How to set up a desktop on Xiaomi: the full guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones with a shell MIUI or new HyperOS provide the user with a huge opportunity for customization. Standard appearance of the system often seems overloaded, but competent setting allows you to turn the screen into a convenient tool for managing the gadget. Many owners do not even suspect how many hidden features are available to change the interface without installing third-party launchers.

In this article, we will take a closer look at how you optimize your workspace, how you can organize widgets, hide apps, and customize your icon grid for maximum convenience, and how to organize your menu properly is not just aesthetics, but a way to improve the efficiency of your smartphone in everyday life.

Basic principles of MIUI space organization

The first thing that users face is the density of elements on the screen. Xiaomi’s shell, by default, tends to accommodate the maximum content, which is not always convenient. First, you need to decide on the concept: will you use only the home screen or use additional desktops to group programs.

It's important to understand the difference between a launcher and a regular menu. The launcher is a system application that is responsible for rendering the interface, animations and widgets. Xiaomi uses its own system launcher, which is deeply integrated into the shell. It starts with a call to the edit menu.

To enter editing mode, you need to pinch your two fingers across the screen or hold an empty area for a long time. The control panel opens, where you can customize wallpaper, widgets and screen settings, and this is where the basic tools for creating a unique design lie.

Grouping applications by color or function (e.g., Social Network, Work, Games) greatly speeds up the search for the right program. Folders can not only be renamed, but also change their background design, if the firmware version allows.

Set up a grid of icons and fonts

One of the key features of customization is resizing the grid. Standard 4x5 or 5x6 cells are not for everyone. If you have a large smartphone, such as the Xiaomi 14 Pro or Redmi Note 13 Pro+, it makes sense to reduce the number of icons to increase their size and readability.

To change the grid, go to the theme settings. In Profile or through a long tap from scratch, select Settings. Here you can choose the grid format from 4x5 to 6x9. Fewer cells make the interface airier, more allows you to host more applications without using folders.

Fonts deserve special attention. There are thousands of free fonts available in the GetThemes store that change the way text is displayed throughout the system. However, be careful: some handwritten fonts may not read well in small size, which will reduce usability.

⚠️ Note: Installing fonts from unverified sources may cause some characters or characters to appear as squares. Always check for Cyrillic support before using.

Changing the font size and scale is available in the main settings of the system. Setting path → Screen → Text size allows you to globally increase the interface elements, which is especially important for users with reduced vision.

Work with widgets and information blocks

Widgets are “live” desktop elements that show up-to-date information without running apps. On Xiaomi, they are divided into two types: classic Android widgets and native MIUI/HyperOS widgets that look more stylish and animated.

To add a widget, call the edit menu and select the appropriate item.

• 📅 Calendar – displays the current date and upcoming events.
• 🌤️ Weather – an animated widget with a forecast for several days.
• 🎵 Music – Control playback directly from the screen.
• 📊 Step counter – motivates you to move more.
• 🔋 Battery – shows the charge of connected devices and the smartphone itself.

Xiaomi's native widgets allow you to change their size and style. Some are interactive, such as the Notes widget, which allows you to quickly create a record without opening the application. The Recycle Bin widget helps you quickly clear the system's cache with a single touch.

Place widgets strategically. Information you check frequently (time, weather, currency rates) is better placed on the home screen or in the notification curtain. Heavy widgets with constant geolocation can consume more power, so keep an eye on how many.

Hiding applications and creating a second space

Application hiding is one of the most popular features of MIUI. It allows you to remove icons of selected programs from the general list, making them visible only through a special password entry or in the Hidden folder.

To activate the function, go to Settings → Applications → Hidden Applications. Here you can select the programs that you want to hide, and then they disappear from the desktop and from the menu of all applications.

To open hidden apps, you need to spread your two fingers to the sides (the “pick out” gesture) in the menu of all apps and enter the password set, which creates an additional level of privacy for personal photos, instant messengers or banking applications.

An even more powerful tool is Second Space, which is actually creating a second user profile with its own set of apps, passwords and accounts, and you can switch between the main and second spaces through a password or fingerprint.

⚠️ Note: When you remove an app from the hidden app, it doesn't delete it from your phone, it just goes back to the general menu.

Icons and themes of design

The visual style of the system is set by themes. In the Themes app, you can download a ready-made pack that will change the icons of all applications, system sounds, wallpaper and even fonts. However, it is often the theme you like, but the icons in it are not drawn for all the programs you install.

To solve this problem, you can mix elements. Go to Settings → Themes → Profile → My Themes. Select the current theme and click “Set up.” Here you can replace the icons of individual applications with standard ones or those from another theme.

If standard options are not enough, you can install a third-party icon pack from Google Play. After installing the package, go to the theme settings, select "Icons" and apply a new style. This allows you to save the system tab modules, but change the visual component.

Popular icon styles include:

• 🔵 Round (Material You) - modern style of Android.
• 🟥 Square - classic strict look.
• 🟣 Neon – bright colors for gaming smartphones.
• ⚪ Monochrome – Minimalism in Black and White.

Comparison of methods of interface configuration

The choice of the method of setting depends on your goals: whether you want to just clean up the order or completely change the appearance of the system. Below is a table that helps you determine the toolkit.

Using third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Niagara gives you maximum freedom, but can conflict with MIUI gestures. For example, swipes to call menus or curtains may stop working. So weigh the pros and cons before installing an alternative launcher.

For most users, the best option is to deeply customize the standard Xiaomi launcher in conjunction with quality themes, which ensures stability and the absence of bugs after system updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Use One-Hand Mode (swipe on the lower bar of navigation) if you have a large smartphone, which will temporarily reduce the desktop area, allowing you to reach the upper widgets with your thumb.

In conclusion, setting up your desktop on Xiaomi is a creative process that doesn’t take long, but greatly improves the user experience. Experiment with grids, try new widgets, and don’t be afraid to change the standard settings for yourself. Your smartphone should look and work the way you want it to.

Remember that regular cleaning of unused shortcuts is not only pleasing to the eye, but can slightly speed up the rendering of the interface on older devices. Keep an eye out for the relevance of widgets and timely update themes to stay in trend.

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The key to a user-friendly interface is the balance between beauty and functionality. Don't overload your screen with widgets unless you use them daily.