Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, which are based on MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, provide users with ample opportunities to customize the interface. However, standard behavior of the system sometimes confuses: after installing a new application, its icon does not appear on the home screen, but hides in the menu of all programs. This is done to avoid cluttering the desktop, but for many users, the lack of quick access to frequently used functions becomes a problem. Understanding the logic of the launcher allows you to instantly fix this situation.
Creating a shortcut is not just copying an icon, it's creating a link to a specific action or launch of a program. In the Android ecosystem, especially by Chinese engineers, this process has its own nuances, depending on the version of the operating system and regional firmware. The shortcut can be static or dynamic, changing its appearance depending on the notifications. It is important to distinguish between the concepts of "widget" and "shortcut", although visually they can be located next to each other.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can add, move, and even hide icons, how to optimize screen space and make smartphone use more efficient, and how to navigate the system will be easier if you organize the start page correctly.
Basic principles of working with the MIUI and HyperOS desktop
Xiaomi shells have a unique structure of space organization. Unlike pure Android, it often has a default mode where all installed programs are placed in a separate menu that is swiped upwards, and the desktop is kept clean until the user decides to put the necessary shortcuts in, a fundamental difference to consider when setting up.
The system allows you to create multiple desktops by swiping horizontally between them, and each one can host folders, weather widgets, watches, and of course, application icons. The desktop grid is customized, so you can choose between 4x5, 5x6, or 6x9 cells, which directly affects the number of items that fit on a single screen without scrolling.
⚠️ Note: When changing the size of the grid or theme, the already placed widgets can shift or change their size, requiring manual adjustments.
It's important to understand the difference between removing the shortcut and deleting the application itself. When you drag and drop an icon into the cart or click "Delete" in edit mode, the system often offers two options: remove only from the desktop or completely uninstall the program. Deinstallation requires caution so that you don't accidentally delete system components.
How to bring the application from the menu of all programs on the screen
The most common scenario is to quickly launch a messenger or camera that is hidden in the general list after installation, the procedure for displaying them to the home screen is simple, but requires certain actions in editing mode.
Once you've found the icon, you've got to pinch it with your finger for a few seconds, and the screen will change, and you can manipulate it. If the system allows you to pull out the app, you'll see a vibration or a zoom change. At that point, without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to the top of the screen or to the area marked as Add or +.
The alternative is through a context menu. Press the icon in the shared list, wait for the action menu to appear, and select Add to the home screen. If there is no such item, then the application is already on one of the desktops, just on another page, and the shortcut is searched by scrolling through the screens.
- 📱 Find the application in the general menu of applications.
- ⏳ Press the icon with your finger before the vibration appears.
- 🚀 Drag the item to the top of the screen to add.
- ✅ Release your finger to fix the label in place.
☑️ Verification of successful addition
Creating shortcuts for contacts and websites
Xiaomi’s functionality allows you to create shortcuts not only for installed programs, but also for specific actions, such as direct calling a particular subscriber or going to your favorite page in the browser. This greatly speeds up the work, eliminating the need to open a phone book or browser every time.
Find the right person in the list and open their card. In the action menu (usually three dots in the corner or the "More" button), select the option to Create a shortcut or To the main screen. The system automatically generates an icon with a photo of the contact. When you click on such a contact label, the phone immediately prompts you to make a call or send a message, without unnecessary steps.
Similarly, shortcuts are created for web pages through the Chrome browser or the built-in MI Browser. Open the site, click on the menu (three dots) and select Add to the home screen. You can rename the shortcut before creating so that it takes up less space. Web shortcuts are useful for frequently visited portals, forums or online services.
| Type of label | origination | Launch action | Possibility of renaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annex | Program menu | Launch of the programme | Yes (through third-party launchers) |
| Contact | Phone book | Call or SMS | No (name used) |
| Website | browser | Opening the URL | Yes (at creation) |
| folder | Desktop | Opening of the icon group | Yes. |
Adding and customizing widgets on Xiaomi
Widgets are dynamic elements that display information without having to open an app. On Redmi and Xiaomi, they occupy a special place in interface design. To add a widget, you need to go to desktop editing mode. To do this, pinch two fingers on the screen (finger mixing), or keep your finger on an empty area for a long time.
From the menu that opens, select Widgets (or Widgets). You will see a library of available items: watch, weather, pedometer, notes, music player. Some widgets have different sizes and styles. Choose the right one, pinch it and drag it to the free desktop space. You can change the size of the widget by pulling the edges after you place it.
Why can widgets not work?
HyperOS has introduced new, larger, more information-rich widgets that can be combined, and optimize their number if autonomy is your priority.
Organization of space: folders and groups
When the number of shortcuts grows, the desktop becomes chaos. To bring order, the system suggests creating folders. It's a basic but powerful tool for organizing. To create a folder, just drag and drop one application icon to another. A container with the name proposed by the system (usually by application category) will automatically be created.
You can rename a folder by clicking on the name inside it. You can store dozens of apps inside a folder, organize them by alphabet or frequency of use. Grouping apps allows you to free up to 90% of the space on the desktop, leaving only the most important tools visible, such as the folder "Social Network", "Work" or "Games".
- 📁 Drag the icon to another icon to create a folder.
- ✏️ Click on the folder name to rename.
- 🎨 Some themes allow you to change the color and background of folders.
- 🗑️ The folder will disappear automatically when you remove all applications from it.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the folder, all the inside of the application are not deleted, they are simply returned to the general menu or to the desktop as separate icons.
Hiding labels and the "In your pocket" mode
Sometimes you have to hide certain applications from prying eyes without removing them. MIUI has a built-in Hidden Applications feature that is accessed through settings or a special gesture in the Security app. Open the Security app, scroll down to the Hidden Applications section, and activate the switch.
Once activated, a special Hidden folder will appear in the menu of all applications. If you move the shortcut there, you will hide it from the desktop and from the general list. Access to such programs will require a password or fingerprint (if configured), in which case data privacy increases, since the random user will not see the icon.
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Alternative Hiding: In some versions of MIUI, you can hide the application by clamping the icon in the menu and selecting Hide if this option is available in the context menu.
There is also a “Second Space” mode that creates a completely separate space on the phone with its own shortcuts, photos and accounts, switching between the main and second spaces using a fingerprint or password, ideal for separating work and personal life on a single Xiaomi device.
Solution: Labels missing or not added
Users often experience a situation where after a system update or reset, all shortcuts disappear and the desktop looks empty. Most often this happens due to a reset of the launcher settings. Check the settings in the Settings → Desktop section. Make sure you select the "Classic" (all on the desktop) display mode if you are used to it, not "C app menu".
If a specific app’s shortcut is not created or disappears immediately, it may be that the app is corrupted or not fully installed. Try clearing the launcher’s cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → find Desktop (or Launcher) and select Clear Cache. Don’t confuse it with Clear Data, otherwise you’ll reset all icons.
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Resetting the launcher settings (Clear Data) will return the desktop to the factory look, removing all created folders and widgets, but will not delete the applications themselves.
In rare cases, the problem lies in a third-party theme that is incompatible with the current version of Android. Switch to the standard theme "Untitled" (Default) in the Themes app to see if the bug disappears. The standard theme always guarantees the correct display of all system elements.