How to return the camera shortcut to the desktop Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: all ways 2026

Did you accidentally remove the camera shortcut from the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro desktop and can't find it in the app menu? Or did the icon disappear after the MIUI update without the ability to recover through standard methods? This problem is familiar to many Xiaomi smartphone owners - especially after resetting or switching to a new firmware version. Unlike other applications, the camera often "hidden" in the system folders, and its shortcut does not appear in the widget list.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to bring the camera icon back to the home screen, from basic steps in MIUI settings to hidden launcher features and even manually shortcutting through the file system. All methods have been tested on the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 12–14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions). If the standard drag and drop from the app menu didn’t work, don’t rush to reset the phone: there are solutions!

Why is the camera label on the Redmi Note 9 Pro missing?

Before you restore an icon, it is important to understand the reason for its disappearance, and Xiaomi does this in several scenarios:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After installing a new firmware version, system applications (including the camera) can be “reset” to factory settings, and their shortcuts disappear from the desktop.
• 🧹 Clearing the launcher cache: Forced data cleanup of the Lawnchair application (or standard launcher) MIUI) frequently removes user labels.
• 📱 Reset screen settings: If you reset the home screen settings through Settings → Desktop, all customizations (including icons) will return to factory.
• 🔧 Manual removal: Users sometimes accidentally drag the shortcut into the cart (in the MIUI It appears when you press the icon long enough).

On the Redmi Note 9 Pro, the camera shortcut may disappear even after installing a third-party launcher (such as Nova Launcher) if it does not support MIUI system applications. In this case, the icon remains in the application menu, but does not appear in the list of widgets to add to the desktop.

If you're not sure what caused it, check the app menu first (swipe up from the bottom of the screen). If there's a camera there, there's a problem with the launcher settings. If not, it's possible that the app is disabled in the system settings.

Method 1: Standard Recovery through the Application Menu

The easiest method is to return the shortcut through the standard MIUI menu, which works 80% of the time if the camera has not been disabled in the settings.

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the Camera icon, which is a stylized camera, and if it's not there, go to Method 2.

If nothing happens during drag and drop or the icon “returns” back to the menu, then the launcher blocked the addition of system applications, in which case resetting the launcher settings will help.

The camera icon is in the app menu|The launcher is not changed to a third-party (Nova, Lawnchair, etc.)|There are no active restrictions on the phone (for children or work profile»)|The phone is not in power saving mode (can block background processes)-->

⚠️ Note: If you use Nova Launcher or other alternative launcher, Xiaomi system applications (including the camera) may not appear in the widget list. MIUI through settings → Annexes → By default. → Launcher.

Method 2: Enabling the camera in application settings

If the camera icon isn't even in the app menu, it may be disabled in the system settings, often after manually clearing the cache or resetting the settings.

To check:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type the Camera (or Camera for global firmware).
3. If the application appears as “Disabled”**, click on it and select “Enabled”.

If the camera is not on the list, it can mean:

• 📱 The app is removed (which is unlikely because the camera is system software).
• 🔧 Firmware is damaged (for example, after a failed update).
• 🔒 The phone is in kiosk mode (limited functionality).

If the camera is on but no label is added, move on to the next method.

Method 3: Resetting the settings of the MIUI launcher

The launcher (the program responsible for displaying the desktop) in Xiaomi sometimes resets user settings, including the location of the icons, to return everything to factory settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type Lawnchair (for global firmware) or Launcher (for Chinese versions).
3. Select the application and click Storage → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action. After that, the desktop will reset, and all standard icons (including the camera) will return to their place.

Important: This method will delete all your desktop settings (wallpaper, folders, widgets) but it is guaranteed to restore system shortcuts if they were deleted by mistake.

If the reset didn't work, try restarting your phone after clearing the launcher's data. Sometimes the changes only apply after the reboot.

Standard MIUI|Nova Launcher|Lawnchair|Other |I don't know-->

Method 4: Creating a shortcut through widget settings

If standard methods don't work, you can create a camera shortcut manually through the widget menu, which is suitable for MIUI 12-14 firmware:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop with your finger.
2. In the menu that appears, select Widgets.
3. Scroll down and find the Tools section (or Tools in global firmware).
4. This section should have an app shortcut widget** (or App Shortcut) drag it to the desktop.

If the app shortcut widget is missing, it means your version of MIUI doesn't support it. In this case, try Method 5 (manual shortcut creation via file system).

If there is a widget but no cameras on the list, check if the app is hidden in the settings.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Hidden Applications.
2. Make sure that the camera is not on this list.

Method 5: Manual shortcut creation through the file system (for experienced)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can create a camera shortcut manually using a file manager with root or file rights. ADB-This is a way for advanced users.

Option 1: Through the file manager (root required)

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/app/com.android.camera-1/ or (for system applications): /system/priv-app/MiuiCamera/
3. Find the file com.android.camera.apk (or MiuiCamera.apk).
4. Create a shortcut on the desktop through the context menu of the file manager.

Option 2: Through ADB (without root)

If you do not have root rights but do have access to ADB, do:

adb shell am start -n com.android.camera/.CameraActivity

This command will launch the camera, and then its icon can appear in the menu of recent apps, from there it can be fixed on the desktop.

⚠️ Note: Working with system files through root or ADB This method can cause your phone to run out of order or crash. If you are not sure what you are doing, use it only under the guidance of an experienced user or in a service center.

💡

If you don't have root rights, but you need to get your camera up and running, use Google's voice assistant, and say, "OK, Google, open the camera," and it works even if there's no shortcut.

Method 6: Installation of an alternative launcher

If the problem lies in the standard MIUI launcher, you can install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) that supports customization of system applications.

Instructions:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Set it as the default launcher in Settings → Apps → By default → Launcher.
3. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop, then select Widgets.
4. Find Nova Actions → Activity Shortcuts.
5. Drag the widget to your desktop and select Camera** from the list.

The advantage of this method is the flexibility of the setting, so you can not only return the camera shortcut, but also:

• 🎨 Change the icon to custom.
• 📌 Put a label on the dock panel.
• 🔒 Hide unnecessary system applications.

Cons: Some MIUI features (such as super wallpapers or weather widgets) may not work properly with third-party launchers.

💡

The side launchers (Nova, Lawnchair) often display system applications better than the standard MIUI launcher, but may conflict with Xiaomi's proprietary features (e.g., an always active display).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

If none of these methods worked, check out these points:

If the problem persists, try resetting your phone to factory settings (with data saved):

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Resetting (do not delete data!).
3. After the reboot, check for the camera shortcut.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions