How to create a folder on the desktop Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: detailed instructions with pictures

Introduction: why you need folders on the desktop of a smartphone

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro desktop quickly fills with app icons, especially if you are actively installing new programs. Without organizing the space, finding the right one becomes difficult — you have to scroll through multiple screens or use search. Folders solve this problem by allowing you to group applications into categories: social networks, games, utilities, instant messengers. This not only saves time, but also makes the interface visually cleaner.

In this article, we will discuss the three official ways to create folders on the Redmi Note 8 Pro (relevant to MIUI 12, 13 and 14 firmware), as well as tips for setting up and fixing typical errors. If you have another Xiaomi model on the same version of MIUI, the instruction will work for it, and pay special attention to nuances that are not obvious to beginners, such as why the folder may disappear or how to return it after resetting.

Method 1: Standard Dragging Folder Creation

The simplest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones is to drag and drop icons together into a folder, which requires no additional settings and takes less than 10 seconds.

1. Unlock your smartphone and go to the main screen (desktop).
2. Find two app icons you want to combine, like WhatsApp and Telegram.
3. Hold your finger on one of the icons and drag it to the other one, and in 1-2 seconds, a translucent circle will appear, which is the future folder.
4. Release your finger. The system will automatically create a folder with the category name (for example, “Social Networks” or “Communication”).

To add other apps to your folder, just drag and drop their icons inside it. The maximum number of apps in a single folder on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is 16. If you try to add 17, the system will give a notification "Folder full."

Is the screen locked (unlock if yes) |

Is there enough free space on the screen (folder takes place 1 icon)|

Is Easy Mode on (it turns off folders)|

Is the firmware updated (in older versions) MIUI There were folder bugs)-->

⚠️ Warning: If you drag and drop the icons back, check if Child Mode or Safe Mode is activated in your security settings.

Method 2: Create a folder through the application menu

If you don't have space on your desktop, or if you want to sort apps from the menu first, use this method. It takes a little longer, but gives you more control over the contents of the folder.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
• 🔍 Find the application you want to add to the folder and pinch its icon.
• 📂 At the top of the screen will appear a panel with the words “Create a folder” – drag the icon there.
• ✏️ The system will prompt you to enter the folder name (you can skip or change it later).
• 📲 Click "Ready" - the folder will appear on the desktop.

The advantage of this method is that you can pre-select all the apps for the folder without dragging them one by one, for example, add Google Chrome, Firefox and Opera first, and then create a browser folder.

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If the folder is created but disappears immediately, check if the launcher settings (Settings → Desktop → Launcher settings) include "Hide empty folders." Turn it off if necessary.

Method 3: Using a built-in desktop editor

MIUI 13/14 has an advanced desktop editor that lets you create and manage folders centrally, and this method is useful if you need to:

• 📁 Create multiple folders at the same time.
• 🔄 Change the order of the icons inside the folder.
• 🎨 Configure the appearance of folders (color, shape).

How to open the editor:

1. Click the empty space on your desktop (not on the icon!).
2. In the menu that appears, select "Desktop Settings".
3. Go to the "Folders" tab.
4. Click “Create New” and select apps to add.

The editor can also:

• 🔤 Rename the folder (long press on its name).
• 🗑️ Delete the folder (swipe left by its name in the list).
• 🔒 Block the folder with a password (the function is available in the MIUI 14 with Protected Space enabled).

Table: Comparison of folder creation methods

As you can see from the table, the most versatile method is drag and drop, but if you want advanced settings, you better use an editor. Note: on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience), these methods may not work - it uses a Trebuchet launcher with a different interface.

Dragging icons |

Through the app menu |

Desktop editor |

I don't make folders.-->

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after successfully creating a folder, users of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro encounter bugs. Here are the most common and how to fix them:

1.The folder disappears after the reboot

Reason: launcher cache failure.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the "Luncher" (or "MIUI Launcher").
3. Press "Storage" → "Clear the cache".
4. Reboot your smartphone.

2. You cannot add an application to the folder

Causes and solutions:

• 🔒 The application is fixed on the desktop - unplug it (click the icon). → "Unlock").
• 📱 Folder full (maximum 16 apps) – delete unnecessary ones or create a new folder.
• 🔧 Battery Optimization Mode for Launcher is enabled - turn it off in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.

3. folder won't open

If you click on a folder, the screen blinks, but nothing happens, it's a MIUI bug related to animations.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click on the MIUI version 7 times to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the items: "Window animation" → select "No animations." "Endover animation" → select "No animations."

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: If you have a problem after disabling animations, check if the firmware is damaged. To do this, run the diagnostics via ##4636## (enter in the dialer) and select "Testing" → "General testing".

Advice on the organization of the working table

To create a folder is half the battle, and to make the Redmi Note 8 Pro desktop really convenient, follow these tips:

• 📌 Group by frequency of use: in one folder keep messengers (WhatsApp, Viber), in another - social networks (Instagram, TikTok).
• 🎨 Use color labels: in MIUI 14 can be assigned different colors to folders (for example, green for work, blue for entertainment).
• 🔍 Hide rarely used apps: pinch the icon → "They'll stay on the menu, but they won't clutter the screen.
• 🔄 Automate sorting: in the launcher settings, enable "Auto-sort alphabetically" - new applications will be added to folders automatically.

If you have an alternative launcher installed (like a Nova Launcher or an Apex Launcher), the folder configuration options are expanded.

• 📏 Change the folder size (from 1×1 before 4×4 icon).
• 🔒 Password to folders via plugins (AppLock).
• 🎭 Change the style of opening animation.

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On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 14, folders support gestures: swipe up the folder opens it in the full screen, swipe down - folded view.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions