How to Choose and Set Up the Home Screen on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

The main screen of Xiaomi is the business card of your device that you see every time you unlock it. It depends not only on aesthetic perception, but also on usability. However, many users face problems: they do not know how to change standard wallpaper, add widgets or return the classic look after the MIUI update. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances from basic settings to hidden functions that will help make the main screen as functional and stylish as possible.

Feature of firmware MIUI It's because it offers a lot of customization options, but it's not always intuitive. MIUI 14) the algorithm of the wallpaper change has changed, and in MIUI 15 dynamic themes with the AI-We will analyze current methods for all modern models – from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14 – and also tell you how to circumvent the typical system limitations.

Why it is important to set up the main screen correctly

The main screen is not just a background image, but it depends on the organization of the screen:

• 🔍 Access speed to frequently used apps (saves up to 30% of the time to search for icons).
• 🎨 Visual comfort: Incorrectly selected colors or contrast wallpaper can tire vision.
• 📱 Autonomy of work: dark topics on the subject AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) reduce battery consumption by 5-10%.
• 🛠️ Functionality: Weather, calendar or smart home widgets save time on routine activities.

Research shows that users who customize the home screen are less likely to experience digital clutter, which is the chaotic placement of icons and folders, for example, MIUI has the default AutoSort of Applications feature enabled, which can move frequently used programs to the first screen, but not always conveniently, and we will teach you to disable it and create your own structure.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO X6 Pro) some menu options may differ. If you don't find an item in the instructions, check the firmware version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Standard ways to change wallpaper in MIUI

The basic method of changing the background works on all Xiaomi devices, but has nuances depending on the firmware version.

1. Long press on the free space of the main screen → select Wallpaper.
2. Categories are available in the menu: 🌄 Standard Wallpaper (from Xiaomi and Partners). 📸 My wallpaper (photo from the gallery). 🎨 Themes (dynamic and static designs). 🤖 AI-generation (available in MIUI 15+).

Choose your favorite option and click Apply. To set up the lock screen separately, use the option to Configure both screens.

In MIUI 14 and later, Super Wallpaper features animated background images that respond to gestures (such as the paralax effect when tilting a phone) to activate them:

1. Go to the Settings → Wallpaper → Super wallpaper.
2. Download your favorite package (weight up to 50 MB).
3. Apply it through a long press on the screen.

MIUI 15 adds the option "Adaptive Wallpaper", which automatically adjusts the color palette for the time of day (morning / evening) and the level of lighting, this feature is available only on flagships with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 processor.

How to add and customize widgets

Widgets in MIUI allow you to display information directly to the home screen without opening apps, such as the Mi Weather weather widget showing temperature and precipitation, and the Google Keep widget showing notes, to add a widget:

1. Long press on the free space of the screen → Widgets.
2. Scroll through the list and select the one you want (such as Calendar or Steps).
3. Press the widget and drag it to the screen. Some widgets (like Weather) support resizing - pull around corners after placing.

List of useful widgets for Xiaomi:

• 🌡️ Weather (Mi Weather) - shows a forecast for 5 days.
• 📅 Calendar – Events from Google Calendar or Mi Calendar.
• 🏃 Steps – data with Mi Fitness or Google Fit.
• 🎵 Music – Playback control (Mi Music or Spotify).
• 💡 Smart home – quick access to Mi Home devices.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI For the global market (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Global), some widgets (e.g. Mi Pay) may be blocked due to regional restrictions. → Additionally. → Region (risky for guarantee!).

Make sure the application is installed|Update the application to the latest version|Check the permissions (Settings) → Annexes → Permits)|Restart your phone if the widget doesn’t show up-->

Hidden Main Screen Functions in MIUI

MIUI firmware hides a few useful options that are not obvious at first glance:

1. Double tap to lock: activated in Settings → Screen lock → Double tap to lock. Allows you to lock the screen with two fingers on an empty space.
2. Swipe down for search: in Settings → Home screen → Swipe down for search, you can enable quick access to Google Assistant or Mi Search.
3. Hiding icon names: long-press on the screen → screen settings → Hide app names. Useful for minimalist design.
4. Resize the grid: In the same screen settings, you can select the number of rows and columns (e.g., 5×6 instead of the standard 4×5).

For models with MIUI 15, the Smart Folder feature is available: if you drag one icon to another, the system automatically prompts you to create a folder with similar applications (for example, all messengers in one group).

Settings → Main screen → Smart folder → Turn off

Main screen problems and their solutions

Xiaomi users often encounter typical home screen bugs, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

If after the MIUI update the ability to change the wallpaper disappeared, try:

1. Install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher).
2. Remove the update through Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher → Remove the updates.
3. Reset the launcher settings: long press → screen settings → Reset settings.

💡

If the screen starts to blink after changing the wallpaper, try turning off the Adaptive Brightness option in the display settings. This helps in 70% of cases with artifacts on the screen. AMOLED-screen.

Castomic launchers: when to move

The standard MIUI Launcher isn't for everyone - especially those who want more in customization. Alternative launchers offer:

• 🎛️ Flexible customization (change icons, animations, gestures).
• 📂 Extended folders ( nested folders, sorted by colors).
• 🔄 Backup of screen settings.
• 🚀 More widgets (e.g., more widgets, KWGT custom-built).

Top.-3 launcher for Xiaomi:

1. Nova Launcher is the best balance of features and performance. Supports gestures, responsive icons and backup.
2. Hyperion Launcher – optimized for MIUI, retains branded chips (e.g. Second Space).
3. Lawnchair is a lightweight open source launcher that supports Android 13/14.

To set up a custom launcher:

1. Download APK from the official website (for example, Nova Launcher).
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. Click Home and select the new launcher as the main one.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro) may not be used by third-party launchers MIUI, Check compatibility on forums before installing them (for example, check compatibility on forums, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Optimizing the home screen for productivity

The home screen can be turned into a tool for efficiency, and here are some proven techniques:

• 📌 Fixed icons: Place 4-5 of the most used apps (messengers, phone, camera) at the bottom of the screen, which reduces search time by 40%.
• 📁 Thematic folders: Group apps by color or category (e.g. all green icons for work, blue icons for entertainment).
• ⏱️ Timer widget: Add Google Clock widget with quick access to timer and stopwatch.
• 📊 Minimalism: Leave no more than 15 icons on the home screen. The rest are hidden in folders or on the second screen.

An example of the optimal structure for business:

• First screen: messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), mail, calendar, notes.
• Second screen: banking apps, Google Drive, Trello.
• The third screen is entertainment (YouTube, Spotify).

For creative tasks (design, photography) it is useful:

• Add a Google Photos widget with quick access to the latest snapshots.
• Use KWGT to create widgets with project information (deadlines, statuses).
• Set a monochrome theme (like Minimal Black in the theme store) to reduce distractions.

💡

Research shows that users who organize the home screen on a “one task, one screen” basis spend 25% less time searching for the right apps during the day.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's home screen