Xiaomi Redmi is not just a phone, but a powerful digital life management center, where there can be dozens of apps. When hundreds of icons are randomly scattered on the desktop, finding the right program becomes a tedious process that reduces overall productivity and speed of interaction with the gadget. Competent organization of space is the first step to comfortable use of MIUI or the new HyperOS, allowing you to instantly find the necessary functions.
Xiaomi’s operating shell has a lot of customization tools that many users don’t even know about, and you can not just drag and drop shortcuts, but also resize them, create complex folder structures, and use widgets to display important information without running applications. The right setup of the visual part of the system affects not only the aesthetics, but also the ergonomics of managing the device with one hand.
In this detailed guide, we’ll break down all the sorting techniques available, from basic folder creation to advanced techniques for hiding system applications. You’ll learn how to customize your screen grid, work with your application library, and use third-party launchers to achieve perfect order. Follow the instructions to turn your Redmi desktop into a user-friendly and stylish tool.
Basic setting of the grid and icon sizes
The first thing to start with is to change the grid settings of the screen. The standard Android settings on Xiaomi smartphones allow you to adjust the number of rows and columns flexibly, which directly affects the density of the elements. The fewer cells you choose, the larger the icons will be, which will make navigation easier for people with low vision or those who prefer minimalism.
To change the settings, you need to pinch an empty area on the desktop or use a pinch with your fingers to go into editing mode. In the lower menu that appears, you should select the Settings item, where you will access the adjustment sliders, and you can set the configuration from 4x5 to 6x6 and even more, depending on the diagonal of the screen of your smartphone.
It is important to consider that changing the grid density may require regrouping of already installed widgets. Large weather or calendar widgets can shift or change their size if there is not enough space for them in the new cell configuration.
In addition to the number of cells, some versions of the firmware can adjust the size of the icons themselves, which allows you to make the interface more airy or, conversely, more informative. Experiment with these parameters to find a balance between the number of applications visible and the usability of them.
Creating a folder hierarchy and grouping applications
Foldering is a fundamental way of organizing space, allowing applications to be grouped together by thematicity. In MIUI, this process is intuitive: just drag and drop one icon onto another, and the system automatically creates a container for grouping. The folder names can be changed to accurately reflect content, such as Finance, Social Networks or Games.
But the grouping capabilities don't end there, because you can put not only app shortcuts, but also small widgets inside the folder, creating functional modules, for example, you can put an alarm, weather, and task widget in the Morning folder, and get quick access to everything you need as soon as you wake up.
- 📁 Thematic grouping: combine applications by activity type (work, entertainment, study) for quick access.
- 🎨 Color sorting: place icons in the color scheme to create a visual gradient on the desktop.
- 📊 Frequency of use: Keep the most important apps on the first screen, and hide the auxiliary ones in the folders on the second pages.
⚠️ Note: Do not create folders with too many nested levels (a folder inside the folder), as this can cause interface lags when opened and make navigation more difficult.
Also worth mentioning is the Folder Acceleration feature, which is sometimes found in system optimizers, which allows you to open frequently used applications faster within a group, review the contents of folders regularly and delete programs that you have stopped using to keep the system clean.
Use of widgets for a functional table
Widgets transform the desktop from a static launch pad into a dynamic dashboard. The latest versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 have significantly expanded the functionality of widgets, allowing them not only to display data, but also to interact with the user. You can control music, see a task list or control a smart home without opening the applications themselves.
To add a widget, you need to go to desktop editing mode and select the Widgets item. The system will offer a vast library of elements, from simple watches to complex interactive graphs. The widget can be resized by stretching its boundaries, allowing you to fit them into any free area of the grid.
Secrets of MIUI widgets
The quick notes and calendar widgets, which allow you to add events or entries directly from your desktop, save you time and eliminate the need to open heavy app organizers every time, can cut the number of application shortcuts you need by half.
Keep in mind that active widgets, such as a news feed or constant weather updates, can consume extra battery power.If you are critical to autonomy, choose static widgets or those that are updated on a schedule rather than in real time.
Working with the application library and mode without menu
One of the key features of the Xiaomi interface is the ability to choose between the classic view from the menu of all applications and the mode where all shortcuts are on desktops. Switching between these modes is done in the Settings → Desktop menu. Choosing the right mode is a matter of personal preferences and smartphone usage habits.
No menu mode means that all installed programs immediately appear on the screen, which requires more careful sorting and use of many pages. In this mode, it is especially important to use folders, otherwise it will take a long time to find the desired program, this option is often chosen by users who are migrating from iOS or older versions of Android.
☑️ Checking the desktop settings
In the separate application menu mode (“All Apps”), the desktop remains clean, and all software is accessed by swiping up or through a special button. This is a more modern approach that allows you to use the desktop exclusively for widgets and the most important shortcuts. Search in the application menu in MIUI is very fast and supports keyword search.
Within the All Apps menu, you can also sort by installation time, alphabet or frequency of use, and smart sorting by frequency automatically brings frequently launched programs to the top of the list, making navigation even more convenient without unnecessary user action.
Hiding system applications and unnecessary shortcuts
Many users are faced with the problem of cluttering the interface with Xiaomi system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods. Fortunately, the system has an application hiding feature that allows you to remove unnecessary icons from view without removing the programs themselves, this is especially true for pre-installed software such as Mi Video, Mi Music or various service utilities.
To hide the app, you need to go to Settings → Apps → Hide the apps. In the list that opens, you just need to activate the switch against an unnecessary shortcut, and then the icon will disappear from the desktop and menu, but will remain available through a special hidden login or search, which helps to keep the interface clean and avoid accidental launches.
| Type of application | Recommendation | Coverage method |
|---|---|---|
| System (Mi Services) | Don't delete, hide | Settings → Hide applications |
| Preinstalled (GetApps) | Can be removed or hidden | Long pressing → Delete |
| rarely used | Put it in the Archives folder. | Creating a folder on the last screen |
| Games | Move to Game Turbo | Security Annex → Game Turbo |
| System (Mi Services) | Don't delete, hide | Settings → Hide applications |
| Preinstalled (GetApps) | Can be removed or hidden | Long pressing → Delete |
| rarely used | Put it in the Archives folder. | Creating a folder on the last screen |
| Games | Move to Game Turbo | Security Annex → Game Turbo |
The Game Turbo feature deserves special attention. All installed games can be automatically or manually added to this mode. Once added, the game shortcuts disappear from the main screen and are transferred to a special game center, which frees up significant space and reduces visual noise.
⚠️ Warning: While hiding system components, make sure they are not required for other dependent applications to avoid operating system errors.
Advanced Customization through Third-Party Launchers
If standard MIUI tools aren't enough, you can always install a third-party launcher from Google Play. Software like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair offer a level of detail that is not available in the stock shell, you can change animations, icon shapes, gestures and desktop behavior beyond recognition.
When installing a third-party launcher, the system may periodically suggest returning to the standard interface. To avoid this, you need to check the App settings → Application Management → Three points (menu) → Access to special rights → Launcher by default select the installed program. This will consolidate the new interface as the main one.
Third-party launchers allow you to create nested folders, set up hidden apps on a schedule, and use complex gestures to run programs. For example, a double tap on the screen can launch a camera, and swiping up can open a search, which makes controlling a smartphone a personalized experience.
💡
Using a third-party launcher is the most powerful way to change the interface, but it can consume more battery life than a standard Xiaomi shell.
However, it’s worth remembering that third-party solutions may not integrate perfectly with some Xiaomi system features, such as built-in themes or specific control gestures. Before installing, it’s recommended to read reviews about the compatibility of a particular launcher with your version of Android and MIUI.