How to quickly swap desktops on Xiaomi with MIUI 12: 3 proven ways

Desktops on Xiaomi smartphones with the shell MIUI 12 are not just background wallpaper, but full virtual spaces for organizing applications, widgets and quick access to the desired functions. Many users face a situation where after updating or accidental changes, the order of the screens is confused, and it is impossible to return everything to place with standard gestures. This problem is especially relevant for owners of devices with multiple desktops, where each screen performs its role: one for work, another for social networks, a third for multimedia.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can remake your desktops on MIUI 12, including hidden settings, gestures, and third-party utilities. You’ll learn how to avoid common errors (such as losing widgets after moving screens), what limitations the system imposes, and how to get around them without root rights. Instructions are suitable for most models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO based on MIUI 12, including Mi 10/11, Redmi Note 9/10, and others.

If you've ever tried to drag a screen left or right, but nothing happened, don't be quick to blame yourself. The fact is that MIUI 12 has disabled the classic drag and drop mode (unlike the later versions of the shell), and you need a different approach, and we'll show you which one.

Why can’t you change your desktops in the standard way?

The main reason for the difficulties lies in the MIUI 12 architecture. Unlike MIUI 13/14, where the screens are rearranged by long pressing and dragging, in the twelfth version, this functionality is hidden in the depth of the settings.

1.No visual cues. MIUI 12 doesn’t have arrows or icons to move screens, like Android One or Samsung One UI. The system assumes that the user either knows the way through the settings or won’t change the order at all.

2.Screen limits: By default, MIUI 12 can create up to 5 desktops, but you can only move them in places if you have at least two full screens (with apps or widgets).

3. Navigation gesture conflict: If you have full-screen gestures enabled (in Settings → Display → Navigation), then standard finger retention on your desktop can be perceived as a command to call Google Assistant or a menu of recent apps.

• 🔍 Problem: Long-press opens context menu instead of editing mode.
• 📱 Solution: Turn off gestures for setup time or use an alternative method (see section below).
• ⚙️ Exception: On certain models (e.g, POCO X3) Reshuffle only works through Launcher Settings.

Fun fact: MIUI 12.5 and later, the problem is partially solved, with the ability to drag and drop screens after holding the app icon, but for a pure MIUI 12, this trick won't work.

Method 1: Permutation through launcher settings (official method)

This is the most reliable way that works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12. You don’t need root rights or third-party apps, but you’ll have to dig a little bit through the menu.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings of your smartphone.
2. Go to the Applications section → Application settings by default.
3. Click on Louncher (or Home, depending on localization).
4. Select Desktop Settings (can be called Screen Management).
5. So here you'll see thumbnails of all the desktops. Hold your finger on any screen and drag it to a new place.
6. Confirm the changes with the Save or Ready button.

If you don't have Desktop Settings, you've got a modified launcher on your device (like POCO Launcher), in which case you'll try Method 2 or 3.

Turn off full-screen gestures in the settings

Make sure that there are at least 1 app on the screens

Close all background applications (especially launchers)

Check the version. MIUI under the heading “On the telephone"-->

⚠️ Attention: After rearranging the screens through the launcher settings, the widgets may reset. MIUI 12.To avoid data loss, take a picture of the current state of the screens before changing the order of the screens or record the location of the widgets.

Method 2: Use of gestures (alternative method)

If the official method didn't work or you don't want to climb the settings, you can try gesture control, which is less reliable, but sometimes saves on customized firmware devices.

How it works:

1. Unlock your phone and go to any desktop.
2. Make a two-finger pluck motion (as in zooming down the photo) to see a preview of all screens.
3. In this mode, try holding one screen with your finger and drag it left/right.
4. If nothing happens, repeat the action, but start holding it from the bottom of the screen (where the navigation bar is located).

This method has significant limitations:

• ❌ It only works on MIUI 12.0.1-12.0.3 In later subversions, the gesture is disabled.
• ❌ Does not support rearrangement of the first (main) screen.
• ❌ Can conflict with Google Assistant gestures.

If gesture control didn’t work, don’t despair – in the next section we’ll look at the method for advanced users.

Official launcher settings

Two-finger gestures

Third-party launchers (Nova, Apex)

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Method 3: Third-party launchers (for power users)

If the built-in methods don't work, you can install an alternative launcher from Google Play, which gives you more freedom, but it has its own nuances:

The advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 Flexible configuration of animations and transitions between screens.
• 🔄 The ability to rearrange screens with one touch.
• 📂 Support for tabbed folders and hidden applications.

Cons:

• ⚠️ Certain functions MIUI (For example, the Second Space or Child Mode may not work properly.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (5-10% more than a standard launcher).
• 🛠️ Requires manual adjustment of widgets and icons.

Recommended launchers for Xiaomi:

How to install and configure Nova Launcher:

💡

If after installing a third-party launcher, MIUI widgets (such as weather or calendar) are missing, restart your phone. Widgets should appear on the list available through a long press on your desktop.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even after a successful desktop reshuffle, users face unexpected problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

1.The widgets disappeared after the rearrangement

🔹 Reason: B MIUI 12 widgets are tied to a particular screen, not to its position. When you move the screen, the system resets the binding.

🔹 Solution: Return the screen to its previous place, copy the widget settings (take a picture), then repeat the rearrangement.

2. You cannot move the first (main) screen

🔹 Reason: B MIUI 12 main screen (usually left-handed) is fixed and not subject to movement.

🔹 Solution: Make the other screen the main one: transfer all icons to it, then delete the old main screen through the launcher settings.

3.After the MIUI update, the screens reset

🔹 Reason: Updates MIUI Sometimes they reset the launcher settings.

🔹 Solution: Before updating, back up through Settings → System system → Backup or use the export function in Nova Launcher.

⚠️ Note: If you are using the second space (Settings) → Special facilities → Second space, if you rearrange the screens in one space, you don't affect the other. You'll have to manually duplicate the settings.

Additional Tips for Optimizing Desktops

Shifting screens is only part of customizing the perfect workspace, and here are some life hacks that will help make MIUI 12 more user-friendly:

Grouping of applications by folder

Create folders for similar applications (for example, "Social Networks", "Games", "Work").

1. Hold the app icon.
2. Drag her to another icon.
3. Name the folder and select the color.

2. Hiding unnecessary screens

If you have too many desktops, you can remove the extra ones:

1. Go to Launcher Settings → Screen Management.
2. Click on the cross in the corner of the unnecessary screen.
3. Confirm removal.

3.Tune gestures for a quick transition

In MIUI 12, you can assign gestures to switch between screens:

1. Open the settings → Additional → Gestures.
2. Select Launch Gestures.
3. For example, set a double touch to go to the main screen.

• 🎯 Tip: Use transparent widgets (for example, UCCW or KWGT) save space on the screen.
• 🔄 Tip: Clean the launcher cache regularly (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache) if the screens start to "brake".

💡

If you reposition desktops frequently, consider using Nova Launcher with automatic backup. This will save you time when resetting your settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions