How to completely remove the shortcut menu on Xiaomi: from simple folders to system widgets

On the home screen of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones, dozens of unnecessary shortcuts, app folders and system widgets accumulate over time, which interfere with comfortable use. Even after removing an application, its icon can remain in the Shortcuts menu or on the desktop, and standard cleaning methods often do not work. In this article, we will analyze all possible removal methods, from basic actions to hidden MIUI settings, which are not documented in the official instructions.

Complicating the problem is that the manufacturer regularly changes the logic of the shell: what worked in MIUI 12 may not work in MIUI 14. We tested each method on current firmware (2023-2026) and indicated which versions they are suitable for, you will learn how to disable automatic shortcut creation when installing new applications and why some icons can not be removed without superuser rights.

Why are labels not removed in the standard way?

There are several types of shortcuts in MIUI, and each behaves differently:

• 📱 Application shortcuts are icons of installed programs, and they can be removed with a long press and drag and drop in the basket, but only if the application is not system-based.
• 🗂️ Labeled folders are automatically created groups (such as Tools or Social Networks) that cannot be removed directly, but can be disassembled.
• ⚙️ System widgets are elements like Weather, Calendar, or Recommendations, and their removal is often blocked by the shell.
• 🔄 Residual shortcuts are icons of remote applications that remain in the launcher cache.

The main reason for undeleted shortcuts is system component protection. Xiaomi blocks the removal of some widgets (such as Quick Settings or Search) to prevent users from losing access to key features. MIUI 13+ also features App Vault (swipe left on the home screen) that automatically adds shortcuts based on your activity.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using POCO Launcher or third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), the ways to delete may be different. MIUI in the settings Settings → Home. → Default launcher.

Method 1: Removing shortcuts by long pressing (basic method)

This is the easiest way to do it, and it works for most custom shortcuts and folders, and it works for MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Press and hold the shortcut or folder you want to delete.
2. Wait for the menu to appear (usually takes 1-2 seconds).
3. Drag the icon into the basket that appears at the top of the screen (the “Delete” icon).
4. If the shortcut belongs to the application, a pop-up will appear with the choice: “Delete” (uninstall the application) or “Remove from the screen” (leave in the application menu).

For folders with shortcuts, the algorithm is slightly different:

1. Long click on the folder → “Edit the folder”.
2. Hold the icon inside the folder and drag it out.
3. When the folder is empty, it will automatically disappear.

Long pressing at least 2 seconds|Check if the screen is locked (swipe up)|Turn off the "For Left-handed" mode in the settings|Reboot your smartphone if the launcher is getting stuck-->

This method will not work for:

• 🔒 System widgets (e.g., “Weather” or “Calendar»).
• 📱 Labels of pre-installed applications (Mi Video, Mi Music, etc.).
• 🔄 Residual icons after removal of programs.

Method 2: Clearing the launcher cache (for “ghost” labels)

If, after deleting an application, its icon remains on the screen or in the Shortcuts menu, the problem is in the shell cache, which also helps when shortcuts are duplicated or displayed incorrectly.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type “Luncher” (or “Launcher” for English firmware).
3. Select the System Launcher (MIUI Launcher) application.
4. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data”.
5. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: Clearing the launcher data will reset the location of all icons on the home screen!Photo in advance of the current arrangement if it is important.

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If after cleaning the cache, shortcuts still remain, try to disable the “Show recommendations” option in the launcher settings (Settings → Home → Recommendations).

There is an alternative way for MIUI 14 to do this:

Settings → Home → Additional settings → Resetting the launcher settings

Method 3: Disabling Automatic Shortcut Creation

By default, Xiaomi adds shortcuts to the home screen when installing new apps.

1. Open the Settings. → Home.
2. Find the option “Add new apps to the home screen” (in some versions – “Addopt shortcuts”).
3. Switch the slider to the "Off" position.

MIUI 13/14 is also available for setting:

Settings → Home → Application folder → Automatic sorting

• 📁 Turn off Automatic Folder Creation to prevent shortcut grouping.
• 🔄 Turn off the “App Recommendations” so that no offers from Xiaomi appear.

In MIUI 14 on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12), the option of automatically adding shortcuts is hidden deeper: it can only be found through a search by settings (the magnifying icon in the upper right corner).

Method 4: Remove system widgets through hidden settings

Some widgets (such as Weather, Calendar, or Quick Settings) cannot be removed in the standard way.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Back to the settings → Additional → for developers.
3. Find the option “Debug by USB” and enable it.
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and use it ADB-deactivation.

List of commands for popular widgets:

⚠️ Note: pm hide commands only work on firmware with support ADB and can cause system instability!

Method 5: Resetting the launcher settings (last resort)

If no method has worked, you can reset the launcher completely, and this will bring back all the settings to the factory settings, but it will remove all the user shortcuts and folders:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the system's Louncher» (MIUI Launcher).
3. Click on “Storage” → “Space Management” → “Settings Reset”.
4. Confirm the action.

For MIUI 14, an alternative path is:

Settings → Home → Additional settings → Resetting the launcher settings

After discharge:

• ✅ All unnecessary labels and folders will disappear.
• ❌ You will have to reset the main screen.
• ⚠️ Some system widgets (such as Search) may appear again.

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Resetting the launcher is the most radical method, but it is guaranteed to remove all “stuck” shortcuts, including residual icons of remote applications.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users experience typical problems when trying to remove shortcuts, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

• 🔄 The label returns after the reboot → Clear the launcher cache (see Method 2).
• 🚫 The basket does not appear with a long press. → Check if left-handed mode or navigation gestures are activated.
• 📱 You can not remove the system application icon → Use it. ADB (See Method 4) or disable the application in the settings.
• 🗂️ The folder will not be deleted, even if it is empty. → Drag it to the “Delete” icon at the top of the screen.

Another common problem is label duplication, which is due to a conflict between the launcher and Xiaomi services.

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Turn off the synchronization of the “launcher settings”.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions