How to create a folder on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 desktop

Organizing space on a smartphone screen is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a way to increase your personal efficiency when working with a device. Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 model often face the need to structure dozens of applications installed from Google Play, so as not to waste time searching for them. Creating folders on the desktop is a basic but critical skill for any user of the MIUI shell. This allows you to group programs by functionality, frequency of use or any other criteria.

The MIUI interface installed on the Redmi Note 8 provides intuitive icon management tools. You don't need third-party launchers or root rights to do this. All the necessary features are built into the system by default and are available immediately after the device is turned on. Competent grouping of applications helps to avoid visual noise and makes navigation on the smartphone faster and more enjoyable.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can create groups, rename and customize folders, and learn about the nuances of the lock screen and the main menu, which may not be obvious when you first meet them. By mastering these simple steps, you can turn a chaotic set of icons into an ordered system.

Basic method of grouping applications by drag and drop

The most common and quick way to create a new group on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is the drag-and-drop method.It doesn't require you to log into deep system settings and runs directly on your desktop. First, unlock your device and navigate to the home screen where all your widgets and shortcuts are located.

Find two app icons that you want to merge into one category. Tap one of them and hold on to the click for a second until the icon jumps up or zooms in, signaling that you're starting to move. Without letting go, drag that icon exactly over the second icon you want to include in the group. Once the top icon is above the bottom, the system automatically creates an application container.

Once you let go of your finger, both programs will be inside a new folder. MIUI often offers an automatic name for that group based on the type of application (e.g., "Social Networks" or "Tools"), but you can change it at any time. This method is standard for most modern smartphones and works consistently on all versions of the Redmi Note 8 firmware.

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If you drag and drop an icon into an existing folder, a new app will be added to the end of the list, and if the folder is crowded, the system will prompt you to create a new page within the group.

Importantly, when you create a folder in this way, it always appears on the same desktop page as the second (bottom) icon. If you accidentally drop an icon past the target, it will simply return to its place or stand in a free cell next to it. Finger accuracy plays a key role here, especially on high-resolution screens like the Redmi Note 8.

Use of desktop editing mode

An alternative, but equally effective way to organize space is to use a special editing mode, which is convenient when you need to create an empty folder in advance or regroup a large number of elements at once. To activate this mode on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, you need to pinch two fingers on the desktop (to bring your fingers together) or press long in the free of icons on the screen.

In the control menu that opens, you'll see thumbnails of all the pages on your desktop, and you can not only delete extra pages or change wallpaper, but you can also create new elements. In some versions of MIUI, you can have an "Add" button or a plus to create an empty widget folder, but most often in this mode, it's just easier to drag and drop icons between pages to prepare the space.

• 📱 Press the app icon in edit mode to move it to another page.
• 🗑️ Drag the unnecessary widget to the top of the screen to remove it from the desktop.
• 📂 Create logical groups in advance, then quickly fill them with shortcuts.

The editing mode also allows you to see the desktop grid more clearly. You may notice that some areas of the screen are occupied by widgets that prevent folders from being created. In this mode, you can temporarily move them. After all the manipulations are completed, press the Home button or tap in an empty area to exit the editing mode and save the changes.

Set up and rename the created groups

Once a folder is created, it often needs a more understandable name than the standard one suggested by the system. To rename a group to Redmi Note 8, just click on it to open, and then tap the name at the top of the window that opens, and a keyboard will appear that allows you to type in any text, including an emoji.

Customization is not just about the name. Inside the open folder, you can change the order of the icons. Just pinch the app and drag it to the desired place. This is useful if you want the most important programs (like messengers) to be at the top of the list or in the most accessible area of your thumb.

You can change the size of a folder or the number of lines inside it, although in stock MIUI, it often depends on the number of applications. If you remove all applications from the folder, it will automatically disappear from the desktop, which is an important feature that you should keep in mind so that you don't accidentally lose the structure you created.

Working with folders in the "No application menu" mode

The MIUI shell on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 offers two main desktop modes: the classic (with a separate menu of all applications) and the “No App Menu” mode (like iOS). The choice of mode affects how folders are created and behave. You can switch between them in the settings: Settings → Desktop → Desktop Mode.

In "No App Menu" mode, all installed programs are displayed directly on desktops, where folder creation becomes the main tool for ordering, because you can't hide applications in the general menu. The creation mechanics remain the same - drag and drop icons to another, but the role of folders increases.

If you use this mode, it is recommended to create thematic folders for system applications that can not be removed, for example, you can combine a calculator, voice recorder, scanner and compass into a group "Tools", which will free up space on the screen and remove the visual clutter.

⚠️ Attention: In No App Menu mode, deleting a folder by moving all icons can cause the unlearned shortcuts to randomly spread across the desktop.

Also in this mode, folders can take up more space if there are many applications in them. The system automatically creates additional pages within the group. Navigating these pages is done by swiping left and right inside the open folder. This is convenient for storing a large number of games or utilities.

Advanced Features: Widgets Inside Folders and Styles

Many users don't know that you can add not only app shortcuts, but also widgets to the folder on the Redmi Note 8, which is a unique feature of MIUI that allows you to create powerful information centers, for example, you can put a weather widget or currency rate inside the News or Finance folder.

To add a widget, open the folder, click on the add button (usually plus or via the widget editing menu) and select the desired item., widgets inside folders can have limited functionality compared to widgets on the home screen, but they save space perfectly.

And folder styles can vary depending on the theme you choose, and there are thousands of skins available in the MIUI theme store that completely change the look of folders, make them transparent, add animations when you open them, or change the shape of icons. Standard square or round shapes are not the only option.

Using widgets inside folders is especially important for owners of Redmi Note 8 with a screen of 6.3 inches, which allows you to keep important information at hand without cluttering the main screen. For example, the folder "Morning" can contain an alarm clock, weather forecast and news, opening with a single touch.

Solution: folders are not created or disappear

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the folder is not created or spontaneously disappears, most often due to overflow of the launcher memory or a software failure in the MIUI. If the icon does not stick to another when dragging it, try rebooting the device.

Another reason is the activated function "Icon Lock" Check the desktop settings. If this option is enabled, you will not be able to move objects or create new groups. Path to setup: Settings → Desktop → Icon Location Lock (should be turned off).

• 🔄 Clear the cache of the application "Desktop" in the "Applications" section".
• 📉 Make sure there is free space on the screen to host a new group.
• 🔒 Check if the "Children's Mode" or profile restrictions are included.

If the problem persists after rebooting and checking settings, it is possible that the installed third-party launcher conflicts with the system.Try to temporarily return the standard MIUI launcher.It is also worth checking for system updates, as new versions of MIUI for Redmi Note 8 often fix interface bugs.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to create folders by quickly tapping the screen many times in a row.The system may see this as an attempt to launch an app or activate a hidden menu, rather than starting a drag and drop.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The main takeaway: Creating folders on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is a basic skill that greatly speeds up the phone.Use drag and drop to quickly create groups and don't forget the ability to rename for better order.