How to Enable the Application Menu on Xiaomi MIUI 12

Modern Android shells offer users different options for organizing the workspace, and Xiaomi in its MIUI 12 firmware was no exception. Many smartphone owners of this brand, especially those who move from other Android devices, are used to seeing a separate list of all installed programs hidden behind the swipe up. However, by default, the system often offers a classic look, where all the shortcuts are scattered across desktops, which can create a sense of chaos on the screen.

Activating a full app menu is not just an aesthetic choice, but also a way to improve the efficiency of your device. System navigation becomes more logical when you can quickly find the right icon in alphabetical order without flipping through endless pages of widgets and folders. In this article, we will discuss the process of switching modes in detail, as well as touching on nuances that are often overlooked when you first set up.

It’s worth noting that MIUI 12 has undergone significant visual changes compared to its predecessors, becoming smoother and more animated. Including the application menu in this version of the shell may require additional actions compared to MIUI 11, as developers have changed the logic of the location of some settings, so even experienced users should familiarize themselves with the current algorithm to avoid confusion.

Differences in the desktop modes in MIUI 12

Before you start technical manipulation, you need to clearly understand the difference between the two main modes of displaying content. The first option, often called “Classic”, involves placing all shortcuts directly on desktops. In this case, the user organizes the space by creating folders and porting icons as convenient as he likes, which is similar to the logic of iOS, where the menu itself is not in the usual sense.

The second option is to have a separate All Apps screen, which removes shortcuts from desktops (except for those you add manually to the dock or widgets) and accesses the full list of programs by swiping up or clicking a button, and the navigation system becomes more structured in this mode, especially if the device has more than 50 different programs installed.

The choice of the right option depends solely on your personal preferences and habits.Some people like visual minimalism and order on the list, and some people like a live desktop with widgets and photos in the background. Xiaomi gives freedom of choice, but by default often activates the mode without a separate menu, which confuses beginners.

⚠️ Note: Switching desktop mode does not delete your data or apps, but can be temporarily disorienting, as all icons from the home screen will disappear if you do not add them to your favorites.

It is important to understand that changing this parameter affects the operation of gestures and the behavior of the search bar. In the mode from the application menu, swipe up is often reserved specifically for opening the list of programs, whereas in the classic mode it can cause a search by Google or Yandex, if it is configured in the system.

Step-by-step activation through system settings

To enable the menu of all applications, you need access to the basic operating system settings, which is standard and does not require installing third-party software or obtaining superuser rights. The process is simple enough, but requires care, since the desired item can get lost among other personalization options.

First, unlock the device and find the Settings icon on your desktop that looks like a gear. In the settings list that opens, you need to scroll down to the look section. Depending on the regional firmware version (Global, China, Russia), the item name may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same.

☑️ Algorithm for menu inclusion

Done: 0 / 5

Next, you'll find the item that's most commonly called "Desktop" or "Home" in Russian localization, and inside this section, you'll find the key parameters of the organization of the space, you'll need to find a switch or a choice of two options: "Classic" and "All Apps." If you choose the second option, you'll instantly see the icons disappear from desktops, and a menu button will appear.

If you use navigation buttons, the menu button will appear to the right of the home button. When using full screen mode (gestures), the menu will swipe up from the bottom of the screen. System changes will take effect immediately, without the need to reboot the device.

Alternative method through the Security Application

There is another way to get to the right settings that may seem more convenient for those who are used to using Xiaomi system utilities. MIUI firmware has a built-in Security app (green icon with shield) that serves as a gateway to many of the phone's service features.

When you run this app, look at the bottom of the screen or the three-dot/strip menu, where additional tools are usually hidden. You need the Settings or Advanced Settings section. In some versions of the shell, the path can go through the Cleanup or Accelerate tab, where there may also be a button in the corner of the screen to call the launcher settings menu.

  • 📱 Launch the Security app from the Tools folder.
  • ⚙️ Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
  • 🔍 Find the Home or Desktop section in the list of parameters.
  • ✅ Switch the switch to position All applications.

The good thing about this method is that it combines performance and appearance settings in one place, but it’s worth considering that in the new MIUI 12 updates, developers are gradually migrating all visual settings directly to the main Settings menu, making the Security app a more specialized tool.

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the Security application does not have the right item, this may be due to regional limitations or a specific security patch, in which case it is recommended to return to the first method through the basic system settings, as it is a priority for the current version of the software.

Setting up search and sorting in the menu

Once you’ve activated the app menu, you should take the time to fine-tune it for maximum comfort. MIUI 12 offers some useful features that make navigating the list of programs faster, most notably the built-in search that allows you to find apps by the first letters of the title without scrolling through the entire list.

At the top of the menu screen of all applications, there is usually a search bar. If it is not, it may be hidden in the launcher settings. Also worth paying attention to sorting: by default, programs are arranged in alphabetical order, but recently installed applications can be displayed at the top of the list or marked with a special label "New".

Hidden Search Opportunities
You can search all apps for not only program names, but also contacts, system settings, and even web queries if you activate the appropriate integration with the searcher. You just start typing a query in the search bar without opening the search application itself.> There are also separate sliders in the application menu to manage the size of icons and fonts. They are in the same section of desktop settings. Increasing the size of items can be useful for people with reduced vision, and reducing it will allow more programs to fit on one screen without scrolling. Settings settings -> Desktop Turns on/off a separate menu Search bar Settings -> Desktop -> Search Displays the search bar at the top of the list Sorts automatically in the Alphabet menu or by installation time Grid Size Settings -> Desktop -> Grid Changes the number of icons on the screen Don't forget that excessively reducing the size of icons can make the interface less readable, especially on high-resolution screens where elements are already quite small. Optimal size is considered to be standard. Sometimes the solution from the listing, for example, the visually small ones from the listing, or from the listing, you can be too small. This is most often due to the cache of the launcher, the system application that controls the desktop. If you notice that the menu is unstable, try clearing the cache of the Louncher or Desktop application -> Annexes -> All apps, find in the Desktop (or Launcher) list and select Clean» -> «Clear the cache. This is a safe action that will not delete your personal data or folder location. Another common problem is the inability to find the app you just installed on the menu. MIUI 12 new programs are sometimes hidden in the Recommended or New folder, which is at the top of the app list. ⚠️ Note: If after resetting the launcher settings all your folders and widgets are missing, they will have to be recreated again. Before the experiment with cleaning the launcher data, it is better to take screenshots of the current location of the icons. It is also worth checking whether the Simple Mode (for older people) mode is turned on, which completely changes the logic of the interface and can block the ability to switch to the menu of all applications. You can turn it off in the main settings in the Advanced Settings section. Using third-party launchers If the regular features of MIUI 12 do not suit you, or the application menu does not work as you would like, you can always turn to third-party solutions. Google Play Store offers dozens of alternative launchers, such as Microsoft Launcher pre-defaults, which require a pre-defaulter from the Android launcher window, where the launcher is provided by the default. This is standard security procedure. Once installed, you'll have access to advanced grid settings, animations, gestures and, of course, the style of the app menu. 🚀 Nova Launcher: provides maximum detail settings, allowing you to change literally every pixel of the interface. 🎨 Microsoft Launcher: integrates well with the Windows ecosystem and offers beautiful daylights. ⚡ Smart Launcher: automatically sorts applications into categories, which is convenient for large software libraries. However, using third-party launchers on Xiaomi can have its own peculiarities. MIUI It can aggressively kill third-party launcher processes, causing resets or lags when returning to the desktop. To avoid this, you must manually prevent the system from closing the launcher application in the battery settings. 📊 What is the launcher you prefer on Xiaomi?Standard MIUINova LauncherMicrosoft LauncherOther third-party In addition, some features, such as full-screen gestures or dual tap to turn on the screen, may not work correctly with third-party software. So before you install an alternative, weigh the pros and cons, and maybe a standard menu, after you've set it right, will meet your needs. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Why After Updating MIUI Firmware updates often reset the launcher's custom settings to factory ones. Because Xiaomi defaults to a mode without a separate menu, you need to activate it again through Settings -> Desktop. This is the standard behavior of the system, not a bug. Can we make the application menu transparent? In the standard shell? MIUI 12 no such setup exists. The transparency of the application menu background is only available when using third-party launchers or when there are Root rights and installing special modules, which is not recommended for ordinary users because of the risk of loss of warranty. How to add a folder to the menu of all applications? In the All Apps menu, you can not create folders in the same way as on the desktop. However, you can add frequently used applications to the bottom panel (dock bar), which remains visible always. To do this, just drag the icon from the menu to the bottom of the screen. Does the inclusion of the application menu affect the speed of operation? No, switching between the modes of the "Classic and the application does not exclusively affect the application menu?" Make sure you choose All Apps mode, not Classic mode. If you select the mode but no button, check your navigation settings: in some design themes or at certain screen resolutions, the button may be hidden, and access to the menu is only possible by swiping up. 💡The right setup of the app menu is a balance between aesthetics and functionality. Don't be afraid to experiment with settings to find the perfect space for yourself.