Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to clean up the interface, especially when the number of installed applications is in the tens. The Redmi Note 8 Pro, with its large screen, allows you to place many shortcuts, but their chaotic location reduces the efficiency of the gadget. MIUI.
Not only is the organization of the workspace pleasing to the eye, but it also speeds up access to frequently used programs. In this article, we will examine the process of grouping icons in detail, as well as the nuances that are characteristic of the shell of Xiaomi.
Before you start manipulating, it’s worth noting that MIUI has its own specifics, different from pure Android. Understanding the logic of the system will help avoid accidentally removing shortcuts or creating duplicates. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, folders are created solely by dragging one icon to another, there are no alternative ways through the menu.
Preparation of the workspace and analysis of the interface
Before structuring files and applications, it is recommended to review existing shortcuts. owners of Redmi Note 8 Pro know that pre-installed apps can occupy a significant part of the screen. Deleting unnecessary software or moving rarely used programs to the Tools folder will be the first step to order.
MIUI allows you to create folders not only on the home screen, but also in the application menu if the appropriate display mode is enabled, which is an important nuance, since many users confuse the two spaces. On the desktop, folders serve for fast grouping, whereas in the application menu they help in logical categorization.
- 📱 Determine the categories of applications: games, social networks, banking software.
- 🗑️ Remove or hide the shortcuts of system services you do not use.
- 👁️ Rate free space on the home screen for new group elements.
Keep in mind that folder size changes dynamically with the number of items it has embedded. When you add a lot of icons, the folder structure can transform, requiring scrolling within the group, which is a standard interface behavior that should be perceived as a feature, not a mistake.
Step-by-step algorithm for creating a folder on the main screen
The process of creating an application container on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is as intuitive as possible and does not require deep technical knowledge. You need to unlock the device and go to the main screen where all your shortcuts are located. Make sure that you are on the desktop, and not in the menu of all applications.
Find two app icons that you want to group together, like Telegram and Viber, or games, and hold one of the icons until it vibrates slightly and grows in size, signaling that it is going into edit mode.
☑️ Algorithm of folder creation
Without letting go of your finger, move the pinched icon directly over the second icon you selected for grouping, and when the top icon completely overlaps the bottom icon and a translucent frame or background appears around them, you need to let go of your finger, and the system automatically creates a new folder by combining these two applications.
⚠️ Warning: If you release an icon next to another, but not directly on it, the apps will simply swap places and the folder will not be created.
Configure content and rename the group
After the icons are successfully combined, the system will prompt you to enter a name for a new folder. By default, MIUI will often offer a name based on the app category (for example, Social or Games), but you can change it to any one that is convenient for you, which allows you to create a personalized structure that you understand.
To add additional applications to an already created folder, simply drag the desired icon to the previously created group. The logic of the action remains the same: pinched, got stuck, released. Xiaomi does not support nesting folders, so you can not put one folder inside another, but the number of applications within one group is practically unlimited.
If you want to change the folder name, just tap it once to open, then tap the name text box at the top of the window that opens. The Redmi Note 8 Pro keyboard will let you enter any characters, including emojis, making navigation more visual and enjoyable.
- ✏️ Click on the name of the folder to edit text.
- ➕ Drag new icons directly to the open folder.
- 📂 Use short and clear names for quick search.
Secret menu of MIUI folders
Delete folders and retrieve applications
Sooner or later, you may need to disband the created group or delete it completely. On Xiaomi smartphones, this process is also implemented through a drag and drop mechanism. To extract the application from the folder, open it, press the desired icon and drag it outside the folder window to the free desktop space.
To completely remove a folder, you need to free it from all the nested applications, and once there are fewer than two items left in the folder, it automatically ceases to exist as a group object, becoming a normal shortcut, which is a system security mechanism that prevents empty containers from being created.
| Action. | The result | Number of steps |
|---|---|---|
| Drag the icon to the icon | Creating a new folder | 1 step |
| Drag the application from the folder to the table | Extract from the group | 1 step |
| Remove all applications from the folder | Automatic folder deletion | Depends on the number. |
| Rename the folder | Change of group title | 2 steps |
They stay installed in the system, they just lose their group shell on the desktop, and you can always create a new group at any time by repeating the steps described above.
Working with widgets and folders in MIUI
Redmi Note 8 Pro users often try to fold not only apps but also widgets, but the Android and MIUI architectures share these concepts. Widgets that display weather, hours or news can't be placed inside the app folder. They exist independently on the desktop.
Trying to drag the widget into the app folder is likely to cause the widget to just stand next to it or move the folder aside. This is normal behavior of the system. It's a space that's separate for widgets, and they're only grouped visually, by being densely placed on the screen.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to force the widget into the folder through third-party launchers without root rights, this can lead to unstable interface operation or rendering bugs on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
If you need to structure widgets, use separators or leave space between them. Some design themes for Xiaomi offer special transparent widgets-separators that help visually group elements on the screen, creating the illusion of folders for widgets.
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Use transparent widgets from MIUI themes to visually separate groups of applications from each other without creating unnecessary frames.
Solving problems when creating folders
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the folder is not created, despite the correct actions being performed. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this can be due to the launcher cache overflow or active memory saving mode, in which cases the system can ignore complex drag and drop gestures.
Another common problem is blocking desktop changes, and in the launcher settings, there's a "Block layout" option that prevents icons from moving, and if this is enabled, you can't create a folder, and you have to go to the settings and disable the lock.
- 🔒 Check if “Setting Lock” is included in the screen settings.
- 🧹 Clear the cache of the Louncher app through your phone settings.
- 🔄 Restart the device if the sensor is delayed.
Also, consider that some third-party themes can change the standard interface behavior. If you have a custom theme installed and are experiencing problems, try switching to a standard Classic or Default theme in the Themes app to see if the problem persists.
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If the folder is not created, in 90% of cases the problem is solved by disabling the layout lock or restarting the smartphone.