How to return a missing icon to the screen Xiaomi Redmi 9: from simple ways to hidden MIUI features

You turned on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 and the app icon suddenly disappeared from your desktop? This problem is familiar to many MIUI users, as the shortcuts of both standard programs (Camera, Phone, Messages) and installed from Google Play disappear. The reasons can vary from accidental deletion to shell failure. In this article, we will analyze 7 proven ways to return the icon to the screen, from basic to little-known tricks for experienced users.

It's important to understand that missing a shortcut doesn't always mean removing an application. Most often, the problem is with the launcher settings or the system cache. We won't offer radical measures like factory resets -- we'll try out safe methods that take less than 2-3 minutes. If you've tried rebooting your phone and it hasn't worked, read on: there are solutions here that aren't written about in the standard instructions.

1. Check the folder "All applications" - look for a hidden icon

The first thing you need to do is make sure that the app is installed on the phone at all. MIUI has a system folder All apps that display all programs, even those that have been removed from the desktop, to get there:

1. Swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen (opening the app menu gesture).
2. At the top of the screen, look for the All Apps tab (or App Drawer in English firmware).
3. Scroll down the list – if the app you want is there but there’s no shortcut on your desktop, move on to the next step.

If the app isn't on the list, it's been deleted.

• 🔍 Check the Recycle Bin folder in Google Play (opens through your profile menu).
• 📥 Reinstall the program from the app store.
• 🔄 If it is a system application (like a Camera), try restoring it through Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Show all applications.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 9 firmwares have All Apps disabled. To enable it, go to Settings. → Desktop → Show the folder "All applications».

2. Restore the label through a long press

The fastest way to bring back an icon is to recreate it, and in MIUI, it's done in two taps.

1. Open the All Apps menu (as in the previous step).
2. Find the desired application and pinch its icon with your finger for 1-2 seconds.
3. Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to your desktop or folder.

If the icon does not react with a long press:

• 📱 Make sure you click on the icon, not the name of the app.
• 🔧 Check if the mode for children or Guest mode is activated (in them some functions are blocked).
• 🔄 Try restarting your phone – sometimes the touch layer of the launcher is glitzy.

If this method didn't work, the problem could be in the launcher settings.

3.Resetting the MIUI launcher settings

The launcher (the program responsible for displaying the desktop) in Xiaomi Redmi 9 sometimes resets shortcuts after updates or due to conflicts with other applications.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter Launcher (or Launcher in English firmware).
3. Select the MIUI Launcher app (or POCO Launcher if you have custom firmware).
4. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.

After that:

• 🔄 The desktop will reset to factory settings – all shortcuts and folders will disappear.
• 📱 You will have to reconfigure the location of the icons, but the missing shortcuts should appear in the menu All applications.
• ⚙️ If the icons are lost again after reset, try installing an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher).

⚠️ Warning: Resetting the launcher will remove all your widgets and desktop wallpaper. Take screenshots of the current icon arrangement in advance to quickly restore it.

Take screenshots of the desktop |Remember the location of the widgets |Check the presence of important shortcuts in the folders |Make sure that the password from the Mi Account is saved-->

4. Checking Hidden Applications in MIUI

MIUI has an application hide feature that can be activated by accident, so if the icon is missing but the program is working (for example, you see notifications from it), check:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show Hidden Apps.
3. If the desired application is in the list, click on it and select Cancel Hiding.

Also check:

• 🔒 Hiding Mode in Security: Go to Settings → Password and security → Hidden applications.
• 👤 Second space: if you have a second space activated, the app could only be installed there. → Second space.
• 📂 Desktop folders: Sometimes icons are accidentally moved to folders with similar names (for example, Messages can be in the Social Network folder).

5. Cleaning the system cache and application data

If the icon is missing after updating MIUI or installing a new app, the problem may be the damaged cache.

Method 1: Clearing the launcher cache

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher.
2. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
3. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: Cleaning the cache of system services

Sometimes it's not the launcher that's to blame, it's Xiaomi's system services.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap the MIUI version several times until you get a message: You are a developer!
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the option to Clear the MIUI cache and activate it.

After cleaning the cache:

• 🔄 Icons should appear within 1-2 minutes.
• 📱 If this does not happen, try reinstalling the launcher via Google Play (search on request). MIUI Launcher).
• 🔧 In extreme cases, perform a soft reset (described in the next section).

6.Soft reset settings (without data loss)

If none of the previous methods worked, try a soft reset – it will restore system settings without deleting your files and applications.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Reset all settings (not to be confused with Reset to factory!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After discharge:

• 🔄 All system settings (including shortcuts) will return to factory.
• 📱 Applications and files will remain in place, but some settings (such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) will have to be reconfigured.
• 🔧 If the problem was in the settings conflict, the icons should appear.

⚠️ Warning: Soft reset does not delete photos, videos or documents, but resets Wi-Fi passwords, lock screen settings and other personal preferences. save important data in advance (e.g. export contacts to Google Account).

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If the icons disappear again after a soft reset, check if there are optimization or cleaning apps on the phone (such as Clean Master or DU Speed Booster) that can block the system processes responsible for displaying shortcuts.

7. Radical measures: reinstallation of firmware

If all previous methods failed, the problem may be the damaged firmware.

• Icons disappear regularly after rebooting.
• It's impossible to create new labels.
• The launcher is flying out or operating with errors.

In this case, you can flash it through Fastboot or Recovery.

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 9 (Choose your model: Lancelot for the global version or lancelot_in Indian).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and run the Mi Flash Tool (for Fastboot) or use TWRP (for Recovery).
3. Follow the instructions of the program for installing the firmware.

Warning: Flashing is a risky operation that can lead to data loss or device blinking.

• 🔧 You have experience working with ADB or Fastboot.
• 📱 You have made a backup copy of all the data.
• 🔄 You are prepared for the fact that the phone may require unlocking the bootloader.

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Flashing is a last resort. 90 percent of the time, the icon problem is solved by resetting the launcher or cleaning the cache. If you're not sure about your skills, go to the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about missing icons on Xiaomi