How to return a deleted shortcut on the Xiaomi desktop: all ways

Losing the app shortcut on Xiaomi’s desktop is a common problem faced by owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones after updating MIUI, accidentally deleting or resetting settings. Unlike other Android devices, the MIUI shell has unique icon management mechanisms, which often causes confusion. For example, users often confuse deleting the shortcut with uninstalling the application — these operations are performed differently at Xiaomi.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to restore shortcuts, from basic (via the app menu) to advanced (using ADB and hidden MIUI functions). Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for different versions of the firmware: MIUI 12-15 behaves differently than old builds. You will also learn how to return system icons (for example, Settings or Phone) that disappear after resetting to factory settings.

If you have recently removed the label, try the method first. №1 – it takes less than 30 seconds. For complex cases (for example, after manual editing of the launcher.db file), methods will come in handy. №4 and №5 using technical tools.

1. Recovery through the Apps menu

The easiest way is to return the shortcut from the list of all installed programs, which works on all versions of MIUI and does not require superuser rights.

Instructions:

• 📱 Swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen to open the app menu (or tap on the point in the center of the dock panel).
• 🔍 Find the application you want in the alphabetical list. If it's not available, check the Unused folder. MIUI 14+ It's hidden behind a swipe to the left).
• 🖱️ Press the app icon and drag it to the desktop. MIUI 15 may need to press Change first (pencil in upper right corner).
• 📌 If the shortcut does not “stick” – check whether the Easy Desktop mode is turned on in the launcher settings (Settings) → Desktop → Display mode).

Method Limitation: Does not work for system applications that have been disabled through Settings → Appendices. In this case, use the method. №3.

2.Resetting launcher settings

If shortcuts disappeared en masse (for example, after updating MIUI or experimenting with themes), resetting the launcher com.miui.home, the standard desktop application, will help.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, enter Louncher (or com.miui.home).
3. Select Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.
4. Reboot your smartphone (Long press on the power button → Reboot).

Once the launcher is reset, all folders and widgets on the desktop will be deleted, and you will have to reconfigure them, and this method will not restore shortcuts for disabled or remote applications.

Take screenshots of the current desktop|Remember the location of important labels|Check for backup in Mi Cloud|Make sure that the password of the Xiaomi account is known-->

3. Inclusion of hidden system applications

If the system application shortcut (e.g. Camera, Calls, or Messages) is missing, it may have been disabled in the settings. In MIUI, these apps are not removed completely, but their icons disappear from the desktop.

To get them back:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. Find the app you want (like the Camera) and tap it.
4. Click Enable if the button is active.
5. Return to desktop and add a shortcut through the app menu (method) №1).

Exception: some system applications (such as Security or Themes) cannot be disabled by standard means. MIUI or use the method №5.

4. Manual recovery via launcher.db file

For experienced users: desktop shortcuts in MIUI It is stored in the launcher.db database. If a file is corrupted (for example, after an incorrect update), the icons may disappear. ADB.

Instructions for ADB:

adb shell


su




cp /data/data/com.miui.home/databases/launcher.db /sdcard/launcher_backup.db




exit




exit

Copy the backup to your computer, open it with SQLite Browser, and check the favorites table. If there's no record, the file is corrupted, restore it from the backup or reinstall the launcher.

Warning: Incorrect editing of launcher.db can lead to the complete loss of all shortcuts and widgets.

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

It's equivalent to a method. №2, but works even if the settings menu is not available.-->

5.Reinstallation of the launcher through ADB

The last resort is to completely reinstall Xiaomi’s standard launcher, which will help if the shortcuts disappear after installing a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) or damaging system files.

Steps:

1. Download the launcher APK for your version of MIUI from miui-apk.com (select the version corresponding to your firmware).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: adb install -r com.miui.home_version.apk adb shell pm clear com.miui.home
3. Reset the device.

Important: Use APK only for your model and MIUI version. Installing an incompatible version may cause system errors.

💡

If no shortcuts appear after reinstalling the launcher, check firmware integrity through Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three dots → Update Check. Damaged system files may require complete firmware reflashing.

Table: Reasons for the disappearance of labels and solutions

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi users make the same mistakes when working with shortcuts.

⚠️ Note: Never remove system applications through ADB team pm uninstall -k --user 0, If you're not sure what they're doing, it can cause the desktop to be inoperable and you need to flash it completely.

Typical misses:

• 🔄 Confusing the removal of the label with the uninstallation. MIUI The swipe up the label only removes the icon, not the app itself. → Remove (or drag to the basket).
• 🔧 Use third-party launchers without backup. When you return to the standard launcher Xiaomi all the settings of the shortcuts are reset.
• 📱 Not updated. MIUI In newer versions, the bugs with the labels are often fixed.

If you’ve experimented with ADB or modified firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), check the integrity of system files via the command:

adb shell dumpsys package com.miui.home

In the output, look for lines with errors (e.g., Package not found).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions