How to create a folder on the desktop Xiaomi Redmi 9T: 3 proven ways

Introduction: why do you need folders on the smartphone screen

Xiaomi Redmi 9T desktop quickly fills with app icons, especially if you are actively installing new programs. Without organizing the space, finding the desired application becomes a quest: you have to flip through several screens or use search. Folders solve this problem by allowing you to group icons by topic — for example, to combine all messengers, games or utilities into separate categories.

In the MIUI shell (which is used on Redmi 9T), folder creation is intuitive, but many users have questions about how to rename a folder, why it disappears after a reboot, or how to return a randomly deleted grouping. In this article, we will discuss not only the basic way to create folders, but also alternative methods, as well as typical errors that interfere with the correct operation of the function.

Note that the instructions are relevant for Redmi 9T based on MIUI 12/13/14 (including global and Chinese versions of firmware).If your smartphone runs on an older version of the shell, some menu items may differ - we will warn you about this separately.

Method 1: Standard Dragging Folder Creation

This is the fastest and most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the model. The algorithm is simple: just move one icon to another, and the system automatically creates a folder.

1. Step 1. Unlock the Redmi 9T screen and go to the main desktop (where the app icons are located).
2. Step 2: Press and hold the icon of any app (such as WhatsApp) until it starts to “rise” above the screen and vibrations appear.
3. Step 3: Keep your finger on, drag the icon to another one (like Telegram) and after a brief pause, the gray outline of the folder will appear.
4. Step 4: Release your finger, the folder will be created automatically, and inside you will find both icons.

By default, the folder gets a name by application type (e.g., Messengers or Social Networks) to rename it:

• 📝 Slip on the folder to open its contents.
• 🖋️ Tap the folder name (at the top of the screen) – a field will appear to enter.
• ✅ Enter a new name (such as “Communication”) and click Ready.

Icons are not blocked in MIUI | settings

There is plenty of free space on the screen.|

Apps not hidden in the "All Apps" menu |

Light Desktop Mode is disabled (if used)-->

If the folder is not created when dragging, the reason may be:

• 🔒 Blocked icons (in the settings of the desktop) → Application lockdown).
• 📱 Easy Desktop Mode (Simplified Interface for Older Users).
• 🔄 Launcher failure (solved by rebooting or resetting launcher settings).

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If the folder is created, but immediately disappeared, try to restart the smartphone. Sometimes the MIUI launcher does not have time to save the changes due to a lack of RAM.

Method 2: Create a folder through the All Apps menu

Not everyone knows, but folders can be created not only on the desktop, but also in the All Apps menu (called swipe up from the bottom of the screen), which is convenient if you want to structure applications that you rarely use, but do not want to remove them from the device.

Instructions:

1. Open the All Apps menu (swipe up from the bottom panel).
2. Find two apps you want to merge and hold one of them (like the Google Play Store).
3. Drag the icon to the second one (for example, MIUI Theme Store) and wait for the folder outline to appear.
4. Release your finger – the folder will be created inside the All Apps menu.

Features of this method:

• 📁 The folder will only be visible in the All Apps menu, not on the desktop.
• 🔍 To find it later, use a title search or scroll through the list manually.
• 🔄 Folders from the menu All applications can not be moved to the desktop by standard means.

On the desktop |

In the "All Appendices" menu |

I use widgets instead of folders |

I don't make folders.-->

If the folder does not appear in the All Apps menu, check:

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI All applications are hidden by default. To see them, tap three-pointed (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Show folders.

Method 3: Using widgets to organize a desktop

If standard folders don't suit you (for example, because of limited functionality), you can use widgets-folders from third-party launchers, which requires additional software installation, but gives you more customization options: color change, animation, adding shortcuts inside folders.

Popular applications for creating folder widgets:

Example of setting up a widget folder in Nova Launcher:

1. Install and activate Nova Launcher as the default launcher.
2. Hold your finger in the free space of the desktop and select Widgets.
3. Find the Nova Actions widget and drag it to the screen.
4. In the widget settings, select the action Open folder and specify applications for grouping.

Advantages of widget folders:

• 🎨 More design options (transparency, color, icons).
• 📌 Ability to add shortcuts to contacts or websites.
• 🔄 Automatic backup of settings.

⚠️ Note: Third-party launchers may conflict with Xiaomi system services, such as Second Space or Child Mode. Before installing, check user reviews for compatibility with Redmi. 9T.

Typical problems and their solution

Even after successful folder creation, Redmi 9T users are still plagued by bugs, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

1.The folder disappears after the reboot

Cause: launcher cache failure MIUI. Decision:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🧹 Clear the launcher's cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Desktop → Reset the settings.

2. You can't rename the folder.

Reason: limited MIUI shell for some regions.

• 🌐 Change the region in your smartphone settings to India or Global (in Settings) → Additionally. → Region).
• 📲 Use a third-party launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher).

3. folder does not open (hang)

Reason: animation conflict or RAM overload.

• 🛠️ Turn off animation: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode, then to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, install Windows animation = Off.).
• 🗑️ Close the background applications through recent tasks.

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If a folder contains more than 12 applications, MIUI can automatically break it up into several pages. To avoid this, limit the number of icons in a single folder to 9-10.

How to Move a Folder to Another Screen

By default, folders on Redmi 9T are tied to a specific desktop, but they can be moved between screens.

1. Hold your finger until it starts to “rise.”
2. Drag it to the edge of the screen (left or right) and it will automatically scroll.
3. Put your finger on the right screen.

If the screen is not scrolling:

• 🔒 Make sure that Fixed Desktop Mode is not activated (Settings) → Desktop → Fixing the desks).
• 📱 Check that there is free space on the target screen (the folder cannot be placed on top of another folder or widget).

On Redmi 9T, you can’t move folders between folders – nested folders aren’t supported in any version of MIUI. If you want a multi-level structure, use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher.

Advice on the organization of the working table

Folders are only part of a workspace optimization strategy, and here are some recommendations for Redmi 9T:

• 📂 Group by frequency of use: on the first screen place folders with daily applications (messaging apps, calls), on the second - with rarely used (sets, utilities).
• 🎨 Use the icon themes: In Themes → Icons can be downloaded icon packs that visually combine applications in folders.
• 🔍 Set up search: Swipe down on desktop causes app searches – it’s faster than looking for a folder.
• 🔄 Clean regularly: Remove unused apps from folders to avoid accumulating digital junk.

An example of the optimal structure for the Redmi 9T:

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In MIUI, you can hide the folder names by leaving only the icons. To do this, hold the folder, select Change, then tap the title and delete the text (leaving the field empty).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions