings get secure sys_ui_home_screen_order

Compatibility table with Xiaomi models

Not all methods work on all devices, and here is a compatibility table for popular models (the data is relevant for firmware 2023-2026):

🔹 On models with HyperOS (Xiaomi) 13/14 The standard drag and drop method is disabled at the system level — ADB side-launcher.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successful screen rearrangement, users face side effects, and consider the most common:

• 🔄 Screens reset after rebooting Reason: Launcher MIUI Solution: Clear the launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → MIUI Launcher → Kesh. → Clean up).
• 📱 Swipe between screens is not working Reason: Conflict with full-screen gestures Solution: Turn off gestures in Settings → Display. → Full screen mode → Type of navigation: Buttons.
• ⚙️ Icons disappear after rearrangement Reason: Launcher sync failure Solution: Install Nova Launcher and transfer icons manually.
• 🔒 ADB Permission denied is given because: Not enough rights. Solution: Follow the adb root command before changing your settings.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 14 for POCO X5) after-use ADB The theme may be off. To get it back, go to Settings. → Registration → My theme and apply the theme again.

💡

If you lose your widgets after reshuffling your screens (like the weather or calendar), try adding them again: press your finger on your desktop → Widgets → select the right one and drag them to the screen. Widgets are tied to specific cells, not screens, so when you change the order, they can “fall off”.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

💡

On HyperOS devices (Xiaomi 13/14 series), standard screen-shifting methods are disabled. The only working methods are using ADB or installing a third-party launcher (Nova, POCO Launcher).