How to put a shortcut on the desktop Xiaomi Redmi Note: 5 working ways

Creating shortcuts on the Xiaomi Redmi Note desktop seems like a simple task — until the system starts to “catch up.” Owners of smartphones on MIUI often find that standard methods do not work: there is no option “Add to the desktop” in the app menu, the shortcut disappears after a reboot or is duplicated. The reason lies in the features of the Xiaomi shell, where the functionality of the shortcuts depends on the version of MIUI, the phone model and even regional firmware.

In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to add shortcuts, from basic to advanced, including bypassing system constraints. You'll learn how to fix not only apps, but also contacts, websites, system settings, and even hidden features. MIUI. We will focus on the problems that arise on the Redmi Note. 10/11/12 s MIUI 13/14, Where the logic of labels has changed.

Important: Instructions are checked on Redmi Note 10 Pro (MIUI 14.0.4), Redmi Note 11 (MIUI 13.0.12) and Redmi Note 12 (MIUI 14.0.2). If you have a different model or firmware version, some menu items may differ - but the overall algorithm will remain valid.

1. Standard method: Adding an app shortcut

To start with the most obvious method that works on most Xiaomi devices, even here there are nuances: on some firmware, the "Add to Desktop" option can be hidden or disabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the desired application and pinch its icon for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the context menu that appears, select Add to desktop (or Create a shortcut).
4. Drag the label to the free space on the screen.

⚠️ Problem: On some Redmi Note models (especially with the MIUI 14) the option "Add to desktop" may not be available.This is due to Xiaomi's policy, which limits the creation of shortcuts for system applications (e.g. Settings, Phone, etc).

If the standard method didn’t work, go to the alternative methods below.

Alternative method: via the "Widgets" menu

If the icon is not working, try adding a shortcut through the widget section, which is suitable for applications that do not support shortcut creation in the standard way (e.g. Google Chrome, YouTube).

How to do this:

1. Click and hold the empty space on your desktop (not on the icon!).
2. At the bottom of the screen, a menu will appear – select Widgets.
3. Scroll down to the App Shortcuts section (or App Shortcuts on English firmware).
4. Find the right app and drag its shortcut to the screen.

💡 Tip: If there is no Application Shortcuts section, try updating the firmware or resetting the launcher settings (see Section 5).

⚠️ Note: Some widgets (e.g. from Google) may not appear in this menu due to Xiaomi restrictions.In this case, use the third-party launcher method (Section 4).

3. Creating a shortcut for a contact or website

Desktop shortcuts are not limited to apps; you can pin quick access to a contact (for a call or message) or a website (for example, VK, YouTube).

Contact label:

• 📞 Open the Contacts app and find the right contact.
• 🔗 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Labeling.
• 🖼️ Select the shortcut type: Call, Message or Video Call.
• 📱 Drag the created shortcut to the desktop.

Website tag:

• 🌐 Open the site in the browser (Chrome, Mi Browser).
• 🔗 Click on the three dots on the menu → Add to the main screen.
• 📝 If necessary, edit the name of the label.
• ✅ Confirm the addition.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmwares create website shortcuts as "web apps" and can open in a separate window without an address bar. To return a full browser, click the shortcut → Information on the annex → Open in the browser.

Make sure there is a free space on the desktop.

Update the application to the latest version

Check if the widgets are disabled in the launcher settings

Reboot your phone if the shortcuts don’t show up-->

4. Advanced method: use of a third-party launcher

If system methods don't work, the most reliable way is to install an alternative launcher, which will circumvent the limitations of MIUI and create shortcuts for any application, including system applications.

The best launchers for Xiaomi Redmi Note:

How to install and configure:

Important: Once a third-party launcher is installed, Xiaomi system widgets (such as weather or pedometer) may stop working. To return them, temporarily return to the standard launcher via Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher.

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If after changing the launcher, application icons disappeared, restart the phone or clear the launcher cache in the application settings.

5. Problem Solving: Why Labels Are Disappearing or Not Created

Redmi Note users often experience shortcuts disappearing after a reboot, duplicated or not created at all.

Frequent problems and fixes:

• 🔄 Labels disappear after reboot → Clear the launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🚫 No option "Add to the desktop" → Update the firmware or use a third-party launcher.
• 📱 The shortcut does not open the app → Remove the label and create it again.
• 🔒 System applications do not support shortcuts → Use Nova Launcher with Activities option.

Resetting the launcher settings:

If problems persist, reset:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the launcher (or MIUI Launcher).
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the reset – after that all shortcuts and widgets will be removed, but the problem should disappear.

⚠️ Attention: On some Xiaomi firmware, a launcher reset can cause wallpaper and icon location to be reset.Previous take a screenshot of your desktop to restore the order of the icons.

6. Hidden features: shortcuts for MIUI settings and functions

Few people know, but on Xiaomi Redmi Note you can create shortcuts not only for applications, but also for hidden system functions.

• 🔋 Battery savings mode (Settings) → Battery).
• 📶 Mobile data (on/off switching).
• 🔊 The "Do Not Disturb" regime".
• 🔒 Application Blocking (Settings) → Confidentiality).

How to create a shortcut for a system function:

You will need a Nova Launcher (or similar launcher with support for Activities):

1. Install Nova Launcher and make it the default launcher.
2. Click the blank space on the screen → Widgets → Activities.
3. In the list, find Settings (com.android.settings).
4. Expand the list and select the desired function (for example,.BatterySaverSettings for battery saving).
5. Add a shortcut to the desktop.

💡 Example of useful activities MIUI:

com.android.settings.Settings$DataUsageSummaryActivity // Data Traffic


com.android.settings.Settings$BatterySaverSettingsActivity // Battery Savings




com.android.settings.Settings$ZenModeSettingsActivity // Do Not Disturb Mode




com.miui.securitycenter.privacy.privacyMainActivity // Privacy

⚠️ Note: Not all system functions support shortcut creation. If nothing happens when you click on a shortcut, then this Activity is not designed to directly call.

💡

Using Activities is the most powerful way to customize MIUI, but it takes care. Don't change your settings unless you're sure they're there!

7 Automation: Shortcuts with Tasker or Shortcut Maker

For advanced users who want to create custom shortcuts with unique actions (for example, launching an application with certain parameters), applications like Tasker or Shortcut Maker are suitable.

Example: Creating a shortcut to launch a camera in video mode

• 📱 Install Shortcut Maker.
• 🔍 Select the Camera app (com.android.camera).
• 🎥 In the action list, find the VideoCamera.
• 📌 Create a shortcut and add it to your desktop.

Example: A shortcut to include mobile internet

With Tasker, you can create a shortcut that will switch mobile data:

1. Create a Task with Net → Mobile Data (install Set: On).
2. Save the task and create a shortcut for it on the desktop.

💡 Tip: Tasker can set shortcuts with a delay (for example, starting music in 10 seconds) or conditional actions (for example, turn on Bluetooth only if the headphones are connected).

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi Redmi Note