Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, which run MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, offer users great flexibility in setting up the interface. However, the standard algorithm for sorting applications often seems unobvious, especially for those who are used to pure Android or iOS. The app label is not just an icon, but a full-fledged navigation tool that can be customized to your needs to improve productivity.
In this article, we will take a look at all aspects of icon work, from basic transfer of programs to the home screen to creating specialized shortcuts for specific actions within programs, you will learn to organize the workspace so that everything you need is at hand, and the extra does not horn your eyes.
Understanding the launcher (system shell) allows you to turn a chaotic set of icons into a convenient working tool. We will consider the standard tools of the system, and also touch on third-party solutions if the standard functionality is not enough for your tasks.
Basic principles of navigation in MIUI and HyperOS
The first thing that a user encounters when buying a new Xiaomi is splitting the interface into two modes. Unlike many other manufacturers, the default mode can be “from the app menu” here. In this case, all installed programs are in a separate list that opens upwards by swiping, and only selected shortcuts are on the desktop (main screen).
The second mode, more familiar to many, involves all new programs automatically creating their own desktop icons, and you can switch between these modes in the system settings, which radically changes the way you organize space. HyperOS inherited this logic, adding only visual improvements and smooth animations.
It's important to understand that the shell is very tightly controlled as to what elements can be on the desktop, and this is done to ensure the safety and stability of the device, but within this framework, the user has complete discretion to move, group and remove visible interface elements.
- 📱 “No menu” mode – all apps are on the screen at once, as in iOS.
- 📂 "C menu" mode - only shortcuts are on the screen, the full list is hidden.
- ⚙️ Flexible setting of grid and icon size in system parameters.
For many users, the best option is a hybrid approach, where widgets and frequently used applications are located on the first screen, and the rest are hidden in the menu or distributed across pages, which allows you to maintain system performance without overloading RAM with rendering unnecessary elements.
How to transfer the application from the menu to the main screen
If you have an app menu mode enabled, the process of adding a shortcut to your desktop looks intuitive, but has its own nuances depending on the firmware version. First, you need to open the menu of all applications, usually by swiping up from the bottom of the screen or pressing a special button.
Find the program in the alphabetical list. You can use the letter pointer on the right for a quick transition. When the icon is found, click on it and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds, at which point the system will go into editing mode, and you can drag the object to any free cell.
☑️ Label-making algorithm
In some versions of MIUI, you can pop up a context menu with a long press, in which case you need to select the option "Add to the main screen" or simply drag the icon to the top of the display, where a desktop preview will appear, which is standard procedure for any Android smartphone with a custom shell.
⚠️ Warning: If you drag and drop an icon, it sticks to the edges or disappears, you may have the element lock on the screen. Check if the "Block the placement" box is worth checking in the desktop settings.
Once you put a shortcut, you can immediately move it to the folder with removable programs or leave it as it is. The system automatically prompts you to create a folder if you drag one icon to another, a convenient way of grouping that helps keep order effortlessly.
Removing shortcuts and hiding applications
Often times, you don't have to create a shortcut, you have to take it out of your sight without removing the app itself. On Xiaomi, this is done through a "hide" mechanism. When you remove the icon from your desktop in the app menu mode, it's not removed, it just stops showing up on the home page, and it's still available in the shared list.
To remove the label in "all on screen" mode, the process is slightly different: you need to pinch the icon and drag it to the top of the screen, where you will see an area that says "Delete" or the cart icon. It is important not to confuse: if you pull the icon to the right, you will open a quick access menu to the functions of the application, not delete.
- 🗑️ Drag to the cart removes the shortcut from the current screen.
- 🙈 Hiding leaves the app on the menu, but removes it from the desktop.
- 🚫 Complete removal of the program requires confirmation in the system dialogue.
There is also a Hidden Apps feature available through theme or security settings, which can be used to place programs that don't need to be horny or only accessible to a certain number of people, accessed through a special gesture or password in the Security app.
If you accidentally delete the label of an important system utility, don't worry. It's not going anywhere in the application menu mode. If you're in "all on the screen" mode, just find the program in the menu (swipe up) and return the icon to its place in the way described above, and the system files will not be affected.
Where do the deleted labels go?
Creating Extended Shortcuts and Widgets
Modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 support extended shortcuts, which means that a long tap on an icon can open a menu with additional actions: creating a new chat, launching navigation to the house, turning on a flashlight. Some of these actions can be brought to the desktop as separate widgets.
To add a widget, you need to pinch an empty space on your desktop or pinch a two-finger to open the edit menu. Select "Vidgets." Here's a huge catalogue, from hours and weather to quick buttons to launch specific app features, such as "Pay" in a banking client or "Write track" in a fitness application.
Xiaomi widgets can come in many sizes, stretch, compress and combine them, and this allows you to create unique compositions on the lock screen or the home screen, for example, you can build a smart home control panel using only button widgets.
| Type of element | Functional | Interactivity |
|---|---|---|
| Standard label | Launch of the application | Low (opening only) |
| Extended label | Quick action (menu) | Medium (option choice) |
| widget | Display of information | High (data update) |
| folder | Icon grouping | Low (organization) |
Using shortcuts is especially relevant for frequently used functions: you can create a shortcut that immediately opens the camera in selfie mode, or a shortcut that launches the navigator with a route already laid to work. This saves time and makes using your smartphone more efficient.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party widgets from Play Market, make sure they are optimized for your Android version.Unoptimized widgets can cause increased battery consumption and interface lags.
Organization of space: folders and styles
Chaos on the screen reduces productivity. Xiaomi offers convenient tools for putting order. The easiest way is to create folders. Just drag and drop one icon to another. The system automatically creates a container where you can fold up to 20-30 applications, although it is visually more convenient to keep 6-9 pieces there.
You can rename folders, change their backgrounds, even the style of the icons inside. New versions of the shell have themes that change the appearance of all shortcuts at once. If standard icons seem boring to you, go to the Topics app and select any set. This will instantly change the visual style of all app shortcuts.
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Use split widgets or empty icons to visually delineate groups of applications on the desktop without creating unnecessary folders.
Remember the grid. In the desktop settings, you can select the number of rows and columns (e.g., 5x6 or 6x6). The more cells, the more information you put on the screen, but the smaller the icons become. For larger-screen devices like the Redmi Note series, a 6x6 grid is optimal.
Cleaning your desktop regularly is a good habit, removing shortcuts for games you haven't played in weeks, or banking apps you use once a month, from the app menu or the "Rarely Used" folder, which is not only beautiful, but also helps you find things faster.
Solving the Problems of Losing Labels
Sometimes users are faced with an unpleasant situation: shortcuts spontaneously disappear, change size or move, most often due to a system update or a launcher failure. MIUI This is the responsibility of the com.miui.home process.
If the shortcuts are gone after the update, try clearing the launcher cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, search the Desktop (or Launcher) list and click Clear Data -> Clear Cache. This is secure and won't delete your files, but resets the icon settings to standard.
- 🔄 Check for system updates in the menu "About the phone".
- 🧹 Clear the launcher cache through application settings.
- 🔌 Restart the device to restart system processes.
In rare cases, the problem may be a damage to the launcher database, so a complete reset of the desktop settings (the "Clear all data" button in the same menu) helps, but this will return the icons to the factory state, and all the folders will have to be reassembled. Before the launcher completely resets, take screenshots to remember the location of the applications.
It’s also worth checking if the “Simple Mode” (for older people) mode is enabled, which changes the size and number of shortcuts. You can turn it off in Settings → Advanced Settings → Simple Mode.
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Most icon display problems are solved by cleaning the launcher cache or simply restarting the smartphone.
Use of third-party launchers
Xiaomi's regular tools are powerful, but sometimes you want more freedom. Installing a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher allows you to create shortcuts with any design, change animations and add gestures. However, on HyperOS and new MIUIs, this may require additional action.
The system may insist on returning to the standard launcher. To avoid this, select Always instead of Once when you first start a new shell. If the system blocks installation, you may need to disable the Optimize MIUI option in the developer menu, although the latest versions make it increasingly difficult.
Third-party launchers allow you to create activity shortcuts of any nesting depth that is not available in the standard interface. You can display a specific system setting or a feature hidden in the depth of the menu to the desktop.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party launchers may consume more battery life than Xiaomi's full-time launcher, due to less efficient optimization for specific hardware.
Choosing between a standard and a third-party solution is a matter of taste. Xiaomi’s standard launcher is better integrated with the ecosystem (Mi widgets, smart home management), while third-party offers limitless customization of appearance.