Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have powerful filling, which allows users to install dozens and sometimes hundreds of different applications. Over time, the desktop turns into a chaotic pile of icons, which makes finding the right program takes precious seconds. Competent organization of the digital space becomes not just a matter of aesthetics, but a necessity to improve the productivity of the gadget.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can create folders on devices with MIUI shells and the new HyperOS. You will learn how to group shortcuts on the desktop, sort applications inside the menu, and learn how to structure files properly in the built-in file manager. Understanding these basic principles will help you bring perfect order to the system.
The process of creating folders on Xiaomi is intuitive, but it has its own nuances, depending on the version of the firmware and the launcher settings. We will look at the standard methods available to every user without the need to obtain Root rights or install third-party software. Let's start putting things in order in your smartphone right now.
Creating folders on the desktop in editing mode
The most common and quick way to organize applications is to create folders directly on the desktop. You don't have to search for complex settings in the depth of the menu, just activate the interface editing mode. This action is available on all current models, whether it's a budget Redmi Note or a flagship Xiaomi 14.
To go into editing mode, you need to pinch your two fingers across the screen, or just pinch the empty area on your desktop. The interface will change, the icons will shrink, and the toolbar will appear at the bottom, and that's where all the options you need to customize your desktop are.
Once you activate the editing mode, you can drag and drop any apps onto each other. Once you release your finger, the system automatically creates a new folder with two nested apps, and then you can rename it by giving a name that you can understand, such as "Social Networks" or "Games."
- 📱 Make a pinch with two fingers on the screen or a long press on an empty area.
- 📂 Drag one app icon over another to automatically merge.
- ✏️ Click on the name of the folder that appears to rename it according to the content.
- 🗑️ Use the basket icon in the bottom bar to remove unnecessary widgets or pages.
Deleting the folder from the desktop won't remove the apps themselves, it just stays on the menu, and it's a safe way to experiment with organizing space.
⚠️ Note: When dragging widgets (weather, hours) into the same folder with applications, they may not display correctly or take up too much space.
Grouping of applications within a common menu (App Drawer)
Many users prefer to hide all the apps in the menu, leaving the desktop clean. In the shells of MIUI and HyperOS, there is a feature called "Folders in the app menu", which allows you to create groups inside this list, and this is especially convenient for smartphone owners with a lot of installed software.
To activate this function, you need to go to settings. The path usually looks like: Settings → Desktop. Here you need to find the "Folders in the Application Menu" switch and activate it. Once you turn on this option, the principle of creating folders becomes similar to working on the desktop.
Now, if you're on the menu of all the apps, you can drag and drop icons to each other, create themed groups, which shorten the list length and find the programs you want faster, and it will offer you a name for the folder based on the type of application, but you can always change it manually.
Using folders in the app menu is especially important for devices with small screens, where it is important to save every pixel of space. Competent sorting by category (for example, Finance, Travel, Work) creates a logical structure that the brain quickly gets used to.
- 🔍 Go to Settings. → Desktop for managing display parameters.
- 📂 Enable the option of creating folders directly in the menu of all applications.
- 🖐️ Use a long-pressed icon in the menu to start dragging and drop.
- 🔄 Change the order of folders in the menu by simply tugging up or down.
It’s worth noting that some global firmware versions may have different app menu interfaces than the Chinese versions, but the basic drag-and-drop principle remains the same standard across the Android ecosystem that Xiaomi uses.
Creating folders in the file manager for documents
If the applications are relatively clear, file organization is often a question. Xiaomi’s Files (or Explorer) tool allows you to create full-fledged directories for storing photos, documents, music and videos, which is critical for those who use a smartphone for work.
To create a new folder, open the Explorer app and go to Files or Internal Drive. In the upper right corner of the screen, you can find a menu called by clicking on three dots or a plus-plus folder icon. In the action list that opens, you can select "Create a folder."
The system will suggest you enter a name for the new directory, so you can use Cyrillic, Latin and special characters, and once confirmed, the folder will appear in the current directory, and you can move or copy any files to it, which helps you separate personal photos from work documents.
The way for quick access:
Internal storage → DCIM → Camera (photos are stored here)
Internal drive → Download (retrieved files here)Regular file sorting by pack not only makes it easier to search, but also makes backup work faster. You can set up only certain folders to sync to the cloud, saving server space. Data structuring is a sign of an advanced user.
☑️ Checklist of file organization
Configuring the display and styling of folders
The visual component of the HyperOS interface and new versions of MIUI allows you not only to create folders, but also to customize their appearance. You can resize folders, make them transparent or, conversely, more visible, and this makes your smartphone a unique tool that reflects your style.
To resize a folder on your desktop, just click on it and hold it until the edit menu appears (or use the pinch mode described above). Some themes allow you to change the grid inside the folder to make it 2x2, 2x3 or 2x4 icons, which affects how many applications will be visible without opening the folder.
It is also possible to hide folder names if you use minimalist icons and want the screen to look like a single canvas, but for most users, having a signature remains a more convenient navigation option, especially for people with visual impairments.
| Parameter | Description | Where to change |
|---|---|---|
| Grid size | Number of icons in row/column | Settings → Desktop → Grid |
| Transparency | Degree of visibility of the background of the folder | Depends on the established theme |
| Animation. | Opening and closing effect | Settings → Advanced settings → Animation |
| Sorting | Order of icons inside the folder | Inside the folder (dropping) |
Using third-party themes from GetThemes can dramatically change the way folders are viewed. Some designers create whole concepts where folders look like shelves, pockets, or holographic projections. Experimenting with themes is a great way to refresh the experience of a device.
⚠️ Warning: Installing themes from unverified sources can lead to unstable launcher work or advertising. Use only the official Xiaomi theme store.
Smart folders and automatic sorting
MIUI is known for its automation features that help users save time. Smart folders are not just static containers, but dynamic elements that can offer sorting by content type. For example, the system can suggest putting all banking applications into one group when you first install them.
And then there's the "Speed Up" or "cleanup" function, which analyzes the occupancy of folders and cache inside them, and while it doesn't directly create folders, it helps keep them clean, regular audits of folder content allow you to remove unused applications that are just taking up space.
Newer versions of HyperOS introduce artificial intelligence elements that suggest which apps you use together and suggest merging them. You shouldn't turn down such suggestions if you value logical structure. Xiaomi's algorithms are pretty accurate in determining usage scenarios.