How to add a file to the Xiaomi desktop: all the ways to MIUI 14/15

Why Files Are Not Showing on Xiaomi’s Desktop and How to Fix It

Xiaomi’s MIUI desktop is different from the pure Android desktop: there’s no classic send-to-home Explorer, and the system actively hides “extra” files to keep the space out of the way, leading to a common problem: users try to drag a document or photo onto the screen, but nothing happens, and the reason lies in the architecture of MI Launcher, Xiaomi’s standard launcher, which blocks files from being displayed as shortcuts by default.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to add a file to the Xiaomi desktop, including workarounds for MIUI 14/15, and explain why some formats (such as.apk or.zip) may not display even after all the manipulations.

Important: If you're using Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or newer models on MIUI 15, some of the features may be hidden in the developer menu.

Method 1: Creating a shortcut through Files (for MIUI 14/15)

The easiest method is to use Xiaomi’s standard File Manager app, which works on all current versions of MIUI, but has a limitation: you can only add media files (photos, videos, audio) and documents (PDF, TXT, XLS), executable files (.apk,.exe) and archives through this method will not be transferred.

Instructions:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Find the file and hold it with your finger for 2 seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select More → Add to the main screen.
4. Confirm the action - the label will appear in the free cell.

⚠️ Note: If there is no Add to the main screen, the file is incompatible. Try renaming the extension (e.g..apk to.txt) or using Method 3.

Make sure the file is not in the archive (.zip,.rar)

Check the extension (should be.jpg,.pdf,.mp3, etc.)

The file should be in the internal memory, not on the SD-map

Free space on the desktop (remove unnecessary widgets)

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Method 2: Using the folder widget for hidden files

If you need to add a file to Xiaomi desktop that is not supported by the standard method (such as.apk or.json configuration), you can trick the system with the folder widget. This trick works because MIUI allows you to put any files in the widget folder, and the folder itself is displayed as an icon on the screen.

Step-by-step:

• 📁 Create a new folder on your desktop: clamping the empty space → Widgets → folder.
• 📎 Rename the folder (for example, “My Files”) and open it.
• 🔍 Click "Add files" and select the desired document through the Explorer.
• 🔒 Close the folder – now it appears as an icon with your file inside.

The downside is that the file won't open directly from the desktop, you'll have to go to the folder first, but you can store.apk,.zip, and other uncomfortable formats.

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If the folder widget doesn’t appear in the list, update the Files app via Google Play or reinstall it.

Method 3: Through Third Party File Managers (Solid Explorer, FX File)

Xiaomi’s standard Files is heavily stripped down, with third-party managers like Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer allowing you to create shortcuts for any file, including.apk,.bat, and system configs, all of which are important to give them access to memory.

How to do this:

1. Install Solid Explorer from Google Play.
2. Open the manager and find the file you want.
3. Hold him down. → Choose Create a shortcut (or Add Shortcut).
4. Confirm the placement on the desktop.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 15 after creating the shortcut, an "Unknown Source" warning may appear. This is normal - just allow installation from this manager in the security settings (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).

The standard "Files" from Xiaomi

Solid Explorer

FX File Explorer

Total Commander

Other-->

Method 4: For the Advanced — ADB-teams (without root)

If you're ready to use the Android debugging bridge (ADB), you can manually shortcut any file, even system files, which doesn't require root rights, but you'll need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and USB debugging enabled.

Instructions:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT \


-n com.android.launcher3/.ShortcutInstallActivity \




-d "file:///storage/emulated/0/Download/yourfile.apk" \




-t "application/vnd.android.package-archive"

Transcript of the team:

• 🔗 -d — The path to the file (replace it with your own).
• 📌 -t — MIME-type APK it application/vnd.android.package-archive, for PDF — application/pdf).
• ⚙️ com.android.launcher3 — standard launcher Xiaomi.

After you execute the command, a dialog box will appear on the screen asking you to add a shortcut. Confirm the action.

Method 5: Manually create a shortcut through Nova Launcher

If Xiaomi’s standard launcher doesn’t suit you, install Nova Launcher, which allows you to add shortcuts to your desktop for any file, including hidden and system files, plus the flexibility of this method: you can customize the icon, name and even gesture to open the file.

How to set up:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
2. Click the empty space on the desktop → Widgets → Nova Actions.
3. Select Shortcut → File Shortcut and specify the path to the file.
4. Set the appearance of the label (icon, name).

The advantage of Nova Launcher is that it bypasses the limitations of MIUI and allows you to add files from /data or /system folders (if there is root).

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Nova Launcher is the only way to add files to Xiaomi desktop with extensions that MIUI blocks by default (such as.sh or.bat).

Compatibility table with MIUI versions

Not all methods work the same on old and new versions of MIUI, and here is a compatibility summary table:

* In MIUI 15, the shortcut creation function through Files works only for media files (photos, videos, audio).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🚫 No label is created for APK → Use Solid Explorer or Nova Launcher. Standard tools MIUI Block shortcuts for executable files.
• 🔒 File on SD-card not added → Transfer it to your internal memory. MIUI Limits the work with external storage.
• 📱 After updating MIUI labels gone → This is a feature of the launcher, after major updates (for example, with the MIUI 14 by 15) labels are dropped. Restore them.
• ⚙️ It's not working. ADB-team → Make sure that the debugging is enabled USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Return to the Extra → For developers → Debugging by USB).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using POCO Launcher (set by default on smartphones) POCO), Some of the functions may be missing. In this case, set a standard. MI Launcher through Settings → Annexes → Default launcher.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions