How to create a folder on the desktop of the Xiaomi smartphone: all ways + life hacks

Xiaomi desktop is filled with icons and apps get lost in the chaos of shortcuts? Creating folders is the easiest way to clean up, but not all users know that MIUI can do this in at least three ways. Moreover, after interface updates, the logic of grouping applications sometimes changes, which makes even experienced owners of Redmi or POCO face difficulties.

In this article, we will discuss not only the basic method of drag and drop icons, but also alternative options – through the launcher settings and even using gestures (relevant to MIUI 14). Separately, we will focus on the typical errors: why Suddenly folders disappear after a reboot, how to return a randomly deleted group of applications and what to do if the system does not allow you to create a folder on the second desktop. All instructions are tested on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 models with the latest firmware updates.

Why Xiaomi can’t create a folder: common reasons

Before we get to the instructions, we'll deal with the pitfalls, and about 20 percent of MIUI users are either not created or disappear in a few days, and here are the key reasons:

• 🔄 Launcher incompatibility: If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion), the logic of creating folders may be different.
• 📱 Limitations of the envelope: in MIUI Lite (simplified version for weak smartphones) group organization of icons is often simplified or unavailable.
• 🔧 Cache failures: A damaged launcher cache (com.miui.home) causes changes to the desktop not to persist.
• 🚫 For Kids Mode: If a child profile is activated, folder creation can be blocked by the device administrator.

If none of the methods below worked, check these points first. For example, clearing the launcher cache solves the problem 60% of the time. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher and click Clear Cache.

Method 1: Classic drag and drop icons (works on all versions of MIUI)

This is a versatile method that works even on older Xiaomi Mi A1 or Redmi 4X models.

1. Press and hold your finger on any icon of the application until it “sticks” away from the desktop (vibration appears).
2. Drag it to another icon you want to group, and wait 1-2 seconds, and you'll see a translucent folder outline.
3. Let go of your finger. The folder will be automatically created, and inside you will find both icons.

To add more apps to your folder, repeat the action: drag the new icon to your existing folder. Importantly, if you have a Double Touch for Sleep/Wake-up gesture activated, accidentally touching during drag and drop may interrupt the process. Turn this gesture off in Settings → Screen → Additional.

Make sure there is free space on the desktop (minimum 2×2 cells)

Turn off the "Double Touch" gesture in the screen settings

Check if the "Children's Mode" is activated

Close all background apps (they may interfere with drag and drop)-->

If the folder is not created by drag and drop, try moving the icon to the free desktop space first and then to another icon, which bypasses a bug in MIUI 13 when the system does not recognize the overlay of icons when you move fast.

Method 2: Create a folder through the launcher menu (hidden function)

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden desktop control menu where you can create folders without dragging and drop, which is useful if you have gestures disabled or the touch screen is not working correctly:

1. Touch any free space on your desktop and hold for 2-3 seconds until the context menu appears.
2. Select Desktop Settings (or Screen Settings in older versions).
3. Go to the folder management section (may be called Application Grouping).
4. Click Create a new folder and select apps from the list.

This method does not work on all firmware — MIUI 14 may not be available for the global version, but you can immediately specify the folder name (in the classic way, the name is automatically assigned to the first application).

Method 3: Use of gestures (only for MIUI 12-14)

The newer versions of MIUI have the ability to create folders with gestures, which is convenient if you are used to controlling your smartphone with one hand.

1. Activate the swipe gesture up to open the app menu in Settings → Additional settings → Gestures.
2. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen).
3. Find the first folder app and hold it for 1 second.
4. Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to the second app in the app menu (not on the desktop!).
5. Let go – the folder will be created automatically on the desktop and in the menu.

This saves time because it doesn’t require icons to be placed on the desktop, but it doesn’t work well on devices with screen resolutions higher than Full HD+ (like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) — sometimes the system doesn’t recognize the overlay of icons.

Table: Comparison of folder creation methods on Xiaomi

For most users, the first method is optimal, but if you need to create many folders at a time (for example, after resetting settings), a combination of the second and third methods will save time.

What to do if folders on Xiaomi disappear or do not save

One of the most common problems is that folders disappear after a system reboot or update. Here's the diagnostic and solution algorithm:

1. Check your sync settings: go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Sync and make sure that the Desktop Sync option is enabled.
2. Reset the launcher settings: in Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Storage click "Reset settings». ⚠️ Warning: This will remove all your widgets and icon locations, but will return the standard folder structure.
3. Turn off battery optimization for launcher: in Settings → Battery → Battery optimization, find the Launcher and select No Limits.
4. Check access rights: If folders disappear after installing a new launcher, give it permission to Change system settings in Settings → Applications → Special Rights.

If the problem persists, try creating a folder on another desktop (swipe left/right to switch), sometimes crashes occur due to data corruption of a particular screen.

💡

Back up the icons before resetting the launcher! Use Google Play's Home Backup & Restore app, which stores the desktop structure into a file that can be restored after reset.

How to organize folders on Xiaomi: 5 rules for convenience

It's half the battle to create a folder, and the key is to make it easy to use.

• 📁 Group by frequency of use: in one folder, fold the applications that you open daily (for example, messengers), in another - rarely used (settings, system utilities).
• 🎨 Color accents: Use icons with the same color scheme to visually separate (e.g. all social media are blue icons).
• 🔤 Short names: folder name should be placed in one line (maximum 10 characters».
• 📱 Place in reach: the most important folders are placed at the bottom of the screen, where they are easy to reach with your thumb.
• 🔄 Regular cleaning: once a month, check folders for unnecessary applications.

On Xiaomi AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Pro) you can go further: install dark wallpaper and use folders with a transparent background. It's not only beautiful, but also saves battery life.

💡

The ideal number of apps in a folder is 4-6. If more, it takes too long to find the right one. Break up large folders into subfolders (e.g., Games → Online and Offline).

FAQ: Frequent questions about folders on the Xiaomi desktop