Why are Xiaomi shortcuts not like other Androids?
The MIUI desktop is not just a shell over Android, it's a complete ecosystem with its own rules. If on pure Android, removing a shortcut is all about dragging it to the cart, it's more complicated.
(1) System shortcuts (e.g. “Phone” or “Messages”) – they cannot be deleted completely, only hidden.
(2) Application shortcuts – created by the user or automatically when installing programs.
(3) Widgets and folders require a separate approach for deletion.
In addition, MIUI 14 and later introduced a Smart Desktop feature that can automatically restore deleted shortcuts after 24 hours if the system deems them “frequently used.”
Method 1: Classical removal (for most labels)
This method works for 90% of user shortcuts and widgets.
- Press and hold your finger on the label you want to remove.
- After 1-2 seconds, the context menu will appear (on some models, the label will simply “rise”).
- Drag the shortcut to the top of the screen where the Remove or basket icon will appear.
- Let go of your finger, the label will disappear.
⚠️ Attention: POCO F5 Redmi Note 12c MIUI The 14th basket may not appear immediately:
1. Hold the label. 3 second 1-2|2. Try dragging the label to the upper right corner|3. Click on three dots in the context menu|4. Select "Delete the label"-->
If the label isn't removed, it's a system label. Go to method 3.
Method 2: Remove through desktop settings
For those who prefer to work through the menu:
- Touch the empty space on your desktop and hold for 2 seconds.
- At the bottom of the screen will appear toolbar – click Settings (cog icon).
- Go to the Desktop Settings section → Remove shortcuts.
- Check the boxes next to unnecessary shortcuts and click Ready.
This is especially useful for removing multiple shortcuts at once, for example, if you installed a suite of apps and want to remove all of their icons at a time.
Method 3: Hiding System Labels (which cannot be removed)
System applications like Camera, Phone or Contacts can't be deleted, they're part of the firmware, but they can be hidden:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the app you want in the list (like the camera).
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hide.
- Confirm the action – the label will disappear from the desktop.
⚠️ Warning: The hidden application will still run in the background and take up space in memory. To completely disable it, you need to use Disable in the same menu (but this can disrupt the system!).
What happens if you disable the system application?
| Type of label | Can I remove it? | Can I hide it? | Can I turn it off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| User application label | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| System application (Phone, Messages) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Partially. |
| Widget (Weather, Clock) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Label folder | ✅ Yeah (all folder deleted) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
Method 4: Disable Smart Desktop (so that shortcuts don’t come back)
If you removed the shortcut, but it comes back every other day, the Smart Desktop feature in MIUI 14+ is to blame. It analyzes your actions and "helps" by restoring frequently used applications.
- Go to Settings. → Desktop.
- Find the Smart Recommends or Adaptive Desktop section (name depends on version).
- Turn off the sliders: 🔄 Automatic labelling 🔍 Recommended Frequently Used Applications 📱 Restore Removed Labels
Reboot your phone (required!).
After that, the shortcuts will stop appearing on their own. If the feature is missing from your version of MIUI, try updating the firmware or use method 5.
💡
If the shortcuts still return after you turn off the Smart Desktop, check your Mi Account settings. Sometimes cloud sync restores deleted items. Turn off desktop sync in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sync.
Method 5: Remove via ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don’t help (for example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra with custom firmware), you can use it. ADB-This is an extreme method that requires a computer connection.
Instructions:
- Install Platform Tools on your PC.
- Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.home - this will reset the launcher settings (all shortcuts will disappear, but they can be restored).
- Reset the device.
To return the app:
- Check the All Apps folder (swipe up on the desktop).
- If the app is not available, install it again from Google Play or GetApps.
- For system applications (such as Notes), reset through Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Title] → Restore.
If the app has been removed along with the shortcut and Google Play doesn’t have one (such as Themes or Security), download the APK from the official Xiaomi App Store website.