How to put a shortcut on the screen of Xiaomi phone: from apps to websites

Why Xiaomi can’t create a shortcut – and how to fix it

Have you downloaded a new app but it doesn't have an icon on the home screen? Or do you want to quickly open your favorite site without running your browser? On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, adding shortcuts works differently than on pure Android because of the MIUI shell. In 80% of cases, the problem lies in the launcher settings or system limitations.

In this article, we will discuss the current ways for MIUI 14/15 based on Android 13/14 (suitable for models from Xiaomi 11T to Redmi Note 13 Pro+).

• 📱 Application shortcut (including if it is not in the menu)
• 👤 Contact (quick call or SMS)
• 🌐 Website (from Chrome, Mi Browser, Firefox)
• 📁 File folder (from "Conductor")
• ⚙️ Hidden functions (e.g., “Developer Mode")

We warn you right away: on some firmware, Xiaomi blocks shortcuts for system applications (like Settings or Calls), not a bug, but a feature, which is how the manufacturer fights against clogging. But there are workarounds.

Method 1: Classic Addition through the Application Menu

The most obvious method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, is suitable for all applications except system ones (for example, the Camera or Gallery is already on the screen by default).

Instructions:

1. Touch the empty space on the home screen and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds.
2. At the bottom of the screen, a bar will appear – select “Widgets” (not “Tags”!).
3. Scroll the list to the left to the "Applications" section.
4. Find the right application, pinch its icon and drag it to the screen.

☑️ What to do if the app does not appear in the list

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⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) post-update MIUI 15 disappears the "Applications" section in the widgets. In this case, use Method 3 (via "Actions").

Method 2: Creating a contact shortcut (quick call)/SMS)

You want to call your mom or send them a message. SMS Xiaomi doesn't do this through Contacts, it does it through Action Widget".

Step-by-step:

1. Click the blank space on the screen → select “Widgets”.
2. Find the Action widget (three-dot icon) and drag it to the screen.
3. In the menu that opens, select "Contacts" → "Quick call" or "Send SMS".
4. Select the contact from the list.

💡 Useful tip: If you have Google Contacts installed, call shortcuts can be created through the Google Contacts widget – it offers more options (e.g., video calls via Duo).

Method 3: Website shortcut (from Chrome, Mi Browser, Firefox)

To avoid typing in a website address every time, you can create a shortcut right on the home screen. On Xiaomi, this works differently depending on the browser.

For Google Chrome:

1. Open the site in Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → "Add to the main screen".
3. If necessary, edit the name of the label → click “Add”.

For Mi Browser:

1. Open the site → click on three points → “Tools”.
2. Select "Add to the main screen".
3. Confirm action. The label will appear as a browser icon with the site logo.

This is a limitation of MIUI: all web shortcuts are opened by default in the browser. To get around this, you can use PWA (Progressive Web App).

1.In Chrome, open a site that supports PWA (such as Twitter or Telegram Web).

2. Click on three dots → "Install the application".

3. the Site will be installed as a separate application without an address bar.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) after the update MIUI Web shortcuts can disappear after a reboot. This is a launcher bug, resetting the launcher settings will help. → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data).

Method 4: Hidden shortcuts for system functions (Developer Mode, USB debugging)

Want to quickly enable developer mode or debugging over USB without deep diving into settings? On Xiaomi, you can do this through the Settings widget.

Instructions:

1. Add the Settings widget to the screen (similar to Method 1).
2. Select the size of the 4×1 or 4×2 widget.
3. In the widget settings, find the desired option (for example, "For developers") and add it to the quick access list.

List of useful hidden labels:

• 🔧 Developer Mode – Quick Access to Debugging USB and animation
• 🔄 Reboot to Fastboot/Recovery — firmware
• 📡 Mobile Network – Switching Between 4G/5G
• 🔋 Battery - enabling charge savings

💡

If the option is not listed in the Settings widget, try adding it through the Activity Launcher app (available in the Play Market) that shows all the hidden activities of the system, including those that MIUI hides from the user.

Method 5: Alternative methods (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, on custom firmware or after a reset), try these options:

1. Through Activity Launcher (for system applications):

Activity Launcher (free in Play Market) shows all the hidden activities in the system, for example, by creating a shortcut for:

• 📞 Dialing (a bypass for calls)
• 📸 Scanner. QR-code (separate from the camera)
• 🔒 Application locking (fast access to Second Space)

2. Through ADB-Teams (for advanced teams):

If you know the application ID (package name), you can create a shortcut through the command:

adb shell am start -n com.android.launcher3/.Launcher --es create_shortcut "Tag name" "com.example.app/.MainActivity"

🔴 Warning: Misuse of the right ADB You can crash the launcher. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → The phone. → Backup.

3. via Nova Launcher (for flexibility):

Third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or HyperOS Launcher offer more features:

• 🎨 Setting up icons and label sizes
• 🔄 Gestures to open applications
• 📂 Grouping shortcuts into tab folders

💡

If your Xiaomi has lost all shortcuts after the update, check the launcher settings: Settings → Home screen → Home screen style → Select Standard. Sometimes MIUI resets the style to No Application shortcuts.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after doing the right thing, labels may not appear or fail, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro with the MIUI 14) after setting the themes, the labels may change color or shape. To return the standard look, reset the theme: Settings → Registration → My subjects. → Delete current topic.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions