How to put a shortcut on the desktop in the Xiaomi phone

Modern smartphones from Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO offer users huge customization options, but the standard behavior of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS sometimes puzzles beginners. Often after installing a new application from Google Play or Mi Store, its icon does not appear on the home screen, remaining hidden in the menu of all programs, this is done to keep the desktop clean and uncluttered, but for many users this approach seems uncomfortable.

Creating a shortcut is not just about adding a picture, it's about creating quick access to the functionality you use every day. Understanding how to manage a launcher (desktop shell) allows you to turn a standard interface into a personalized space. In this article, we'll take a look at the nuances of working with widgets, folders and shortcuts in the ecosystem of a Chinese manufacturer.

It's worth noting that the algorithms may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the specific firmware modification, but the basic principles of navigation remain the same across the device line, and we'll look at both the standard methods and the hidden capabilities available through system settings.

Basic principles of MIUI and HyperOS interface

Before we take action, we need to understand the fundamental difference between the two content display modes that Xiaomi offers: By default, many new models come with the “No Recycle Bin” mode enabled, where remote applications disappear instantly and new ones are not duplicated on the desktop.

The second important aspect is the separation between the desktop and the app menu. In the classic Android style, all icons are on screens that swipe left and right. In the iOS style (which often emulates MIUI), there is a separate button to call up a list of all programs, and on (desktop) there are only selected shortcuts. The navigation system depends on the style you choose.

⚠️ Note: If you upgraded to HyperOS, the location of some launcher settings could shift to the “Advanced” section inside the desktop settings.

User experience is built on flexibility: you can switch between modes at any time without losing data, the main thing is to understand where exactly the application executable you want is located at the moment.

Moving applications from the general menu to the screen

The most common scenario is that you downloaded the program, found it in the general list (usually swipe up from the bottom of the screen), but you want to see it all the time. The algorithm here is extremely simple and intuitive. Click on the app icon in the menu and hold your finger until you have a slight vibration or zoom in.

Then, without letting your finger go, drag the object to any free area of the screen. If you put your finger over another icon, the system will suggest creating a folder. If you let it go over an empty space, the label will stick there. This is the main way to organize space for frequently used functions.

You can change the name of the menu, or even choose another icon from the themes offered, if the app supports it, and the context menu opens with a long press after the placement.

If there are many screens, you can drag the app to the edge of the display to automatically switch to the next page, which speeds up the process of sorting programs into thematic groups.

Set up automatic addition of shortcuts during installation

Many users prefer to have new programs appear on the home screen immediately after downloading from the store. This requires changing the launcher system settings. Go to Settings, find the Desktop (or Home) section. This is where the switch that controls how the system behaves when you install new software is located.

You will need to find an option called “Add shortcuts to desktop” (or “Place new apps on desktop”). Activating this slider ensures that any new one is a good option. APK-The file that gets into the system will automatically get a link on the home screen, which eliminates the need to manually adjust each time.

However, if you actively install multiple applications at a time, the screen can quickly fill up with garbage. Automation is convenient, but requires periodic cleaning. In some versions of MIUI, this setting may be inside the Security application in the Licenses and Agreements section or in advanced settings.

Use of widgets and extended shortcuts

A shortcut is not necessarily a static picture. MIUI and HyperOS shells support interactive widgets that display live information. To put an item like this, pinch with two fingers on your desktop or press a blank area for a long time, then select "Widgets."

Not only are there a standard clock or calendar, but also functional application blocks, such as a weather widget that shows the temperature without running an application, and a note widget that allows you to quickly create a record, which significantly saves the time and resources of the processor to run full versions of programs.

Some apps support "live" shortcuts. If you click on an icon and hold it, a mini menu with specific actions can pop up: "New chat", "Pay", "My profile" can be dragged to the desktop as separate buttons, creating macros for commonly used functions.

⚠️ Note: Widgets consume more RAM (RAM), Don't overuse them on old phone models.

Experiment with the size of widgets. Most of them can be stretched by grabbing the edge, occupying from 1 to 4 grid cells, which allows you to create a unique interface design that combines aesthetics and functionality.

Creating shortcuts for websites and contacts

Often, you need to have quick access to a particular site or contact without logging into a browser or phone book. Chrome browser or built-in Mi Browser allows you to create page shortcuts. Open the desired site, click the menu (three dots) and select "Add to the home screen."

And so, contacts, too, and in Contacts, you can select the person you want, click the menu, and select the shortcut option, and you can have an icon that you can tap on, and it's the perfect way to create an alarm button or connection for older people.

For sites, this works like a Progressive Web App (PWA) — a site opens in a separate window without an address bar, resembling a native application, which is convenient for services that do not have an official app in the store, or for web versions of instant messengers.

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Use the shortcut widget from the standard Xiaomi set to create a link immediately to a specific contact or system setting, bypassing long searches in the menu.

Solving problems: missing icons and resetting settings

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the shortcut disappears on its own or stops opening, this can be due to the work of the memory optimizer, which kills background processes, or with an error in the launcher cache. First of all, check whether the application is hidden in the privacy settings.

If the icon is there but doesn’t work (black square or crash), try clearing the desktop app cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Desktop → Memory → Clear. This won’t delete your data, but will reset the grid display settings.

As a last resort, if the interface is not behaving properly, a full reset of the launcher settings helps, which will return the location of the icons to the factory state, so it is better to take a screenshot before reset. Also check for system updates, since shortcut bugs are often corrected with security patches.

⚠️ Note: Resetting the launcher will delete the folders and widgets you created. Use this measure only if other methods have not helped.

Regularly restarting the device also helps to clear temporary files that may interfere with the graphics shell display correctly.

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Stable shortcuts depend not only on settings, but also on the device’s free memory, and regular cache cleaning prevents icons from disappearing.