How to create a folder on the phone Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones today have powerful hardware and extensive functionality, leading to dozens of apps being installed. Over time, icons begin to fill the desktop chaoticly, turning finding the right program into a real lottery. It's at this point that the question of cleanup comes up, and the most effective solution is creating folders, a basic but critical skill for any Android device owner that allows you to structure the digital space.

The MIUI shell or the more recent HyperOS installed on your gadget offers an intuitive interface, but hidden features may not be obvious to the beginner. The process of grouping applications does not require root rights or installing third-party software. All the necessary tools are built into the system by default. Below we will discuss in detail an algorithm of actions that will help you organize screen space in minutes.

It's worth noting that structuring folders correctly not only improves the visual appearance, but also saves user time. Instead of flipping through ten screens to find a messenger, you can find it in the Communication folder with a single touch, and this is especially true for high-resolution models, where the number of icons on a single page can be significant. Let's get to the practical part.

Basic method of grouping applications on the desktop

The easiest and most common way to create a software container is to drag and drop. It works the same on all current Xiaomi firmware versions. You don't have to look for complex settings on the menu. You just unlock your phone and go to the home screen. Find two app icons you want to combine, like Phone and Messages.

Press one of the icons with your finger and hold the tap for about a second until the device goes into edit mode, at which point the icons can slightly shrink or vibrate, signaling readiness to move. Without letting go, drag the selected icon over the second one. Once the top program "finds" on the bottom one, you will see that a darkened area or outline of the future folder forms underneath.

Release your finger and the system automatically creates a new group, and by default it will have a name that matches the application’s theme (like Tools or Google), but you can change it at any time. This method is standard for the Android operating system and implemented in MIUI with minimal changes. It is ideal for quick sorting immediately after installing new software.

⚠️ Warning: If the icon bounces back into place when dragging, you may have icon lock mode enabled. Check your desktop settings to make sure that items are allowed to move.

Alternative way through the editing menu

If drag and drop is uncomfortable to you because of the small screen size or the motor features, there is an alternative, which is especially useful on Redmi models with diagonals less than 6 inches, where it is easy to block the view with your fingers. First, you need to activate the editing mode of the desktop, you can do this by pinching the screen with two fingers (by bringing them together), as in reducing the scale of the photo, or (prolonged pressing) on an empty area of the screen.

When you go into edit mode, you'll see smaller thumbnails of all desktops. A toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen or in the side menu (depending on the HyperOS version). Select the Add option or the plus icon. Select the Folder from the menu that opens. An empty container will appear on the screen that can be dragged to any convenient location.

The next step is to fill the structure, and you're going to have to drag and drop the app icons inside that empty folder, and this approach gives you more control over the location, because you create the storage first, and then you fill it up, and it's useful in a massive reorganization, where you have to create multiple categories, like Games, Jobs, Finance, and then distribute the software.

Customization of appearance and renaming

System folder names like Tools or Social are often too generic or don't reflect your personal style. Fortunately, MIUI makes it easy to customize these items. To rename a folder, just click on it to open, and then tap the text box with the name at the top of the window that opens. The virtual keyboard will let you type in any name, including an emoji.

Visuals are also important. Depending on the theme that's active on your Redmi, folders can look different. Some themes change background shape, transparency, or font style. You can download new themes in the Themes app to change not only the wallpaper, but also the look of system elements, including folders, which makes the interface unique.

It is important to understand the difference between standard application folders and widget folders. A standard folder opens to the full screen or in a floating window, overlapping some of the content. A widget folder, on the contrary, can display content directly on the desktop without having to open, and this is achieved through the installation of special widgets, if this function is supported by the current version of the shell.

Working with folders inside the application menu

Many Xiaomi users prefer to hide all applications in the App Drawer menu, leaving the desktop clean. The logic of creating folders here is similar, but there are nuances. In the application menu, folders serve to logically group, so as not to flip an endless list down. Group creation here is also done by dragging one application to another.

However, in the application menu, folders often have a more compact look and do not always support the same functions of widgets as on the desktop. In new versions of HyperOS, it is possible to group applications into categories automatically. The system analyzes installed software and offers ready-made folders, but manual configuration always gives a more accurate result.

If you use Classic Menu mode (when all icons are on desktops, like in the iPhone), then folders are created solely by the first algorithm described - drag and drop. There is no separation into Desktop and Application Menu in this mode, so all created groups will be displayed directly on the lock screen or the main screen.

Below is a table comparing folder capabilities in different interface modes:

Use of widgets and advanced functions

A folder in Xiaomi is not just a static box, you can put widgets inside it, which turns a group of applications into an information hub. For example, you can add a weather widget to the Weather & News folder, and a player to the Music folder. To add a widget, open a folder, click on the + icon (usually in the corner), or use a long press on an empty space inside the open folder.

Smart Folder, in some regions and firmware versions, allows you to display the contents of the folder directly to the desktop in a larger form, without having to open it. This saves space and makes commonly used applications available in one click.

And not to forget about performance. While folders are convenient, overloading the desktop with heavy widgets inside folders can have little impact on interface response, especially on older Redmi C or Note budget models. If you notice twitching, try removing dynamic widgets from the frequently opened folders.

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Use folders to separate work profiles, create a Morning group with alarm clocks, calendars, and news, and an Evening group with movies and social media to visually structure the time of day.

Addressing common problems

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the folder is not created or behaves incorrectly, most often this is due to an overflow of the launcher cache (desktop management system). If you try to create a folder, the phone freezes or the icon returns to its place, try to restart the device, this clears the RAM and resets temporary interface errors.

Another problem is the inability to rename the folder. This can happen if you have a third-party theme installed that is not fully compatible with your version of MIUI. In this case, return the standard Classic or Unlimited theme in the settings to check if the problem has gone away. Third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher) can also conflict with system folder methods.

If the folder is falling apart or the apps inside it are stirring after rebooting, check the icons' location settings. In rare cases, cleaning the Themes or System Launcher app data in the application settings menu helps, but this will reset the order of all icons on the desktop to a factory state.

⚠️ Note: When you reset your launcher settings, all folders and widgets you created on desktops will be deleted. Before doing this, make sure important shortcuts are not lost, or take a screenshot of the current location.

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The stability of folders depends on the launcher version and the installed theme. If you have a glitches, first change the theme to the standard one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)