Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, offer users the flexibility to personalize the interface. One of the most popular features is the ability to bring the right tools directly to the home screen for quick access, which saves time finding programs in crowded menus and makes using the gadget more comfortable.
Setting a shortcut isn’t just about moving an icon, it’s about creating a direct link to a specific feature, web page, or even a specific contact. The desktop in the Redmi ecosystem is more complex than in the stock Android, which often raises questions for beginners. In this article, we’ll go into all the shortcutting techniques, the features of different firmware versions, and how to solve typical problems.
Brand owners often find that standard methods don’t work due to aggressive system optimization or strict security settings. Understanding the logic of the launcher will help you avoid errors. Next, we will look at the algorithms of actions that are relevant for most current models, including the Note series, Pro and flagship lines.
Basic principles of MIUI and HyperOS launcher
Before you start building links, it’s important to understand how your model’s file system and interface work. MIUI uses its own shortcut management system, which may be different from Android. In some cases, the system blocks the creation of new objects on the desktop without explicit user permission, considering this a potentially dangerous action.
There are several types of shortcuts that you can put on the screen: standard application icons, widgets of different sizes, direct links to web resources and system functions. Launcher treats each of these types differently, for example, for web links requires a separate module, and for system settings - special access rights or use of third-party utilities.
It's important to consider the version of the operating system installed. In HyperOS, the animation and icon placement algorithms have been redesigned to improve smoothness, which sometimes changes the way you do things. If you have an older version of MIUI 12 or 13, some menu items may be called differently.
⚠️ Note: When you install shortcuts from unknown sources, the system can issue security alerts. This is Xiaomi’s standard protection, which you can ignore if you are confident in the reliability of the link you create.
Creating a website shortcut through a browser
One of the most popular queries is how to save a page as an icon, which allows you to turn your favorite news portal or online service into a full-fledged application, and Redmi smartphones use a built-in browser or third-party solutions like Chrome to implement this feature.
Consider the process, as in the standard Mi Browser browser, which is pre-installed on most devices, first you open the desired page and wait for it to load fully, then you should find the option menu, which is usually hidden under three dots or stripes at the bottom or top of the screen.
In the list that opens, you need to find Add to the home screen or Create a shortcut. The system will suggest renaming the shortcut if the standard page name is too long. Once confirmed, the icon will automatically appear on the free desktop space.
- 🌐 Open the browser and go to the desired site.
- 📑 Click on the menu (three dots) in the corner of the screen.
- ➕ Select the option "Add to the main screen".
- ✏️ Confirm the name and press OK".
If you use Google Chrome, the algorithm will be almost identical, but the menu can be called Add to the home screen immediately in the drop-down list. PWA-The icon will look like a full-fledged application with its own logo, and not just a thumbnail of the site.
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If the site shortcut does not appear automatically, check the launcher settings. under "Settings" →"Main screen make sure that the option to add new icons is enabled.
Adding Contact Labels and Functions
To make a quick call to a loved one or to run a specific feature (like a flashlight or voice recorder), you don’t have to look for them in a shared phone book. Xiaomi allows you to put contacts directly to your desktop, which is especially convenient for older people or in emergency situations when you need to act quickly.
To create such a shortcut, go to the Contacts or Phone app. Find the right subscriber in the list and open the card with their data. In the upper right corner or in the "More" menu (three dots), select the option Send Contact or Create a Shortcut, if it is available in your version of the firmware.
An alternative and more versatile way is to use widgets. Widgets are larger blocks that can display not only an icon, but also a photo of a contact or a quick call button, and you need to pinch the empty space on the desktop and select the Widgets section.
⚠️ Note: When you delete a contact from the phone book, the shortcut created will stop working and display an error. Do not delete the original record if you want to keep quick access.
In the widget menu, find the Contacts category. You can choose the display format: a straight icon, a photo in a circle or a rectangular block. Drag the widget on the screen, the system will suggest selecting a specific person from the list. Similarly, you add shortcuts to system functions such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Do Not Disturb mode.
☑️ Check before creating a contact label
Using widgets to expand functionality
Widgets are a powerful personalization tool that is often underrated. Unlike simple shortcuts, they can display dynamic information, such as weather, currency rates, steps or calendar events. The MIUI and HyperOS shells emphasize the widget library.
To access the library, you need to make a long tap (tap and hold) on the free desktop area. At the bottom of the screen, a menu will appear where you want to select Widgets, and a catalog of all available items will open, sorted by category or application.
Some widgets require additional customization after posting. For example, the Notes widget will prompt you to select a specific list, and the Music widget will prompt you to launch the player. Interactive widgets allow you to control playback or mark completed tasks directly from the screen without opening the application.
| Type of widget | Size | Functional | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|---|
| The clock | 2x2, 4x2 | Time, date, alarm clock | Systemic |
| Weather. | 2x2, 4x2 | Temperature, forecast. | Weather appendix |
| Calendar | 4x2, 4x4 | Events, dates | Calendar Annex |
| Management | 1x1, 2x2 | Wi-Fi switches, BT | Tools |
HyperOS has introduced new types of widgets with deeper design and animation, which can overlap part of the screen or have a transparent background, adapting to the wallpaper. If the standard set is not enough, you can download additional packages through the Theme app.
Solving problems with displaying icons
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the created shortcut does not appear on the screen, or the icon is displayed incorrectly (white square or standard Android icon).
The first thing you need to do is check your display settings. Go to Settings → Home Screen. Make sure you don't have Hide Signatures or Simplified Mode, which can change the look of items, and clear the Security and Themes app cache, because they're responsible for visualizing the interface.
If the website shortcut looks like a white sheet, try clearing the browser data through which it was created.Relatively, reinstalling Google Play Services updates or resetting the launcher settings to factory ones helps.
What if the icon disappeared after a while?
In some cases, the problem lies in permission to create shortcuts. Modern versions of Android require explicit confirmation from an app that tries to add an object to the desktop. If the pop-up with the request was accidentally closed, the shortcut will not be created.
Set up the grid and element size
To place the maximum number of shortcuts conveniently, you need to properly configure the desktop grid. Xiaomi allows you to change the number of rows and columns, as well as the size of the signature font, which affects how many icons fit on one screen.
Click on the blank space on the screen and select Settings (usually the gear icon at the bottom). In the Grid section, you can select a configuration, for example, 5x6 or 6x6. The more cells, the smaller the icons will be, but more space for shortcuts.
There's also a feature called Increased Mode, which makes all the elements bigger, which is useful for people with low vision, but reduces the usable screen area, and the switch is in the general system settings under Advanced Settings → Text Size and Display.
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The optimal grid for most users is 5 columns by 6 rows, which is the balance between the size of the icons and the amount of space available.
Remember that the home screen can only host one specific type of widget in some themes, or the widgets can overlap.The system automatically shifts icons to make room for a new item, but if space is critically small, the shortcut may not be set.