How to create a shortcut on the Xiaomi desktop: all ways to MIUI

Xiaomi's desktop isn't just a background with icons, it's a tool for quick access to the right features. But what if a standard set of shortcuts isn't enough? You might want to bring a frequently used contact, a website, or even a hidden system setting to the home screen. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to create labels for MIUI — basic to little-known.

Many users find that after updating the shell, the usual methods stop working. MIUI 14 disappeared the function of adding shortcuts through a long press on the screen, and in MIUI 12, it required Widgets, and we tested all the current methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO X5 Pro – and ready to share working solutions.

We will focus on three key types of labels:

• 📱 Application shortcuts – standard icons from the menu
• 👤 Contact shortcuts – a quick call or message
• 🌐 Website shortcuts – direct access to pages without a browser

If you use Xiaomi at work or in business, being able to quickly customize your desktop will save you up to 15 minutes a day finding the right features, and for gamers and photographers, we have prepared a bonus section on creating shortcuts for Game Turbo and Camera.

1. Standard method: Adding an app shortcut

The most obvious method is to transfer the icon from the app menu to the desktop, but even here, there are nuances that depend on the version. MIUI and smartphone models.

V MIUI 14 the algorithm has changed: you can't just drag and drop the icon like the old versions:

1. Open the Apps menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen)
2. Find the right application and pinch its icon on 1-2 seconds
3. In the context menu that appears, select Add to the main screen.
4. Drag the label to the right place and let go of your finger.

On models POCO (for example, POCO F5) You may need to first click on three dots in the upper right corner of the app menu and select Edit Mode. Only then will drag and drop options become available.

Make sure there is a free space on the desktop |

Close all background applications (especially launchers) |

Check if the Light interface mode is enabled in the special features settings|

Turn off Application Protection if no shortcut is added-->

Problem with system applications: some standard utilities (for example, Security or Themes) may not have the option to add to the desktop, in which case the widget method will help (we will discuss in the next section).

⚠️ Note: If the shortcut disappears after a few seconds, check the Memory Optimization settings in the Settings section. → Annexes → Application management. It's possible that the system automatically closes "unused" shortcuts.

2. Creating a shortcut through widgets (for hidden features)

Widgets in MIUI — It's not just the weather or the calendar, it's also a way to bring hidden features to your desktop:

• 🔧 Quick access to Developer Mode
• 📡 Switching mobile networks (2G/3G/4G/5G)
• 🔋 Battery settings for a specific application

Instructions:

1. Click the empty space on the desktop and select Widgets
2. Scroll down to Tools or Settings section
3. Select the Settings Shortcuts widget (the name may differ)
4. Drag it to the screen and in the list that appears, select the desired function.

Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14 This method works to create labels:

Settings → System → Additional → Developer Parameters


Settings → Connections and Sharing → Mobile Network → Network Type

Limitation: Not all features are available through widgets, for example, a shortcut to Reset Settings or System Updates cannot be created for security reasons.

Contact shortcuts: Quick call and messages

If you call the same person often, it makes sense to put their contact on the desktop. MIUI You can do it in two ways:

Method 1: Through the "Contact" application

1. Open the Contacts app
2. Find the right contact and open your card.
3. Click on three dots in the upper right corner
4. Select Add to the main screen
5. Select the shortcut type: Call or Message

Method 2: Through the shortcut menu (not working on all models)

1. Hold an empty space on the desktop
2. Select Labels → Contacts
3. Select a contact from the list
4. Specify action: call, SMS video-call

On the Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 13 The second method may not work – in this case, use the first method or update the firmware.

💡

If the contact shortcut doesn't update after you change the number, remove it from your desktop and recreate it. The system caches the contact data, and sometimes a forced update is required.

It's helpful for business users to know that contact shortcuts support group activities, for example, you can create a shortcut to send. SMS Multiple recipients (up to 10 contacts in one group).

4. Website shortcuts: direct access to pages

Do you want to open your favorite site in one tap, without running a browser? MIUI This is implemented through the Web shortcut function, but with reservations:

• 🌍 It only works with Mi Browser (standard Chrome is not supported)
• 🔗 Not all sites are properly displayed as a shortcut (Javascript problems)
• 🔒 For HTTPS-You may need to confirm security at first opening

Step-by-step:

1. Open Mi Browser and go to the right page
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner
3. Select Add to the main screen
4. If necessary, edit the name of the label.
5. Press Add Add Add.

Important: Website labels in MIUI They don't support auto-update -- if you change the design of the site, the label icon may not display correctly. To update the preview, remove the shortcut and recreate it.

For users who prefer Chrome, there is a workaround:

1. Open a website in Chrome
2. Press three points. → Add to the main screen
3. The system will create a shortcut, but it will open the site through Chrome, not some application.

⚠️ Note: Website shortcuts consume up to 20% more memory than regular applications, as they actually run the browser in the background. If you notice that the smartphone has become slow, check the active processes in Settings → Annexes → Launched.

5. Advanced Methods: ADB and Third Party Launchers

If the standard methods do not suit, you can go further and use:

• 🤖 ADB-team for creating system labels
• 🎨 Third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher)
• 📦 Applications for customization (Shortcut Maker, Tasker)

Method ADB It's a good way to create shortcuts for system applications that are usually hidden, like this one put on the desktop:

am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings #DevelopmentSettings


am start -n com.miui.securitycenter/.optimize.AutoStartActivity # Auto-Start Applications

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell am start -n [packet]/[activity]
3. Find the created shortcut in the application menu and transfer to the desktop

For Nova Launcher, the algorithm is simpler:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play
2. Clutch the empty space on the screen → Widgets → Nova Actions
3. Select an action (such as Reboot or Shutdown)
4. Customize the appearance of the label

💡

Third-party launchers allow you to create shortcuts for actions that are not available in the standard MIUI Launcher, for example: forced app stop, quick access to settings CPU or GPU, Or even running a specific script in Tasker.

6. Features for different Xiaomi models

Performance and shortcut creation capabilities may vary depending on model and version MIUI. Here's what you need to know:

For flagships (Xiaomi) 13T, 12S Ultra):

• 🔹 Dynamic labels are supported (change the view depending on the time of day)

For budget models (Redmi) A2, POCO M5):

For tablets (Xiaomi Pad 6):

• 📱 Support for split screen shortcuts (you can pin two shortcuts next to each other)

On Xiaomi Black Shark, Game Turbo shortcuts are automatically created when the game is first launched.

1. Open the Playing Space
2. Select a game from the list
3. Click on the gear icon. → Add to the desktop
4. Select the shortcut type: Quick Start or Performance Settings

7. Resolving label problems

If shortcuts are not added, disappear or fail, check the following points:

Problem 1: The label disappears after the reboot

• 🔧 Check Memory Optimization Settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management
• 🔧 Turn off the Cleanup function when locking for launcher
• 🔧 Update the firmware (in) MIUI 12.5 was a shortcut caching error)

Problem 2: You can’t create a shortcut for a system application

• 🛠 Use it. ADB or Nova Launcher
• 🛠 Check if the application is disabled in Settings → Annexes → Application management
• 🛠 For Settings, try creating a shortcut through the Settings Shortcuts widget.

Problem 3: Website shortcuts are not opened

• 🌐 Make sure that Mi Browser is not turned off in the settings
• 🌐 Check your internet connection (tags require an active connection)
• 🌐 Clear the browser cache in Settings → Annexes → Mi Browser → Warehouse

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Find the Launcher (or) MIUI Launcher)
3. Select Warehouse → Clear the Data
4. Reset the device

⚠️ Warning: Clearing the launcher data will remove all your desktop settings, including shortcuts and widgets. Before the procedure, take screenshots of the current arrangement to quickly restore it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi