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

Why Xiaomi Redmi icons are disappearing and what to do about it

You picked up your Xiaomi Redmi to run your favorite app, but... its icon is not on the desktop. The situation is familiar to many owners of smartphones on MIUI — missing the icons WhatsApp, Google Play or even standard utilities like Camera or Phone. The reasons can vary from accidental removal to malfunctioning shell. But the good news is that in 90% of cases the icon can be returned in 1-2 minutes without complex manipulation.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways, from basic (checking the folder "All applications") to advanced (resetting the launcher settings or reinstalling the shell). It is important to understand that the algorithm of actions depends on the version of MIUI (on Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, the path may differ from Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5).

If you are in a hurry, go straight to quick ways (sections 2 and 3). For difficult cases (for example, when the icon disappeared after an update or reset), read sections 4-6.

Method 1: Checking the All Apps folder and searching the system

The most common reason an icon disappears is because it accidentally moves to a folder or to another desktop. On MIUI, all installed programs are displayed in the All Apps menu, even if they are not on the home screen.

1. Swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen (an app menu gesture). On older versions of MIUI (MIUI 11 and below), you may need to click on the All apps icon (cog or dot grid).
2. In the search bar (top of the screen), type in the name of the missing app, such as Chrome or Gallery.
3. If you find an app, grab its icon and drag it to your desktop. Redmi with MIUI 13+ will have a hint to add to the home screen.

If the app does not appear in the All Apps menu, this may mean:

• 🔍 It is removed (check the cart in Google Play or App Store).
• 🔒 It is disabled in settings (relevant for system utilities).
• 🛠️ There was a failure in the operation of the launcher (shell) MIUI).

Method 2: Restore the icon through the launcher settings

The launcher MIUI Launcher sometimes resets the desktop settings after updates or because of conflicts with themes.

1. Click on the empty space on the desktop → select Screen Settings (or Launcher Settings on older versions).
2. Go to the icon settings (or Application Management) section.
3. Activate the option to Show all app icons. On some firmware, it may be called Display all icons.
4. If the option is already on, turn it off and turn it back on, then restart the smartphone.

For Redmi with MIUI 14 and newer:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Reset the launcher settings.
3. After that, all the icons will return to their places, but the location of the widgets and folders will reset.

Take a screenshot of the current location of the icons

Remember what apps were in the folders

Check if widgets are used (they will disappear after resetting)

Close all background applications

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Attention! Launcher reset does not delete application data, but will return the standard icon theme (if you used custom).

Method 3: Reinstall the application (if the icon is missing after the update)

If the icon disappeared after updating the app through Google Play or Mi App Store, the problem may be in corrupted cache files.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the missing app on the list and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear cache and Clear data (if you have such an option).
4. Reboot your smartphone. The icon should appear in the All Apps menu.

If this does not help, remove and install the application again:

• 📱 For custom apps: delete via Google Play → reset.
• 🔧 For system (e.g. Camera, Phone): Use the method in Section 5.

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Before you delete the application, check if important data is attached to it (for example, saved passwords in the browser or chats in messengers). Use Settings → Memory → Backup

Method 4: Enabling disabled system applications

On Xiaomi Redmi some standard utilities (for example, FM-Radio, Screen Recording, or Calendar can be disabled through settings or by third-party optimizers to return them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → select Show all applications (or System Processes).
3. Find the appropriate application (e.g. com.android.calendar for Calendar).
4. Click Enable (if the button is active).

Some system applications (such as Google Play Services) may need to be updated via the Mi App Store:

• 🔄 Open the Mi App Store → Updates.
• 🔍 Find the missing app in the list and update it.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Do not disable system applications called com.miui. or com.android. – this can lead to the inoperability of the smartphone and the need for a complete reset.

Method 5: Resetting the launcher cache and resetting the shell

If icons are missing en masse or after installing a new theme, the problem may be in the MIUI Launcher shell cache to reset it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or Launcher) list.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear cache and Clear data.
4. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

After the reboot:

• 🔄 All icons will return to standard places.
• 🎨 The theme of icons will be dropped to the factory (if you used custom).
• 📁 Desktop folders will disappear (they will have to be recreated).

For Redmi with MIUI 12.5 or lower, an additional step may be required:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

This command should be entered through ADB (Developer Tool). For more information about setting up ADB, see the Advanced Users section.

💡

Resetting the launcher cache is the most effective way to return icons after the shell fails, but remember: it will also reset all desktop settings (widgets, folders, icon order).

Method 6: Advanced Methods (for Power Users)

If none of the above methods worked, the problem could be deeper, in corrupted system files or conflict with the one.

Installation of an alternative launcher

If the MIUI Launcher crashes regularly, install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher):

• 📥 Download the launcher from Google Play.
• 🔧 When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
• 🔄 All icons will be displayed in the new launcher (even those that did not appear in the new launcher). MIUI).

2.Recovery through ADB

For users with unlocked bootloader and developer rights:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.example.app

Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the missing app (e.g. com.android.gallery3d for Gallery).

3. Resetting settings to factory

The last resort if the icons are lost due to a serious system failure:

1. Make a backup of data through Settings → Memory → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select Reset all settings (does not delete files) or Delete all data (complete reset).

⚠️ Attention! A complete reset will delete all data, including photos, messages and installed applications. Use this method only if other methods have not worked, and the problem is critical.

Frequent questions about missing icons on Xiaomi Redmi