How to Create a Folder on Xiaomi Screen: 3 Ways to Create a MIUI 14/15

The main screen of Xiaomi is your personal desktop, where every element should be on hand, but not interfere. When applications become too many, they are difficult to find quickly, and the clutter on the screen is annoying. The solution is simple: create folders for grouping icons into categories. But how do you do this correctly, so that you do not lose access to the right programs and do not spoil the appearance of the interface?

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to create folders on Xiaomi (including Redmi and POCO models) with MIUI 14/15 firmware. You’ll learn not only the basic steps, but also hidden chips – for example, how to rename a folder, change its color or return accidentally deleted icons. And we’ll answer frequent questions: why the folder is not created, how to transfer it to another screen, and whether you can make nested folders (spoiler: no, but there are workarounds).

If you're just switching from an iPhone or another Android smartphone, some of the nuances of MIUI may seem obscure, like this shell doesn't have the classic "long tap" folder-building style of pure Android, but it does have its own handy gestures and extra settings. Let's get this straight.

1. Basic method: creating a folder by drag and drop

This is the fastest and most intuitive method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of the model — be it Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13 Ultra. You do not need additional settings or root rights.

Algorithm of action:

1. Unlock the screen and go to the main desktop (where the app icons are located).
2. Find two icons you want to combine into a folder, like WhatsApp and Telegram for the Messengers folder.
3. Hold your finger on one of the icons and drag it to the second icon without letting go, while the second icon should light up slightly or increase its size.
4. Release your finger – a folder with two apps inside will automatically be created.

You have a folder that has the default name (usually "Folder" or "New Folder"), and to rename it, just tap it by name and type in a new one, like "Social Media" or "Games."

Is the screen locked (unlock if yes) |

Is there enough space between the icons (drag-and-drop doesn’t work if the icons are close)|

Is screen editing mode enabled (exit it if it is enabled)|

Is a third-party launcher used (go back to standard) MIUI Launcher)-->

If drag and drop doesn't work, you may have Safe Zone (proof against accidental touch) or a third-party shell, which we'll talk about in the problem solving section.

2. Alternative method: via editing menu

Not everyone is comfortable dragging icons with their fingers — especially if the screen is big (like the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3) or the hands are wet, so you can use the editing menu on the home screen, which is a little longer, but more reliable for those who prefer accurate taps.

Step-by-step:

1. Click and hold the empty space on the home screen (not the icon!) and in a second, the options menu will appear.
2. Select Screen Settings (or Edit, depending on the MIUI version).
3. Now, tap the icon of the app you want to add to your folder, and it will go up above the others.
4. Drag it to another icon, just like in the first way.
5. After creating the folder, click Ready in the upper right corner to save the changes.

This method is convenient because it allows you to immediately move folders between screens or in App Drawer (if you have this mode enabled), and you can also change the size of widgets and icons in the editing menu, which is useful for fine-tuning the interface.

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If you create folders often, add the folder widget to the home screen. To do this, select the widgets → folders from the editing menu and drag it to a convenient place.

3. Create a folder in App Drawer (application menu)

Many Xiaomi users don’t know that folders can be created not only on the home screen, but also in App Drawer, a slide-out menu with all the apps installed, which is useful if you prefer a minimalist home screen, but also want to organize applications.

How to do this:

1. Swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen to open App Drawer (if you have this mode enabled).
2. Find two icons you want to combine, like the Google Play Store and the MIUI Theme Store.
3. Click one icon and drag it to another, just like you would on the home screen.
4. The folder will be created directly into App Drawer, and to rename it, tap it by name.

Note that folders in App Drawer behave a little differently than they do on the home screen, and they can't be moved between screens, but they don't take up space on the desktop, which is a good option for those who want to keep the interface clean.

On the main screen |

In App Drawer (App menu)|

There and there.|

I don't make folders at all.-->

4. Customization of folder appearance

In MIUI, folders don't have to look boring. You can change the way they look -- from color to shape -- so they better fit into your design theme.

• 🎨 Folder color: by default, it depends on the wallpaper, but it can be changed manually. To do this, tap the folder, select Edit, then Color.
• 📝 Title: Rename the folder to reflect its contents (e.g., Work, Finance, Entertainment»).
• 📱 Icon Size: In the screen editing menu, you can change the size of all icons, including folders.
• 🔄 Sorting applications: inside the folder you can change the order of the icons by drag and drop.

If you use a dark theme, folders automatically adapt to it, but sometimes colors can look uncomfortable, like dark gray text on a black background, in which case manually select the contrasting color in the folder settings.

Xiaomi also has a Smart Folder feature (not available on all models) that automatically groups applications into categories (e.g. Social Networks, Multimedia). To enable it, go to Settings → Home Screen → Smart Folders.

5. Problem Solving: Why a folder is not created

Sometimes users find that the folder on Xiaomi is not created at all, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

• 🚫 Edit mode is on: if you are already in screen settings, drag and drop icons may not work. exit it (click Ready or Back) and try again.
• 👆 Third-party launcher: If you have installed a Nova Launcher, Apex or other alternative launcher, the rules for creating folders may differ. MIUI Launcher in settings.
• 🔒 Safe Zone enabled: this feature blocks random touches on the edges of the screen. Turn it off in Settings → Special facilities → Safe zone.
• 📱 Not enough screen space: if all the icon cells are occupied, the folder will not be created.
• 🔄 Failure MIUI: rarely, but it happens that after updating the system gestures stop working.Reboot the smartphone or reset the launcher settings (Settings settings) → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data).

If the folder is created but it disappears, check if Hide folders is enabled in the theme settings, and sometimes after the MIUI update, this option is lost.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X5 Pro) App Drawer is disabled by default. To enable it, go to Settings. → Main screen screen → Main screen style → With the app menu, without this folder in the pull-out menu, you can't create it.

6. Advanced Tips: How to Manage Folders Effectively

To create a folder is only half the battle, so that it really makes life easier rather than making it harder, use these tips:

• 📂 Don't overload folders: the optimal number of applications in one folder is 4-6. If there are more, it will become inconvenient to search for the right one.
• 🔍 Use search: in MIUI You can quickly find the app, even if it's hidden in a folder. Swipe down the screen and type the name in the search bar.
• 🔄 Sort by frequency of use: Place the most used applications at the beginning of the folder so you don’t scroll through it every time.
• 🎯 Color tags: assign folders different colors depending on the category (e.g. green for work, blue for entertainment).
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary folders: If the folder is left empty after deleting the applications, it will not disappear by itself.

If you switch between work and personal applications often, create two folders with the same name but different colors. 🟢» and “Works” 🔴» — You can quickly find out which one is active.

For those who love automation: MIUI 15 has AutoSort Folders, and it distributes new applications to existing folders based on their category. To enable it, go to Settings. → Main screen screen → Self-sorting folders.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions