How to make a shortcut to the desktop of the Xiaomi phone: 5 ways + solving errors

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer flexible desktop customization options, but shortcutting is not obvious. Many Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Xiaomi 13T users find that the usual way to drag and drop icons from the app menu doesn’t work — instead, the system creates a widget or duplicates a folder. In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods of shortcutting (including hidden ones), explain why they sometimes disappear after an update, and show how to return lost icons without resetting.

The MIUI 14/15 feature is that the manufacturer actively promotes its own services through the desktop: by default, it displays Mi Browser weather, pedometer and recommendations widgets. This limits the free space for user shortcuts. However, with system tools and third-party utilities (for example, Nova Launcher), you can bypass the restrictions.

If you use Xiaomi with HyperOS (released in 2026), some of the features may be different – for these cases, we have separately noted the nuances.

1. Standard method: shortcut from the application menu

The most obvious method works on all versions of MIUI, but with reservations. In recent updates, the algorithm has changed: you can’t just hold your finger on an icon in the app menu, the system will suggest either uninstall the application or open its information.

To create a label in the standard way:

1. Open the Apps menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the right app and hold its icon for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the context menu that appears, select Add to the home screen (on MIUI 15, this item may be called Create a shortcut).
4. Drag the icon to the free desktop space.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) A2+) After a long press, only the option to Delete or Application Information appears, which means that the manufacturer has blocked the standard shortcut creation to save resources.

2. Website shortcut: how to pin a page to a screen

If you need to quickly open a specific site (like VKontakte or a corporate portal), you can create a shortcut directly from the browser’s home page, which works in Mi Browser, Google Chrome, and Firefox, but with nuances.

Instructions for Mi Browser (preinstalled on all Xiaomi):

1. Open the site you want to create a shortcut for.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Add to the main screen.
3. If necessary, edit the name of the label.
4. Click Add – the icon will appear on the desktop.

In Google Chrome, the path is different.

1. Open the site and tap on three points → Install on the main screen.
2. Confirm the action - the label will be created in the form PWA-Applications (Progressive Web Applications).

⚠️ Note: Site shortcuts created through Mi Browser may disappear after clearing your browser cache. To avoid this, pin the icon to a folder or use Chrome, which saves the browser. PWA-Applications as Full Programs.

Open the desired page in the browser

Make sure the site supports HTTPS (Secure Connection)

Check the free space on the desktop

Disable the power saving mode (can block background processes)-->

Contact shortcut: Quick call or message

Creating a shortcut for frequently used contacts saves time – instead of searching in the phone book, you tap on the icon and immediately call or write SMS. In MIUI, this is implemented through the Contacts widget, but you can make a separate icon.

Method 1: Through the widget

1. Keep your finger in the free space of the desktop → Widgets.
2. Find the Contact widget (usually in the Systems section).
3. Choose a size of 1×1 (small icon) or 4×1 (list of 4 contacts).
4. Drag the widget on the screen and select the desired contact.

Method 2: Through the Contact Application

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Find the right contact and tap on it.
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Add to the main screen.
4. Select Action: Call, Message or Video Call.

Hidden capabilities: shortcuts for system functions

There are dozens of hidden features in MIUI that you can't shortcut with standard tools, like quick access to Developer Mode, Battery Settings, or Call logs, which requires a workaround through Activity Launcher or Nova Launcher.

Instructions via Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Make it a default launcher (the system will prompt you to do so when you first start).
3. Keep your finger in the free screen space. → Widgets → Nova Actions.
4. Select Shortcuts and find the system function you want (e.g. Battery Settings).
5. Drag the shortcut to the desktop.

List of useful hidden labels:

• 🔧 Developer Settings - Quick Access to Debugging USB and animation.
• 📊 Battery statistics - a detailed report on the charge consumption by application.
• 📞 Call log – opens last calls without running a phone book.
• 🔒 Unlocking the bootloader - for those who plan firmware.

5. Problem Solving: Labels disappear or not created

Xiaomi users often experience shortcuts disappearing after a system reboot or upgrade, and the reasons range from launcher failure to limitations of MIUI Optimization (an optimization service that removes “unnecessary” data).

Checklist for the restoration of labels:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes launcher MIUI Home is getting stuck and does not display icons.
• 🧹 Clear the launcher's cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → MIUI Home → Clear the cache.
• 🛠️ Turn it off. MIUI Optimization (root rights required) ADB-command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider
• 📱 Install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher).

⚠️ Note: If the labels disappear after the update MIUI, Check the launcher version on Google Play. Often the manufacturer will issue a patch for the launcher. MIUI Home One Week After Major Update Update Update The App Manually.

💡

Create a backup of shortcut location using the Desktop Backup app (available on Google Play) that saves the desktop diagram into a file that can be restored after a reset or update.

6.Alternative methods: labels via ADB and Tasker

For advanced users who need to automate shortcut creation or add custom features, the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and Tasker tools are suitable. These methods require connecting the phone to a computer or scripting skills.

Method through ADB (to create a system application shortcut):

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging in the developer settings.
2. Enter the command to create a shortcut (example for Battery Settings): adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT \ -n com.android.settings/.Settings$BatterySettingsActivity \ --es name "Battery settings"
3. On the phone screen, a request to create a shortcut will appear - confirm it.

The method through Tasker (for automation):

1. Install Tasker and the Shortcut Maker plugin.
2. Create a task with Plugin → Shortcut Maker → Create Shortcut.
3. Select the target application or action (for example, running Mode on an airplane).
4. Save the task and add its widget to the desktop.

These methods are useful for:

• 🔌 Creating shortcuts for hidden menus (such as camera test mode).
• 🤖 Automating routine activities (e.g., shortcut to enable Do Not Disturb overnight).
• 🔧 Add shortcuts for system utilities that are not in the application menu.

💡

Using ADB and Tasker requires caution - the wrong commands can disrupt the system. Always check the syntax of commands before executing and back up the data.

7. Features for HyperOS and new models

In 2026, Xiaomi began the transition from MIUI to a new HyperOS shell, which brought changes to the work with shortcuts.

• 🆕 In HyperOS, the default application shortcuts are grouped into folders by category (e.g., Social Networks, Games, etc).
• 🔍 There is a function Smart search – swipe down on the desktop opens the search by apps and contacts.
• ⚙️ Launcher settings moved to Settings → Desktop → Desktop style.

How to create a shortcut in HyperOS:

1. Open the Applications menu (swipe up).
2. Find the app and hold its icon.
3. In the menu, select Add to the main screen (in some versions - Attach).
4. If there is no option, drag the icon manually to the free screen space.

⚠️ Note: In HyperOS, website shortcuts are created only through Mi Browser.If you use Chrome, install the extension PWA Builder to convert websites into applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi