How to rename a folder on the Xiaomi Redmi 4 desktop: 3 working methods + error solving

Renaming folders on the Xiaomi Redmi 4 desktop seems like a simple task, but users often face unexpected difficulties. Unlike modern smartphones, where the MIUI interface allows you to do it in two clicks, on older models like Redmi 4 (released in 2016), the process may be different due to the features of the shell and access restrictions. This article will not only explain how to change the folder name through standard means, but also explain why sometimes the edit button simply does not appear – and what to do about it.

The main problem is that Redmi 4 with MIUI 8-9 can only rename a folder directly through a long tap if it is created manually by the user, not by the system. Application folders automatically generated by the shell (for example, "Games" or "Tools") are often blocked from editing. We will look at workarounds, including using a file manager with root rights (if any) and alternative launchers.

It’s also important to consider the firmware version: on custom builds like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, the algorithm will be different. If your Redmi 4 runs on stock MIUI but is updated to the latest available version (like MIUI 11 for that device), some options may be missing.

1. Standard method: renaming through a long tap

The most obvious method is to use the built-in MIUI capabilities, which works for user-generated folders, but is not always available for system directories.

1. Press and hold your finger on the folder you want to rename until it “rises” above the screen and the cross appears to delete.
2. Without letting go of your finger, drag the folder slightly upwards - a panel with a pencil icon should appear at the top of the screen (✏️). On some versions MIUI The pencil is displayed immediately with a long tapa.
3. Slap the pencil icon, and you'll see a field for a new name.
4. Enter a new name (up to 20 characters) and click Ready or OK.

If the pencil icon does not appear, it means that:

• 📁 System folder (created) MIUI automatically).
• 🔒 You have disabled the rights to edit the desktop (rarely, but it happens after resetting the settings).
• 📱 A design theme is installed that blocks this function.

On Redmi 4 with MIUI 8, sometimes the trick is to open the folder before you tap it long, then close it and try again. This resets the launcher interface cache. If it doesn't work, go to alternative methods.

2.Use of file manager (without root)

If the standard method doesn’t work, you can try renaming the folder through the file system, and this will require any file manager with access to system directories (for example, Mi File Explorer, Solid Explorer or other file manager). FX Important: This method is only suitable for folders that appear on the desktop as shortcuts (not all folders). MIUI stored in user-accessible directories).

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go to the root directory (/).
2. Follow the path: /data/data/com.miui.home/files/ (the MIUI launcher data is stored here).
3. Find the launcher.db file or favorites folder – they contain desktop settings, including folder names.
4. Copy the file to an external memory card or to the cloud (in case of an error).
5. Open a file in a text editor (like QuickEdit) and find a line with your folder name (search by current name).
6. Change the name in the file, save the changes and reboot the smartphone.

Make a backup file.|Make sure that the file manager has the rights to write to /data|Use a text editor with support for encoding UTF-8|Do not change other parameters in the file other than the folder name-->

⚠️ Note: Editing files in /data/data/ without root permissions may cause the launcher to crash.If the desktop does not load after the restart, delete the launcher.db file — MIUI Create it again (but all desktop settings will reset).

An alternative way for shortcut folders is to store them in /sdcard/MIUI/shortcut/. Check this directory – if the folder is there, it can be renamed directly (but this does not guarantee that the name displayed on the desktop will be changed).

3. Rename via ADB (for advanced users)

If you have experience with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can try changing the folder name via the command line, which requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and enabling USB debugging mode.

Steps:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times) → Return to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect Redmi 4 to your computer and confirm debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type in: adb shell su cd /data/data/com.miui.home/files/ ls -la
4. Find a file with desktop settings (usually launcher.db or favorites_backup.xml).
5. Download the file to PC for editing: adb pull /data/data/com.miui.home/files/launcher.db C:\temp\
6. Edit the file (as described in the previous method), then download back: adb push C:\temp\launcher.db /data/data/com.miui.home/files/adb shell chmod 660 /data/data/data/com.miui.home/files/launcher.db adb shell reboot

⚠️ Attention: Su commands require root rights. Without them, you can't write files to the computer. /data/data/. If root is not available, this method will not work.

For users without root, the alternative is to use ADB to reset the launcher cache:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

This will result in resetting all desktop settings, but it can “unlock” the ability to rename folders in a standard way.

4.Alternative launchers: circumventing MIUI restrictions

If none of the above methods worked, the most reliable solution would be to install a third-party launcher.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – lightweight, supports folder customization.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher – allows you to rename any folder, including system folders.
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – a simple interface with Windows integration.
• 📱 POCO Launcher – optimized for Xiaomi devices.

After installing an alternative launcher:

1. Assign it as the default launcher in the settings (Settings → Applications → By default → Launcher).
2. Take a long time to tap the folder - in most launchers, the option to edit or rename will appear.
3. Enter a new name and save the changes.

The advantage of this method is that it works even on non-rooted devices and does not require any interference with system files, but you have to get used to the new interface. Some launchers (for example, Nova) allow you to simulate the style of MIUI, so that the transition is less noticeable.

5. Solving Access Rights Problems

A common reason for not being able to rename a folder is a lack of rights. On Redmi 4, this can manifest in the following scenarios:

If you see a message that says “Can’t be renamed: Access is forbidden,” try the following:

• 🔧 Reboot your phone – sometimes it resets temporary locks.
• 📂 Check if you have a password or change protection installed on your folder (in some topics). MIUI It's possible).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version available for Redmi 4 (MIUI 11).

💡

If a folder contains system applications (such as Google or Mi Apps), the name can be blocked at the firmware level, in which case the only way out is to hide the folder or use a launcher that ignores such restrictions (such as Rootless Launcher).

6. Features of firmware and custom assemblies

On Redmi 4, users often install custom firmware like LineageOS, Resurrection Remix or Pixel Experience, in which case the algorithm for renaming folders is different:

• 📱 Nana AOSP-Firmware (e.g. LineageOS) use a long tap → Edit (Edit).
• 🔧 You can edit system files on firmware with Magisk via Magisk File Manager.
• 🔄 If the launcher is replaced by Trebuchet or Lawnchair, the renaming options appear in the context menu.

For custom firmware, ADB commands are also relevant, but file paths may differ. For example, on LineageOS, desktop settings are often stored in:

/data/data/org.lineageos.trebuchet/files/

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware for Redmi 4 (especially Android 10-based ones)+) You may need to disconnect MIUI Optimization in the developer settings, otherwise system restrictions will remain even after the firmware change.

If you use firmware that supports Substratum or OMS, renaming folders may be blocked by the themes. Try temporarily returning a standard theme.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you try to rename a folder to Redmi 4, users encounter common errors, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

Another common problem is that folders are duplicated after renaming, which happens when MIUI creates a new folder instead of editing an existing one, to avoid duplicates:

1. Before renaming, delete all applications from the folder.
2. Rename the folder.
3. Add the appendices to it again.

💡

If neither method worked, check to see if Second Space or Private Mode is enabled in MIUI, which can block changes to the desktop.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions