Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where after updating the system or accidental action, the usual icons disappear from the screen. The user can open the menu of all applications, find the right software there, but not know how to return its visual display to the home screen. This problem is especially relevant for those who have switched from other versions of Android or use the new HyperOS shell.
The shortcut process doesn’t require root rights or complex code manipulation, but there are navigational nuances in the MIUI shell. The system interface can hide some of the standard features common to pure Android, which causes confusion. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to pull the shortcut to the Xiaomi desktop, and look at the reasons why icons can disappear on their own.
First of all, you need to determine the current mode of displaying the application menu, and it depends on the algorithm of your actions. Depending on the settings, the shortcut can either get stuck in the general list or be deleted due to the activation of space saving mode. It takes no more than a minute to restore access to the application, if you know where to click.
Diagnostics of the mode of displaying the application menu
The first step to solve the problem is to understand how the menu on your device is organized. There are two main types of navigation in the shells from Xiaomi: classic (all apps on desktops) and separate menus (an analogue of iOS). If you can’t find the icon where it was yesterday, the global display setting may have changed.
Check if you have No App Menu mode enabled. In this mode, all installed programs are automatically placed on desktops, and the concept of pulling out the shortcut makes no sense, because it doesn't disappear anywhere, but just moves to another page. If you have a separate menu activated, you need to create a shortcut manually.
To switch between modes, you need to go to the system settings. Find the Desktop section in the main settings menu. Here you will see the menu mode option. If you select the Classic menu option, all applications will be visible on the screens. If you select the C App menu option, only selected shortcuts will be on the desktop, and the rest are hidden in the swipe up.
It's important to note that changing mode can lead to all icons being automatically moved. If you switch to classic mode, the system will pull all the shortcuts out to desktops. However, if you prefer order and a separate menu, you'll have to create shortcuts for frequently used programs yourself.
The basic way to create a shortcut through the application menu
The most common scenario that users are interested in is how to pull the shortcut of a particular application from the general list, which works on all current versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS. The algorithm of actions is intuitive, but requires accuracy when dragging.
To start, open the menu of all apps. This is usually done by swiping from the bottom up in the center of the screen or pressing a special button in the dock bar (the panel below), find the desired application in the list. Once you find the icon, pinch it with your finger for 1-2 seconds.
After a long press, the interface will change: the background will darken and the icon will stick to your finger. At this point, without letting go of your finger, move the icon to the desktop area. This is usually the top of the screen or the area above the dock bar where your thumbnail is displayed. Release your finger to lock the shortcut.
☑️ Label-making algorithm
If a shortcut is not created, you may have a limit on the number of icons per line or a specific screen is full. Try dragging the app to a free space or creating a new page by swiping sideways to the end of the screen list. Long tapping is a key action in this process.
Using widgets for quick access
Sometimes users don't just need to run an application, but they need to access a specific function inside it, like turning on a flashlight or running a pedometer. In such cases, the standard shortcut may not be functional enough. The MIUI shell allows you to embed widgets, which are essentially extended shortcuts.
To add a widget, press the empty space on your desktop with your finger. The editing menu will appear at the bottom of the screen. Select Widgets. The available elements gallery will open. Find the right application here - many system programs have their own unique widgets.
Unlike conventional icons, widgets can take up different areas (1x1, 2x2, 4x2), which allows you to put a quick call button on your desktop. For example, a Security widget can contain four buttons at once: clean, virus scanner, optimization and battery. This is a great way to customize the interface to your needs.
⚠️ Note: Some third-party apps may not support widgets or have them stripped down.
Working with folders and grouping shortcuts
When the number of shortcuts on the desktop grows, chaos begins. To pull the shortcut and not clutter the space, it is recommended to use folders. This is a standard Android feature that works stably at Xiaomi and allows you to create nested structures.
It's easy to create a folder: drag and drop one shortcut on top of another. The system automatically creates a container with a name that matches the category of applications (for example, "Tools" or "Social Networks"). You can rename the folder by clicking on the name. Within the folder, shortcuts behave the same way they do on the main desk.
Pulling the shortcut out of the folder is similar: open the folder, press the icon and drag it outside the container to a vacant space. If the folder is located in the dock bar (bottom line), you can pull the application right from there to the main screen, which is convenient for temporary access to rarely used functions.
| Action. | The result | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Single tap | Launch of the application | Desktop/Menu |
| Long press. | Editing Mode / Moving | Everywhere. |
| Swipe up. | Opening the menu of all applications | Desktop |
| Two finger pinch. | Table editing mode | Desktop |
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Use folders to group shortcuts by color or frequency of use – this speeds up the search for the right program at times.
The problem of missing labels after the update
Often, users wonder where shortcuts went after a firmware update. This is a common situation in the Xiaomi ecosystem. When you upgrade to a new version of Android or major MIUI update, the system can reset the launcher settings or change the structure of desktop configuration files.
In some cases, shortcuts are not removed, but simply hidden or moved to remote pages. Check the desktop edge pages. It is also possible that the application has been removed by the system as "unoptimized" or conflicting, although this is rare and usually concerns system software.
If the shortcut is gone but the app is still on the menu, just drag and drop it again. If the app itself is missing, check Settings → Apps → All Apps. It may have been accidentally deleted or stopped. In the latter case, you just need to run it and the icon can come back.
Why do labels turn white?
Launcher settings and hiding applications
In advanced Xiaomi system settings, there is a hidden app feature. If you can't find a shortcut on either the menu or the table, it may have been hidden manually or by a virus (less commonly).
To check this setting, open the launcher settings. In some versions of MIUI, you need to pinch the empty space on the table, select Add, and find the Hidden Applications section. This shows a list of programs that don't have shortcuts in the regular menu.
To return such an application to the public, you just need to switch the switchboard opposite its name, and then you can pull the label to the desktop in the standard way, which is useful for protecting personal information from prying eyes.
⚠️ Note: App Hiding may not be available in global firmware versions without additional region settings or in newer versions of HyperOS without being enabled through special codes.
Third-party launchers and alternative methods
If standard MIUI tools don’t suit you, you can always install a third-party launcher from Google Play. Programs like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher provide more flexible control over shortcuts.
In third-party launchers, the process of pulling out a shortcut is often simplified. For example, in Nova you can customize behavior with long pressing, add gestures or create entire widget folders. Installing a third-party launcher does not require superuser rights and is safe for the device.
However, it’s worth remembering that third-party shells can consume more battery life and run less stable on some Redmi or POCO models. Xiaomi’s standard launcher is better optimized for hardware and animation systems.
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Using a third-party launcher is a radical but effective way to completely change the logic of working with shortcuts and desktop.