How to return icons to the Xiaomi Redmi desktop: all working ways

You turned on the Xiaomi Redmi smartphone and all the app icons disappeared from the desktop? This problem is familiar to many users of MIUI, Xiaomi's proprietary shell. The reasons can range from random changes in the launcher settings to system failures after the update. In 90% of cases, shortcuts return in 2-3 minutes without complex manipulation.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to return icons to the Redmi screen - from basic (reboot and reset launcher) to advanced (change system parameters through the ADB). We pay special attention to hidden settings MIUI, All instructions are current for Redmi Note models. 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5 and other devices on MIUI 14/15.

If you're not sure why the icons are missing, start with the first section, which describes the diagnostic steps to help determine the root of the problem. For power users, move on to the advanced methods section right away.

Why the badges from the Xiaomi Redmi desktop are missing

Before you restore labels, it's important to understand what exactly happened. There are three typical scenarios in MIUI that are missing icons:

• 🔄 Resetting launcher settings: after system update or cache clearing launcher (MIUI Launcher) resets to factory settings, hiding all user shortcuts.
• 👁️ Hand-held concealment of badges: in MIUI there is a function to hide applications from the desktop (for example, through Settings) → Desktop → Hidden applications).
• 🐛 System failure: After incorrect shutdown or application conflict, the launcher stops displaying shortcuts, although they physically remain in the system.

Less commonly, the problem is related to:

• 📱 Installation of a third-party launcher (Nova, Apex) that conflicts with the MIUI.
• 🔧 Change system fonts or themes through Themes App.
• 🛠️ Rooting or modifying system files (e.g. deleting com.miui.home).

To quickly diagnose the problem, answer two questions:

1. Did all the badges go missing or just some?
2. Do you see icons in the app menu (swipe up from the bottom panel)?

If you have shortcuts in the app menu but they're not on the desktop, the problem is the launcher settings, and if you don't have them on the menu, they're probably deleted or hidden at the system level.

Method 1: Reboot and reset launcher (works 70% of the time)

Start with the simplest, forced reboot launcher, which helps if the icons are missing after an upgrade or because of a temporary failure.

Instructions:

1. Open the application menu (swipe up from the bottom panel).
2. Find Settings and go to the Applications → Application Management section.
3. In the search box, enter MIUI Launcher (or MIUI Launcher in Russian).
4. Click Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
5. Return to the desktop – in 10-20 seconds, the icons should appear.

If the launcher reset didn’t help, try rebooting your smartphone:

• 🔄 Press the power button and select Reboot.
• 🕒 Wait. 1-2 minutes after switching on — MIUI Restores labels at the first launch.

Cleared cache MIUI Launcher

Cleared data MIUI Launcher

Smartphone rebooted

Checked the application menu (swipe up)-->

⚠️ Warning: After cleaning the launcher data, all your desktop settings (wallpaper, widgets, folders) will be reset.

Method 2: Restore icons through desktop settings

If icons are missing after a MIUI update or change to themes, they can be returned via hidden launcher settings, which works even without a data reset.

Step-by-step:

1. Touch the empty space on your desktop and hold your finger for 2-3 seconds.
2. At the bottom of the screen will appear toolbar – click Desktop Settings (icon) ⚙️).
3. Go to the section Additional → Hidden applications.
4. Check the list of hidden apps – if there are the right icons, uncheck them.
5. Return to the desktop and update it with the swipe down.

If the list of hidden apps is empty, try another way:

1. Open the Settings. → Desktop.
2. Select Desktop Style → Standard (if you have chosen a different style).
3. Activate the option to Show app icons (if disabled).

On some MIUI firmware (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13), the path may be different:

Settings → Home screen → Screen settings → Show app icons

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If the icons are missing after changing the theme, return the standard theme: Topics → My themes → Standard. This often solves the problem without additional actions.

Method 3: Manually Adding Icons from the Application Menu

If icons are not automatically displayed, you can add them manually from the application menu, which is suitable if shortcuts are on the system, but not on the desktop.

How to add icons back:

1. Make a swipe up from the bottom bar to open the app menu.
2. Find the right app and hold its icon for 1-2 seconds.
3. Drag the icon to the desktop or folder.
4. Repeat for all necessary applications.

If you drop the message “Can’t add to your desktop” when you drop it, follow the following steps:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Permits → Permits for special functions.
• Find MIUI Launcher and enable all permissions (especially System Settings Change).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.

To speed up the process, you can restore icons with a package:

1. Open the app menu and click on it. ⋮ → Choose.
2. Check all the necessary applications.
3. Click Add to the desktop.

Method 4: Advanced Methods (ADB, Safe Mode, Reset)

If standard methods don't work, you'll have to use advanced tools, which require caution, but are effective in dealing with system failures.

Starting in Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

Safe Mode disables all third-party applications, which helps to identify the conflict:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Keep your finger on Turn off until you request to switch to Safe Mode.
3. Confirm and wait for the reboot.

If you have an icon in Safe Mode, it's a problem in one of the apps you installed.

4.2.Dumping via ADB (for power users)

If the launcher is damaged, it can be reset via ADB:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

After the command, the smartphone will restart, and the launcher will return to the factory settings.

⚠️ Note: pm clear removes all desktop settings, including folders and widgets. Use only if other methods have not helped.

Reset all settings (last version)

If nothing helps, do a partial reset (without deleting the data):

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset Desktop Settings (not a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

Method 5: Install an alternative launcher (if MIUI Launcher is not working)

If MIUI Launcher is damaged and not restored, a temporary solution is to install a third-party launcher, which will not fix the system problem, but will return access to the applications.

The best launchers for Xiaomi Redmi:

How to install an alternative launcher:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click Home and select a new launcher as your primary.
3. Set up your desktop (add widgets, change the icon grid).

To return MIUI Launcher later:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → By default.
2. Select the Home Screen and install the MIUI Launcher.

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Alternative launcher is a temporary solution, and if the problem is in the MIUI system files, it's better to reset or reflash the device.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When recovering icons, users often make mistakes that exacerbate the problem.-5 Misconceptions and Right Actions:

• ❌ Mistake: Deletion MIUI Launcher through ADB root. ✅ Solution: Launcher is a system application, and if you delete it, you'll be inoperable on your desktop. Instead, use pm clear com.miui.home.
• ❌ Error: Reset to factory settings without backup. ✅ Solution: Before resetting, save data via Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud Backup.
• ❌ Error: Installation of a launcher from unverified sources (APK). ✅ Solution: Download launchers only from Google Play or the official Xiaomi website.
• ❌ Error: Change system fonts through Themes App without compatibility check. ✅ Solution: Before applying the topic, check the reviews of other users.
• ❌ Mistake: Ignoring updates MIUI. ✅ Solution: Regularly update the firmware through Settings → Updating the system.

If after all the manipulations, the icons did not appear, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge: at a level below 15% MIUI Can block changes in settings.
• 📶 Internet connection: some launcher features require a network.
• 🛡️ Antivirus or Optimizer: Software like Clean Master can block system processes.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions