How to change the place of applications Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, provide users with a wide range of options for personalizing the interface. The standard desktop grid often seems too strict or unergonomic for those who are used to a certain arrangement of elements. Changing the location of shortcuts allows you to create a unique menu structure adapted to the habits of a particular person.

The move process does not require root rights or complex third-party software, as all the necessary tools are built into the system by default. However, many users face difficulties when trying to change the standard launcher behavior or migrate system applications. Understanding the logic of the desktop will help avoid confusion.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways you can change the location of your icons, from simply dragging your finger to advanced screen settings, and learn how to create folders, resize widgets, and even hide unnecessary items, making your smartphone as comfortable and fast as possible.

Basic movement of icons on the desktop

The easiest way to change the location of the app is to interact directly with the screen in edit mode. First, unlock the device and go to the home screen. Touch any app icon and hold your finger on it for about one second until you feel a slight vibration and all shortcuts start to shake.

At that point, the system goes into editing mode, allowing objects to move freely through free space, so you can drag the label to any empty grid cell or replace it with another application, and if the target cell already has a program, they will swap places, which is convenient for quick sorting.

When you move one shortcut to another, you automatically create a folder, which helps you group similar programs, like social networks or banking applications, and to pull an app out of the folder, just drag it outside the group.

⚠️ Note: When moving widgets (weather, hours, news) make sure they do not overlap important interface elements, as some of them can block clicks on the underlying icons.

You can use sidebars to scroll the pages for more precise positioning, and dragging the icon to the edge of the screen automatically takes you to the next page of the desktop, where you can leave the object in the right place, which is especially useful when you organize a large number of applications.

• 📱 Hold the icon until the vibration appears to activate the editing mode.
• 🔄 Drag objects to vacant places or swap them with other applications.
• 📂 Overlay icons on top of each other to create themed folders.
• 🗑️ Drag unnecessary shortcuts into the cart (if available) or the Tools folder to clear the space.

Setting up screen grid and font scale

The standard MIUI grid often has a fixed cell size, which may not suit users with thumbs or those who prefer minimalism. Changing the number of rows and columns allows you to place more applications on a single screen or, conversely, make the interface more spacious and readable.

To access these settings, you need to pinch an empty space on your desktop or make a finger-pitch to open the design menu. In the lower right corner or in the settings menu (cog icon) is the Settings item where you can select the Grid option. Here you can find various configurations, such as 4x5, 5x6 or even 6x7 for a large display.

Changing the grid will automatically redistribute all your icons, so after applying the settings, you may need to manually adjust the position of some shortcuts. Also, this menu often provides a setting for the font size of the icons, which affects the visual perception of the app names under the icons.

Do not forget that the change in pixel density (DPI) through the engineering menu or ADB-The commands can cause the interface to be displayed incorrectly in some applications. Using standard grid settings in the launcher is the only completely safe method of changing the location without the risk of system failures.

Working with widgets and their positioning

Widgets in the HyperOS shell and newer versions of MIUI have the ability to change their size and position regardless of the application grid. To add or move the widget, call the desktop editing menu and select the widgets in the bottom bar.

Once you select the right item (calendar, weather, steps), it will appear on the screen. If you hold the widget, you can drag it anywhere. If the widget supports the resizing, prolonged pressing will cause markers to appear on the edges, pulling at which you can stretch or compress the object.

Some widgets can take up multiple grid cells, displacing other applications, and the system will automatically shift adjacent icons to make room, and if there is not enough space to host, the widget will simply not stand in the chosen position, and you will have to look for another free space.

• 🌡️ Weather widgets are better placed at the top of the screen for quick access.
• 🎵 Media players are conveniently placed in the lower third of the screen so that they do not overlap the content.
• 📅 Calendars and schedulers require more space, optimally 2x2 or 2x3 cell.
• 🔋 Battery and memory widgets should be placed next to system settings.

It is worth noting that some third-party widgets from Google Play may not support resizing or behave unstable when moving, in such cases, it is recommended to check the updates of the widget itself or use alternative analogues from system developers.

Moving applications to the menu "All applications"

Unlike the desktop, the App Drawer menu in Xiaomi defaults to sort programs alphabetically or by installation time. Direct drag and drop icons are often blocked here to maintain the logical structure of the list.

However, some versions of the launcher have manual sorting, so you go to the launcher settings, select Additional, and find the sorting option, and if the system allows, you can switch to Manual mode and shuffle the applications as you like.

If you can't change the order of the common list by standard means, the effective solution is to create folders right inside the application menu, for example, the Job or Game folder will allow you to group programs logically without alphabetical order.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting the launcher to factory settings will return sorting in the All Apps menu to the standard alphabetical look, and all manual changes will be lost.

It’s also possible to hide apps from a shared list, leaving them only available through search or folders, and this is done through privacy settings or special hide features in the app menu, which helps keep the main list clean.

Using third-party launchers for complete freedom

If the built-in MIUI feels limited, installing a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher opens up limitless possibilities. These apps completely replace the standard desktop, allowing you to change the grid, animations and logic of icon behavior.

After installing a third-party launcher from Google Play, the system will prompt you to choose the main one. In the settings of the new launcher, you can set any grid (even 10x10), change indentations, font sizes, and even create gestures to launch applications.

However, it’s worth considering that third-party launchers can consume more battery life and don’t always integrate perfectly with Xiaomi system features like the sidebar of the toolbar or deep memory cleanup.

For advanced users, settings through ADB-So you can change the launcher at a deep level, for example, you can change the density of the interface by the command:

adb shell wm density 400

Where 400 is the DPI value. Smaller values will make elements smaller and fit larger, larger ones larger, and the adb shell wm density reset will return to the standard.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher: Maximum flexibility and gesture support.
• 🎨 Microsoft Launcher: great integration with Windows services and smooth animations.
• 🧠 Smart Launcher: Automatic application categorization and minimalism.
• ⚡ Niagara Launcher: a unique listing interface for quick access.

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Before installing a new launcher, take a screenshot of the current icon layout, which will help you quickly recreate the familiar structure in the new interface, without wandering through the menu looking for the right programs.

Solving problems with fixing the icon

A common problem for Xiaomi users is the inability to move the icon – it sticks to the place or comes back, most often due to the enabled function “Block layout” or crowded memory launcher.

Check your desktop settings: in the editing menu (plugs), make sure that you don't check the "Block the layout" button or switch. If the function is active, the system will not allow any changes in the position of objects to avoid accidental shifts.

Another reason could be the launcher cache. If the system is slow or glitchy when dragging, try clearing the Louncher (or System Launcher) cache through the Settings menu. → Annexes → All applications → Launcher → Clear the cache. This won't delete your data, but it will update temporary files.

In rare cases, especially after a firmware update, desktop settings may be reset.If you had your sync with the Xiaomi Cloud enabled, you can try to restore the previous layout through the cloud service settings in the Desktop section.

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Most icon movement problems are solved by checking the layout lock or cleaning the launcher cache, which takes less than one minute.