Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face a situation where the interface of the device is radically different from the usual Android system. After buying a new gadget or resetting the settings, many find that all the shortcuts of programs are scattered across the screen, and the usual button that opens the list of all installed programs, simply does not exist.
This is because the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS use the “no app menu” concept by default. However, it’s extremely easy to get back to the classic look, and it will only take a few seconds of your time. In this article, we’ll detail how Xiaomi makes its app menu, and we’ll also look at the hidden desktop customization options that will help organize the space more efficiently.
Changing the look of a system is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also usability. Navigation gets faster when you get used to a certain structure of the arrangement of elements. If you switch from a different brand or just prefer a classic Android, setting up the launcher will be your first step after unpacking the device.
Difference between Desktop Modes
Before we get to the action, it’s important to understand what design options the system offers. Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco have two main desktop display modes. The first mode, often referred to as “Classic”, involves having a separate button in the dock bar (bottom panel), which opens a full list of all installed utilities, in which only widgets and frequently used programs remain on desktops.
The second option is the No App Menu mode, where all shortcuts are automatically placed on the home screen as new programs are installed. When you delete apps, the free space collapses and the icons shift, which is more like Apple's iOS interface. Switching between these modes changes the logic of working with your smartphone, so the choice depends solely on your personal preferences.
It is worth noting that the inclusion of the application menu does not affect the operation of the system or resource consumption, this is only a visual setting of the launcher, however, when switching, it may be necessary to manually regroup the widgets if they were tied to specific grid cells.
⚠️ Warning: After switching mode, the location of the widgets (calendar, weather, clock) may be lost as the grid changes.
How to Enable the Application Menu through Settings
The easiest and most reliable way to activate a list of all programs is to use the standard system settings, which works on all current versions of the shell, including MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the latest HyperOS. You do not need to install additional software or obtain root rights.
To start, unlock your smartphone screen and find the Settings icon (cogs). In the settings list that opens, you need to scroll down to the Desktop section. In some firmware versions, this item may be called Home and Desktop or be inside the Additional category, although in modern builds it is included in the main menu.
When you enter Desktop, look for a item called Desktop Mode. When you click on it, you will see a pop-up with two options: No App Menu and C App Menu. Select the second option and confirm the action. The interface will instantly reconfigure, and at the bottom of the screen a button will appear that opens the full directory of programs.
☑️ Checking the desktop settings
It is important to understand that this setting is global for the entire system, which means that the change will affect all profiles if there are multiple users on the device, but will not affect the “Simple Mode” mode for older people, which has its own interface structure.
Alternative method through the Louncher settings
There's another way to do this, which may be more common for users who change the themes a lot, and it leads to the same result, but through a different system component, and if you can't find the right item in the general settings, try this one.
Go to Settings on your device and search at the top for "Luncher" or "Applications." You need to find "Start-up settings" or "Application Manager." In the menu that opens, look for "Desktop Mode." The logic here is exactly the same as the previous method: select "From the App Menu."
Some users prefer this path, as it often has additional animation and grid settings, for example, you can change the number of columns and rows, which is especially true when the application menu is turned on to optimize the space.
Why can the settings be different?
If you use third-party themes from GetThemes, make sure that the theme you choose supports the standard MIUI structure. Some author themes can block mode change or hide the menu button even if it is enabled in the system, in which case a return to the standard theme "Classic" or "Untitled" will help.
Set up the grid and the appearance of the menu
Once you have managed to make a menu of applications in Xiaomi, you should pay attention to its configuration. The standard grid may not suit all users: someone needs more space for text under the icons, and someone wants to fit the maximum programs on one screen.
In the same desktop settings section, you can also use the grid option, and you can choose an aspect ratio like 4x6, 5x6 or 6x6. The more cells you choose, the denser the icons will be, which is especially useful on larger-screen smartphones, where the standard icon size is not enough to comfortably reach your finger.
- 📱 Grid size: Affects the number of visible elements without scrolling.
- 🔤 Signatures: You can turn on or off the display of titles under icons.
- 🎨 Topics: Applying a new theme can reset the grid settings to the author’s theme values.
Also worth mentioning is the "Enlarged Icons" feature, which if you activate this mode, the system will force the application menu to be disabled, because the concept of large shortcuts is incompatible with a separate list of all utilities. So if you want to have a menu, make sure that the "Enlarged Icons" tick off.
| Parameter | Description of the impact of the interface | Recommendation | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| "From the menu" mode | Add a button to the list of all programs | For those used to Android | All models. |
| 5x6 grid | Increases the density of icons | For the big screens | All models. |
| Enlarged icons | Remove the menu, make shortcuts bigger | For the visually impaired | Conflicts with the menu |
| Font drawing | Changes the type of signatures under icons | To taste. | Depends on the topic. |
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Use the “Double-Tap to Turn Off Screen” function in the desktop settings so you don’t look for the lock button when your hands are busy.
Hiding apps and folders in the menu
Having a complete list of all the programs opens up new possibilities for organizing space, but it also creates a risk of clutter. The menu can get system utilities that you use once a year, or games that are pathetic to remove. MIUI Provides a function of hiding applications.
To hide the program, open the app menu, pull the list down (or click on the three dots/settings in the corner, depending on the version) and select Hide Apps. Here you can tick the programs you want to remove from public access. They will remain on the device, but disappear from the menu and search.
And you also need to keep the ability to create folders in mind: Categorizing things like finance, social media, travel, and so on makes navigation much faster, and unlike desktop, folders in the app menu help you structure hundreds of icons, making chaos an orderly directory.
⚠️ Warning: Hidden apps won't come in the curtain until you run them.Be careful hiding messengers or email clients so you don't miss important messages.
To access hidden applications, a special gesture or code entry in the Security app is often used, which adds an additional level of privacy to your data, which is especially important if other people can use the phone.
Solution and resetting of settings
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after updating the firmware settings are reset, or the menu button stops responding. This can be due to a conflict of the launcher cache or errors in the work of the theme. If standard inclusion does not help, try deeper methods.
First, clear the launcher data. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, search the list for "Luncher" (or "System Launcher"), click "Clean" and select "Clear all data." Don't worry, your files and contacts won't be affected, but the settings for the icons and wallpapers can go back to factory.
The problem can also be in Simple Mode. If you have this mode (large icons, minimum features), the application menu is not available by default. To exit it, go to the settings and turn off Simple Mode, after which you will have all the features of the full MIUI shell.
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Clearing the launcher data is a universal solution to most visual interface bugs, including missing icons and broken menus.
In rare cases, especially on re-enhanced devices or global versions with Chinese firmware installed, you may need to install a standard launcher through ADB or special utilities like SetEdit, but for 99% of users, the standard settings described above are enough.
Use of third-party launchers
If Xiaomi’s regular capabilities don’t suit you, or you want an interface as close as possible to the Pixel or OnePlus, you can always install a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store. Popular options include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher.
Once you install this app, the system will suggest you choose the default launcher. Do that and you'll have full control over the animations, gestures and menu appearance. However, it's worth remembering that third-party launchers can consume more battery power and sometimes conflict with system navigation gestures.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher: the standard of customization, a huge number of settings.
- 📦 Microsoft Launcher: Great integration with Windows and Office.
- 🧠 Smart Launcher: Automatic sorting of applications by category.
When using third-party solutions, make sure that the battery settings allow them to work in the background, otherwise the system can aggressively "kill" the launcher process, causing delays when unlocking the screen.