How to put a shortcut on the desktop of the Xiaomi phone: all the ways (including hidden)

You try to add a shortcut to your favorite app, important contact or frequently visited site to Xiaomi’s home screen, but it doesn’t work? In MIUI, this process isn’t always obvious — especially if it’s about custom shortcuts (for example, for system settings or direct links to chats in instant messengers). In this article, we’ll break down all possible ways, including those that work even on the latest versions of MIUI 15 and Android 14.

The manufacturer often changes the interface logic, so instructions from the old manuals (before 2022) may not work. We tested each method on current models - from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden MIUI features that allow you to create shortcuts for items that are usually not available through the standard menu (for example, specific settings or commands for ADB).

1. Standard method: application shortcut from the menu

This is a basic method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the firmware version, suitable for installed applications (including system) and games.

The algorithm is simple:

• 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
• 🔍 Find the app you want (use the search at the top if it's not visible).
• 🖱️ Press the app icon for 1-2 seconds until the context menu appears.
• 🏠 In the window that appears, select Add to the home screen (or Create a shortcut on some versions).

If you don't add to the main screen, the app is a system component (like Settings or Camera) and use the methods in the following sections.

💡

On some models (e.g. POCO F5), after a long tap, a menu with the option "Application Information" appears, in which case, tap the icon again, and you can drag it to the desktop.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ and the light mode (in the special features settings) the standard method may not work. → Special facilities → Easy regime.

2. shortcut for the site (web page) on the main screen

Want to quickly open your favorite site without entering your browser address? In MIUI, this is done through the built-in Mi Browser browser or Google Chrome. Let's consider both options.

Method 1: Through Mi Browser

1. Open Mi Browser and go to the right page.
2. Put it on the badge. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner.
3. Select Add to the main screen.
4. If necessary, edit the name of the shortcut and click Add.

Method 2: Through Google Chrome

• 🌐 Open a website in Chrome.
• 🔧 Press on. ⋮ → Add to the main screen.
• 📝 Enter the name for the shortcut (the title of the page is taken by default).
• ✅ Press Add Add Add.

The shortcut will open the site in a mini browser (without an address bar), which speeds up loading. If the shortcut does not appear, check if you have no rights to create shortcuts in the security settings (Settings → Applications → Permissions → Special Accesses).

3. Creating a label for a contact or message

Do you need to call your loved one quickly or open a WhatsApp/Telegram chat? MIUI has built-in tools for this.

A shortcut for a quick call:

• 📞 Open the Contacts app.
• 🔍 Find the right contact and tap on it.
• 📍 In the upper right corner, click on ⋮ → Add to the main screen.
• 📱 Select the shortcut type: Call, Message or Video Call.

The shortcut for chat in messengers:

For WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, the algorithm is different:

1. Open the messenger and find the desired chat.
2. Press your finger on the chat name (in the dialog list).
3. In the menu that appears, select the Shortcut to the main screen (in Telegram this can be called “Accumulate”.)

⚠️ Attention: Chat shortcuts in messengers may disappear after the application update. To avoid this, pin the shortcut in the folder on the home screen (press the button). → Secure).

4. Shortcuts for system functions (settings, modes, tools)

You want to bring quick access to Flight Mode, Mobile Data, or Google Assistant to the home screen? In MIUI, you do it through widgets or hidden menus.

Method 1: Tools Widget

• 🖱️ Click the empty space on the main screen → select Widgets.
• 🔧 Scroll down to Tools or Settings section.
• 📱 Drag the desired widget to the screen (for example, Switches for quick access to the screen) Wi-Fi/Bluetooth).

Method 2: Hidden shortcut menu (not working on all models)

This method allows you to create a shortcut for any settings item, even if it does not appear in the widgets:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Tap on. ⋮ → Show system-based.
3. Find the Settings app (the gear icon) and open it.
4. Select Open by Default → Support for Shortcuts.
5. In the list, find the item you want (e.g. com.android.settings.BatterySettings for battery settings) and create a shortcut.

This requires technical literacy — the wrong choice of item can lead to failure. To simplify, use the table below with the codes of popular settings:

5. File and folder shortcuts (via "Conductor")

Do you need to open a document, photo or folder quickly? In MIUI, this is done through standard Explorer (or Files by Google).

Instructions:

• 📁 Open Explorer and find the desired file or folder.
• 🖱️ Hold the element for 2 seconds. → Select Add to the main screen.
• 🏠 Confirm the creation of the label.

Limitations:

• ❌ You cannot create a shortcut for system files (for example, in folders). /data or /system).
• ❌ Shortcuts for.apk files will open them as installation packages, not run them.
• ✅ Works for documents (.pdf,.docx), images and video.

If the shortcut is not created, check to see if Explorer is disabled in the application settings. Also make sure that the file is not on the file. SD-card with limited access rights.

Make sure the file is not hidden.|Check the access rights to the folder|Update the "Conductor" to the latest version|Turn off "charge savings" for "Conductor"-->

6. Advanced Methods: ADB and Third Party Applications

If standard methods don't work (e.g., MIUI 15 with cropped features), you can use ADB commands or third-party utilities. This section is for power users.

Method 1: Creating a shortcut through ADB

It allows you to add any component of the system to the home screen, even if it's hidden.

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🐍 Google's Platform Tools utility.

The command to create a shortcut (example for battery settings):

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT \


--es name "Battery settings"




--es shortcutClass "com.android.settings/.SubSettings" \




--ei shortcutType 1 \




--es shortcutIntentUri "com.android.settings;component=com.android.settings/.SubSettings;S:show_fragment=com.android.settings.fuelgauge.BatterySettings"

Method 2: Applications for creating labels

If ADB seems complicated, use:

• 🛠️ Shortcut Maker – allows you to create shortcuts for any Activity (including hidden ones).
• 📌 Nova Launcher – an alternative launcher with advanced shortcut management features.
• 🔗 Tasker – to create shortcuts with automated actions (for example, turn on Mode in the plane and start the player).

⚠️ Note: When using Nova Launcher, shortcuts may disappear after resetting the launcher settings. To avoid this, back up the configuration in the application settings.

💡

ADB-Teams allow you to create shortcuts even for those features that Xiaomi specifically hid in the latest versions MIUI. However, this requires caution – the wrong command can cause the interface to crash.

7. Problem solving: Why isn't labeling created?

If none of the methods worked, check the following points:

Frequent causes and solutions:

If the problem persists, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the launcher (or MIUI Launcher).
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Reboot the phone.

Once reset, all shortcuts and widgets will disappear, and you will have to reconfigure them, and we recommend that you take screenshots of the current screen configuration before cleaning.

FAQ: Frequent questions