Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which run MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, offer users a huge amount of customization. One of the most sought-after, but not always obvious, actions for beginners is to label a particular website on the home screen, which allows you to turn a frequently visited resource into a full-fledged application, available in one click, bypassing the need to open a browser and enter an address every time.
Unlike standard installations from GetApps or Google Play, creating a web shortcut requires specific actions within the browser. System navigation on Xiaomi phones can hide this feature under different icons depending on the firmware version and the web browser used. Most of the time, it is a standard Chrome or built-in MI Browser.
This article details the process of creating web shortcuts, explains the difference between them and full-fledged applications, and helps solve typical problems when an icon does not appear or disappears after a reboot. You will learn to optimize your workspace by placing important resources such as a bank account, news feeds or work tools in easy access.
Benefits of Creating Website Shortcuts
Using website shortcuts is not just a matter of aesthetics, it's also a way to make things much faster with your smartphone.-shortcut, The system actually generates a link that opens the page in a mode close to the native application. APK-Files for websites you rarely use.
In addition, many modern web applications (PWAs) can correctly display on the full screen, hiding the browser address bar. This creates the feeling of using native software. For owners of devices with AMOLED screens, this can also mean saving charge if the site has a dark theme, since you do not need to keep the background processes of a full application active.
⚠️ Attention: Site shortcut is just a link. If you delete the browser through which the icon was created, or clear its data completely, the shortcut may stop functioning or open the page in the browser by default.
There are several scenarios where this feature becomes indispensable, for example, for older people who have difficulty navigating the browser menu, you can take a taxi button or video call directly to the desktop, and it is convenient for accessing the admin panels of routers or smart homes, if they do not have a separate application.
Instructions for the Google Chrome browser on Xiaomi
The most common way to create shortcuts is to use the Google Chrome browser, which is preinstalled on most global versions of Xiaomi smartphones. the interface here is as unified as possible, so the instruction is suitable for any model, whether it is a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi.
First, you open your browser and go to the site you want to create, wait for the page to load fully so that the system can correctly read the favicon. Then click on the menu represented by the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the screen. In the list that opens, you need to find the item "Add to the main screen" or "Install the application" if the site supports PWA technology.
☑️ The shortcut creation algorithm in Chrome
After pressing the button, the system will prompt you to confirm the shortcut name or change it to a shorter and more convenient one. Auto renaming often trims long names, but it is better to check that the name is readable. Once confirmed, the icon will appear either immediately on the desktop or in the general application menu (App Drawer), from where it can be dragged to the desired screen.
It's important to note that some versions of the MIUI shell may request permission to create shortcuts when you create a shortcut. If you don't give that permission, the icon won't appear. Also, if you have a theme with a hidden app menu enabled, you should look for a new icon there by swiping your finger from the bottom up the center of the screen.
Creating shortcuts through the built-in MI Browser
Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often use the standard MI Browser browser, which is deeply integrated into the manufacturer's ecosystem. It offers its own web page management tools that may differ from the logic of Chrome.
The process starts in the same way: you open the resource you want. However, the settings menu in MI Browser is often hidden under the button as three horizontal bars or a dot at the bottom of the screen. In the menu that opens, you should look for an option with an asterisk or plus, which is usually signed as "Add" or has an icon with an up arrow. In some versions, this feature is in the "Tools" subsection.
| Action. | Chrome | MI Browser | Yandex Browser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location of the menu | Three points (top) | Three lanes/Menu (bottom) | Three dots/Menu |
| Name of function | Add to the screen | Add/Tools | Add a widget |
| Editing the name | Before confirmation | Often unavailable | Before confirmation |
| Location of the icon | Desktop/Menu | Tools folder | Desktop |
It's critical to know that in some regions, MI Browser can default to putting created shortcuts into a dedicated Tools or System Tools folder on your desktop, rather than throwing them out randomly. If you've created a shortcut but don't see it, check that folder first.
Another feature is the ability to add newsfeed widgets directly to your desktop through this browser. It's not really a site shortcut, but rather a dynamic widget that updates in real time. To install it, you need to pinch the empty space on your desktop, select "Widgets" and find your browser element there.
Working with widgets and fast teams
MIUI and HyperOS shells are famous for their flexibility in working with widgets. In addition to standard shortcuts that simply open the page, you can use browser widgets to display content on websites, especially for news portals, currency rates or weather services.
To add a widget, you need to go to desktop editing mode. To do this, you need to pinch two fingers on the screen or keep your finger on an empty area for a long time. In the bottom menu, select "Widgets". In the list, find your browser (for example, Chrome or Yandex), there may be options for quick search or display of frequently visited sites.
Why can widgets not work?
Also worth mentioning is the Quick Commands feature or scripts if you use Google Assistant or XiaoAI (in Chinese versions).You can set up a voice command that will open a particular site. While this doesn't create a visual shortcut on the desk, it speeds up access to the resource at times, especially when hands are busy.
Keep in mind that widgets and shortcuts are different entities: the visual part of the shortcut is static (usually the site logo), whereas the widget can show a preview of the page. However, widgets take up more space on the screen (usually 2x2 or 4x2 cells), while the shortcut is just one grid cell.
Customization of appearance and organization of space
Once shortcuts are created, the question of organizing the workspace arises. Standard site icons can be out of the overall design concept, especially if you use a dark theme or specific icon sets. MIUI has built-in themes that can change the appearance of shortcuts, but for websites this works worse than for applications.
For advanced users, third-party launchers such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher are recommended, which are available in the GetApps store. They allow you to resize shortcuts, make them transparent or group them into folders with a unique design. This gives you complete control over the visual hierarchy on the screen.
- 📁 Grouping: Create a separate folder called “Web” or “Sites” and place all the shortcuts there so as not to clutter the main screens.
- 🎨 Topics: Some themes in the Themes store replace standard browser icons with more beautiful ones, which can improve the overall look of web shortcuts.
- 🔍 Search: If there are many shortcuts, use the desktop search function (swipe down) to instantly find the desired resource by name.
Labeling is especially important for large-screen devices where one-handed management is difficult. Place the most important web applications in the bottom third of the screen, within reach of the thumb, an ergonomic rule that improves user experience and reduces the risk of dropping the phone.
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Use short names for shortcuts (1-2 words) Long titles in Russian can be cropped on high-resolution screens or in small widgets, making the icon unreadable.
Solving Typical Label Problems
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Xiaomi users often encounter bugs when a shortcut is not created or disappears.One of the most common causes is a crowded browser or launcher cache. If nothing happens when trying to add a site, try clearing the cache of a Chrome or MI Browser app through your phone's settings.
Another common issue is access rights. Newer versions of Android (12, 13, 14) and HyperOS have enhanced security measures. The browser may be prohibited from creating shortcuts without the user's explicit permission. Check permission settings: go to Settings → Apps → All apps → (your browser) → Permissions and make sure there are no locked items associated with the desktop.
⚠️ Warning: If the shortcut disappears after the phone is restarted, check if you have "Memory Cleanup" mode on when you lock. Aggressive optimization MIUI can delete "extra" label files, considering them garbage.
Also worth mentioning is the problem of duplicates. Sometimes when you update your browser or system, old shortcuts may stop working and new ones may be created next to you. In this case, it is recommended to manually remove broken links. A long click on the shortcut and select "Delete" or drag and drop to the cart will completely clear the link from the desktop.
If a site uses complex scripts or has a responsive layout, it may not display correctly in shortcut mode (for example, pull down the menu), in this case, in the browser settings, you can try to change the User-Agent to desktop, but this can worsen the readability of text on a small screen.
Differences between PWAs and Regular Web Shortcuts
It is important to distinguish between a normal site shortcut and a Progressive Web App (PWA). When you add a modern site (e.g., Twitter, Pinterest, Spotify Web), the browser may suggest not just "Add to the home screen" but "Install the application", in which case not just a link is created, but a full-fledged application container.
These apps have their own icons in their settings, take up space in the installed program list, and can work offline (if the developer has provided caching), they look and behave like native software: they don’t have an address bar, they can send push notifications and run in a separate window.
- 🚀 Speed: PWA load faster than usual shortcuts, so use pre-caching resources.
- 🔔 Notifications: Only PWA Can be fully integrated with Android notification system.
- 💾 Memory: PWA It takes up more space than a simple link, but less than a full-fledged app from the Play Market.
For Xiaomi users, the difference is almost invisible visually, but functionally, PWAs benefit. If the site supports this technology, always agree to install in an application format, which will ensure better stability and integration with the MIUI system.
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PWAs (Progressive Web Apps) are the evolution of conventional shortcuts, which combine the ease of the web with the functionality of native applications, which is ideal for optimizing the performance of a smartphone.