Xiaomi's modern smartphones have a huge amount of functionality, which inevitably leads to dozens of apps being installed. A standard desktop can quickly turn into a chaotic pile of icons, making it difficult to find the right programs and reducing the aesthetics of the interface. It is to solve this problem that there is a function of grouping applications into folders that allows you to structure the screen space.
Foldering is a basic but critical skill for any Android device owner, especially in the MIUI shells and the new HyperOS. Proper desktop organization not only speeds up access to frequently used features, but also helps visually differentiate between working and entertainment tools. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the ways to create, customize and optimize folders on your smartphone.
Unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi’s interface offers flexible folder-like and look-like settings, you can change the size, background color, name, and even how content is displayed. Understanding these nuances will allow you to turn a standard lock screen into a personalized control center for your gadget, where each icon is in its place.
Basic method of creating a folder by drag and drop
The most common and intuitive way to combine apps is drag-and-drop, which works equally stable on older models like the Redmi Note 8 and on the flagship Xiaomi 14 or Xiaomi 15 series.
First, you need to unlock the device and go to the home screen. Find two app icons that you want to combine. Tap one of the icons and hold the tap until it sticks off the grid and vibrates. Without letting go, move the selected icon directly over the second icon you want to add to the group.
Once the top icon is above the bottom, the system automatically creates a container, and at that point you will see both icons inside the new area with a translucent background, and the system will automatically suggest a name for the folder based on the category of applications (for example, Tools or Social Networks), but you can change it immediately.
If you can't get the icon the first time, don't panic. Just let go of your finger, wait for the interface to return to its original state, and try again. Accuracy is key, especially on high-pixel-density screens where elements are close together.
Alternative ways of grouping through the editing menu
Not all users prefer the drag and drop method, as it can be uncomfortable on large screens or when using a smartphone with one hand. MIUI HyperOS and provide an alternative algorithm for actions through desktop editing mode, which is often more accurate.
To take advantage of this method, you need to pinch two fingers in the free space of the desktop or hold your finger on an empty area of the screen for a long time. The interface will go into editing mode, where all the icons will decrease, and additional tabs will appear at the bottom. In this mode, you can also drag and drop applications, but zooming the image makes it easier to aim.
Another option is available through the folder's settings after you've created it. If you've already formed a group but want to add new elements to it, just open the folder. At the bottom of the open folder, often you'll see an "Add" button or plus button, clicking on which you'll access the entire list of installed applications. Select the programs you want from the list, and they'll instantly appear inside the container.
Using editing mode is especially important when you need to move an application from another part of the screen or from another page, avoiding long drag and drops across the entire screen, which can be tedious, and it’s also easier to see the overall structure of the desktop and plan the location of future groups.
☑️ Pre-sorting check
Customization of the appearance and contents of the folder
Once a folder is created, the user can fine-tune its settings, not just a decorative feature, but a way to adapt the interface to their visual preferences and improve usability. Modern versions of Xiaomi firmware have several levels of customization.
First of all, you should pay attention to the name. As mentioned earlier, the system automatically suggests a name, but it's often too generic. Click on the folder name field to call the keyboard. You can give the group any name, from short acronyms to emojis, which helps you navigate the screen more quickly.
Next, consider the folder size. Depending on the design theme and the shell version, the folder can be displayed in compact form (only icons inside) or in expanded. In some MIUI themes, you can choose the background image or color of the substrate, and you need to press the folder itself for a long time (when it is closed) and select "Change" or "Edit" if the the theme supports such a function.
⚠️ Note: Some third-party themes may block the ability to change the background color of the folder or force you to set your style.If you do not find color settings, try switching to the standard theme "Classic" or "Limitless".
Also important is the number of icons you see, which is that when you're deployed, you can have 4, 9 or 12 apps at once, and the rest are hidden and available when you scrolle, and you can set up that setting to determine how much space the folder takes up on the desktop when it's open.
Managing applications inside a folder
Effective folder content management is key to clean interfaces. Simply adding apps is just the beginning. Over time, groups will change, and it's important to be able to quickly edit, delete and prioritize items.
To remove an application from a folder, you just need to open it, pinch the icon you want, and drag it outside the container to the free desktop space. If you want to completely remove the program from the device, drag and drop from the open folder, you need to direct the icon to the top of the screen, where the basket icon will appear or the words "Delete." Be careful: removing the application from the folder does not always mean removing the application from the phone's memory.
Sorting inside a folder is also handy, so you can change the order of the icons inside the group by drag and drop, and it's more logical to have the most commonly used apps in the top left corner (for right-handers) or at the top of the list to reduce access time, and the system doesn't automatically sort them alphabetically unless you set that order yourself.
It’s important to keep limits in mind. While you can technically fit dozens of apps into a single folder, it can have a negative impact on the rendering performance of the interface when you open. Android and MIUI can start to slow down when you animate opening a crowded folder, especially on budget models with little RAM.
Below is a table showing a comparison of folder management capabilities across different interface modes:
| Action. | In a closed folder. | Open folder. | In editing mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rename | Double-click on the title | Click on the name field | Unavailable |
| Deletion of the annex | Unavailable | Drag on the cross | Drag in the basket |
| Appendix of the annex | Unavailable | Through the "+" button | Drag inwards |
| Change of size | Through the theme settings | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Hidden Folder Functions
Features of folders in MIUI and HyperOS
With the introduction of the new HyperOS operating system, which gradually replaces MIUI, the visual language and logic of interface elements have changed, and application folders have also become more informative and interactive.
HyperOS has a live folder concept. Now, without opening the folder completely, the user can see the contents of some system applications or small-format widgets right inside the container. For example, a folder with utilities can show the current charge level or the weather if the corresponding mini widgets are added to it, which turns the folder from a simple storage into an information center.
The opening animation has also changed, with newer versions of the shell showing a smoother unfolding, reminiscent of iOS, but retaining Xiaomi’s unique aesthetic, with background gradients softer and corner roundings more pronounced, in line with the current trend of airy design.
⚠️ Attention: Live widgets within folders may consume additional battery power as applications have to update data more frequently in the background. If you notice an accelerated discharge, try turning off widgets in folder settings.
For older device owners who don’t get the HyperOS upgrade, the functionality will remain at MIUI 14, where folders work in classic mode, but support most of the customization settings described above through the theme store.
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Use the Frequently Used folder. Android automatically creates a folder or section with the apps you use most, and don't delete it if you're comfortable running the core programs quickly.
Solving folder problems
Despite the system’s fine-tuning, users sometimes encounter situations where the folder is not behaving correctly: it does not open, does not change its name or disappears after a reboot, most often associated with a launcher cache or a conflict of topics.
One of the common problems is that you can't rename a folder, and this can happen if the active theme doesn't support changing the system fonts or input fields in that element, and the solution is simple: temporarily switch to a standard theme, rename the folder, and then return your theme, and the title is usually saved.
If the folder spontaneously disappears or the applications inside it stop running, the cache of the system application "Desktop" may be damaged. To correct the situation, go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the "Desktop" (or "System Launcher") list and select "Clear Cache." Do not confuse with "Clean Data", as this will reset all the settings for the location of the icons to zero.
In rare cases, especially after a firmware update, there may be a bug when the folder opens, but the icons inside do not appear (white screen). In this case, rebooting the device helps. If the problem persists, try to delete the problematic folder and create it again, since the configuration file of a particular group may have been corrupted.
It’s also worth mentioning the problem of sticking the icon when dragging. If you can’t remove your finger and the icon follows the cursor endlessly, try quickly pressing the Home button or swiping back to the home screen – this often resets the touchscreen state for the launcher.
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Most problems with the display of folders are solved by restarting the launcher or temporarily changing the theme of the design to the standard one.
Advice on the effective organization of the working space
Foldering is just a tool. The goal is efficiency. Chaotic foldering can be even more confusing than not, and there are several proven organizational techniques that productivity experts use.
The first is functional. Create folders by task type: Finance (banks, crypto wallets), Transport (taxis, cards, scooters), Home (smart home, lights, cleaning) This allows contextual switching between life modes. The second is frequency. One daily folder for what you need every hour, and a rare folder for utilities you need once a month.
On big-screen smartphones like the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 13 Pro+, the top of the screen is hard to reach with one hand, and folders with frequently used apps are best placed in the bottom third of the screen, within reach of the thumb.
Use color coding. If you like visual order, try to match the icon themes so that folders with red logos (YouTube, Netflix) are next to each other and blue ones (social media, messengers) are in the other corner, which creates a pleasant visual experience and speeds up color search.
⚠️ Warning: Don't create too many folders. 50 You'll spend more time finding the right folder than you'll spend running the application itself — 3-5 main folders on the main screen.