How to Remove Shortcuts on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face an overloaded desktop. MIUI shells and the new HyperOS offer a lot of features, but sometimes a basic set of apps seems redundant. Standard shortcuts take up space, interfere with navigation and create visual noise. The ability to manage them is a basic skill for comfortable use of the gadget.

The removal process may vary depending on whether the item is a system application, a widget, or simply a web page shortcut. In some cases, standard deletion is not available and advanced techniques are required. Below we will look at all the ways, from simple finger actions to use. ADB-commands for deep cleaning of the system.

It's important to understand the difference between deleting a shortcut and completely uninstalling a program. Deleting an icon from your desktop only removes access to the function, leaving the application file in the device's memory. Deleting it completely frees up space and stops background processes. The method you choose depends on your goals.

Removal of standard application shortcuts

The easiest way to clean your desktop is to remove the icons of preinstalled or downloaded programs. In the Xiaomi interface, this process is intuitive, but has its own features depending on the display mode. The user can work in the "Classic menu" or "No menu" mode, which affects the available actions.

To delete in classic mode, you just need to pinch your finger on the icon, you'll see a pop-up menu with options. If the app is third-party, you'll see the "Delete" button. If the system one is called the "Remove from the desktop" option, this action will hide the icon, but it won't delete the program from the system.

In No Menu mode, where all applications are on desktops, removing the shortcut often removes the app itself. Be careful when cleaning the home screen. If you accidentally delete an important system component, it can only be returned through a reset or firmware reflash.

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Before removing system shortcuts, make sure you know their function.Removing key components such as Security or Services and Feedback may disrupt notifications and updates.

There's a nuance with folders. Sometimes the shortcut doesn't get deleted because it's stuck inside the folder or has a name conflict, so try renaming the folder or moving the shortcut to another location before you delete it, which helps reset the launcher's interface cache.

Managing widgets and interface elements

Widgets are dynamic elements that display real-time information. They consume more resources than static icons. Removing widgets on MIUI and HyperOS is similar, but requires precision so as not to delete an entire folder or application.

To remove the widget, press it on the screen. Unlike conventional icons, widgets often have a red zone "Delete" at the top of the screen or an "X" button in the corner of the frame. Drag in this zone deactivates the widget. This frees up RAM as the widget stops updating data.

• 🗑️ Press the widget before the vibration appears.
• 📉 Drag the element to the top of the screen.
• ✅ Confirm the action if the system request appears.

Some widgets are part of system applications, such as Music or Weather, and deleting them doesn't remove the app itself, but removes the functional block from the screen, and if the widget can't be removed in the normal way, it may be locked in "Change Block" mode.

Note that in newer firmware versions, some widgets are integrated into Mini Widgets or Screen Locks, managed through lock screen settings rather than desktop settings. Check Settings → Lock screen if you can't find the source of the display.

Hiding system applications through settings

Many users want to remove system application shortcuts that cannot be removed by standard methods. App hiding is an effective way to clean the desktop without risking damage to the system.

To access hidden applications, you use a special gesture, usually a two-finger extension on the desktop, but before you hide it, you need to activate this feature, go to the theme or launcher settings, find the Hidden Applications section, and add unnecessary shortcuts.

Once added to the hidden list, the icons will disappear from the desktop and from the app menu, and will only be accessible through a special gesture or password, a perfect way to remove annoying shortcuts from Google browsers, stores and services that are not used but are necessary for the system to work.

It's important to distinguish between hiding and disabling. Hiding just removes the visual element. Disabling an application (available in Settings → Apps → All Apps) also stops it from working, and combining these techniques gives the best result in cleaning the interface.

Using ADB for deep cleaning

For advanced users who want to remove system shortcuts permanently, there is a method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and having drivers, and allows you to remove even those components that are hidden from the average user.

Before you start, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the version of MIUI or HyperOS. Then in advanced settings, turn on "Debugging over USB." Without this step, the computer will not be able to interact with the file system of the phone.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet

The command above removes the application for the current user. It disappears from the system, but technically remains in the recovery section. This is a safe method, because when reset to factory settings, the application will return. However, an error in the name of the package can lead to unstable operation.

⚠️ Note: Removing critical system packages (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may result in a cyclic reboot or loss of access to settings. Always check the destination of the package before deleting.

There are community-built lists of removal packages, and use tools like Universal Android Debloater that have a graphical interface that warns you of the risks, which reduces the chances of human error when you type commands manually.

Changing the launcher as a radical solution

If Xiaomi’s standard interface seems too congested, the best solution might be to install a third-party launcher. Launcher is the shell responsible for the appearance of the desktop, app menus and widgets. Replacing the launcher completely changes the visual style and logic of the work.

Popular alternatives like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher allow you to flexibly configure the grid, hide apps and change animations. They do not require root rights and are installed as regular apps from Google Play.

• 🚀 Performance: Third-party launchers often run faster than standard launchers.
• 🎨 Customization: Thousands of themes and icons available for download.
• 🧹 Cleanliness: No advertising and unnecessary widgets from the manufacturer.

Once you install the new launcher, the system will ask you what to open the main screen. Select Always and the name of the new launcher. To return everything as it was, you will need to reset the default application settings in Settings → Applications → Settings → Reset preferences.

Note that some MIUI features, such as gestures or double tapping to turn on the screen, may work differently or require additional customization in the new launcher.

Recovery of deleted labels

Often, there is a situation where the user has deleted an important shortcut and does not know how to return it. If the application has been removed completely, it must be re-downloaded from the store.

To return a remote app shortcut, go to the menu of all apps. It's usually a swipe up the desktop. Find the program you want in the list, pinch it and drag it to the desktop. This will create a new link to the executable file.

If you hid apps through the launcher settings, go back to the same section (Settings → Hidden Apps) and remove the tick from the desired item. The icon will instantly appear on the shared list and on the desktop. This works for most system utilities.

⚠️ Note: If you have removed the system application through ADB, You're not going to need to just drag and drop, you're going to need to either re-install. APK-file, or reset the phone to factory settings to restore the original state of the system.

If you lose standard widgets (calendar, weather), you can find them in the widget menu, which is called by swiping right or long-clicking on an empty desktop space, find the item in the list and add it to the screen.

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System applications removed through ADB are not restored by conventional methods.Always save a list of deleted packages or back up before deep cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)