Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the unobvious logic of the MIUI shell, which is significantly different from standard Android. After buying a Redmi Note 8 or updating the system, users may find that new apps do not appear on the home screen automatically. Instead, they hide in a separate menu, which causes confusion for those who are accustomed to the classic structure of Android.
Creating a shortcut on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 desktop is a basic but critical skill for comfortable use of the gadget.The process does not require root rights or complex code manipulation, but knowing the exact sequence of actions will save you time. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to output app icons, customize widgets and solve common display problems.
MIUI offers flexible personalization tools to turn the lock screen into a convenient control center. Understanding the launcher’s principles will help you organize the space in the way that suits you. We will look at both standard methods and hidden features of the system that not all users know about.
Features of the MIUI interface on the Redmi Note 8
The MIUI shell on the Redmi Note 8 uses a default mode where all installed programs are in a special application menu. This is a fundamental difference from “pure” Android, where a shortcut is created immediately after installation, a concept designed to keep order on the desktop, but for many users it seems inconvenient.
To change the behavior of the system and return icons to the home screen, you need to refer to the launcher settings, which is responsible for the appearance of the menu, animation of swipes and shortcuts, accessed through system parameters, which requires careful navigation.
It's important to understand that the launcher is not just a picture, but a full-fledged application that manages the interface, and you can even replace it with a third-party solution if you don't like the standard version, but you should set up the Xiaomi tool as efficiently as possible to start with.
⚠️ Warning: Changing the launcher settings can temporarily change the appearance of the menu. If the result does not suit you, everything can be easily returned back to the same settings menu.
Navigating the settings menu can be confusing because of the variety of options. However, knowing the exact path will help you quickly adapt the behavior of shortcuts to your habits, especially for the Redmi Note series, which is popular with users who value functionality.
Set up automatic shortcut creation
The most effective way to solve problematic icons is to enable automatic shortcut creation when installing new programs, which will save you from having to manually search for each new app on the menu and drag it to the Redmi Note 8 desktop.
To activate this function, follow the following steps:
- 📱 Open the Settings app on your smartphone.
- 🔍 In the search bar, type the word “Worker” or find the Desktop section in the list.
- ⚙️ Find the item Add app icons to the desktop and activate the switch.
Once this option is enabled, all new apps will automatically be duplicated to the home screen, a standard practice for most Android smartphones that Xiaomi hides by default, and any software from Google Play or Mi Store will now be installed with a handy icon.
☑️ Checking the settings of labels
It's worth noting that this setting doesn't affect applications that have already been installed before, and you'll need to use a manual portability method, which we'll discuss in the next section, and you'll need to change the settings immediately, and you won't need to restart the device.
Manual addition of icons from the application menu
If you don’t want to use automatic mode or if you need to return the shortcut to a long-established application, use the manual method. The application menu in MIUI is a separate area called by a swipe from the bottom up or a special button depending on the type of navigation.
The process of creating a shortcut is intuitive and takes a few seconds:
- 🖐️ Swipe up the center of the screen to open the full menu of all programs.
- 👆 Find the right app in the list or use the search from above.
- ✋ Click on the app icon and hold your finger for a while. 1-2 seconds.
- 🏠 The screen will automatically switch to the desktop, and you can release your finger in the right place.
This is a universal method that works for all types of content supported by the system. You can create shortcuts not only for applications, but also for contacts, web pages, and even specific functions within programs. Long clicking is a key action in this operation.
Some versions of MIUI may open a context menu with a long press, so select the "Create a shortcut" option or simply drag the icon to the free area, and the system will tell you the correct algorithm of actions with visual animation.
What to do if a label is not created?
Adding widgets and folders for convenience
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 desktop allows you to place not only standard icons, but also widgets. These are dynamic elements that display information in real time: weather, currency exchange, calendar or music. Adding widgets makes using a smartphone more informative.
To add a widget, follow the following steps:
- 🗂️ Clutch an empty area on your desktop or pinch with two fingers (finger reduction).
- ➕ In the lower corner of the screen will appear button Widgets (or "Add").
- 📰 Select the desired widget from the list of available and click on it to install.
In addition to widgets, folders are a great way to organize space. It's simple to create a folder: just drag and drop one app icon onto another. The system automatically creates a container that you can put thematically related programs like Social Networks or Games into.
| Type of element | Function | How do I add? |
|---|---|---|
| Annex label | Quick launch of the program | Drag from the menu |
| widget | Display of information | Through the widget menu |
| folder | Icon grouping | Overlaying icons on each other |
| Wallpaper. | Visualization | Long tap on the background |
The use of folders is especially important for the Redmi Note 8 with its screen diagonal, allowing you to place many elements. Competent grouping will help avoid chaos and accelerate the search for the right tools in everyday use.
Label Management: Rename and Deletion
Desktop organization is a dynamic process, and over time, it becomes necessary to rename the shortcut for convenience or remove applications that have become unnecessary. MIUI provides simple tools to manage these items without losing data (in the case of renaming).
To rename a shortcut, just click on it and hold your finger until the edit menu appears. In some versions of the firmware, you need to click on the pencil icon or select Change. In the window that opens, enter a new name that will appear under the icon.
Removing the label is even easier:
- ❌ Press and hold the icon you want to remove.
- 🗑️ At the top or bottom of the screen will appear the zone "Delete" or basket.
- 📉 Drag the label into this zone and release your finger.
⚠️ Note: Deleting the shortcut from the desktop does not remove the application from the phone's memory. To completely remove the program, you need to go to Settings → Apps or select the "Delete" option in the long-click menu, if available.
You can also hide apps without removing them, which is useful for programs that you rarely use but should stay on your phone, and hidden apps can be found through a search or in a special section of the launcher settings.
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Use long folder names as long as they don’t interfere with your view, which helps you find the right group of applications faster without reading into small icons.
Solving problems with displaying labels
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where shortcuts disappear, become black squares or do not respond to clicks, this can be due to a launcher cache error or conflict after a system update. In most cases, the problem can be solved independently.
The first step should be to clear the launcher cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, search the Launcher (or System Launcher) list and select Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear Data, as this will reset all desktop settings.
If cleaning the cache didn’t help, try the following:
- 🔄 Restart the device – this eliminates temporary software failures.
- 🎨 Change the theme to standard to eliminate the conflict of third-party elements.
- 🔍 Check for system updates in the About Phone section.
In rare cases, the problem may lie in a crowded memory device. Redmi Note 8 has various modifications of memory, and if it is not enough, the system can behave unstable. Make room by deleting old photos or videos, and check the shortcuts again.
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Most shortcut problems are solved by cleaning the launcher's cache or simply restarting your smartphone.