How to Remove an Empty Desktop on Xiaomi: A Step-by-Step Guide

Did you turn on a Xiaomi smartphone and find that there is not a single shortcut to apps, widgets or folders on the desktop? Or did you get an “empty” screen after the MIUI update that you can’t remove in standard ways? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi devices – especially after resetting settings, installing custom firmware or failing experiments with launchers.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove an empty desktop on Xiaomi – from simple actions in settings to deep manipulation of system files. MIUI Launcher, but also app cache, how to return the standard screen look, and what to do if none of the methods worked. MIUI 12, 13 and 14 on models 2020-2026.

Warning: Some methods require root rights or ADB. If you're a beginner, start with the first three. Experienced users can jump right to the systemui and launcher reset sections.

1.Why does an empty desktop appear on Xiaomi

The issue of an empty screen on Xiaomi is usually due to one of four factors:

• 🔄 Reset – after hard reset, the system creates a “clean” desktop, but sometimes does not restore shortcuts automatically.
• 📱 Launcher conflict – if you installed third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher) and then deleted them, MIUI Launcher could 'break down».
• 🗑️ Damaged cache – Launcher cache or systemui files contain errors that do not display interface elements.
• 🔧 Update error MIUI — after the “dirty” update (without reset) may disappear system settings of the desktop.

On the POCO F3/F4 and Redmi Note 10/11 models, the problem often occurs after manually updating through Recovery. In this case, the system "forgets" screen settings. Xiaomi 12/13 is to blame for the usually hybrid MIUI mode, which separates the desktop and applets.

⚠️ Note: If the empty screen appeared after installing custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience), the problem may be incompatibility of the launcher with the Android version.

Before proceeding with the correction, check:

• 📌 Are there shortcuts on other desktops (swipe left/right).
• 🔍 Whether widgets are displayed in the add-on menu (hold your finger in the free screen space).
• ⚙️ Does the search by application work (swipe down on the home screen).

2. Method 1: Reset the launcher settings (without data loss)

The safest method is to reset the settings of the standard MIUI Launcher, which will return the desktop to its factory appearance, but will not delete your applications or files.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search, type “Laun” – find MIUI Launcher (or “Luncher” in Russian).
3. Slip on it → Storage → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Confirm action. The phone will reboot automatically.

After the reboot:

• 🔄 Desktop will return to standard look with Play Store, Phone and Camera labels.
• 📁 All the labels you removed will have to be added again.
• ⚠️ Widgets and folders that were on the “empty” screen will disappear forever.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware POCO After the launcher is reset, Google's search bar may disappear. To return it, go to Settings. → Main screen screen → Search bar and enable option.

Method 2: Remove the blank screen through MIUI settings

If the launcher reset didn’t work, try removing the empty desktop manually through the home screen settings menu, a method that works on MIUI 13/14 and most 2021-2026 Redmi/POCO models.

Step-by-step:

1. Keep your finger on the empty desktop until the menu appears.
2. Slip the screen settings icon (cog) in the lower right corner.
3. Select Delete Desktop (or Edit the layout on some firmware).
4. Swipe left/right to find an empty screen, and tap the basket at the top.
5. Confirm removal.

If there is no Delete Desktop:

• 🔹 Try dragging any shortcut to a blank screen – sometimes it “wakes up” hidden options.
• 🔹 Nana POCO Press two fingers on the screen and select Change the layout.
• 🔹 On Xiaomi 13 Pro and newer, you may need to first disable the Smart Assistant in screen settings.

💡

If the app shortcuts are gone after removing the blank screen, restart the phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → “Reboot Safe Mode”). This will return the standard icons.

Method 3: Cleaning the SystemUI cache (for power users)

If the first two methods fail, the problem may lie in the damaged cache of the SystemUI system interface, which is responsible for displaying the desktop, notification panel, and other MIUI elements.

Cleaning the SystemUI cache will delete the temporary interface files but will not affect your data or applications, but after the procedure, the notification and gesture bar settings may reset.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer.

USB debugging

ADB Tools

adb.exe

adb shell


pm clear com.android.systemui




reboot

After the reboot:

• ✅ The empty desktop should disappear.
• ⚙️ The notification panel settings will reset to factory.
• 🔄 If the problem persists, repeat the procedure, but instead of clear use: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.home pm install-existing --user 0 com.miui.home (this will reinstall the launcher for the current user).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware (especially custom ones), the pm clear com.android.systemui command can trigger a bootloop ( looped reboot). + Volume up 10 seconds to log into Fastboot and run the launcher through Mi Flash.

5. Method 4: Manual editing of launcher files (root)

If you have root rights, you can manually delete the data about the empty desktop by editing the MIUI Launcher configuration files, a method that is suitable for users who are not afraid to work with system folders.

You'll need:

• 📱 Root access (for example, via Magisk).
• 🛠️ File Manager with support for root (Root Explorer, Mixplorer).
• 💾 Backup of data (in case of error).

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go on the way: /data/data/com.miui.home/shared_prefs/
2. Find the files: launcher_profiles.xml — contains the settings of the desktop. launcher_preferences.xml — extravariance.

Copy both files to a backup folder (in case of an error).

launcher_profiles.xml

<screen rank="X">


<item x="0" y="0" spanX="1" spanY="1" screen="X" />




</screen>

where screen="X" is the blank screen ID (usually the last one in a row).

<screen rank="X">...</screen>

644

Reboot the phone.

If after editing the launcher stopped working:

• 🔄 Return backups of files.
• 📌 Remove the launcher cache through Settings → Annexes → MIUI Launcher → Warehouse.
• 🔧 Reinstall the launcher through ADB (team from Method 3).

💡

You can't edit system files without root. If you don't have superuser rights, use Methods 1-3 or go to Method 5 (resetting).

6. Method 5: Hard resetting settings (last chance)

If none of these methods work, the last resort is a hard reset, which will remove all data from your phone, including apps, photos and accounts, but return the desktop to its original state.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After restarting, perform the initial MIUI setting.

Alternative method (if the phone is not turned on):

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds to enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Change Volume Buttons).
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Recovery reset may require you to enter your Mi Account password. If you forget your account details, use the official recovery service.

After discharge:

• 📱 The desktop will be clean, but without empty screens.
• 🔄 All applications and data will have to be restored from backup.
• 🔒 If the problem was caused by a virus or a damaged firmware, resetting it will fix it.

7.Prevention: How to Avoid an Empty Desktop in the Future

To avoid recurring problems, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Only through official channels (Settings) → Update system. Avoid "dirty" updates (no reset).
• 📱 Do not remove system launchers manually. If you install Nova Launcher, turn off first MIUI Launcher through Settings → Annexes → Shut down.
• 🗑️ Clean the launcher cache and SystemUI regularly (every 1-2 months).
• 🔧 Do not edit system files without a backup, especially on firmware with a locked bootloader.
• 🛡️ Use an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) if you install it. APK third-party.

On POCO models with hybrid MIUI mode (e.g. POCO F5), avoid switching frequently between the “classic” and “panel” desktop view – this can cause shortcuts to fail.

💡

If you often experiment with launchers, back up /data/data/com.miui.home/ via Titanium Backup or Swift Backup. This will allow you to restore your desktop in 2 minutes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about an empty desktop on Xiaomi