Owners of modern Xiaomi smartphones often face the need to clean up a huge number of installed programs. The standard desktop of the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS allows you to group icons for easier navigation. This not only visually cleanses the screen, but also speeds up access to the right services, especially if you use the device for work and entertainment at the same time. The process of creating folders is intuitive, but has several hidden functions that not all users know about.
Foldering is a basic skill that every Android smartphone owner needs. In the Redmi and Poco ecosystem, this feature is as simple as possible, but there are nuances that depend on the version of the shell. The right organization of the desktop space helps you find applications faster without flipping through endless menu pages. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to group, customize the appearance and solve common problems.
It’s worth noting that the menu structure may vary slightly across models such as the Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 or the budget C series. However, the basic principles of interface interaction remain the same across the entire device line. System constraints impose minimal requirements but provide ample customization options. Let’s look at the basic methods of creating containers for applications.
Basic method of manual folder creation
The most common way most Xiaomi smartphone owners use is to manually drag and drop icons, which works consistently on all firmware versions, from the old MIUI 11 to the current HyperOS 1.0. First, you need to unlock the device and go to the main screen where the shortcuts are located.
Find two app icons that you want to group together, and then you can tap one of them and drag it directly over the other icon, and you can see the bottom icon zoom in and the top icon stick to it, forming a single structure, and the system automatically creates the container and suggests giving it a name, although often the name is automatically selected based on the type of application.
☑️ Algorithm of folder creation
Once the folder is created, you can continue to add other programs to it. Just drag and drop new shortcuts inside the area you've created. The maximum number of applications in a single folder is limited only by common sense and launcher performance, but technically there can be a lot of them. If you want to change the name, just click on the text box above the icons and type in your version.
⚠️ Note: If the icon “runs away” or does not create a folder when dragging, you may have the wallpaper carousel mode enabled with blocking changes or there is a third-party launcher that does not support standard gestures. MIUI.
Automatic Sorting and Smart Folders
The MIUI and HyperOS shells are famous for their automation features, which can take some of the work of organizing the space themselves. The system is able to analyze the types of applications being installed and suggest placing them in the appropriate categories, which is especially convenient for users who often download new games or utilities from Google Play or GetApps.
To activate this feature, you need to go to the desktop settings. Usually the path is: Settings → Desktop or through long-pressing on an empty screen. Here you will find the option responsible for automatically adding new applications to folders. Smart sorting works on the principle of categorization: games are in the Game, banking applications in Finance, and social networks in Social networks.
However, be careful with automatic sorting if you prefer your own order, the system can combine applications that you would like to see separately, for example, the messenger for work and personal can be in the same pile, in which case it is better to use the manual control described in the previous section to maintain the individual style of use of the smartphone.
It's important to understand that automatic folder creation is not mandatory. You can turn it off at any time and go back to the classic menu. Flexibility of interface configuration is one of the strengths of Xiaomi products. Experiment with settings to find the perfect balance between automation and control.
Customization of appearance and folder names
The visual part of MIUI allows you to make the desktop not only functional, but also beautiful. When you create a folder, the system assigns it a standard name, but you can always change it to a more understandable or creative one, and you just tap the folder once to open it, and click on the field with the name at the top.
In addition to renaming, you can change the folder size and the number of icons you display. In some firmware versions, you can change the shape and color of the folder background, especially if you use the theme. Themes from Themes store often offer unique folder styles that dramatically change the experience of the interface. Installing a new theme is a quick way to update the look without deep customization.
If standard features aren't enough, look for third-party launchers, although they're not native to Xiaomi, but even with a standard shell, you can get great results. The organization of space affects the speed of work, because it takes less time to visually search for the right icon when everything is laid out on shelves.
Secrets of renaming folders
Removal and editing of established groups
Sooner or later, you have to remove a folder you created or change its composition. Deleting a folder in Xiaomi is as easy as creating it. You have to open the folder and pull all the applications out of it one by one, or drag the entire folder to the delete zone that appears with a long press.
When there is only one application left in the folder, the system automatically cancels the container and the icon becomes separate again. This is standard behavior of the Android operating system, implemented in the HyperOS shell. If you want to just rename the group or move it to another place on the desktop, use a long press on a closed folder.
| Action. | Method of implementation | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Rename | Single tap by name inside the folder | Changing the text label |
| Deletion of the folder | Extract all applications | Automatic Disappearance of Container |
| Relocation | Long push and drag | Change of position on the desktop |
| Addendum | Drag the icon inside | Increase in number of elements |
Don't be afraid to experiment with deleting and creating new groups. The menu structure should be convenient for you, not to conform to some abstract standards. If you accidentally delete an important folder, don't panic - the apps are not going anywhere, they just go back to the desktop as separate icons.
Problems with folder creation and their solution
Despite the simplicity of the process, users sometimes face difficulties, such as not creating a folder if there are too many widgets on the screen or if all the free space is filled, in such cases the system simply does not allow you to drag the icon. Free up space on the desktop by removing unnecessary widgets or moving them to another page.
Another common problem is drag and drop interface lags: If a Redmi or Poco smartphone is slow, folder creation can be delayed, in which case it is recommended to close the background applications or restart the device. Restart the launcher often solves problems with the GUI freeze.
⚠️ Note: If you have a third-party launcher installed (like a Nova Launcher or Lawnchair), standard gestures MIUI In this case, folder creation should be done by methods provided for by the specific launcher.
Also worth checking is the screen resolution and zoom settings. When you resize the font or interface elements in the Settings → Screen, the location of the icons may get lost, making it difficult to create folders. Return the scale to the default value if you encounter positioning problems.
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If a folder is created but disappears immediately, try to reduce animations in the developer settings, which will speed up the system response and prevent crashes when dragging objects.
Optimizing Workspace for Productivity
Many users are wondering if the number of folders and icons affects the speed of a smartphone. In theory, each shortcut on the desktop consumes a small amount of RAM for rendering. However, on modern Snapdragon or MediaTek processors used in Xiaomi, this effect is almost imperceptible.
However, too many widgets with live wallpaper and constantly updated data (weather, news, currency rates) can be loading the processor, while folders, on the contrary, help relieve visual perception and slightly reduce the load on desktop rendering, since the contents of the folder are not rendered until you open it.
Use folders not only for beauty, but also for logical separation of tasks, such as creating a separate group for heavy games so that they do not horn your eyes in everyday use, which will help keep the workspace clean and focus on important tasks without unnecessary visual noise.
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Creating folders not only organizes menus, but can also slightly reduce the load on the graphical interface by hiding active widgets inside closed groups.
In conclusion, folder management is a sign of a power user, which allows you to turn a standard MIUI interface into a personalized tool that works exactly the way you want it to work, and don't be afraid to change the menu structure, try new layouts, and adapt your smartphone to your habits.