How to put the icon of the site on the desktop on the phone Xiaomi Redmi

Modern Xiaomi Redmi and Poco smartphones have become powerful handheld computers that allow not only to communicate, but also to fully work with web content. Users often visit the same resources: news portals, email services, online banks or favorite blogs. Each time you open a browser, enter an address or search for a tab in a story, an action that takes precious time and annoys with its monotony. It is much more convenient to have direct access to the resource through a separate icon on the home screen, as implemented in native applications.

But Android, in conjunction with its MIUI or HyperOS shell, has its own peculiarities. Unlike iOS, where the Add to Screen button is often in the standard Share menu, in the Xiaomi ecosystem, this process can be hidden behind additional steps or depend on the browser used. Many device owners face a situation where, once a shortcut is created, it either does not appear or appears as a standard web instead of a site logo. Understanding these nuances will allow you to optimize the interface for your needs.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for creating website shortcuts on the desktop of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones. We will look at the standard tools of Chrome and Samsung Internet browsers, which are often recommended as an alternative to the standard, and also touch on the topic of widgets. We will pay special attention to troubleshooting - solving problems when an icon is not saved or looks incorrect. You will learn not just copy links, but create full-fledged shortcuts that speed up access to important information.

Using Google Chrome to Create a Shortcut

The most common and reliable way for every Android smartphone owner to use the built-in Google Chrome browser. Since this browser is the default system application on most Xiaomi Redmi devices, you do not need to install additional software. The algorithm of actions here is as standardized as possible, but has its own characteristics depending on the version of the MIUI shell. First, you need to open the browser and go to the landing page you want to see on the desktop.

After loading the page, look at the top right corner of the screen, and there's a menu button represented by three vertical dots, clicking on this item reveals the full list of actions available for the current tab, and in the list of options, you need to find the "Add to Home screen" (or "Add to Home screen" in the English version). It's important to note that on some versions of the shell, this item can be at the bottom of the list or hidden inside the "Share" sub-menus if the standard option is not available.

The key is the confirmation phase. Once you click on the appropriate button, the system will prompt you to edit the shortcut name. By default, there will be a long page name that may not show correctly under the icon. It is recommended to shorten it to 1-2 words for accuracy. Also in this window, you can drag the icon preview to place it immediately in the right place on the desktop grid without dragging the widget manually after creation.

• 🌐 Open a page in Chrome and wait for the full content to load.
• 🖱️ Click on the three-dot menu and select the option "Add to the home screen".
• ✏️ Edit the name of the label, making it concise and understandable.
• 📍 Confirm the creation and move the icon to a convenient place on the screen.

It should be borne in mind that if a site supports PWA (Progressive Web App) technology, then the icon created will behave almost like a full-fledged application: it can open in a separate window without a browser address bar. This creates a sense of nativity and saves system resources, as the interface becomes cleaner. For ordinary sites, the shortcut will simply open a new tab in the browser with an already loaded address.

⚠️ Note: If the Add button does not appear, check the launcher permissions. In rare cases, the system blocks the creation of new objects on the desktop for security reasons or due to crowded memory of the launcher cache.

The shortcut creation process through Chrome is the most stable, but it requires the browser itself to be installed and updated to the current version.Outdated versions may not properly handle shortcut creation requests, especially on newer versions of Android 13 or 14 that are used in the freshest Redmi models.So before you start setting up, make sure that updates are available in the Play Market store for the browser.

Alternative browsers: Samsung Internet and other

Xiaomi smartphone owners often install third-party browsers to expand functionality, and one of the most popular is Samsung Internet. Despite the brand name, this browser works perfectly on any Android device, including the Redmi Note and Xiaomi Mi series. Its advantage is the flexible interface setting and the availability of a convenient menu for working with shortcuts, which is sometimes even more informative than competitors.

To create a site icon on the Samsung Internet, you need to log in to the menu, which is also represented by three bars at the bottom of the screen. Unlike Chrome, here the option is often called "Add a page to..." and has a characteristic plus icon. When you choose this action, the system will suggest creating a shortcut on the home screen. The feature of this browser is the ability to add site widgets that can display a page preview directly on the desktop, rather than just a static icon.

Other popular browsers, such as Firefox, Opera, or Yandex Browser, also support this feature, but it is implemented in different ways. For example, in Firefox you need to click three dots, select "Page" and then "Add." In Yandex Browser, the button can be called "To desktop." There is no universal algorithm for all browsers, so if the standard method does not work, it makes sense to try an alternative application.

Using alternative browsers can solve the problem if the standard Xiaomi launcher conflicts with the system browser. Sometimes, transferring a shortcut through a third-party application is more successful, since the system perceives this as an action on behalf of another user or process. In addition, some browsers allow you to assign unique icons for shortcuts by selecting images from the gallery, which is impossible to do with standard means.

The method of widgets in the shell of MIUI and HyperOS

MIUI shells and the new HyperOS offer deep desktop customization through a widget system. These aren't exactly classic shortcuts, but functionally they solve the same problem: quick access to the site. Widgets can be more informative: they can show news headlines, weather or currency rates directly on the lock screen or desktop, if the site supports such data output or if a special browser widget is used.

To add a site widget, you need to pinch an empty space on your desktop or pinch a two-finger to go into edit mode. From the bottom menu, select "Widgets." From the list that opens, find your browser (e.g., Chrome) or the system widget "Tags." Some widgets allow you to select a specific page from the history or "favorite" browser when you add it. This creates a dynamic relationship between the desktop and the content of the tab.

It's important to distinguish between static shortcuts and dynamic widgets. A static shortcut is just a reference. A dynamic widget can consume more battery power because it updates data periodically. If your goal is just a quick start, you'd better use the classic shortcut method. If you want a visual element with a logo of a certain size, the widget can be a more flexible tool because it can be resized.

When using widgets on Xiaomi, you should remember the desktop grid. The standard grid may not allow you to place widgets of any size without first setting up. In desktop editing mode (two fingers), you can select Settings and change the grid size to make the cells smaller, which will allow you to place more widgets or make them more accurate without disturbing the overall composition of the interface.

Configure the display of icons and desktop grid

Once you have created a shortcut, it may not look the way you would like it to. On the high-resolution screens for which the Redmi Note and Xiaomi flagship models are famous, standard icons can seem too small or, conversely, take up a lot of space. The shell allows you to flexibly adjust the size of the grid, which directly affects the visual perception of the shortcuts of sites.

To change the size of the cells, pinch the two fingers on the home screen to enter edit mode. Click on the gear settings (usually in the upper or lower right corner). Find the item "Grid" or "Grid size." Increase the number of rows and columns (for example, to 6x9 or 5x7) will make the cells smaller, allowing you to fit more shortcuts. Reducing the grid (up to 4x6) will make the icons larger and more visible.

Also in the theme settings (Themes) you can change the style of the icons for all applications and shortcuts at once. If the standard web icon for a site annoys you, using a third-party theme with an icon pack can automatically replace it with a more beautiful option if the theme supports customization of browser shortcuts. PWA-Applications and some sites may not work, and they will remain with a standard logotip.

Another aspect is sorting. Site shortcuts are often created at the end of a list or on the last free page. To avoid losing them, immediately after you create, drag the icon to a folder with frequently used applications or to a dock bar (bottom line) if the launcher allows you to place site shortcuts there (some launchers allow, some only applications), this will provide instant access to the resource in one tap.

Problem Solving: The icon is not created or displayed

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Xiaomi users often encounter bugs when the shortcut simply doesn’t appear.The most common reason is a crowded launcher cache or system restrictions on the number of objects on the desktop. If you click “Add” but there is no reaction, try clearing the System Launcher cache through the settings.

To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find System Louncher (may simply be called Desktop or have a MIUI logo). Go to Memory and click Clear Cache. Importantly, don't confuse it with Clear All Data, as this will reset all your icons and widgets to factory status.

Another possible problem is blocking shortcuts for security reasons. Newer versions of Android and HyperOS have strict security policies. If the browser requests permission to create shortcuts, be sure to confirm it. If the request does not appear but the shortcut is not created, check whether Do Not Disturb mode or special energy saving modes are enabled, which may limit the background activity of the browser.

⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party launcher (Nova Launcher, Lawnchair), the rights to create shortcuts can be revoked by the system, in which case you must provide the launcher with special permissions through the system. ADB Or in the hidden security settings of Xiaomi.

Optimizing and removing unnecessary labels

Over time, the desktop can turn into a chaos of dozens of icons of sites that you have stopped using. Regular cleaning is necessary to maintain the speed of the interface and ease of navigation. Removing the shortcut of a site on Xiaomi is the same as removing the application: pinch the icon with your finger before the vibration or pop-up menu appears.

In the context menu that appears, select Remove (basket) or Remove from the home screen. Note the difference: Delete completely erases the shortcut, and Remove from the home screen can simply hide it from view, leaving it in the application library (if such a feature is activated in the launcher settings).

To keep order, you should group site shortcuts into folders, create a Job, News, Store folder, and distribute the icons there, which not only visually organizes the space, but also speeds up the search for the desired resource. MIUI folders can be renamed and even changed color, which allows you to create a single color scheme for the desktop.

💡

Use the Hide Apps feature in your desktop settings to remove rarely used site shortcuts from public access, leaving them accessible through search or special folders.

Also worth mentioning is the One-Hand Mode feature or screen zooming. If site shortcuts are too small and difficult to access, see Settings Additional → The size of the elements can zoom in on the interface, making the tap on the icon more accurate, which is especially true for the larger screens of the Redmi Note series smartphones.

💡

Regularly cleaning unused site shortcuts not only frees up space, but also speeds up desktop rendering, reducing the load on the device’s RAM.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)