Creating and Configuring a Desktop on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Customization Secrets

Why set up a desktop on Xiaomi and what does it do?

The desktop (or launcher) is the first thing you see when you unlock Xiaomi, Redmi or the newest. POCO. Standard shell. MIUI (Or the new HyperOS, which offers basic features, but not everyone knows that it can be transformed beyond recognition, from a minimalist design with transparent icons to a functional hub with weather widgets, calendar and quick notes, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

In this article, we will not only discuss the standard settings. MIUI/HyperOS, But we'll show you how to make the screen unique with third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Niagara Launcher:

• 🔄 Change the theme and style of icons without root rights
• 📱 Add widgets for quick access to functions
• 🎨 Set up gestures to control one hand
• 🔒 Hide unnecessary apps from the menu
• ⚡ Accelerate the operation of the launcher through optimization

Important: instructions are relevant to devices on MIUI 14/15 hyperos (2026 If you have an older firmware version, some features may not be available. Check the version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Step. 1: Basic setting of the standard launcher MIUI/HyperOS

Even without installing third-party applications in MIUI And HyperOS has hidden customization options:

1. Resize the grid. Desktop displays 4×5 Icons, but you can change that:

- Hold your finger on the empty space on the screen. → Screen settings → Grid size.

- Choose the option from 4×4 (major icons) up to 5×6 (maximum density).

On HyperOS in some models (for example, Xiaomi 14) available mode "Free placement" - icons can be dragged anywhere on the screen, as on iOS.

2. Hiding app names. If you don't like icon signatures:

- Hold the screen. → Screen settings → Badge style → Turn off the App Names.

On HyperOS, this item may be called Application Labels.

3. Configure the transitions between the screens. MIUI You can choose the animation of changing desktops:

- Go to Settings. → Additional settings → Animation of the system.

The transition effect offers options: "Standard", "Increase", "Turn" and others.

Add frequently used apps to the home screen|

Remove unnecessary widgets (long press) → «Delete»)|

Disable unnecessary system icons (such as “Themes” or “Security»)|

Set up a background pattern (preferably in a format without compression)|

Check your gesture settings (up/down swipe)-->

Step 2: Installation of a third-party launcher (Nova, Niagara, Lawnchair)

Standard launcher MIUI It's limited in features, so many users are installing alternatives.-3 variant:

How to install a third-party launcher:

1. Download an app from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click Home and select a new launcher as your primary.
3. In the launcher settings (Long press) → Settings: Configure:

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If after installing the launcher, the icons of some system applications (for example, “Settings” or “Phone”) disappear, add them manually through the launcher menu (Add a widget). → Labels of action).

Step 3: Customization of icons and themes

One of the most visible elements of the desktop is icons. MIUI/HyperOS You can change it in two ways:

Method 1: Through embedded themes

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon on desktop).
2. Select the Icons section or the Icon Style.
3. Use your favorite package (e.g. Minimal) UI or Pixel Icons).

Please note that many themes require a Xiaomi account connection and may contain ads.

Method 2: Install custom icons through third-party launchers

This will require:

1. Download pack icons (such as Whicons or Delta from Play Market).
2. In the launcher settings (Nova/Niagara) choose the style of icons → Pak icons.
3. Apply the selected pack. If some icons have not changed, use the option of Masking icons.

How to make the widget transparent:

Many widgets (e.g. Chronus or Chronus) KWGT) They support background transparency settings:

1. Add the widget to the screen.
2. Press it. → Modify (or Settings).
3. Find the background or transparency option and reduce the value to 0-30%.

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Widgets can slow down the system if they are updated too often. In the widget settings (for example, weather), set the refresh interval no more than 1 time per hour.

Step 5: Gestures and hotkeys to speed up work

MIUI And HyperOS supports gestures, but you have to enable them manually, and third-party launchers offer even more features:

Gestures in the standard launcher Xiaomi:

• 👉 Swipe down on desktop – opens the search bar.
• 👉 Swipe up - opens the application menu (applets).
• 👉 Double-touch screen – lock/unlock (configured in Settings) → Screen locking → Double touch to wake up).

Extended gestures in Nova Launcher:

To set up:

1. Open the Nova settings → Gestures and entrances.
2. Select an action (e.g. Swipe up) and assign it a command: - Open an application (e.g. Camera). - Call Google Assistant. - Go to a specific desktop.

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If you have Xiaomi with HyperOS, try the “Put the app icon” gesture. → Drag up. This will open the quick action menu (for example, YouTube will have the option "Open in the Pop-up window").

Step 6: Optimizing the launcher’s performance

The more widgets, animations and desktops you have, the slower the system works.

For the standard MIUI/HyperOS launcher:

• 🗑️ Cache cleanup: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Disabling animations: Settings → Additional settings → Animation of the system → No animation.
• 📵 Removing unnecessary widgets (they consume) RAM even in the background).

For Nova Launcher:

• 🔧 In the settings, select Productivity. → Memory. → Optimize for speed.
• 🖼️ Turn off animation when opening folders.
• 📊 Reduce the number of cached desktops to 2-3.

Step 7: Hidden HyperOS chips for desktop

New HyperOS shell (debuted on Xiaomi 14 and Redmi) K70) Offering unique functions:

1. "Smart Desktop"

The system automatically sorts icons into categories (e.g., "Social Networks", "Games") to enable:

1. Hold the screen. → Screen settings.
2. Activate the Smart Grouping option.

2. widgets with dynamic content

For example, the Weather widget can show not only temperature, but also clothing recommendations, and the Calendar widget can remind you of birthdays from contacts.

1. Add the widget to the screen.
2. Press it. → Settings → Personalization.
3. Select data sources (e.g. sync with Google Calendar).

Big Screen Mode 3

For tablets Xiaomi Pad is available mode with adaptive interface:

- Go to Settings. → Screen. → Big screen mode.

- Enable the option for better display of applications.

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In HyperOS, you can create folders with tabs: pinch the icon, drag to another icon, then swipe up/down inside the folder to switch between tabs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi desktop

⚠️ Warning: If after changing themes or installing a launcher, system icons (such as Phone or Messages) are lost, don't panic. They're not deleted, they're simply hidden. To return them, go to Settings. → Annexes → Show all applications and uncheck the box from the option "Hide system".

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO X3 or Redmi Note 10) when using third-party launchers may not work navigation gestures MIUI. In this case, return the standard buttons to Settings. → Screen. → Navigation style.