Modern smartphones, including popular Xiaomi models, provide users with huge opportunities, but at the same time require a competent organization of the digital space. Poco M3 owners often face the need to clean up the sea of installed applications to quickly find the right programs and not get lost in endless lists. Creating folders on the desktop is a basic but critical skill that turns a chaotic set of icons into a convenient and structured navigation system.
The process of grouping applications in the MIUI shell, which is installed on the Poco M3, is implemented as intuitively as possible and takes only a few seconds. However, beginners may not immediately understand the intricacies of dragging objects or face non-obvious interface constraints. The key feature of the system is that the folder is created automatically when one application icon is overlaid on top of another when held. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps of creating, renaming and configuring folders to make your desktop look aesthetically and functional.
Preparation of the working space and features of the interface
Before you start actively reorganizing, you need to understand what exactly you are working with. The lock screen and the main screen in MIUI 12 or more new versions that are relevant to the Poco M3 have their own features of displaying widgets and icons. The desktop is your main control panel, and its clutter directly affects the speed of finding the desired functions. It is recommended to remove shortcuts for unused programs in advance, so as not to create folders for one or two icons that can be simply moved to the end of the list.
Xiaomi's interface allows you to move objects freely, but it requires a certain precision of movement. If you have Pocket Mode on or specific themes set, the touchscreen sensitivity when dragging may differ from the standard. In some cases, especially after the system update, the animation can slow down, which requires a more confident and slightly slower finger swipe across the screen.
It's important to consider the resolution of the screen and the pixel density of your device. The Poco M3 has a fairly large display that allows you to comfortably place folders even for users with large thumbs. However, in portrait orientation, space is limited, so competent zoning becomes a necessity. Don't try to fit all the applications into one giant folder - it's better to create thematic groups, which will be discussed later.
Step-by-step instructions for creating a folder
The process of creating a new directory for applications on the Poco M3 does not require moving to complex settings menus, all actions are performed directly on the desktop by direct interaction with icons, which makes the system flexible and allows you to change the structure of the menu “on the fly”, depending on your current needs.
☑️ Algorithm of folder creation
To start, find the two apps you want to combine on your desktop, tap the icon of the first app with your finger, and hold it until there's a slight vibration or visual lift around it, and don't let go of your finger, but move the icon smoothly right on top of the second app, and once the center of the first icon matches the center of the second app, the system recognizes that action as a command to create a group.
At that point, the second icon will move, and around them a frame with a translucent background forms. Release your finger and you will see that both programs are now inside the new container. The system will automatically suggest a name for the folder based on the category of applications (for example, Tools or Social Networks), but you can change it at any time. If the folder did not create, maybe you let your finger go too early or didn't hit exactly the center of the second icon - try repeating the action.
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Use the “Shake for Clean” function if empty pages are left on the desktop after creating folders – this will quickly remove excess space.
Editing, renaming and filling the folder
Once the basic structure is created, there is a fine-tuning phase. By default, MIUI assigns folders standard names that don't always reflect their content or your preferences. To change the title, just tap the text under the folder you created. A keyboard will open that allows you to type in any name, use emojis or special characters.
Secret Possibilities of Folder Names
Filling a folder with new apps is similar, you can drag and drop icons from other parts of the desktop or from the shared app menu (“All Apps”) right inside the open folder. You just open the folder, pinch the desired icon elsewhere, and move it to the open window area. The visibility limit is usually 9 or 16 icons on one page of the folder, after which you will need to scroll or create a new page within the group.
- 📱 To rename, tap the folder name and enter new text through the virtual keyboard.
- 🗑️ To remove the application from the folder, open it, press the icon and drag to the top of the screen in the “Delete” or “Basket” zone».
- 📂 To create a nesting, simply drag one folder over another, although MIUI may limit this action by offering to combine the contents.
It's worth noting that deleting an application from a folder doesn't remove it completely from your phone -- it just goes back to the desktop or the general menu. If you want to completely uninstall a program, you need to pinch the icon and select "Delete" from the context menu that appears, which is an important nuance that often confuses users who are used to other operating systems.
Comparison of Organizational Methods: Folders vs. Widgets
Poco M3 users often wonder: which is more effective to use for the organization of space — classic folders or widget folders? Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on your smartphone usage style. Below is a comparison table that will help determine the best option.
| Criteria | Standard folders | Widget folders | All Apps menu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupied seat | 1 cell on the desktop | 4 or more cells (depending on size) | Not taking up space on the table. |
| Speed of access | High (2 tapas) | Maximum (1 tap on the widget) | Medium (search or scrolling) |
| Visualization | Hidden contents | Icons visible without opening | List or grid |
| Flexibility | Easy to move | It requires free space. | Automatic sorting |
Standard folders are ideal for those who prefer minimalism and cleanliness on the desktop, they allow you to hide dozens of applications behind one neat icon, widgets are suitable for common programs that need instant access, such as messengers or cameras, but widgets consume more battery and RAM, because they are constantly active.
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The optimal strategy is to combine methods: hide rarely used applications in standard folders, and often used ones in widgets or leave in plain sight.
Removing folders and returning to the original state
If the organization experiment failed or the folder structure no longer works, you can easily get rid of it. Deleting the folder on the Xiaomi Poco M3 won't cause data loss or the apps themselves to be deleted, it just goes back to their desktop or menu seats. It's a secure operation that can be done as many times as you want.
To delete a folder, you need to open the contents of the folder. Then drag and drop all the applications from the folder back to the desktop. Once there are no icons left in the folder, it will disappear automatically. In some versions of MIUI, it is possible to pull all the applications at once by clamping the folder and dragging it to the delete area, but the behavior of the system can vary depending on the specific firmware build.
⚠️ Note: When folders are deleted, applications can be distributed randomly across free desktop cells. It is recommended that you have free space on adjacent pages before removing large folders so that the icons do not “go away».
It’s also worth remembering that resetting your desktop settings through the recovery menu will bring everything back to its original state by removing all the folders and widgets you’ve created. So if you’ve spent a lot of time setting up the perfect grid, back up your settings or just be careful when resetting.
Additional settings and personalization
The MIUI shell offers a wide range of customization options, beyond just creating folders. You can change the size of your desktop grid, which will affect the number of applications that fit into a single folder or per page. To access these settings, you need to pinch two fingers on your desktop or pinch an empty space.
- 🎨 Topics: In the Themes app, you can find icon packs that change the appearance of folders, making them more transparent, colorful or minimalistic.
- 🔄 Sorting: Inside the application folder, you can sort by name, frequency of use, or manually by simply dragging and dropping them.
- 🔍 Search: If folders are too many, use the built-in search by swiping down the desktop to find the app, even if you have forgotten which folder it is lying in.
Using third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher can significantly expand folder functionality, allowing you to create nested folders (a folder inside a folder), which standard MIUI does reluctantly or does not allow, but installing a third-party launcher can affect the autonomy of the Poco M3 and the stability of some system functions.
⚠️ Note: Installing third-party launchers on new versions of Android and MIUI may require additional permissions and settings through ADB for full-fledged animations and gestures.