Creating folders on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro desktop

Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro allow you to install a huge number of applications, which inevitably leads to cluttering of the desktop. The standard MIUI launcher offers convenient tools for structuring space, but it can be difficult for beginners to understand the intricacies of the interface without assistance. Competent organization of icons is not just aesthetics, but a way to increase the productivity of using a gadget.

The process of creating groupings on Xiaomi devices may differ from the usual algorithm in pure Android. There are drag and drop and rename features in the MIUI shell that are important to consider to achieve the desired result. We will take a detailed look at each step so that you do not have any difficulties with navigation.

In this article, we will look at not only the basic methods, but also the hidden features available to owners of Redmi 8 Pro. You will learn how to quickly sort hundreds of programs, change the appearance of folders and use additional widgets for personalization. Unlike many other brands, Xiaomi allows you to create nested structures and resize the desktop grid without third-party software.

Basic method of grouping applications

The easiest and most obvious way to clean up your mess is to manually combine shortcuts, so you first need to unlock the screen and go to the main screen where all your programs are located, and find two icons that you want to combine, like social media or banking apps.

Press one of the icons with your finger and hold your finger until the device goes into edit mode. At this point, the screen may shrink slightly, and additional control buttons will appear at the bottom. Without letting go of your finger, drag the selected icon directly to the second icon that you plan to add to the same group.

Once the top icon touches the bottom, the system automatically creates a container with a preset name, like "Folder" or by application. Inside this container, you can continue to add other shortcuts, just dragging them inside the already created area. This is a standard launcher feature that runs stably on all versions of the firmware.

It's worth noting that drag and drop is important to keep your movements smooth. A sharp jerk can cause the icon to simply move to a nearby cell rather than form a group. If you don't work the first time, try repeating the action by holding your finger slightly above the target icon before releasing.

Set up and rename the created groups

Once you have formed a group, the system assigns it a standard name, which often does not reflect the content. To change the name, just click on the created folder once to open it. At the top of the window that opens, you will see a text field with the current name.

Tap this field, and you'll see a virtual keyboard on the screen, and you'll enter your desired name using a concise and clear label, like "Work," "Games," or "Finance." After you type in, press the confirmation button or just tap the blank area of the screen outside the keyboard.

If you type in a word that is too long, it will be cropped with an ellipsis.For the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, it is optimal to use short words of 5-8 characters for better readability.

⚠️ Note: When renaming a folder, avoid using special characters and emojis in the title, as in some design themes they may be displayed incorrectly or replaced with squares.

In addition to renaming, you can change the order of applications inside the folder, open the group, press the icon and move it to another place, and the applications you use more often, it makes sense to place in the top row or on the left to reduce the time you access them.

Use of widgets and widget folders

The MIUI shell differs from pure Android by having unique widgets that can serve as extended folders. Unlike standard containers, widgets allow you to see content without opening the folder completely. This is especially convenient for weather widgets, notes or quick launch of frequently used contacts.

To add a widget, press the empty area on your desktop before the menu appears at the bottom. Select "Widgets" or "Add widgets." In the list that opens, look for the category "System widgets" or "Tools." Here you will find options for creating folders with advanced functionality.

• 📂 Widget folder: displays multiple application icons in one block of different sizes.
• 🌤 Information unit: combines folder with applications and data about time or weather.
• 🎨 Thematic folder: changes style depending on the set theme of design.

You can change the size of the widget. Once you add it to your desktop, click on it and hold it until the boundaries appear. Pull the size change marker to expand or narrow the area, and this allows you to tailor the interface to your personal preferences and the amount of space available.

Using widgets consumes slightly more battery life than regular static folders, but provides significantly more convenience.For owners of the Redmi 8 Pro with its screen, it's a great way to make the interface more lively and informative.

Managing the size of the desktop grid

One of the key features of the interface setup in Xiaomi is the ability to change the density of the elements. The standard grid can be too large or small for your tasks. Changing this setting directly affects how many applications fit on a single screen and how large folders will be.

To access these settings, you need to go to the system settings menu. Find the look section, which in different versions of MIUI can be called Desktop or Screen, and this is where the number of rows and columns is adjusted.

When you change the grid settings, you'll notice that the app icons start to breathe or shrink. To create spacious folders where you can fit 12-16 apps on a single opening screen, you'll want to choose a smaller grid, like 5x6 or 6x6, which is relevant for users who install hundreds of apps.

Once the grid settings are changed, you may need to re-allocate some shortcuts as their coordinates shift, which is normal behavior that ensures the interface is displayed correctly.

Working with folders in “Unlimited” mode and sorting

Newer firmware versions for Redmi have a feature that allows you to place an uncut number of applications inside a single folder. There were limits before, but now you can create one giant folder, Everything Else, and put in a rarely used software.

With a lot of stuff inside the folder, you can sort it, and the system can automatically organize shortcuts by alphabet or frequency of use, and that eliminates the need to manually move dozens of icons to find the right one.

To activate automatic sorting, open the folder, click on the menu (three dots or gears if available in your version) and select "Sort." You can also manually drag and drop items, making room for new ones.

⚠️ Note: When the folder is overflowing (more) 20-30 elements) may be slightly delayed when opening, due to the features of rendering graphics in the MIUI and is not a malfunction of the device.

Some users prefer to create folders by icon color or function, such as a separate group for instant messengers, separate for entertainment, which helps to find the desired application more quickly subconsciously, relying on visual images.

Removing folders and returning to the original state

If you don't like the design experiments or the structure doesn't work, it's easy to delete the folder, but it's important to understand the difference between deleting the container folder itself and deleting the applications inside it.

To delete the folder completely, you first need to empty it. Open the group and drag all the icons inside back to the desktop. Once there are zero applications left in the folder, it disappears automatically. This is a security mechanism that prevents accidental data loss.

There is an alternative way for some versions of the launcher: clamping the folder and dragging it to the top of the screen, where the basket icon or cross appears. If this option is not available, use the application full extraction method.

• 🗑 Cleanup: Remove all applications so that the folder disappears by itself.
• ❌ Removing the shortcut: Don’t confuse deleting the folder with deleting the app shortcut.
• ↩️ Reset: Resetting launcher settings will return all folders to factory state.

If you accidentally delete an important folder, don't panic. The apps themselves remain installed in the system. You can always find them in the general list of all programs (swipe up the desktop) and create a new grouping again.

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Save desktop screenshots before a major reorganization, and if you get confused in the folder structure, it will help you remember where it was, and restore navigation faster.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Properly organizing the desktop on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro takes a few minutes, but saves hours of time in the long run, making smartphone use more comfortable and faster.