How to add a file to the screen of the Xiaomi phone: all the ways for MIUI 12-15

You want to quickly access an important document, photo or video file, but do not know how to fix it on the Xiaomi home screen? Unlike iOS or pure Android, MIUI firmware does not offer a direct feature "Accumulate File on the Screen", but there are several workarounds - from built-in tools to third-party applications. In this article, we will discuss all the working methods for different versions of MIUI (12 to 15) and models of Redmi, Poco, Xiaomi and Black Shark.

It's important to understand that MIUI limits direct file fixing on the desktop for security reasons (to avoid accidentally deleting or changing critical data). However, widgets, shortcuts or special applications can achieve the same result. We tested all methods on current firmware and selected only those that work stably without root rights.

If you need to not just fix a file, but make it visually accessible (for example, show a photo preview or PDF), look at the sections about gallery widgets and third-party launchers. For tech-savvy users, there is also a method through ADB, but it requires pre-configuration.

1. Method: Files Widget (built into MIUI)

The easiest way is to use the standard MIUI File Manager widget, which allows you to create a folder shortcut on the home screen, but not a single file, but if the file you want is in a separate folder, it works.

Instructions:

• 📁 Long pressing in the free place of the main screen → select Widgets.
• 🔍 Scroll down to the Tools section and find the File Manager widget (Folder icon).
• 📥 Drag the widget onto the screen and select the folder where your file lies.
• ✅ Now you will have quick access to the folder with one click.

The method limitation is that the widget opens a folder, not a specific file, and if you have a lot of files in the folder, you have to manually search for the one you want, but it doesn't require you to install any additional applications, and it works on all versions of MIUI.

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If the File Manager widget is not listed, update the Files app via Google Play or GetApps (the Xiaomi brand store).

2. Method: File shortcut via "Quick Commands" (MIUI 14+)

In the new versions MIUI (Since 14, Quick Commands has been introduced, which allows you to create shortcuts for quick access to files. APK-file.

How to do this:

1. Open the Files app and find the file you want.
2. Long press on the file → select Share.
3. In the sharing menu, select Quick Commands (lightning icon).
4. Click Create a shortcut and confirm the action.
5. The shortcut will appear on the home screen. When you click, the file will open in the corresponding application.

The advantage of this method is that the shortcut leads directly to the file, not to the folder. The disadvantage is that it only works on MIUI 14 and later. If you have an older version of the firmware, try updating or using the following method.

The file is downloaded and available in the phone's memory | Files app is updated to the latest version | There is free space for the shortcut on the home screen | Developer mode is enabled (if you use ADB)

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3. Method: Third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Microsoft Launcher)

If the built-in MIUI tools don't suit you, you can install an alternative launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which allows you to add shortcuts to any file, including PDF, images and even archives.

The following is a step-by-step instruction for Nova Launcher:

• 📥 Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
• 🔧 Launch the launcher and install it as the main one (a sentence will pop up at the first start).
• 📁 Long tap on the main screen → Widgets → Find the Activities widget (from Nova).
• 🔗 Drag the widget to the screen and select Files (or another application that opens your file) from the list).
• 📄 You can now select a specific file for the label.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• ✅ Support for shortcuts for all types of files (including: APK, ZIP, TXT).
• ✅ Flexible adjustment of the appearance of labels (icons, size, color).
• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI Android.

Disadvantage: Launchers consume additional RAM (about 50-100 MB).If you have a phone with 4 GB of RAM or less, this can affect performance.

Standard. MIUI Launcher|Nova Launcher|Microsoft Launcher|Apex Launcher|Other-->

4. Method: Gallery Widget for Images and Videos

If you want to pin a photo or video on the screen, you can use the widget of the standard Xiaomi Gallery, which allows you to display the preview of the image directly to the desktop.

How to set up:

1. Long tap on the main screen → Widgets.
2. Find the Gallery widget (usually called Photos or Album).
3. Select the size of the widget (for example, 2×2 or 4×2).
4. Drag the widget onto the screen and select an album or a specific image.
5. Click Ready - the preview will appear on the screen.

Features of the method:

• 🖼️ The widget shows a thumbnail of an image, not just a file icon.
• 🎞️ For the video, a cover with a play button is displayed.
• 🔄 You can set up automatic image change (slideshow).

Limitation: The widget only works for media files (JPG, PNG, MP4). For documents or APK This method is not suitable.

5. Method: Applications for creating file shortcuts

If you want to put a PDF, APK, TXT or other non-media file on your screen, you can use specialized applications, for example:

• 📄 Shortcut Maker – creates shortcuts for any files and even system settings.
• 🔗 Files Shortcut – a lightweight application for quick access to files.
• 📂 QuickShortcutMaker – Advanced Shortcut Making Tool (Requires Caution).

Example from Shortcut Maker:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open Shortcut Maker and click Create shortcut.
3. Select the File type and specify the path to the desired file (you can use the built-in file manager).
4. Set up the name and label icon.
5. Click Create - the shortcut will appear on the main screen.

Warning: Some applications (like QuickShortcutMaker) show system files that are not designed to be opened manually.Do not create shortcuts for files in /system or /data folders if you don't understand their purpose - this can cause MIUI to crash.

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Third-party file shortcut apps may request storage access. Before installing, check reviews and rankings on Google Play to avoid malware.

6. Method: Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)

If a file is stored in the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex Drive), you can fix it on the screen through a cloud service widget, which is convenient if the file is updated frequently or needed on multiple devices.

Instructions for Google Drive:

• 📥 Install Google Drive if it is not installed.
• 📁 Upload the file to the cloud (or find it if it’s already there).
• 🔗 Long tap on the main screen → Widgets → Choose the Google Drive widget.
• 📄 Drag the widget to the screen and select the file to display.

The advantages of the cloud method:

• 🌐 The file is available on all devices where you are logged in.
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization of changes.
• 🔒 Additional protection (you can configure access by link).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires an Internet connection to access the file.
• 📶 Takes up space in cloud storage (relevant for large files).

Comparison of all methods

The choice of method depends on your tasks:

• 📂 For quick access to the folder - File Manager widget.
• 📄 For individual files on MIUI 14+ — "Fast teams".
• 🎨 For flexible settings - third-party launchers.
• 🖼️ For images - Gallery widget.
• 🌐 For synchronization between devices – cloud services.

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If you often work with files on Xiaomi, set up Quick Access in the Files app: open the side menu → Quick Access → add frequently used folders to your favorites.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

⚠️ Note: If the file doesn't open after you create a shortcut, check if there's an app on the phone that can process it. PDF You need Adobe Acrobat or Xodo PDF Reader, and for APK — Permission to install from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).

Other typical problems:

• 🚫 The shortcut disappears after the reboot. Reason: some launchers reset settings. Solution: Set the launcher as the main one in the system settings (Settings) → Annexes → By default. → Launcher).
• 🔒 You can't shortcut a file in the Download folder. MIUI Solution: Move the file to another folder (e.g. Documents or MIUI).
• 📱 The widget is not updated. Reason: the Files app cache or the Gallery. Solution: clear the cache in Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Files/Gallery → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: Some Poco models (e.g. Poco) X3 Pro) the built-in File Manager may not support widgets. In this case, use Google Files (install from Google Play) - it has its own widget for quick access.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions