How to remove the shortcut from the screen of the Xiaomi smartphone: from basic methods to hidden features

Why do Xiaomi shortcuts behave differently than other Androids?

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They often encounter unexpected behaviors on the home screen, unlike pure Android, the shell. MIUI For example, some applications (such as Mi Home or GetApps) can automatically return to the screen after system updates, and weather or calendar widgets sometimes stick to the desktop despite attempts to remove them.

The reason lies in the two-layer architecture MIUI: And on top of the standard Android launcher, Xiaomi's proprietary interface is running, which overrides some of the system actions, which means that the classic removal method (dragging to the cart) doesn't always work:

• 🔄 System applications (Themes, Security, Mi Video) that MIUI shield;
• 📱 Widget shortcuts (such as Weather or Steps) tied to Xiaomi services;
• 🔗 Duplicate icons that appear after data transfer or resetting settings;
• 🚫 "Unremovable folders (like Tools or Google) created by the manufacturer.

In this article, we will discuss 7 ways to remove shortcuts, including hidden features. MIUI, You will learn how to circumvent system restrictions, disable automatic icon recovery, and even remove system applications without root rights (with reservations).

Method 1: Classic Removal (and Why It Doesn't Always Work)

The most obvious method, dragging the shortcut to the cart, only works for custom apps and some widgets.

1. Press and hold your finger on the app or widget icon.
2. Wait for the cross to appear (❌) at the top of the screen or the inscription Delete.
3. Drag the shortcut to the delete area (usually at the top or bottom of the screen).

If the cross does not appear, check:

• 🔍 Is the application system (for example, Camera or Phone – they can not be removed, only hidden);
• 🔒 Is the label blocked (in) MIUI 14+ There is a function "Preserve the icons");
• 📱 Are you using a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Apex) where the deletion logic is different.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 15 After removing the system app shortcut (e.g. Mi Community), it can return after the reboot.

Method 2: Remove via the app menu (for stubborn icons)

If dragging to the cart doesn’t work, try removing the shortcut through the context menu:

1. Press and hold the icon of the problem application.
2. In the menu that appears, select Application Information (or Information).
3. Click Remove (if the button is active) or Disable (for system applications).

For widgets (such as Weather or Calendar):

1. Hold the widget until the frame appears.
2. Drag it to the Delete icon (usually at the bottom of the screen).
3. If the widget is not deleted, go to Settings → Main screen screen → Widgets and turn it off there.

If the Remove button is inactive, it means that the application is system and can only be disabled (this hides the shortcut and stops background processes) or hidden (the shortcut disappears, but the application remains in the system).

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To return a disabled system application, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Turn it off and turn it back on.

Method 3: Hiding system applications through settings MIUI

For applications that cannot be removed (such as Mi Pay, Mi Community, or GetApps), use the Hidden feature:

1. Go to Settings. → Main screen screen.
2. Choose Hide Apps (in some versions) MIUI This item is called Badge Management).
3. Tick the apps you want to hide and click Ready.

Hidden annexes:

• 🔍 Disappear from the main screen and from the app menu;
• 📱 Stay in the system and will be available through search (Apps search at the bottom of the screen);
• 🔄 They may return after the update. MIUI (GetApps and Mi Community).

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 and later, hiding applications through screen settings doesn’t work for all system services, such as Security and Themes, which can’t be hidden by standard means, but will require them. ADB (see method 6).

If the label still appears after hiding, check:

• 🔄 Is there an update? MIUI (The system sometimes resets the concealment settings);
• 📱 Do you use a job profile (it may have duplicate icons);
• 🔧 Is the Restore function included in Settings? → Main screen screen → Additionally.

Method 4: Reset the settings of the main screen (radical method)

If the shortcuts are duplicated, not deleted, or the screen is captured by junk icons, resetting the launcher settings will help, which will return the screen to factory status without losing data (apps and files will remain in place).

1. Go to Settings. → Main screen screen.
2. Select Reset (or Reset by default).
3. Confirm the action.

• 📱 All shortcuts and widgets will disappear from the screen;
• 🔄 Folders and badge locations will reset;
• 🔧 The settings of wallpaper and transitions will remain.

After discharge:

1. Long tap on the empty screen space → Screen settings → Restore the right widgets.
2. Hold your finger on the app icon in the menu and drag it to the screen to return only the necessary shortcuts.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting screen settings does not remove system applications - they will remain on the menu and may reappear on the home screen after rebooting. To avoid this, hide unnecessary applications immediately after reset (see Method 3).

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Resetting screen settings is the quickest way to get rid of the chaos on the home screen, but it doesn’t remove the apps themselves, just their shortcuts.

Method 5: Disabling Automatic Addition of Labels

MIUI It has a hidden feature that automatically adds shortcuts to new apps to the home screen to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings. → Main screen screen → Additionally.
2. Find the option to Add icons to new apps (or Automatically add shortcuts) and turn it off.
3. Also turn off Restore icons after the update, if such a item is available.

If these options are not in your version MIUI, Use an alternative method:

1. Install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair).
2. In the launcher settings, find the Notifications for New Applications section and turn it off.

This will prevent:

• 📱 Automatic shortcuts after installing apps from Play Market or GetApps;
• 🔄 Return of deleted icons after update MIUI;
• 🔗 Duplication of shortcuts when transferring data between Xiaomi devices.

Method 6: Remove system applications through ADB (advanced)

If you need to completely uninstall the system app (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music or GetApps), you can use the app. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires connecting your phone to your computer and works without root rights, but has risks.

Warning: Removing system applications may result in:

• 🔄 Unstable work MIUI (For example, the disappearance of settings or errors during the update);
• 📱 Loss of functionality (e.g., deleting Mi Share will disable fast file transfers);
• 🔧 Problems with OTA-Updates (the system may require the recovery of deleted components).

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Make sure the device is determined.)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.package.name

Replace com.xiaomi.package.name with the name of the application package, for example, for GetApps:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

To return the remote application, use the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.package.name

⚠️ Attention: Do not remove through ADB The following packages: com.miui.home (launcher), com.android.settings (settings), com.miui.securitycenter (security), which will cause the phone to malfunction and require flashing.

Method 7: Use of a third-party launcher (bypassing restrictions) MIUI)

If standard methods don't work, install an alternative launcher that will:

• 📱 Completely control shortcuts and widgets;
• 🔄 Turn off automatic addition of icons;
• 🔧 Customize the look of the screen (including hiding system applications).

Recommended launchers for Xiaomi:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – flexible settings, gesture support, hiding applications;
• 🔧 Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher;
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration, minimalist design;
• 🔄 Apex Launcher – Support for backup screen settings.

How to hide system applications in Nova Launcher:

1. Keep your finger on the empty screen. → Settings.
2. Go to App Settings → Hide Apps.
3. Check the boxes for unnecessary apps (such as Mi Pay or Mi Community).
4. Click Ready – they will disappear from the menu and search.

Advantages of third-party launcher:

• 📱 No restrictions. MIUI tag-deleting;
• 🔄 Ability to back up the location of icons;
• 🔧 More customization options (icons, fonts, animations).

Disadvantages:

• 🔋 Small increase in battery consumption (2-5%);
• 🔄 Some widgets MIUI (For example, the weather may not work;
• 📱 No integration with Xiaomi’s proprietary features (e.g. Second Space).

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Side launcher is the only way to completely get rid of restrictions MIUI management of labels, but requires adaptation to the new interface.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing shortcuts on Xiaomi