How to remove the shortcut from the desktop on Xiaomi: a complete guide with pictures and videos

Xiaomi desktop shortcuts are a convenient way to quickly access applications, but over time they become too many. Extra icons clutter the screen, interfere with the orientation and spoil the appearance of the interface. This is especially true for users of MIUI 14/15, where by default there are many system widgets and banner ads. Fortunately, you can remove or hide unnecessary shortcuts in a few seconds - and we will tell you how to do it correctly.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to get rid of unnecessary icons: from standard removal to hiding system applications through MIUI settings. We will also discuss why some shortcuts are not removed in the usual way, and what to do if they appear again after cleaning. All instructions are relevant for Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12-15 (including global and Chinese versions of firmware).

Why can’t you just remove some of the tags on Xiaomi?

Many users are faced with the fact that some of the icons on the Xiaomi desktop are not removed in the standard way - when you press the cross, nothing happens. MIUI:

• 🔹 System applications (e.g. Security, Themes, Mi Video) are protected from removal because they are integrated into firmware.
• 🔹 Widgets and banner ads (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Finance) are tied to Xiaomi services and are restored after a reboot if you do not turn them off in the settings.
• 🔹 Folder shortcuts (such as Tools or Google) are created automatically when you first turn on your phone and are only deleted via the editing menu.

In addition, MIUI has a System Protection feature that blocks changes to critical components, so if you try to remove the shortcut to a system application (like Settings or Phone), the system will simply ignore your action, in which case you will need to use the developer mode or third-party utilities like ADB.

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB or root access can lead to unstable operation of the phone. before such actions, create a backup in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 1: Standard shortcut removal (for user applications)

If the shortcut belongs to an application you installed yourself (such as Telegram, VK or TikTok), it can be removed in the standard way:

1. Press and hold the finger on the label you want to remove until it starts to “shake” (a cross appears in the upper corner).
2. Drag the icon to the Remove icon (basket) at the top of the screen.
3. Confirm the action if a request appears.

If you put a "Delete App" sign in the place of the shopping cart, it means that you're not trying to remove the label, but the app itself.

• 📌 Click "Cancel" if you want to leave the program in the application menu.
• 📌 Click "Delete" if you want to uninstall the application in its entirety.

This method works for 90% of user applications, but it is not suitable for system utilities and widgets. If the cross does not appear or the shortcut returns after a reboot, move to the next method.

Method 2: Hiding system applications through MIUI settings

System applications (e.g. Mi Music, Mi Browser, Game Turbo) cannot be removed completely without root rights, but they can be hidden from the desktop.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want in the list (use search if it’s not in the main menu).
3. Slip it and select Hide (or Disable if this option is available).
4. Confirm the action by pressing "OK".

After that, the shortcut will disappear from the desktop, but the app itself will remain in the system. To return it back, repeat the steps and click Show.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications (such as Security or Google Services) can cause phone errors, including push notifications and Internet access issues.

Method 3: Removing widgets and banner ads

MIUI displays weather, news, promotions and other advertising widgets by default, and cannot be removed as normal shortcuts, but you can disable:

1. Press and hold the widget (e.g., "Weather" or "Mi Finance").
2. In the menu that appears, select "Delete" or "Widget Settings".
3. If the “Delete” option is not available, go to Settings → Desktop → Widget settings and disable unnecessary items.

To remove banner ads completely (e.g., "Mi Advertising"):

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the msa (or Miui System Ads) and turn it off.
3. Reboot the phone.

If the ads continue to appear, check your Mi Account settings:

• 🔧 Open the Settings. → Xiaomi account → Advertising.
• 🔧 Turn off the option "Personalized Advertising".

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution

This will remove the system module of advertising without root rights.-->

Method 4: Using Developer Mode to Remove Stubborn Labels

Some shortcuts (e.g., "GetApps" or "Mi Community") are not removed by standard methods, and the developer mode will help:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on "version" MIUI", Notice: You have become a developer!".

Settings → Additional → For Developers

"Delete system applications"

"Debugging by USB"

ADB

Select an unnecessary application and confirm the removal.

Note: This method removes the application completely, not just the shortcut. After removing system components (such as Miui Home), the desktop may stop working properly.

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to use ADB to safely disable applications without completely removing them. For example, to hide GetApps, do:

adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.mipicks

Method 5: Reset desktop settings (extreme case)

If after all the manipulations on the desktop there are “dead” shortcuts or it works incorrectly, reset the launcher settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find MIUI Launcher (or System Launcher).
3. Click on "Storage" → "Clear Data" → "OK".
4. Reboot the phone.