Desktop management on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is not just icon placement, but the science of optimizing device interaction. Owners of devices with MIUI shells and the new HyperOS often face the need to quickly access specific features hidden in the depths of the menu, or certain sections inside popular applications. The standard lock screen and desktop provide huge opportunities for customization if you know how to use them correctly. Creating shortcuts saves time and make using the gadget more comfortable.
In this article, we'll take a look at all the ways you can create shortcuts, and you'll learn to bring in not just whole programs, but also individual functions, link to web pages, and even customize gestures. The right way to organize screen space is to be productive with your smartphone, especially when you always have the right tools at hand.
Many users don't even realize that their device can do much more than just display icons of installed games and utilities. Using the built-in tools of the system, you can turn a boring list of applications into a convenient control panel. Let's look at what tools you need and how to activate them.
Creating an application shortcut on the desktop
The most basic but important operation is to take an already installed application from the menu to the home screen. In Xiaomi and Redmi shells, this process can vary depending on whether the No Menu mode is enabled or the classic app menu is enabled. If you just installed the program but the icon did not appear on the desktop, it is easy to fix manually.
You have to go to the menu of all the apps, usually swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Find the program you want, pinch the icon for a few seconds. The system will ask you to drag the object. Without letting go, move the icon to any free area of the desktop and release. Now access to the application is in one click.
⚠️ Warning: If you drag and drop an icon on your desktop that says "Can't Add a Widget" or the screen just shakes, the current desktop page is full.
In some cases, especially on newer versions of HyperOS, the system can automatically group new apps into the New folder or hide them if the clean desktop feature is enabled. Check the screen settings in the Edit section to make sure that adding new icons is not blocked.
☑️ Checking the desktop settings
Also, consider that some system applications are hidden by default, and sometimes you need to go to the theme settings or search the phone settings to activate them by entering the name of the hidden service.
How to create a website shortcut on Xiaomi’s desktop
Frequent visits to certain web resources require quick access, which is not always convenient to get through the history of the browser. Creating a site shortcut turns a link into a full-fledged app icon. This method is especially useful for web versions of social networks, news portals or online banking, which do not have native applications on the Google Play store.
The easiest way to do this is through a standard Chrome browser or MIUI Browser. Open the desired web page, click on the menu (three dots in the corner of the screen), and select "Add to the home screen" or "Create a shortcut." The system will prompt you to confirm the name, after which an icon with the site logo will appear on the desktop.
- 🌐 Open the browser and go to the desired site.
- 📂 Click the browser settings menu (three dots).
- ➕ Select the option "Add to the main screen».
- ✅ Confirm the creation by clicking "Add».
An alternative is to use browser widgets, and many Redmi Note models can add a Favorites widget that will display a list of frequently visited sites right on the screen, saving space as one widget replaces many individual icons.
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Use short titles for shortcuts to keep text from cropping under the icon. Long titles may look unaesthetic on small screens.
This is a great way to unload the internal storage of a smartphone, leaving only the necessary web tools.
Setting up double-touch labels and gestures
One of the most convenient features of the MIUI shell is the ability to run applications or functions with double taps on the screen off. It's not exactly a shortcut in the classical sense, but functionally performs the same role - fast access. However, in order for this feature to work consistently, you need to adjust the sensitivity correctly and select the target action.
Go to Settings → Lock screen (or “Always on screen and lock screen”). Find the “Double touch” or “Double tap” section. Here you can choose which action to perform: start the camera, turn on the flashlight, voice recorder or open a specific application. The functionality of this tool greatly expands the possibility of using a smartphone with one hand.
⚠️ Attention: Dual tap function may consume additional battery power as the touch layer of the screen is in constant standby mode.If autonomy is a priority for you, use this feature moderately.
In addition, in the special features section (Settings → Additional settings → Special features), you can configure shortcuts for the side button or volume button combinations, which allows you to start Google Assistant, take screenshots or open frequently used programs without unlocking your phone.
And don't forget about gesture control, because in navigation settings, you can swipe from the corner of the screen to launch a particular application, and this is especially true for devices with large diagonals, where it can be difficult to reach the top corner.
Use of widgets as extended labels
Widgets are live shortcuts that display current information without having to open an app. On Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, they look particularly spectacular thanks to their support for transparency and animation. The widget can show the weather, currency rates, steps or recent notifications, while being a quick start button.
To add a widget, press the empty space on your desktop and select "Widgets" in the bottom menu, you will see a library of all available items, select the desired, for example, "Calendar" or "Music", and drag it to the screen, the size of the widget can be changed, stretching its boundaries.
| Type of widget | Description of function | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Clock and weather | Time and temperature display | Low. |
| Calendar | Industry events for today | Average. |
| Battery | Charging the phone and headphones | Low. |
| News | Tape of current events | High. |
Newer versions of the firmware have introduced “super widgets” that occupy the entire screen or most of it, allowing you to create a unique interface design, but be careful: too many active widgets can lead to a decrease in performance of the device, especially on models of previous years of release.
The Secret of Transparent Widgets
Creating shortcuts for specific functions within applications
Many users don't know that you can create a shortcut for a specific function, not the entire application. QR-code" in a banking application or "New chat" in the messenger. This is implemented through the App Shortcuts mechanism, which is supported on Android 7.0 and higher.
To check for this feature, look for an app icon on the menu or desktop. Click on it and hold your finger for about 2-3 seconds. If the app developer has this option, a pop-up menu with additional options will appear around the icon. Select the desired feature (for example, "Scan") and click "Add".
- 📱 Find the icon of the desired application.
- ⏳ Press the icon before the context menu appears.
- 🔍 Select a specific function from the list.
- 💾 Click "Add a label».
This feature is extremely useful for common activities, such as the ability to label a YouTube Translation or a Voice Recorder on your desktop, eliminating the need to open the app every time you search for the button inside the interface.
It should be noted that not all applications support this feature, which depends solely on the developer of the program, and in Xiaomi system applications, this feature is usually implemented fully.
Hiding labels and organizing space
With many shortcuts, users often face the problem of clutter on the desktop. MIUI and HyperOS have built-in tools for organizing space. Hiding shortcuts is a great way to remove rarely used but necessary programs from view, leaving them accessible through search or folders.
To hide applications, use Hidden Apps. Go to Settings → Apps → Hidden Apps (the path may vary depending on the OS version). Here you can select programs whose icons will disappear from the desktop and menu but remain in the system. You will need to enter a special code or use a fingerprint to access them.
⚠️ Warning: When you reset your phone to factory settings, all hidden apps can become visible again.Don't rely on cover-up as a method of protecting sensitive information.
Also, use folders effectively. Group shortcuts by subject: Work, Social, Games. You can change the folder names, and the background inside the folder can be colored in different colors to visually separate, which helps maintain visual order and find the right things in seconds.
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Organizing shortcuts in folders and using hidden mode is the best way to keep the interface clean and speed up the search for the right programs.
Cleaning shortcuts from unused apps regularly also has a positive effect on user experience, and if you haven’t opened a game or utility for more than a month, you might want to remove it or at least remove it from the home screen.