Desktop shortcuts on Xiaomi: A complete guide to managing app icons

Have you ever wondered why some apps appear as shortcuts on your Xiaomi desktop and others don’t? MIUI Some icons suddenly disappear or duplicate? Tagged on the screen of Xiaomi smartphones are not just app icons, but part of a complex interface organization system that has its own features and hidden functions.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what shortcuts are on the Xiaomi desktop, how they differ from widgets and folders, why they sometimes disappear after updates, and how to regain control over their display. You'll learn how to shortcut hidden functions, manage their size, and even restore deleted icons without resetting them. MIUI, which the manufacturer does not advertise in official instructions.

What are shortcuts on the Xiaomi desktop and why do you need them?

A shortcut on Xiaomi desktop is a graphical representation of a link to an application, system function, or file that allows you to quickly access them without opening the menu of all programs. Unlike widgets (which display dynamic information) or folders (which group multiple items), a shortcut is a static icon tied to a specific action.

For example, a camera shortcut launches a shooting app, and a settings shortcut opens a configuration menu for the system. MIUI Labels can lead not only to standard applications, but also to:

• 📱 Hidden features (e.g. Developer Mode or Sensor Test)
• 📁 Specific files or folders (such as a shortcut for the Download folder)
• 🔗 Web pages (via Mi Browser browser)
• 📞 Contacts (a quick call or message to a specific person)

The main difference between Xiaomi shortcuts and other Android devices is their close integration with the shell. MIUI. Here, shortcuts can be automatically sorted into categories, hidden when Second Space is activated, or duplicated after system updates, which create unique opportunities, but also specific problems, which we'll talk about later.

Types of labels in MIUI: What are and how are they different?

Not all shortcuts on Xiaomi are the same. MIUI There are several types of icons that behave differently:

Dynamic labels deserve special attention – they appeared in the latest versions. MIUI 14+ They can change their appearance depending on the context, for example, the weather label can display the current temperature, and the calendar can display the number of events planned.

⚠️ Note: Shortcuts created through Developer Mode (for example, to run) ADB-commands, they may disappear when this mode is turned off. They'll have to be recreated.

How to add a shortcut to the Xiaomi desktop: step-by-step instructions

Add a shortcut to the Xiaomi screen in a number of ways, depending on what type of icon you need.

1. Adding a shortcut for the annex

The easiest way is to transfer the icon from the menu of all applications:

1. Touch the empty space on your desktop and hold your finger until the menu appears.
2. Select Widgets (if you need to add a widget) or Apps.
3. Find the desired app in the list and drag it to the screen.

2. Creating a shortcut for a file or folder

To add a shortcut for quick access to the file:

1. Open the File Manager application.
2. Find the file or folder you want, click on the three dots next to it.
3. Select Add to the desktop.

3. Web page shortcut

If you need quick access to the site:

1. Open the site in Mi Browser.
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Add to the desktop.
3. Give a name to the label and confirm it.

4. Contact label

For a quick call or SMS:

1. Open Contacts, find the right contact.
2. Press three points. → Add to the desktop.
3. Choose an action: call, message or video call.

Make sure there is free space on the screen.|

Check if the label is hidden in the settings MIUI|

Update the app if the shortcut doesn’t appear|

Restart the device if the icon does not appear-->

If the label doesn’t appear after adding, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the device (sometimes) MIUI Does not update the desktop cache immediately).
• 📥 Update the application for which the label is created.
• 🛠️ Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Why Xiaomi shortcuts are disappearing or duplicated

One of the most common problems with Xiaomi users is the spontaneous disappearance or duplication of shortcuts. MIUI And it's interacting with system updates:

1.Update MIUI

After major updates (e.g., with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) the system may reset the desktop settings, including:

• 📱 Removing user shortcuts (especially if they led to remote applications).
• 🔄 Duplication of system shortcuts (e.g., two Camera icons).
• 📂 Moving shortcuts to the Other or Unused folder.

2. Conflict with MIUI Optimizer

System Optimization (in Settings) → Battery and performance) can remove "unused" labels if:

• You haven't pressed them for more than 30 days.
• The app to which the label leads has been removed.
• The option of Autocleaning the desktop is enabled.

3. Launcher reset

Sometimes a launcher MIUI (The program that displays the desktop resets the settings:

• 🔋 Strong battery discharge (below 5%).
• 🛠️ Cleaning the launcher cache manually.
• 📱 Switching between Second Space (second desktop).

⚠️ Note: If you use Second Space, the shortcuts are set separately, and if you remove the main space, all shortcuts from the second will also disappear.

How to Remove, Hide or Restore Labels

Managing shortcuts on Xiaomi involves not only adding them, but also removing, hiding or restoring them.

1. Removal of the label

To remove the label from the desktop:

1. Press and hold the icon until it is "unlocked" from the screen.
2. Then, drag it up to the Remove (or Remove) sign.
3. Let go of your finger.

If the shortcut is system (like Phone), it can come back after the reboot to remove it permanently:

Settings → Desktop → Hide app icons → Select unnecessary ones

2. Hiding labels without deletion

If you want to temporarily remove the label, but not completely remove it:

• 📁 Move it to the folder (e.g., Backups).
• 👁️ Hide through settings: Settings → Desktop → Hide applications.
• 🔒 Use Second Space to separate work and personal shortcuts.

3. Recovery of deleted labels

If the label is missing, try:

• 🔍 Check the Unused folder (it can be created automatically).
• 📥 Reinstall the application to which the shortcut led.
• 🔄 Restore the layout by default: Settings → Desktop → Restore the layout.
• 📂 If the shortcut led to the file, check if the file has been moved or deleted.

💡

If the shortcut leads to a remote application but you want to save it, create a new shortcut for any other program, then rename it and change the icon through third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher).

4. Changes in size and style of labels

V MIUI You can adjust the appearance of labels:

1. Click the empty space on the desktop → Desktop settings.
2. Select the size of the icons (options are available: small, medium, large).
3. In the section "Style of icons" you can choose the form (round, square, adaptive).

💡

V MIUI 14+ And we have a feature called Adaptive Icons, which automatically adjusts the shape of the shortcuts to the style of the system, and you can turn it off in the desktop settings.

The hidden possibilities of labels in MIUI: What Xiaomi badges can do

Few people know, but shortcuts on Xiaomi can perform functions that go beyond just launching apps.

1.Tags for quick action

Some system shortcuts support long-pressing to call additional features, such as:

• 📷 Camera tag: long press → quick-start of selfie camera.
• 📞 Tagline Phone: Long press → Opening a list of selected contacts.
• 🔊 Label Dictaphone: long press → voice-record.

2. Developer shortcuts

If you enable Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times and additional labels will appear:

• 🛠️ Sensor test – check the performance of the screen.
• 📡 Network information – detailed connection data.
• 🔋 Battery - Extended consumption statistics.

Dynamic labels with information

In the latest versions MIUI Some labels display useful information directly on the icon:

• 📅 Calendar - the number of events for today.
• 💬 Messages - Number of unread SMS.
• 📦 Postal Service - Number of new letters.

To enable this function, go to:

Settings → Desktop → Dynamic icons

4.Tags for quick access to settings

You can create a shortcut to directly navigate to any settings section, such as enabling Mode on an airplane.

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Find the settings in it. → AirplaneModeActivity.
3. Create a shortcut on your desktop.

⚠️ Note: Some hidden shortcuts (e.g., for Equipment Test) may run diagnostic utilities that are not intended for ordinary users.

Xiaomi Shortcut Problems and How to Solve Them

Even in the latest versions. MIUI And so, users are confronted with label-related bugs, and let's look at the most common problems and their solutions:

1.Tags are not added to the desktop

If you try to add a shortcut, but it doesn’t appear:

• 📱 Check if the Simple Mode is enabled (Settings) → Special facilities → Simple mode).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes launcher MIUI "hanging".
• 🛠️ Clear the launcher's cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📥 Update. MIUI up to the latest version - in the old builds were bugs with the addition of shortcuts.

2.Tags disappear after reboot

If the tags disappear every time you turn on your phone:

• 🔧 Check the optimization settings: Settings → Battery and productivity → Optimization of the system → Autoclean your desktop (turn off this option).
• 📁 Make sure that the shortcuts do not move to the Unused folder.
• 🔄 Try changing the launcher to a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher).

3.Duplicate system labels

If two identical labels appear on the screen (e.g. two Cameras):

• 🗑️ Remove one of the duplicates (long press). → Drag to Delete).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes duplicates disappear after rebooting.
• 🛠️ Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data (this will remove all your desktop settings!).

4. Labels are not updated (e.g. weather shows old data)

If the dynamic labels are "hung":

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📶 Check your internet connection – some shortcuts require network access.
• 🛠️ Clear the app cache to which the label refers (such as Weather or Calendar).
• 🔧 Enable automatic widget updates: Settings → Desktop → Auto-update widgets.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi