How to create a folder on the Xiaomi desktop: 3 proven methods + organizing-office

The desktop of Xiaomi's smartphone is quickly filling up with app shortcuts, and finding what you want is getting harder. Creating folders is an easy way to organize space by grouping similar programs (social networks, messengers, games) into single blocks. MIUI There are three ways to create a folder, and each is suitable for different situations.

In this article you will find:

• 📱 Classic method of drag and drop icons (works on all versions) MIUI Android)
• 🔧 Hidden shell features for fast folder creation with gestures
• ⚙️ Customize the appearance of folders: changing the color, name, sorting applications inside
• ⚠️ Typical Errors and Why a Suddenly Folder May Disappear After an Update

The instructions are relevant for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO base MIUI 12-14 and Android 11-14. If you have a different firmware version, check compatibility in the section FAQ.

1. Method. №1: Creating a folder by dragging icons (basic method)

This is the most universal way that works even on older versions. MIUI. Suitable for users who prefer tactile control.

How to create a folder:

1. Press and hold any icon of the application on the desktop until it “sticks” from the screen.
2. Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to another icon you want to put in the same folder.
3. Release your finger – the system will automatically create a folder with two apps inside.

To add more applications to the folder:

• 📲 Drag the new icons directly to the folder (it will light up).
• 🔄 Or open the folder, click Change (pencil in the upper right corner) and select apps from the list.

Hold the icon for 1-2 seconds|Drag to the second icon|Release your finger after lighting.|Give the folder a name (optional)-->

Important: if you have Safe Zone enabled (in Settings) → Special features, drag and drop may not work.

2. Method. №2: Quickly create a folder by gesture (only for the MIUI 13–14)

In the new versions MIUI And there's a hidden gesture that allows you to create folders instantly, and it saves time if you want to group a lot of applications.

Instructions:

1. Touch the first icon and hold it for less than a second (until it vibrates lightly).
2. Without letting go, quickly touch the second app with the other finger (or stylus).
3. The folder will be created automatically. Give it a name or leave it unnamed.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ 2 times faster than the classic drag and drop.
• 🎯 It works with one hand (on large screens).
• 🔄 Allows you to create folders of 3-4 icons at the same time (touch them alternately, without letting go of the first one).

If the gesture doesn’t work, check the screen sensitivity settings in Settings. → Display. → Touch and gestures. Turn off the "Ignore casual touch" option".

3. Method. №3: Create a folder through the editing menu (for power users)

This method is useful if you need to create an empty folder in advance or edit an existing one without dragging and drop the icons.

Step-by-step:

1. Press and hold the empty desktop area (not on the icon!).
2. In the menu that appears, select Desktop Settings (or Widgets, depending on the version). MIUI).
3. Go to the folder tab and click Create a new one.
4. Select apps from the list or leave the folder blank for future use.

Advantages of the method:

• 📁 You can create a folder without icons (for example, for future applications).
• 🔧 Convenient to edit name, color and sort immediately when creating.
• 📊 You can see all the apps installed, even those hidden in the menu.

Dragging icons|A gesture creature|Through the editing menu|I don't make folders.-->

⚠️ Attention: on some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K50i) The desktop settings can be called Edit the layout. If you don't find an option, upgrade the firmware to the latest version.

4. How to adjust the appearance and behavior of the folder

Making a folder is half the job. MIUI You can customize it to your needs: change the name, color, order of applications and even hide unnecessary ones.

Main settings:

💡 If the folder is too big (more than 12 icons), break it into subfolders, for example, in the Game folder you can create nested folders Online and Offline".

💡

To quickly find the application in a large folder, open it and pull it down – a search bar will appear.

Typical problems and their solutions

Sometimes folders in MIUI They're acting weird, disappearing after the update, not opening or saving the settings.

Problem 1: The folder disappeared after the MIUI update

⚠️ Attention: when transitioning from MIUI 12 on MIUI 14 the system can reset the desktop settings. Before upgrading, back up the layout via Settings → The phone. → Backup.

Decision:

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes folders recover after a reboot.
• 📱 Return the backup of the layout from the cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi accounts → My cloud).
• 🛠️ Manually recreate folders if there is no reserve.

Problem 2: You can’t drag the icon into a folder.

Causes and solutions:

• 🔒 Protection against accidental touches: turn off in Settings → Special facilities → Touch and retention.
• 📱 One-hand mode: if it's on, drag and drop may not work.
• 🔄 Starter error: change the standard launcher to POCO Launcher or Nova Launcher (download to Google Play).

Problem 3: The folder doesn't save the name or color

It's a bug of some versions. MIUI 13.0.x. Decisions:

• 🔧 Update your firmware to the latest stable version.
• 📲 Remove the folder and create a new one with the same settings.
• 🔄 Switch to a dark topic and back again – sometimes it throws off the interface glitch.

💡

If folders constantly fly off after restart, reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

6. Alternative ways of organizing the desktop

Folders are not the only way to organize applications. MIUI There are other tools:

Tabs in folders (only) MIUI 14)

You can create layered folders with tabs, like in a browser.

• 📁 The Job folder" → Tabs "Documents", "Mail", "Calls"
• 🎮 Folder "Games" → tabs "Online", "Offline", "Emulators"

How to create:

1. Open the folder and click Change.
2. Select Add a tab and name it.
3. Drag the applications into the right tabs.

Quick applications widgets

Instead of folders, you can use widgets that show frequently used programs, such as the Favorite Contacts widget or the Last Apps.

How do I add:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select the Widgets → Find the widget Quick applications.
3. Drag it onto the screen and set up the displayed icons.

3. Hiding unnecessary icons

If your desktop is overloaded, hide the rarely used apps in a hidden menu:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unnecessary application → Hide.
3. To return, go to Settings. → The phone. → Show hidden applications.

7. Tips for effective organization of the desktop

Folders not only help organize icons, but also speed up access to the right applications. Here are some proven organizational schemes:

Figure 1: Frequency of use

• 📱 Home screen: 4-6 most important apps (messengers, phone, camera).
• 📁 Frequent folder: Apps you use 2-3 times a day (mail, bank, music).
• 🗃️ Rare folder: everything else (sets, files, tools).

Scheme 2: On the subject

• 🎮 Games: All gaming applications and launchers.
• 📷 Media: camera, gallery, video player, music.
• 💼 Work: mail, calendar, documents, messengers for work.
• 🛒 Purchases: marketplaces, banks, discount cards.

Scheme 3: By colour

A visually pleasing way to do this is to group icons by color.

• 🔴 Red icons: YouTube, Netflix, Google.
• 🔵 Blue icons: Telegram, Facebook, Twitter.
• 🟢 Green icons: WhatsApp, Spotify, Health.

💡 Pro tip: Use transparent folders (color settings) → "Transparent") so that they don't distract from the wallpaper. This makes the desktop visually cleaner.

FAQ: Frequent questions about folders in Xiaomi