How to rename a folder on the desktop Xiaomi Redmi 8: 5 proven ways

Renaming folders on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 desktop seems like an easy task, but users often face unexpected limitations of the MIUI shell. Unlike standard Android, where a long enough tap on a folder, on Xiaomi devices, the algorithm of actions depends on the version of the firmware, the launcher used, and even the type of folder (system or custom).This article will reveal all working methods - from basic to advanced, including bypassing the limitations of MIUI through third-party tools.

The peculiarity of Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) is that the model came with MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie, but many users have already upgraded to MIUI 12/13 with Android 10/11. This means that the interface and logic of working with folders could change. We tested all the methods on current versions of the software and highlighted those that are guaranteed to work regardless of the updates.

Important: if you tried to rename a folder through a long press, but the option “Rename” does not appear – this is not a bug, but a feature of MIUI Launcher. Next you will learn how to circumvent this restriction without root rights and complex manipulations.

Why can’t Redmi 8 rename the folder in the standard way?

The main reason is MIUI shell policies that block editing of folder names on the desktop through the context menu.

• 🛡️ Protection against random changes – users often complain about accidentally renaming system folders (such as Google or Tools), which leads to crashes.
• 🔄 Synchronization with the cloud — MIUI Reserves the desktop structure in Mi Cloud, and a free renaming could disrupt the integrity of backups.
• 📱 Performance Optimizations – Xiaomi launcher caches folder names, and their frequent change could cause lags.

But this restriction only applies to the built-in launcher, and if you're using alternative shells like Nova Launcher, Apex, or Microsoft Launcher, the problem disappears, because it's renaming available through the standard menu, but what if you want to keep the native MIUI?

There are three official workarounds and two informal ones (no root licenses), and we'll start with the easiest and safest.

Method 1: Rename through file manager (without third-party applications)

This method works on all versions of MIUI for Redmi 8, but requires precise follow-up of instructions. The bottom line is that folders on the desktop are not just shortcuts, but real directories in the device's memory.

Note: Do not rename system folders (e.g. Download, DCIM or MIUI) – this can cause app malfunctions.

1. Open the Files app (Blue folder icon).
2. Go to the section Internal memory → Home screen (or Desktop in Russian firmware).
3. Find the folder you want to rename. It will have the.folder extension (e.g. My Games.folder).
4. For a long time, tap the folder file and select “Rename”.
5. Enter a new name without extension (for example, instead of My Games.folder, simply specify Games).
6. Confirm the changes and restart the launcher: press the empty space on the desktop → Screen settings → Restart.

If the folder is not displayed in the Home screen, it is not created through the launcher, but through another application (for example, Google Photos).

Make a backup copy of important data|Check that the folder is not system|Make sure that the name does not contain any prohibited characters (/, \, *,?)|Remember your current name in case of a rollback-->

Method 2: Using the desktop editing mode

MIUI 12.5+ has a hidden editing mode that allows you to rename folders directly, which is the fastest, but it doesn't work on all firmware versions.

1. Press the empty space on the desktop (not on the icon!).
2. In the menu that appears, select Screen Settings (or Edit in English firmware).
3. You can tap the folder you want to rename. If the "Rename" option is active, type in a new name.
4. If you don’t have an option, try to keep the folder in editing mode (sometimes the menu appears after 2-3 seconds).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI For Redmi 8, this only works after the launcher resets:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Louncher (com.miui.home) and select Warehouse.
3. Click Clear Data (no cache!).
4. After restarting the launcher, try again.

This method is most reliable for firmware based on Android 10 and later. On Android 9 Pie, it may not work — in which case, move to Method 3.

Method 3: Rename through ADB (for power users)

If the first two methods didn't work and you don't want to install a third-party launcher, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a PC connection, but doesn't need root rights. It's suitable for renaming any folders, including those that don't show up in file managers.

Before starting, make sure that:

• 🖥️ PCs are installed. ADB-driver.
• 📱 Redmi 8 is also included in the debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version → Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Used by the original USB-cable (cheap cables may not transmit data).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your phone.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
4. Get a list of folders on your desktop: adb shell ls /data/data/com.miui.home/files/folder
5. Rename the folder (replace). old_name and new_name The following is the adb shell mv. /data/data/com.miui.home/files/folder/old_name /data/data/com.miui.home/files/folder/new_name
6. Restart Launcher: adb shell am force-stop com.miui.home

⚠️ Note: If the folder disappeared from the desktop after renaming it, but remained in memory, it was tied to the system process.

Method 4: Installation of an alternative launcher (the most versatile method)

If all previous methods have failed, the most reliable option is to install a third-party launcher, which will not only solve the problem of renaming, but also add additional features (gestures, themes, hiding icons).

To set up the launcher:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. After installation, click “Home” and select a new launcher as the main one.
3. Create a folder (if it doesn’t already exist) and rename it through the context menu.

⚠️ Note: When returning to standard MIUI Launcher all folders created in a third-party launcher may disappear. To avoid this, export the settings before changing the shell.

💡

If the original folders from MIUI Launcher are gone after installing the alternative launcher, don’t panic. They are stored in the device’s memory along the path /data/data/com.miui.home/files/folder/. These can be restored via Method 3 (ADB) or a root-access file manager.

Method 5: Manual editing of the launcher database (for advanced ones)

This method is only suitable for those who are ready to work with system files and have a backup copy of data, it allows you to rename any folder, including system ones, but it requires caution.

The folders on the MIUI desktop are stored in the launcher database along the way:

/data/data/com.miui.home/databases/launcher.db

To change the name:

1. Download an application to work with SQLite, such as SQLite Editor.
2. Open the launcher.db file and find the folders table.
3. In the title column, find the name of your folder and change it.
4. Save the changes and restart the launcher.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect database editing can result in a desktop reset or cyclical launcher reboot:

• 📱 Make a backup through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 💾 Save a copy of the launcher.db file on PC.
• 🔧 Make sure the folder name does not contain any special characters.

Critical information: Some versions of MIUI may require cleaning the launcher cache after editing launcher.db (Settings → Applications → Launcher → Cash → Clear). If the folders are gone after that, restore them through backup.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When renaming folders to Redmi 8, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 📵 Are there any restrictions from antivirus (for example, Mi Security can block changes to system files).
• 🔄 Is the firmware updated on older versions? MIUI (below 12.0) there may be folder bugs.
• 📂 Is the folder a shortcut – some folders (e.g. from Google Photos) are not edited through the launcher.

💡

If you work with folders on your desktop often, the best solution is to install a Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which will eliminate the limitations of MIUI and add flexibility to the interface configuration.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions