How to change the name of the folder on the Xiaomi desktop: a guide

Xiaomi smartphones, which run MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, offer users a wide range of options for customizing the interface. One basic but important skill is organizing the workspace, which starts with a competent naming of folders. Often the standard names that the system assigns automatically when combining applications do not reflect the essence of the content or simply do not like the user visually.

The process of renaming a folder on the desktop may seem trivial, but in different versions of the firmware, the algorithm of actions has its own nuances, which not all device owners know about. Wrong actions can lead to the accidental removal of shortcuts or the creation of duplicate groups. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to change the text ID of the folder, and also consider the hidden functions of the system that make the interface more convenient.

Understanding the logic of the launcher is essential to effective application management. We will look not only at standard methods available to everyone, but also at specific cases that occur when using third-party themes or when systems fail. Get ready to optimize your lock screen and home screen for maximum productivity.

The standard method of renaming MIUI and HyperOS

The easiest and most common way to change the folder name is available by default in all current versions of the Android operating system with a shell from Xiaomi. First, you need to find the folder on the desktop that you plan to change the name. Make sure that you are on the home screen, and not in the menu of all applications, as the logic of working in these spaces may differ.

Touch the area where the current folder name is written. In most cases, the system responds to a single touch of the text field by highlighting or cursoring. If just pressing is not enough, try pressing and holding your finger on the name for one second, this action activates the editing mode of the text, and the smartphone keyboard automatically displays at the bottom of the screen.

Once you have entered a new, desired name, you need to confirm the change. To do this, click the "Done" button on the virtual keyboard or simply tap any free area of the screen outside the folder. The system automatically saves the changes, and the new name will appear under the application group icon. This method works in 95% of normal use of the device.

Importantly, the length of the name can be limited by the width of the screen and the font size that is set in the display settings. If you type in a word that is too long, the system can crop it by adding an ellipsis at the end. Try to use concise notations that are easy to read at first glance.

Alternative methods and work with a long press

In some interface modifications or with certain design themes, standard tapping of the name may not work as expected, and in such situations, the long-press method comes to the rescue, which opens the context menu or edit mode of the folder itself, which is considered more versatile for older versions of MIUI.

Perform a long tap (tap and hold for about 2 seconds) directly on the folder icon, but try to target the name area or the center of the group. When the folder "jumps" or a frame appears around it, indicating the movement mode, do not release your finger immediately. In some scenarios, after the movement begins, a pop-up with a "Rename" button or a pencil appears.

If after a long press, the folder just started to move around the screen, try dragging it to the center of the screen or to another page, and then let it go. Sometimes the system requires you to leave the "page editing" mode to allow you to edit the text again.

⚠️ Attention: With a long press on the folder in the editing mode of the desktop (when the icons shake), a folder deletion button may appear. Be extremely careful not to accidentally delete the entire group of applications along with shortcuts, as recovering deleted folders without a backup can be difficult.

There's also a method to resize the font, and if you can't get your finger across a small input field, temporarily increase the font size in Settings → Screen → Text Size, which will make the target area bigger and more accessible to click on, and then rename the font settings back to the original state.

Use of third-party launchers for customization

Xiaomi device owners often install alternative launchers such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher to gain more design freedom.In these applications, the process of renaming folders is implemented differently and often provides more features, including changing the color of text or background of the folder.

Once you install a third-party launcher and assign it to the main one, the algorithm is usually this: you create a folder by placing one application icon on another. Then you click on the name of the folder that appears. In most advanced launchers, this action immediately opens the input field. If you don't just click, try double tapping the name.

The advantage of third-party solutions is the ability to use special characters and emoji in titles that a standard Xiaomi launcher may display incorrectly or prohibit you from typing, "🎮 Games" or "💼 Work 2026".

• 📱 Nova Launcher: Not only does it change text, but it also hides folder names completely, leaving only the app icons inside.
• 🎨 Microsoft Launcher: Offers Bing wallpaper integration and smart content-based folder renaming, but allows manual editing.
• ⚡ Smart Launcher: Automatically sorts applications and allows you to rename categories that are essentially folders.

Consider that heavy third-party launchers can slightly increase the device’s RAM consumption. On budget smartphone models, this can lead to more frequent closure of background applications.

Features of creating new folders and renaming

Creating a new folder is the first step to renaming, and there are also subtleties: To create a folder, you need to drag an icon of one application to an icon of another. The system instantly creates a group and assigns it a default name, often based on application categories (for example, Tools or Social Networks).

It's at this point, right after you create it, that the title field is usually active, and it's golden time to rename, because you don't have to do any extra work to activate the cursor. Just type the new name right after you combine the icons.

If you want to create an empty folder (which is impossible without apps), you’ll have to create a group with at least one app, rename it, and then delete the app from the inside. However, in the standard Xiaomi launcher, the folder will disappear if there is no shortcut left in it.

There is also a smart folder feature that can automatically add apps to your group if they are relevant to the topic, so when renaming a folder, make sure that the new name still matches its contents so you don’t get confused in the future.

Compatibility table of MIUI methods and versions

Different versions of the software may react differently to user actions. Below is a table that will help you navigate depending on the version of your system. Note that upgrading to HyperOS can change some of the usual gestures.

If your version of the system doesn't match the ones described in the table, try the universal method: long pressing anywhere on the screen to enter edit mode, then touching the folder. Xiaomi's visual interface tends to be uniform, so the logic of actions persists for many years.

Problem Solving: When the Name Doesn't Change

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the input field does not appear, or the input text is not saved, this can be caused by a temporary failure in the launcher or conflict with the established theme. The first step should always be to restart the device, which often solves the problem of hanging processes.

If the problem persists, check to see if the "Simple Mode" mode (for older people) is activated. In this mode, the interface is simplified, and the ability to edit folder names can be blocked by developers to prevent accidental changes.

⚠️ Warning: If you use a third-party theme with deep interface changes, it may block the standard renaming features.Try temporarily switching to a standard theme "Classic" or "No Limits" to change the titles, and then believe your theme back.

It’s also worth checking for updates to the System Launcher component in the GetApps or Google Play app store. Often, interface bugs are fixed through system application updates, rather than through an entire firmware update.

Optimizing the workspace after renaming

Once you have successfully renamed all the folders, it makes sense to do a desktop revision. A properly named folder helps you find the applications you want faster, especially if you have a lot of them. Group programs not only by type, but also by frequency of use.

Use short, capacious titles. Instead of "Photos and Videos," you'd better write "Photos," and instead of "Banking Apps and Finance," you'd just have to use "Finance," which saves screen space and makes the visual range cleaner, and the aesthetics of the desktop have a direct impact on the enjoyment of your smartphone.

Remember, you can move the renamed folders to the dock bar (the bottom line with fixed icons) if you need to access them all the time, but you can only put one folder in there, and it will take the place of one application icon.

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Use emoji at the beginning of the folder name (for example, 🎵 Music) to visually highlight categories of applications, which makes it quicker to find the right group with your eyes without even reading the text.

Cleaning your desktop of unused folders and applications regularly is a good habit, and if the folder is renamed but empty or contains one application that can be taken separately, it is better to remove such a group, which will free up the system resources and simplify navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Renaming folders is a simple but effective way to personalize the Xiaomi interface, make it more logical and convenient for daily use without the need to install additional software.