Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, which are based on MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, provide a huge opportunity for user personalization. Proper organization of the workspace is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to significantly improve productivity in everyday use of the device. When all the necessary shortcuts are at hand and secondary functions are hidden from view, navigation becomes intuitive and fast.
However, the standard desktop widget can seem overloaded immediately after buying a gadget. Many pre-installed services, often called “junk,” take up valuable space on the screen. In this article, we will detail how to efficiently arrange applications on a Xiaomi phone using built-in system tools and third-party solutions.
It’s important to understand that the approach to organization may vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific shell modification. Some features may be called differently or placed in different menu sections, but the basic principles remain the same across the brand ecosystem.
Basic principles of navigation in MIUI and HyperOS
Before you start sorting, you need to understand the basic modes of display of content. In Xiaomi smartphones, there are two main ways to present installed programs: the classic desktop and the more modern “No desktop”. Choosing the right mode is the first step to convenience.
In Desktop mode, all installed programs fall into two categories: those that are displayed on screens and those that are in a common menu (swipe up), which allows you to keep only frequently used functions visible, removing the extra ones in the application box.
Desktop-free mode replicates the philosophy of pure Android, where all shortcuts are automatically placed on the home screen pages. For users accustomed to minimalism, this option may seem redundant, as it requires manual sorting of a large number of objects.
To switch between modes, you need to pinch the blank area of the screen or pinch with two fingers, then select Settings in the bottom corner, and here you will find a switch that dramatically changes the logic of interaction with the interface.
- 📱 Desktop Mode: Perfect for those who love order and want to hide rarely used utilities.
- 🗂️ Desktop-free mode: suitable for users switching from other brands, where all icons are always in sight.
- ⚙️ Hybrid approach: the ability to use folders for grouping, keeping the interface clean.
It’s worth noting that switching to No Desktop mode will automatically move all your shortcuts from the app menu to the screens, which may take time for a subsequent reorganization.
Creating and Configuring Folders for Grouping
One of the most effective ways to clean up your mess is to create themed folders, and instead of flipping through ten pages of disparate icons, it's better to group them by function: "Social Networks," "Banks," "Games" or "Travels."
To create a folder, you just drag and drop one app icon onto another. The system automatically creates a container that you can name, and new versions of HyperOS have the ability to not only rename folders, but also change their color scheme, making visual navigation even more convenient.
⚠️ Attention: Don’t create too deep nesting levels. The folder inside the folder on Xiaomi is not supported, so try to make the grouping logical and flat so you don’t get confused.
The size of the folder also matters. It's standard with 9 or 16 items depending on the density of the icons, but when the folder is overflowing, it just stretches out, taking up more space on the screen. To change the font size of the folder name or the icon itself, you sometimes need to use third-party themes.
- 🎨 Color coding: assign folders colors that match their content (e.g. red for social media, green for finance).
- 📂 Logical Grouping: Combine applications by frequency of use, not just by type.
- 🗑️ Regular cleaning: remove programs that you have stopped using from folders so you don’t create visual noise.
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Use the Tools folder for Xiaomi system utilities such as Explorer, Calculator and Dictator so that they don’t horn your eyes on the home screen.
Remember that folders can be moved to the dock bar (bottom line of the screen) if you need to access a particular group of applications several times a day.
Working with widgets and their integration
Widgets turn a static desktop into a dashboard. Xiaomi has a powerful widget system that has become even more flexible in recent updates, allowing you to see the weather, currency rates, steps or notes without opening the apps themselves.
You can add a widget through the screen editing menu (two-finger swipe) and select "Widgets" -- a huge selection of both system elements and widgets from installed applications -- MIUI 14 and HyperOS have support for widgets of different sizes that can be stretched and compressed.
However, misuse of widgets can lead to a decrease in device performance and a rapid battery discharge. Heavy widgets with live animations or constant updates (geolocation, Internet radio) consume the CPU resources even in the background.
☑️ Checking widgets
Special attention should be paid to the Memory or Acceleration widget, which are often recommended by smartphones themselves. While they look useful, in modern versions of Android, the system itself manages memory perfectly, and constant manual cleaning through the widget can even harm, forcing applications to restart.
- ⏱️ Watches and calendar: classic elements that should be on the first screen for a quick look.
- 🌤️ Weather: Xiaomi’s standard widget is very informative, but takes up a lot of space.
- 📊 Notes: Widget allows you to quickly create a new record without logging into the application.
To save charge, it is recommended to disable automatic updates of news widgets or Mi Video feeds if you do not use them constantly.
Hiding applications and protecting privacy
The privacy issue on Xiaomi smartphones is very clever, and you can not just remove the label from your eyes, but also completely hide the application, making it available only with special code or fingerprint, which is the perfect way to arrange the applications so that outsiders can not find them.
Hidden Apps is in the security settings or desktop settings, and once activated, you select the programs you want to hide, which disappear from the menu and desktop, but remain installed on the device.
To access hidden applications, MIUI uses a special gesture or code, most often by sliding two fingers to the sides on the desktop (in an area where there are no icons) or entering a password into the search box, and then opening a separate space with hidden content.
⚠️ Note: If you forget your password or reset your hidden app settings without being tied to your Mi Account, it will be almost impossible to restore access to the data inside them.
In addition, there is a "Second Space" feature that creates a completely separate profile on the phone with its apps, photos and accounts, switching between the main and second spaces is like switching users on the computer, which ensures maximum data isolation.
| Function | Level of protection | Difficulty of access | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| folder | Low. | Minimum | Absent. |
| Hiding applications | Medium. | Gesture/Password | Minimum |
| Second space | High-pitched | Password/Biometry | RAM consumption |
| Application lockdown | High-pitched | Launch password | Background work |
Also worth mentioning is the "App Lock" feature, which doesn't hide the shortcut, but requires you to enter a password or scan your face every time you run a selected program, which is convenient for banking applications and instant messengers.
Use of third-party launchers
If you don't like the regular features of HyperOS or MIUI, there's nothing stopping you from installing a third-party launcher, which is a radical way to change the layout of applications and the overall look of the interface, and popular options include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair.
Third-party launchers offer a much more flexible grid (you can place 10x10 icons instead of the standard 5x6), advanced gestures and unique animations. They allow you to arrange applications in a way that you can not do with standard means.
However, installing a third-party launcher on Xiaomi has its own peculiarities: the system can aggressively unload them from memory, which leads to resetting or disappearance of icons. To avoid this, you need to fix the launcher in memory and give it all the necessary permissions.
How to fix the launcher in memory
Another nuance is the compatibility of widgets. MIUI widgets may not display correctly or work in third-party shells, as they are tied to Xiaomi system libraries.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher: The King of Customization, Perfect for Geeks.
- 💼 Microsoft Launcher: Great integration with Windows and Office.
- 🌿 Lawnchair: for fans of pure Android style Pixel.
Before installing a new launcher, it is recommended to back up your current layout if you plan to return to the standard shell in the future.
Cleaning up system debris and bloatware
Putting apps conveniently is half the battle. The second half of the challenge is to remove the extra. Xiaomi smartphones often come with a lot of preinstalled software that can't be removed in the usual way through settings. These apps take up space and interfere with navigation.
Removing system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps, various partner games) will require the use of a computer and the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, a safe procedure if you know which packets can be removed and which cannot be touched.
The process is as follows: the developer mode is turned on, debugging is activated. USB, The phone connects to the PC, and commands are sent over the command line to delete packets. ADB, likes of Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools that simplify the process for beginners.
⚠️ Note: It is strongly recommended not to remove system components associated with the operation of the phone, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Mi Account.This can lead to a cyclic restart (bootloop) and the need to flash the device.
If you cannot use a computer, you can use the method of "freeze" through special applications that require root rights or use. ADB-gateways, but it is less reliable and can be reset after system updates.
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The safest way to remove is to remove only apps labeled as “User” or clearly third-party (Facebook, Netflix, games), leaving Xiaomi’s system components intact.
After cleaning the list of applications, your desktop will become significantly cleaner, and the speed of the interface can increase due to the release of RAM.