Second desktop on Xiaomi: how to create and configure

Modern Xiaomi smartphones on the basis MIUI They offer users flexible customization options, including a second desktop feature, which is useful if you want to separate work and personal applications, hide sensitive data from prying eyes, or simply organize screen space more efficiently. However, not all users know that this option exists and how to activate it correctly.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the available ways to create an additional desktop on Xiaomi devices – from built-in tools. MIUI You'll learn which models support this out of the box, how to get around the limitations on older firmware, and what nuances are important to consider when setting up. Does the second desktop affect performance, can widgets be synchronized between screens, and how to get it back if something goes wrong.

Why you need a second desktop on Xiaomi

At first glance, it may seem like a few desktops are a redundancy, but in practice, this feature solves several problems at once:

• 📊 Separation of work and personal space, for example, on one screen you can place messengers and social networks, and on the second you can put working tools like Google Docs, Trello or Slack.
• 🔒 Privacy: If you give your phone to your colleagues or children, you can hide important apps on a second desktop that won't be visible in normal use.
• 🎨 Creative organization: Designers, photographers, or gamers can customize individual screens for specific tasks: one for editing tools, another for running games.
• 📱 UI testing. If you're experimenting with design, a second desktop will allow you to try out new widgets or themes without touching the main screen.

It is important to understand that a second desktop is not the same as a guest mode or user profile (which is also available in the desktop). MIUI). It's just an extra icon and widget space that works within your primary account, and all the apps and data remain available, but you can spread them across different screens for convenience.

How to create a second desktop on Xiaomi

Depending on the smartphone model and version MIUI There are several ways you can add an extra desktop, and let's take a look at them in order, from the simplest to the more complex.

Method 1: Built-in function MIUI (newer versions)

Starting with MIUI 12 and above, including MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the firmware has official support for multiple desktops:

1. Unlock the screen and go to the main desktop.
2. Make a pinch movement (squeeze two fingers on the screen) – this will open the editing mode.
3. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a thumbnail of the current desktop. Slip left or right -- if the feature is supported, you'll see an empty screen with a plus-plus screen (+).
4. Press on. +, add a new desktop.

If this method does not work, check the version. MIUI in settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI). On old firmware (up to) MIUI 12) there may be no built-in function - in this case, proceed to the following methods.

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If you add a second desktop, it disappears after you restart, try putting at least one app icon or widget on it, which will help the system remember it.

Method 2: Use of third-party launchers

If you have a version MIUI It does not support multiple desktops, you can install an alternative launcher from Google Play:

• 📱 Nova Launcher – flexible launcher with support for multiple desktops, gestures and customization icons.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher – a lightweight launcher with the ability to create up to 9 desktops.
• 🔧 Microsoft Launcher – Integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, support for multiple screens and synchronization with PC.
• 🌐 Action Launcher – unique features like “shutter” (fast access to the widget) and adaptive icons.

To set up the second desktop via Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and select it as the default launcher.
2. Press and hold an empty space on the desktop → Select Settings.
3. Go to the desk. → Number of desks.
4. Increase the number to 2-5 (at your choice).
5. Return to the main screen and scroll left/right, and a new empty desktop will appear.

Method 3: Hidden settings MIUI (power-user)

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) Multi-desktop function is hidden in the engineering menu to activate it:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##6484###
2. In the menu that appears, select Desktop settings (or similar).
3. Find the Multi-desktop or Enable Second Desktop option and activate it.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Changing hidden settings can lead to unstable operation of the interface. If after activation of the second desktop there are lags or errors, reset the launcher settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Compatibility table: which Xiaomi models support multiple desktops

Not all Xiaomi smartphones work equally well with multiple desktops. Below is a compatibility table for popular models and versions. MIUI:

If your model is not in the table, focus on the MIUI version:

• 🆕 HyperOS / MIUI 14 - Support out of the box".
• 🔄 MIUI 12–13 – activation via the engineering menu may be required.
• ❌ MIUI 11 and below - third-party launchers only.

How to set up a second desktop: tips and tricks

So, building an extra screen is only half the battle, and in order for it to be really useful, you have to set it up properly. Here are some tips.

Division of annexes into categories

Logically distribute the icons between the desktops, for example:

• 📱 Main screen: frequently used applications (messengers, calls, camera).
• 💼 Second screen: working tools (Google Drive, Notion, Zoom).
• 🎮 Third screen (if any): Games and entertainment (YouTube, Netflix, Genshin Impact, and others).

To quickly move icons between screens, pinch the app, drag it to the edge of the screen and wait for the switch to the next desktop.

2. Widgets and wallpaper

Each desktop can have unique wallpapers and widgets, such as a calendar or note widget on the desktop screen, and a weather and player on the personal screen, to change the wallpaper for a particular screen:

1. Go to the right desk.
2. Press and hold the empty space. → pick Wallpaper.
3. Select the image (you can use different for each screen).

3.Gestural and quick switching

To speed up navigation between desktops, adjust gestures:

• 👆 Up/down swipe: Nova Launcher can assign a swipe to switch between screens.
• ⚡ Double touch: Some launchers allow you to return to the main screen with double tap.
• 🔄 Home button: in settings MIUI (Settings → Additionally. → Home button can enable cyclic switching between desktops.

⚠️ Note: If you use full-screen gestures (no navigation buttons), switching between desktops may conflict with system swipes, in which case disable the launcher gestures or adjust them to other movements (for example, swipe from the corner).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting up the second desktop, users often encounter common errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The second desktop disappears after a reboot

This happens if there is no icon or widget on the screen. MIUI It's like it's empty and it's deleted when it's rebooted:

1. Add at least one app or widget to the second screen.
2. If you use a third-party launcher, check your data retention settings (launcher settings) → Backup).

Problem 2: Lags and brakes when switching

On weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO C31) Some desktops can slow down to fix it:

• 🔄 Reduce the number of screens to 2-3.
• 🗑️ Turn off animations in the launcher settings.
• 🛠️ Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Problem 3: Widgets are not updated on the second screen

Some widgets (such as weather or calendar) may freeze on additional desktops. MIUI. Decision:

1. Add the widget again.
2. Turn off battery optimization for the application to which the widget belongs (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select an application → No restrictions).
3. Reset the device.

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If widget problems persist, try using alternative widgets (like the Chronus instead of the standard widget watch) or roll back to the factory launcher.

How to remove the second desktop on Xiaomi

If you don't need the extra screen, you can remove it, depending on how you created it.

For the built-in MIUI function:

1. Go to edit mode (plucking movement with two fingers).
2. Scroll down to an unnecessary desktop.
3. Click on the basket icon (🗑️) Or drag all the icons off the screen.
4. The screen will automatically be removed after cleaning.

For third-party launchers:

1. Open the launcher settings.
2. Go to the desk. → Number of desks.
3. Reduce the number to 1.
4. Save the changes.

⚠️ Note: When you delete the second desktop, all the widgets and folders that are placed on it will be lost. If you need to save the structure, take screenshots first or write down the location of the icons.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions