How to create a folder on the desktop Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: all ways + error solving

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro desktop is quickly filled with app icons, especially if you are actively installing new programs. Creating folders helps structure space, save space and speed up access to the right services. However, the standard MIUI interface on this model has its own peculiarities - for example, not all users know that folders can be created not only by drag and drop, but also through the settings menu.

In this article, we will discuss three working methods for creating folders on the Redmi 8 Pro home screen, including hidden shell features, why folders sometimes disappear after a reboot, how to return them back, and what applications will help automate icon sorting. The instructions are relevant to MIUI 11–14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).

Preparation: Check the version of MIUI and free space

Before you create folders, make sure your Redmi 8 Pro has enough internal storage space. If your storage is less than 1 GB, the system can block changes to your desktop. Check this from the Settings menu → About Phone → Storage.

It's also important to know the MIUI version, because it can be different in different builds, like MIUI 12.5, which has a feature called Smart Folders, which automatically categorizes icons to see the version:

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to About the Phone.
3. Find the MIUI version line (e.g. MIUI Global 12.0.3).

If you have Chinese firmware installed (without Google services), some features may not be available, in which case we recommend reflashing the device to the global version or using alternative launchers, which we will discuss at the end of the article.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 10 and below the folder can not be renamed - this function appeared only in the MIUI 11. If you have an old firmware, update it through Settings → Updating the system.

Method 1: Standard Dragging Folder Creation

This is the simplest and most intuitive method that works on all versions of MIUI. You do not need to install additional applications or change the system settings.

Algorithm of action:

1. Unlock the screen and go to the main desktop (not in the app menu!).
2. Find two icons you want to combine into a folder, like YouTube and Chrome.
3. Hold your finger on one of the icons and drag it to the other one, and in 1-2 seconds, a gray circle with the word Folder will appear.
4. Release your finger – the folder will be created automatically, and inside will be both icons.

By default, the folder gets a name by application category (for example, "Tools" or "Social Networks"), to rename it:

• 📝 Put the name of the folder (it will light up).
• 🖊️ Enter a new name (up to 12 characters).
• ✅ Press Ready or Return key.

There is enough free space on the desktop (at least 1 line)

- Icons are not blocked (no icon) 🔒 corner)

- Edit mode is enabled (hold your finger in the free screen space)

- Disabled "Mode for children" in the settings-->

If the folder is not created, check if the protected mode is activated (Settings → Special Options → Secure Mode). In this mode, all changes to the desktop are blocked.

Method 2: Create a folder through the editing menu

This method is useful if you have a lot of icons and drag and drop them inconvenient.It works through the desktop editing mode that is available on all versions of MIUI for the Redmi 8 Pro.

Step-by-step:

1. Touch and hold your finger on an empty desktop space (not on the icon!).
2. At the bottom of the screen, a toolbar will appear. Select Wallpaper and Style (or Screen Settings in older versions).
3. Slap the icon. 📁 Folder (usually located in the lower right corner).
4. The system will suggest selecting applications to add. Tick the boxes and click Ready.

The advantage of this method is that you can add up to 16 icons to a folder at a time, whereas you have to add one to a folder when dragging and dropping, and you can immediately specify the name of the folder without renaming it later.

⚠️ Note: If there is no button in the editing menu 📁 Folder, so your Redmi 8 Pro has an alternative launcher (for example, the launcher, POCO Launcher or Nova Launcher.In this case, use Method 1 or install a standard launcher. MIUI through settings → Annexes → Default launcher.

Method 3: Automatic grouping with Smart Folders (MIUI 12+)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi introduced the Smart Folders feature, which automatically sorts icons into categories (social networks, tools, games, etc.) which is handy if you don’t want to manually create folders or have too many of them.

How to turn on smart folders:

1. Hold your finger on the free space of the desktop.
2. Select Screen Settings → Additionally.
3. Activate the Smart Folder Switch.
4. Click Apply – the system will automatically group the icons.

Features of smart folders:

• 🔄 Automatically update when installing new applications.
• 📌 You can pin frequently used folders to the top of the screen.
• 🚫 You can’t rename the name – the name is given by the system.
• 🔍 Inside the folder, applications are sorted alphabetically.

If the function is not working, check:

• Is the firmware updated to MIUI 12 or newer?
• Are third-party launchers disabled?
• Is there enough space on the screen (smart folders are not created if there is less than 20% free space)

Problem Solving: Folders disappear or don't open

Sometimes Redmi 8 Pro users experience folders disappearing after a reboot or not opening when clicked.

If the folders continue to disappear, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the launcher (or MIUI Launcher).
3. Select Warehouse. → Reset the settings.

💡

To avoid losing folders after a reset, export their structure using the FolderSync app (available on Google Play), which stores the icons in the cloud and restores them after reinstalling the launcher.

Additional tips: how to organize a desktop

Creating folders is just the first step to a comfortable desktop, and here are some advanced techniques for the Redmi 8 Pro:

• 🎨 Color tags: Use the same color icons for folders of the same category (e.g., green for messengers, blue for utilities.
• 🔒 Folders: Click the folder and drag it to the top of the screen so it won’t scroll along with other icons.
• 📱 Gestures for folders: B MIUI 12+ You can swipe folders up. It's enabled in the screen settings. → Gestures.
• 🔄 Self-sorting: Nova Launcher allows you to automatically sort icons alphabetically inside folders.

Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 13+ has a hidden feature called Folders in Folders, which allows you to create nested structures up to 3 levels deep, and to do this, hold the folder and drag it to another folder (like when you combine icons).

If you lack standard features, consider alternative launchers:

💡

The standard MIUI launcher on Redmi 8 Pro limits the number of folders on the screen to a maximum of 9. If you need more, use third-party launchers or create folders inside the application menu (swipe up from the dock panel).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi folders 8 Pro