How to create a folder on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 desktop

Modern smartphones like Xiaomi Redmi 9 have a huge number of pre-installed programs and allow you to install hundreds of new apps from the Google Play store. Over time, the desktop turns into a chaotic pile of icons, among which it is extremely difficult to quickly find the right utility or game. Navigating endless menu pages takes precious time and annoys users accustomed to order.

The organization of screen space is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to improve the productivity of the device. Creating thematic folders allows you to structure content by grouping programs by purpose, frequency of use or any other criteria. In the MIUI operating system, which runs Redmi 9, this process is implemented in the most intuitive way, although it has its own unique features that distinguish it from pure Android.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available folder methods, including standard gestures and hidden menu features. You will learn how to name groups of applications correctly, change their appearance and even hide confidential software from prying eyes. The right interface configuration will make interaction with your Xiaomi much more comfortable.

Basic method of grouping applications on the desktop

The easiest and most obvious way to create a new folder on Redmi 9 is to drag and drop one icon on top of another.This method works in all versions of the MIUI shell and doesn't require access to deep system settings. First, you need to unlock your smartphone and go to the main screen where all your shortcuts are located.

Press any icon of the app and hold it until it sticks off the grid and starts to vibrate slightly, at which point the device will go into desktop editing mode. Without letting go of your finger, drag the selected icon directly to the center of another icon you want to place in the same group. Once you see the second icon slightly enlarged or a translucent frame appear, release your finger.

The system will automatically create a container that will house both apps. By default, MIUI will suggest a name for the folder based on the application category (e.g., Tools or Social Networks), but you can change it at any time. Just click on the text box above the icons and type in any name that is convenient for you using the virtual keyboard.

• 📱 Press and hold the icon of the first application before the editing mode appears.
• 📂 Drag it exactly to the center of the second application, which should enter the group.
• ✏️ Click on the name of the folder that has arisen to rename it according to your preferences.
• ✅ Click on any free screen space or home button to save changes and exit editing mode.

It is important to note that the folder size is limited to the number of icons that can fit on a single page. The standard Redmi 9 grid typically hosts 4 to 9 apps depending on the font size and icons selected in the screen settings. If you try to add too many elements, the system automatically creates a second page inside the folder, which is accessed by swiping left or right.

Use of desktop editing mode

An alternative way to organize space is to use a special editing mode that opens up advanced widget and folder management capabilities. To get into this menu on Xiaomi Redmi 9, you need to pinch your two fingers on your desktop or just hold your finger on an empty area of the screen for a long time, and this interface allows you to see all available desktops at once and manage their content more globally.

At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a few buttons, among which we're interested in the Add button or the Widgets button. Going to the widget section, you'll find the Folder system element, although it's rare in its pure form, and most users use this mode to move groups that have already been created between pages or to remove unnecessary shortcuts before creating a new structure. Drag and drop applications here is similar, but with the ability to see thumbnails of all screens immediately.

⚠️ Note: In desktop editing mode, be careful when dragging icons to the top of the screen where the Remove Recycle Bin or Remove button is located. Accidental removal of the system application can lead to unstable operation of some functions. MIUI, Although most labels are only references.

The editing mode also allows you to change the order of folders, so if you have a lot of groups, you can build them into a logical chain, for example, from left to right: "Frequently used", "Work", "Finance", "Entertainment", and this creates a visual map that the user's finger moves automatically, generating muscle memory and speeding up access to the desired functions.

You can also change the size of your desktop grid in this mode, and if you go to the settings (the gear button at the bottom corner or through the widget menu), select "Screen settings," and you can increase the number of icons in the row, which will allow you to create more roomy folders or, conversely, reduce the number of folders for large, well-distinguishable controls.

Customization of the appearance and contents of folders

Once the folder is created, a Xiaomi Redmi 9 user may want to customize its appearance. The MIUI shell offers limited but useful tools for this. First of all, this concerns the name. As mentioned earlier, the system offers an automatic name, but for convenience, it is better to use short, clear notations, for example, "Bank", "Social" or "Game".

To change the name, just open the folder and click on the text box at the top. Enter text using Latin or Cyrillic. Importantly, try not to use too long titles, as they can crop or overlap application icons inside the folder, especially if you have a large font installed in the accessibility settings.

Inside the folder, you can change the location of the icons. Just click and hold the app, then drag it to another place. This is useful if you want to bring the most important programs to the first positions. Also, you can remove applications from the folder: drag the icon outside the folder to the free desktop space or to the delete area if it is active.

There's a nuance about the theme of the design. If you're using third-party themes from MIUI Themes, the folder's appearance can be very different from the standard one. Some themes change the shape of the folder's background, transparency, or opening animation. If you don't like the standard look of the folder, it makes sense to Explore the the theme store and look for designs that offer a unique folder style.

• 🎨 Use short folder names to make them appear correctly on the lock screen and in widgets.
• 🔄 Regularly check the contents of folders and remove applications that you have stopped using.
• 📐 Experiment with the size of the grid in the settings to find a balance between roominess and readability.
• 🖼️ Try different design themes if the standard folder design is MIUI You seem boring.

Hiding applications and folders in MIUI

One of the most popular features in Xiaomi smartphones is the ability to hide applications, and while you can’t hide the folder you created as a single object directly by standard means, you can hide applications inside it or use the Hidden Apps feature, which groups them into a special secure section, which is important for those who want to hide personal photos, banking applications or private correspondence.

To use this feature on Redmi 9, go to the "Security" app (green zipper icon), which is pre-installed in the system. In the menu, find "Hidden Apps". The system will suggest setting a password or using a fingerprint for protection. Once activated, you can hide the application in two ways: through the settings menu or by a special gesture.

The gesture to open hidden applications is performed in the Gallery app or on the desktop: you need to spread two fingers to the sides (as in zooming the image), a password window will open, after which a list of hidden software will be available, the applications added to this list disappear from the desktop and from the menu of all applications, appearing only after entering the access code.

It's worth mentioning the Second Space feature, which is a full-fledged second profile in MIUI that creates a separate desktop with its own apps, photos and accounts, switching between the main and second spaces using a fingerprint or password, which is the perfect solution if you want to completely isolate your work or personal data, creating virtually two phones in the same Redmi 9 case.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t forget to use a password or unlock pattern for hidden apps and Second Space. Reset them without losing data is extremely difficult, as this information is encrypted at the security level of Xiaomi.

Removing folders and returning applications to the place

Sometimes you have to disband a previously created group of applications. On Xiaomi Redmi 9, this process is as simple as creating. A folder exists as long as there is more than one application in it, and to delete a folder, you just need to extract all applications from it except one.

Open the folder, press and hold the icon of the application you want to move, drag it outside the folder to the free desktop space, repeat this operation until only one icon remains in the folder, at which point the folder automatically disappears, and the remaining application becomes a regular shortcut on the desktop.

If your goal is to completely remove the application from the system, not just from the folder, then drag and drop the icon in edit mode, you need to direct it to the top of the screen, where the basket icon that says "Delete" or "Uninstall" appears. Importantly, MIUI system applications often cannot be removed completely, but they can be disabled, which will hide their icon and stop the process.

When you delete a folder, all the name settings are not saved. If you later decide to recreate the folder with the same applications, you'll have to re-enter the name and re-order the icons inside, so before disbanding large structures, it makes sense to remember or take a picture of the current configuration, if it's completely okay with you.

• 🗑️ To delete the folder, remove all applications from it, leaving only one.
• ↩️ To return the app to the menu, drag it to the “In the menu” area (if available) or just leave it on your desktop.
• 🚫 System applications can only be "disabled", but not removed without root rights.
• 💾 The folder name is reset when it is deleted and requires re-entering when creating a new folder.

Solving common folder problems

Despite the stability of MIUI, Redmi 9 users can experience a variety of desktop problems. One of the common problems is that you can't create a folder. This is usually due to page overcrowding. If there's no free space on the screen to "collapse" icons, the system will prevent you from creating a new object. Solution: delete extra widgets or move some applications to another page.

Another common case is sticking a folder or icon. The application may stop responding to clicks or not open from the folder. In such cases, rebooting the launcher (desktop shell) helps. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, search the Louncher (or Desktop) list, click on it and select Clear Cache. Do not select Clear All Data unless you want to reset all icons to standard!

Users also sometimes complain that the folder spontaneously changes the name or sort, which can occur after a system update or a new theme is installed. Check if automatic sorting is enabled alphabetically in the desktop settings. If the problem persists, try changing the theme to the standard Classic in the Topics app to avoid third-party conflict.

If the icons in the stick become too small or too large, check the font and screen size settings. In Settings → Screen → Text and display size can be scaled, and changing these parameters affects how many items fit in a single folder and how they will look visually.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)