Xiaomi’s current Redmi Note series smartphones have powerful hardware and large screens that allow you to install dozens of apps. However, without proper organization, chaoticly scattered icons quickly turn the desktop into a mess. Foldering is a basic skill that greatly speeds up navigation and makes the interface more enjoyable.
Owners of devices based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS can group applications in two main ways: by forming folders directly on the desktop or using the file manager for documents. In the first case, we organize program shortcuts, and in the second, we organize photos, music and downloads.
This article will take a closer look at both methods, highlighting the nuances of current models such as the Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 13.You will learn not only to create containers, but also to effectively manage their contents, changing names and removing excess.
Organization of application shortcuts on the desktop
The most common folder scenario is the grouping of app icons. Xiaomi's standard launcher allows you to do this by drag and drop, which is intuitive even for beginners. You don't need third-party programs or complex system settings.
To start, unlock your smartphone and go to the home screen, find two app icons you want to combine, such as social media or banking apps you use regularly.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you don’t try to drag the system folder (such as “Tools”) inside another folder, as this can lead to unpredictable interface behavior on older versions. MIUI.
Press the icon of the first app and hold it until it's a light vibration. Keep your finger on top of the second icon you want to add to the group. Once the top icon is slightly enlarged or a translucent loop appears, release your finger.
The system will automatically create a new folder by combining both applications, and by default it will be given the name corresponding to the first moved application, but you can change it at any time, and this method works equally well on both horizontal and vertical orientation of the screen.
You can keep adding new elements to the group you've created, just drag and drop the third, fourth and subsequent icons into an existing folder, and the limit on the number of apps in a single folder is technically unlimited, but for ease of navigation, it's best to keep it up to speed. 15-20 piece.
Working with folders through the screen editing menu
If drag and drop seems uncomfortable or the screen is too large for precise one-handed movements, there is an alternative method, which is especially useful when creating empty split folders or when you need to assemble a group of apps scattered across the screen.
Put two fingers on your desktop (put your fingers together) to go into edit mode. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see the toolbar, and here you'll see sorting options, widgets, and most importantly, the "Create folder" or just "Folder."
By clicking on this button, you create an empty container on your desktop, and then you can drag and drop any applications from a list of all programs or from other pages on your desktop, which gives you a more complete view and allows you to structure the space in a methodical way.
In the same editing mode, you can rename the groups you created. Tap the folder name (usually on top or bottom of the icons), type a new name, such as "Work" or "Games", and confirm the action. Name customization helps you find the programs you want faster.
You can also edit to hide applications or move entire folders to other desktop pages, so just press the folder you created and drag it to the right place or to the dock bar at the bottom of the screen for quick access.
💡
Use emoji in folder names (for example,"💼 “Work” or"🎮 Games") to visually separate app categories from each other on a crowded screen.
Creating folders in the file manager for documents
Unlike desktop shortcuts, file organization (photos, documents, music) requires working with the device’s internal memory, and Redmi Note smartphones pre-installed a powerful tool called File Manager.
Run the Explorer app through all the programs menus or a widget on your desktop. At the top of the interface, you'll see tabs like Categories, Folders, and Files. To create a new directory, you'll need to go to the Folders tab or select a specific storage, like Internal Drive.
If you're in the root directory or any subfolder, look for the menu icon (usually three dots or a plus button). In the list that opens, select "Create a folder." The system will prompt you to enter a name for the new directory.
Type a name using Latin or Cyrillic, and click OK. The new folder will instantly appear in the list, and you can move files downloaded from the Internet to it, or save documents created in office applications.
The use of file structure is especially important for users who often exchange data via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct. Clear folder structure allows you to quickly find the right files when connecting your smartphone to your computer through a computer. USB-cable.
☑️ Checking the file structure
Rename and delete folders created
The management of created objects is not limited to their appearance; sooner or later, you will need to change the structure, rename the group or delete it altogether, and in the MIUI shell, these actions are performed through the context menu.
To rename the application folder on your desktop, just tap it to open, then click on the name (it is usually located in the center on top or bottom). The keyboard will open to allow you to enter new text. Once you enter, click "Done".
There are two ways to remove a folder from your desktop: One is to drag all the apps from the folder back to the screen. Once there is zero apps left in the folder, it disappears automatically. The other is more radical: pinch the folder until the menu appears, and select Delete (if this option is available in your launcher version).
In the file manager, deletion is different. Hold your finger on the file folder until it stands out. At the bottom of the screen, an action bar will appear. Click on the basket icon. The system will request confirmation of the operation, because this action will irreversibly delete all the data inside.
⚠️ Note: When you delete a folder in the file manager, all files contained in it will be irretrievably lost if they are not stored in the cloud storage of Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive.
If you accidentally delete an important folder, immediately check the Recycle Bin in the Gallery or Files app (if the Recycle Bin feature is enabled in the settings) where deleted objects are stored for 30 days before final erasure.
Table: Comparison of folder creation methods
To systematize this knowledge, consider the main differences between shortcuts and files, and understanding these differences will help you make better use of your smartphone resources.
| Characteristics | Folders on the desktop | Folders in the Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment | Grouping of application shortcuts | Storage of documents, photos, video |
| Method of construction | Dragging icons | Create a menu in the Guide |
| Impact on memory | Does not take up space (these are links) | Takes up a place in the internal memory |
| Availability | Only from the main screen. | Available via USB and files |
| Removal | Cleaning of the contents | Irreversible deletion of data |
As you can see from the table, these two types of folders serve different purposes, shortcuts are for easy interface navigation, while file directories are responsible for physical storage of data on the disk.
Don't confuse these concepts. Creating a folder on your desktop won't free up space in your phone's memory if you just put heavy games in it, and you have to delete the apps themselves or move the files to the cloud to free up space.
Hidden functions of MIUI folders
Frequent problems and their solution
Despite the ease of operation, users sometimes face difficulties, often due to the launcher or the device’s overflowing RAM.
If the icon is stuck in your hand and doesn’t drag and drop, try zooming down the desktop (two finger pinches) and moving it in edit mode. Also helps is rebooting your smartphone, which clears the launcher’s cache.
In cases where the folder is not created or disappears immediately, check if the "Simple Mode" mode (for older people) is enabled. In this mode, the folder creation functionality can be limited to developers to simplify the interface.
Another common situation is the inability to rename a folder, which can occur if you use a third-party theme that doesn't support Russian characters or long titles, and return the standard theme to your settings to resolve the conflict.
⚠️ Attention: If your smartphone is slowing down when creating folders, close the background applications. MIUI Resource-intensive, and a lack of RAM can cause interface lags.
For owners of Redmi Note models with AMOLED-It's recommended that you use dark themes, and not only does it save battery power, it also makes folder boundaries clearer and more contrasting.
💡
Stable operation of the interface depends not only on the version of the software, but also on the amount of free memory: keep at least 10-15% of the storage free for the correct operation of the system.
Additional grouping capabilities in MIUI and HyperOS
Modern versions of Xiaomi's operating system offer advanced space organization features, and in addition to regular folders, you can use widget folders.
The widget folder allows you to see the contents of the group without opening it. To activate this, create a folder, open it, and click on the expansion icon (usually looks like a square with arrows or two arrows in the corner), the folder will turn on the full screen or take the form of a large widget.
Newer versions of HyperOS also offer automatic sorting, offering to assemble disparate applications into logical groups when you first set up or after a major update.
And remember, Second Space, which is an isolated environment on your phone where you can create your own folders and customize them regardless of your primary profile, and it's the perfect way to separate work and personal life.
Use these tools to turn your Redmi Note into a daily use tool, and organize your digital space in a way that increases productivity and reduces stress when searching for information.