Modern smartphone users install dozens of apps, which inevitably leads to a cluttered desktop. Xiaomi Redmi 4, despite its popularity and reliability, often faces the problem of visual clutter, when finding the right shortcut becomes a real quest. Foldering is a basic but critical skill for comfortable use of the MIUI shell, which allows you to structure the screen space.
Many device owners mistakenly believe that the process of grouping icons is complicated or requires the installation of third-party software. In fact, the Android system in conjunction with the proprietary shell from the Chinese manufacturer offers built-in, intuitive tools for organizing the workspace. Competent sorting of applications not only improves aesthetics, but also speeds up access to frequently used functions, making interaction with the gadget more productive.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at all the nuances of creating, renaming and deleting folders on Redmi 4. We will look at the standard methods available out of the box, and we will also touch on rare situations where the system can behave incorrectly.
Basic method of grouping applications on MIUI
The easiest and most common way to create a new folder on Xiaomi Redmi 4 is to drag and drop one icon to another.This method works 99% of the time and is standard for most versions of the Android operating system. You don't need special rights or access to hidden developer menus, just the accuracy of your finger movements on the screen.
To start, look at two apps on your desktop that are logically related, like social media, banking, or games, and you can use your finger to touch the first icon and drag it right over the second icon, and once you see the second icon slightly enlarged or a translucent frame, release your finger, and the system automatically creates a container and puts both apps in there.
If the folder didn't work the first time, try changing the force of pressing or drag and drop speed. Sometimes touchscreen sensitivity requires more confident and longer retention of the object. Also make sure you don't try to put the system widget inside the folder, since widgets and application shortcuts often have different interaction logics in the MIUI shell.
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Use the two-finger method: on some versions of the firmware, you can pinch the screen with two fingers to go into editing mode, and just drag the icons onto each other in this mode.
Once you've successfully combined, you'll see that both icons are now inside a new folder that the system has given a standard name, like "Folder" or "Social," which can be easily changed to make it easier to navigate the content, and the naming of folders is an important stage of the organization that is often ignored, leaving default names like "Folder 1."
Alternative ways of organizing labels
While drag and drop is the main method, there are other grouping options that can be useful in situations like if you already have a folder created but want to add a third or fourth application to it, the algorithm of actions remains the same: drag and drop the new icon to an existing folder, the system automatically recognizes the target and puts the object inside.
Xiaomi Redmi 4 owners can also use the Pocket Mode feature, which sometimes affects the display of items, but not the creation of folders. However, it is worth noting that some custom launchers that users install on top of MIUI can have unique gestures, such as creating a folder by swiping a group of icons with a finger. But in stock firmware, this feature is not, and you should rely on Drag-and-Drop mechanics.
- 📱 Standard Drag: Press the icon and put it on another one.
- 📂 Add to an existing one: Drag the shortcut to an open or closed folder.
- 🗑️ Delete from the group: open the folder and drag the icon outside of it to a free place.
It is important to understand that there are practically no restrictions on the number of applications inside one folder, but from the point of view of usability, you should not put more applications there. 10-12 Too many icons in one container makes it difficult to find the right program and visually overloads the interface.
Customization of appearance and name of folders
Once you have created a folder on Xiaomi Redmi 4, it needs to be given a clear name. By default, the system often offers generic categories, but they are not always accurate. To rename the folder, just click on it once to open the contents. At the top of the window that opens, you will see a text field with the current name.
Tap the title text, and you'll see a virtual keyboard on the screen. Type your desired name using Cyrillic or Latin. You can use emojis in folder names, which make them more visible and bright. For example, a folder with games can be called «🎮 Games, and with finances — «💰 After you type in the text, press the confirmation button or simply tap the blank area of the screen outside the keyboard.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid using titles that are too long as the Redmi screen is small 4 The text may be cut or moved to the second line, which is not aesthetically pleasing. 10-12 symbolism.
Some versions of MIUI installed on Redmi 4 can change the folder cover, the system can automatically suggest to choose one of the icons inside the folder as the main one, or use a collage of four applications. Cover changes often require a long tap through the folder or use the edit menu (three dots or gear) if this option is provided by your firmware version.
If you want to resize the font of folder names on your entire desktop, it's done through the global theme settings. Go to the Topics app, select your current theme, and click Set up. There you can change the font size, which will affect the signatures under the folders, which is especially true for visually impaired users who find the standard font too small.
Solving the Problems of Icon Disappearance
One of the common problems that Redmi 4 users face is the spontaneous disappearance of created folders or their contents after rebooting the device. This can be due to the operation of the Memory Cleanup function or the failure of the launcher. If you notice that the folder is missing, first check the launcher’s Recycle Bin if this feature is active, or simply look for missing applications in the shared menu (swipe up).
Often the problem lies in the crowded cache of the system application "Security" or the launcher itself. To fix the error, you need to clear the cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, search the list of "System Launcher" (or MIUI Home) and click "Clear Cache." It is important not to confuse this with the "Clear Data" button, as it will return your desktop to the factory state by removing all created folders.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The folder disappeared after the reboot | Launcher failure or memory cleanup | Clearing the launcher cache |
| It's impossible to rename a folder. | Input error or topic bug | Replacement of the topic with standard |
| Icons inside the folder "dance" | Low productivity at opening | Reducing the number of widgets |
| The folder is not created when dragging. | The editing screen is blocked | Checking the settings of the table lock |
Another reason may be activated blocking of desktop change. Some users accidentally enable this feature so that children or random touches do not change the order of the icons. Check the launcher settings: in the edit menu (screen pinch), find a button with the image of the lock or gear and make sure that the locking of the icons is turned off.
The Hidden Recovery Function
Features of work in the mode “Without pocket mode”
The Xiaomi Redmi 4 has a specific setup that affects the touch screen and, indirectly, folder creation: it's a mode to prevent accidental taps in your pocket. If it's set up incorrectly or the proximity sensor is contaminated, the screen can respond to latency touches, making dragging icons extremely difficult.
To rule out this factor, check the settings. Go to Settings → Lock and Protection → Mode in your pocket. Try turning this feature off while you set up your desktop. If you make folders smooth and responsive after that, then the problem was calibrating the sensor. Remember to turn it back on for comfortable carrying your phone in your bag.
Also worth mentioning is the effect of protective glass: Cheap protective films with thick edges can interfere with the precise positioning of the finger, especially when trying to capture a small icon, in which cases folders are best created by temporarily removing the protection, or using a stylus if the screen supports multi-touch with foreign objects.
- 🧹 Regularly wipe the top of the screen where the proximity sensor is located.
- 🚫 Turn off “Mode in your pocket” when fine-tuning the interface.
- 🖱️ Use the stylus to more accurately drag and drop small icons.
If you use third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex, etc.), the logic of creating folders may be different, they often provide more flexible settings for animations to open the folder and the shape of the icons inside. However, for Redmi 4, the native launcher MIUI is optimized best in terms of power consumption, so creating folders with native means is preferable.
☑️ Checking before creating a folder
Using widgets inside folders
Many users wonder if it is possible to put a widget (such as a watch or weather) inside a folder on Redmi 4. The answer depends on the version of MIUI. In older versions, which often stand on Redmi 4 out of the box, this option was not available. Widgets lived separately on the desktop. However, in updated versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 10/11 and higher, if the device received an update), it was possible to add widgets directly inside the folders.
To do this, open the folder you created and find the Add widget button (usually as a plus or separate tab). If there is no such button, then your version of the shell does not support this function, in which case you will have to place widgets on free desktop pages, which, by the way, is also a good way to organize: leave one page under the widgets, and fill the rest with folders with applications.
⚠️ Attention: placing heavy widgets (such as news feeds with videos) inside folders can slow the opening of this folder on the Snapdragon 425 processor that the Redmi 4 is equipped with.
If you want to create a widget folder, for example, for quick access to contacts, you can use a shortcut widget or a contact widget. Create a folder, call it Communication, and if the version allows, add a quick call widget to it, which creates an interactive folder that looks like a widget, but inside contains applications.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a folder inside another folder on Xiaomi Redmi 4?
What if when dragging and drop the icons simply change places, and the folder is not created?
Are the created folders reset when you update the system?
How to delete all the folders and return everything as it was?
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Creating folders on Redmi 4 is not just a beauty suggestion, but a way to extend the life of the battery by reducing the time it takes to search for applications and the load on the processor when scrolling.
To sum up, desktop management on Xiaomi Redmi 4 is flexible and customizable. Using simple drag and drop techniques and following optimization guidelines, you will turn the chaos of icons into an orderly system. Don't be afraid to experiment with names and structure to find the perfect way to organize your digital space.