How to remove the shortcut from the desktop on Xiaomi Redmi 5: all ways

The desktop of the Xiaomi Redmi 5 is quickly filled with unnecessary shortcuts — duplicate app icons, empty folders or traces from deleted programs. Unlike modern versions of MIUI, where the interface is unified, on Redmi 5 (released in 2017), the removal process depends on the firmware version and the launcher used. In this article, we will analyze all current methods, including hidden shell functions and circumventing restrictions for “undisable” icons.

The main problem users have is not understanding the difference between removing a shortcut (removing only the icon from the screen) and uninstalling an application (removing the program completely from the system). Redmi 5 with MIUI 9/10 also has bugs when shortcuts stick after updating or resetting.

1. Standard method: removing the label through long pressing

The most obvious method works 90% of the time, but many users make mistakes in the first step. MIUI:

• 📱 MIUI 9/10: Put your finger on the icon 1–2 A few seconds before the cross menu appears (× Drag the label into this area.
• 🔄 MIUI 11+: After a long press of the icon, check boxes will appear to select.
• 🚫 Exception: System applications (such as Security or Topics) cannot be removed, only removed from the screen.

If the cross does not appear, check:

1. Is editing mode enabled (double touching on empty space on the screen).
2. Does the launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher or Apex) use a side launcher?
3. Is the icon blocked through Settings → Desktop → Lock the layout?

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Disable the lock of the desktop layout

Make sure the shortcut is not a widget (they have a different deletion process)

Close all background applications (can block actions)-->

On Redmi 5 with MIUI 9.6 firmware and below, a bug sometimes works: after deleting the shortcut, it returns after rebooting, in which case resetting the launcher settings (see section 4) will help.

2. Remove through the menu of desktop settings

If the standard method didn’t work, try an alternative way through system settings, which is especially useful for removing folders with shortcuts or sticky icons:

1. Open the Settings. → Desktop.
2. Select Screen Management (or Customize the layout in older versions).
3. Click on the basket icon (🗑️) top-right.
4. Select unnecessary labels and confirm removal.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 9.5 and below, after removing the shortcut through the settings, the Other Apps folder in the menu may disappear. To return it, restart the phone or update the firmware.

3. Removal of “non-removable” system labels

Some icons (e.g., Google, Mi Video or Mi Community) don't have a cross to remove, not a bug, but a feature of MIUI, which blocks the uninstallation of pre-installed services, but the label can be hidden or disabled:

• 🔧 Disabling the application: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Find the right application (e.g. Mi Music). Click Disable (the application will disappear from the screen but stay on the system).
• 👁️ Hiding through launcher settings: Settings → Desktop → Hide apps Select unnecessary icons from the list.
• 🛠️ Removal through ADB (If you are ready for radical measures, you can uninstall the system application through your computer using the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.name Replace com.xiaomi.name with a real package (you can find it through the App Inspector from Google Play).
• 🧹 Cleaning the cache of system services: Go to Settings → Annexes → Show all applications → Three points (⋮) → Find and clear the cache for: MiuiHome (launcher) System UI (Google Play Services (if the label is linked to Google)
• 📥 Recovery via Mi Cloud: If the shortcut appears after recovering from a backup, try: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Turn off the Desktop and then turn on the synchronization again.