You turned on the Xiaomi Redmi smartphone and found that all the app icons were missing from the desktop? This problem occurs to users after updating MIUI, changing the launcher or accidentally changing the settings. 90% of the time, the shortcuts are not deleted - they are simply hidden or moved to another area of the screen.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to return icons to Redmi desktop, from basic settings to ADB recovery. You’ll learn how to check hidden folders, reset launcher settings, and what to do if a problem is caused by a system failure. All instructions are relevant for Redmi Note 10/11/12/13, Redmi 9/10/12 and other devices on MIUI 12-14.
Before you start settings, make sure that the apps have not been removed. Go to Settings → Apps → Application Management and check the list of installed programs. If the shortcuts disappear after the update, try restarting the phone - sometimes this solves the problem without additional actions.
1. Check hidden folders and second desktop
Most often, icons don’t disappear, but move to a hidden folder or to a second screen. On Xiaomi, the desktop can consist of several pages – swipe left/right to switch between them.
If there are no shortcuts on any screen, follow these steps:
- 🔍 Check the folder “Hidden applications”: pinch the empty space on the desktop → Desktop settings → Hidden apps. There may be icons that you accidentally hid.
- 📁 Open the app menu: swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or click on the dock). This shows all the programs installed, find the one you want and hold it to move it to your desktop.
- 🔄 Reset the order of the icons: in Desktop Settings, select Restore Default Order. This will return the standard shortcut location.
On some firmware MIUI The icons can stick together in one folder after updating. To separate them, click on the folder, then tap the icon. ⋮ (three dots) and select Separate icons.
2.Resetting the settings of the MIUI launcher
If icons are missing after changing themes or installing widgets, resetting the launcher will help, which does not delete application data, but returns the desktop to factory settings.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the search box, type Launcher (or MIUI Launcher for global firmware).
- Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
- Confirm the action and restart the phone.
After the reboot, the icons should appear as standard. If that doesn't happen, try updating the launcher via Google Play (for global versions of MIUI) or reinstalling it via APK.
Take a screenshot of the current location of the icons
Remember important widgets on the screen
Check for backup in Mi Cloud
Make sure your phone is 50%+ charged
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⚠️ Warning: Launcher reset removes all custom desktop settings, including folders, widgets and wallpaper.If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), go back to standard first MIUI Launcher in default settings.
3. Recovery through safe mode
If the icons are missing after installing a new app or themes, the problem may be due to a software conflict: Safe Mode loads the system without third-party apps, which helps identify the culprit.
How to run Safe Mode on Xiaomi Redmi:
- Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
- Hold your finger at the switch off power (or turn off) for 3-5 seconds.
- Confirm the transition to safe mode (the Safe Mode sign will appear at the bottom of the screen).
In safe mode:
- 🔄 Check if the icons are showing up. If so, there's a problem in one of the apps installed.
- 📱 Remove recently installed programs (especially launchers, themes, or optimizers).
- 🔧 Restart your phone in normal mode.
If the icons are back, install the apps again, excluding those that caused the conflict. Use Settings → Apps → The latest to see which programs were working before the shortcuts disappeared.
What to do if the safe regime does not help?
4.Using ADB to Restore Labels
For advanced users, there is a way to return icons via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method is suitable if the problem is caused by a failure in the launcher database.
Preconditions:
- 🖥️ Established ADB Xiaomi drivers on PC (download from the official website).
- 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to activate the developer mode, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).
Instructions:
- Connect Redmi to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
- Enter the commands in turn: adb shell pm clear com.miui.home This will clear the launcher data, similar to the method from section 2, but with a guarantee of resetting all parameters.
- Reboot your phone with the command: adb reboot
If the icons do not appear after executing the commands, try to restore them through a MIUI backup:
- Enter in ADB: adb shell cmd backup restore /data/data/com.miui.home/databases/launcher.db (this only works if a backup was previously created).
⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They can cause the system to malfunction if entered incorrectly. Do not use this method unless you are sure of your actions. MIUI 14 Some teams claim root rights.
5. Resetting phone settings (last resort)
If none of these methods work, you have to completely reset your settings, which will delete all your phone data, including apps, photos and accounts, so only use this method as a last resort.
How to reset Xiaomi Redmi to factory settings:
| Method | Instructions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Through settings | Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset Select Reset All Settings Confirm Action and Wait for Reboot | Save media files, but remove applications and settings |
| Through Recovery. | Turn off phone Press down power + Volume up Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data | Deletes everything, including files on internal memory |
| Through the Mi Cloud | Log in to i.mi.com Select Device → Find Device → Erase Data | It only works when synchronization is enabled. |
After the reset, the phone will boot with clean firmware, and the icons will return to the standard position.
- 📤 Create a backup copy in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
- 🖥️ Copy important files to your PC or cloud.
- 📱 Write down account data (logins/passwords).
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If the badges disappear again after reset, the problem may be the damaged firmware, in which case only flashing through Fastboot or contacting the Xiaomi service center will help.
6.Prevention: How to avoid the disappearance of badges
To avoid recurring problems, follow these guidelines:
- 🔄 Update regularly MIUI: Many desktop bugs are fixed in new firmware versions. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 📥 Use official themes: third-party themes from unverified sources may conflict with the launcher. → Online topics.
- 🛠️ Do not install memory optimizers: programs like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster often removes launcher cache, which leads to crashes.
- 🔋 Watch for battery power: Abruptly shutting down your phone during an update or setting change can damage system files.
If you change covers or widgets frequently, back up your desktop:
- Install the Home Backup app from Google Play.
- Keep the current configuration of the launcher.
- If necessary, restore the location of the icons in one click.
Redmi models with MIUI 13+ have a System Protection feature that prevents accidental changes in settings. Activate it in Settings → Special features → System Protection.
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The most common reason for the disappearance of icons is the launcher failure after updating or installing themes. 80% of cases help resetting the launcher settings (section 2) or cleaning the cache.