How to create a new folder on the desktop of the Xiaomi phone

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are equipped with huge screens and powerful hardware, which allows you to install dozens of applications for work, games and communication. Over time, the standard desktop grid turns into a chaotic pile of icons, among which it becomes difficult to find the right program, which is why competent organization of space is the first step to comfortable use of a device based on MIUI or the new HyperOS.

The process of grouping applications into folders on devices of this brand is as simple as possible and does not require the installation of third-party software. Built-in shell algorithms allow you to create containers for files in just one touch, and also automatically sort programs into categories. Understanding the basic principles of the interface will help you to clean up in minutes.

In this guide, we'll take you through all the nuances of desktop work, from creating the first folder to fine-tuning the look of it, how to avoid the typical drag-and-drop errors and what to do when the system is behaving unpredictably, so let's start putting your digital space in order.

Basic method of creating a folder by drag and drop

The most obvious and common way to group apps is to use the Drag-and-Drop function. To do this, you need to find two icons on your desktop that you want to combine, press one of them and hold the tap until the icon sticks off the grid and starts to slightly increase in size.

Without letting your finger go, drag the selected icon directly over the second program you want to place in the same group, at which point a translucent rectangle or darkened area will appear under the cursor, signaling the system's readiness to create a container, and once you release your finger, both programs will be inside the new folder.

The MIUI Android system often offers an automatic name for the group you create based on the type of apps you're using inside, for example, if you combine Maps and Navigator, the folder can get the name "Travels," and you can immediately rename it by touching the text box, or leave the default sentence.

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If you accidentally drop an icon between rows instead of another icon, it will simply change position in the grid, but the folder will not be created.

It is worth noting that this method works equally effectively on older models like the Redmi Note 8, and on the flagships of the Xiaomi 14 series. The interface mechanics remain unchanged across generations of devices, which makes it easier for users who update gadgets.

Automatic Sorting and Smart Folders

HyperOS shell and modern versions of MIUI have intelligent sorting that can dramatically speed up the process of organizing the desktop. Instead of manually dragging each icon, you can use built-in algorithms that will suggest grouping similar applications themselves, which is especially useful when you first set up a new smartphone.

To activate automatic grouping, it is often enough to simply create the first folder manually, as described in the previous section, after which the system can say "Add similar applications." If you agree, all programs of the corresponding category scattered on other pages of the desktop will automatically be moved to the folder.

In addition, some regions and firmware versions have a Smart Folder feature that dynamically changes its content depending on time of day or location, such as in the morning, news and weather apps, and in the evening, social networks and video services, an advanced level of organization available to owners of top models.

It is important to understand that automatic sorting only works with pre-installed or popular apps from the Google Play Store. Rare or specific programs installed from unknown sources can be ignored by algorithms and require manual user intervention for the correct grouping.

Customization of appearance and renaming

Once you create a folder, most users want to personalize it to make it visually different from others. The standard interface allows you not only to change the name, but also in some themes, whether it's color or background style. First, tap the folder you've created to open its contents.

At the top of the open folder, you'll see a text box with the current name. Click on it to call the keyboard. You can type in any name using emojis, special characters, or even leave the field blank for a minimalist look. Changes apply instantly after you close the keyboard or switch focus.

To change the folder style (background color, transparency), you need to go to the theme menu. Go to the Themes app, select your current profile or download a new one that supports folder customization. Not all themes allow you to change this setting, so you should pay attention to the screenshots in the description.

Some users prefer to hide folder names completely to make the desktop look cleaner, which can be achieved by removing all text in the title field and saving the changes, in which case the folder will be represented only by application icons inside it, creating a seamless interface.

Adding and removing applications from the group

Managing folder content is a dynamic process, and you can add a new program to it at any time, or you can remove an extra one, and to add an application, just find its icon on the desktop or in the menu of all applications, and drag it inside the open folder, just like we did when we created it.

To remove an application from the group, you need to open the folder, click on the program icon you want, and drag it outside the folder, to the free desktop space. If you drag the icon to the top of the screen, where the "Delete" or the basket icon appears, the program will be removed from the device completely.

There is also a nuance with system applications: some preinstalled services from Xiaomi or Google can resist moving if they are fixed in the system, in which case the attempt to pull the icon can be blocked until you turn off the corresponding restrictions in the settings.

⚠️ Note: When you remove an application from a folder through the basket (to the top of the screen), you delete the program from your phone completely, not just from the folder.

If the folder is crowded, the system can suggest that you create a second page inside it, swipe between pages left or right inside the open folder, and that allows you to store dozens of applications in one logical group without cluttering the main desktop.

Problem Solving: The folder is not created or disappears

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the standard methods do not work: icons do not stick to each other, or the created folder disappears after a reboot. Most often the problem lies in a crowded launcher cache or conflict of the current theme of the design. First of all, try to change the theme to a standard one.

Another common cause is a device memory overflow: If the internal storage space is critically low, the system may block the creation of new objects on the desktop. Check the free space in the Settings → Memory section and free up at least 1-2 GB.

Also worth checking is the launcher settings, and in some cases, you can turn on read-only or block desktop changes, which is often found in Guest or Child mode, leaving this mode will return full functionality.

If nothing works, the effective method is to clean the data of the Louncher application (or System Launcher), which will return the desktop to a factory state, resetting all widgets and folders, but often solves software glitches that prevent the creation of new groups.

Comparison of organizational methods on different versions of MIUI

The interface and behavior of folders can vary depending on the version of the operating system. Owners of older devices on MIUI 11 and users of the latest smartphones on HyperOS can notice the difference in animations, renaming capabilities and automatic sorting.

Below is a table comparing the key features of working with folders at different stages of development of the Xiaomi shell, which will help you understand what features to expect from your device.

As you can see from the table, with each update, the functionality gets richer, but the basic principle remains the same: drag and drop icons, and even on the newest devices, this method remains the fastest way to organize space.

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Regardless of the firmware version, cleaning the launcher cache is a versatile solution to folder creation problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)