How to rename a folder on the desktop of a Xiaomi smartphone: 3 working ways

Renaming folders on Xiaomi desktop seems like a simple task, but many users face unexpected difficulties: depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14), the model of the smartphone (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) and even the theme of the design process may differ. For example, in some firmware, the renaming option is hidden in the depth of the context menu, and in others it is available directly on the first screen.

The feature of Xiaomi's interface is that folders on the desktop are created automatically when you drag and drop icons onto each other, but their default names are often uninformative: New folder, Folder 1, No Name. This makes navigation difficult, especially if there are a dozen of these folders on the screen. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of renaming, from standard through long pressing to alternative methods for cases where the system "does not allow" to change the name.

Why can’t you rename your folder to Xiaomi?

If you tried to change the folder name but failed, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI: In the firmware older MIUI 11 renaming option may have worked differently or not at all, such as Redmi 5 (2017) required a file manager to do this.
• 🎨 Third-party theme: Some themes from the Mi Theme Store redefine the standard folder menu by removing the item "Rename».
• 🔒 Parental Control Limitations: If the device is enabled with Child Mode or a limited profile, the system blocks changes to the interface.
• 🛠️ System failure: Rarely, but it happens that after a software update, the renaming function stops working before a reboot.

Before trying alternative methods, check the MIUI version in the settings: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If it is older than 12.5, we recommend updating - this will solve most of the interface problems.

Method 1: Standard renaming with a long press

This is the most obvious and versatile method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14. Suitable for all models, including the POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and Xiaomi 13 Lite.

1. Press and hold your finger on the folder you want to rename until it “rises” and the vibration appears (usually 1-2 seconds).
2. In the context menu that appears, select “Rename” (on some models it may be called “Change name”).
3. Enter the new name using the on-screen keyboard, with a maximum length of 20 characters (including spaces).
4. Click "Ready" or "OK" in the upper right corner.

If the “Rename” item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

1. Open the folder (slip it once).
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right.
3. In the drop-down menu, select “Edit”, then “Rename”.

Close all open applications (swipe up)

Make sure the folder is not empty (it has at least 1 icon)

Check if the power saving mode is on (can block changes)

Turn it off. VPN (Sometimes it interferes with the system menu)-->

⚠️ Note: On some devices with MIUI 13.5+ Once you rename the folder, it can reset to a standard form, and it's a bug that can be fixed by rebooting your smartphone.

Method 2: Through the file manager (for hidden folders)

This method is useful if the folder on the Xiaomi desktop does not respond to a long press or its name is displayed incorrectly (for example, in hieroglyphics), and it is suitable for renaming system folders that are created automatically (for example, “Downloads” or “Screenshots”).

Instructions:

1. Open the standard File Manager (Icon with folder and magnifying glass).
2. Go to the Internal Memory section → MIUI → Desktop. This is where the desktop shortcuts and folders are stored.
3. Find a file with the.desktop extension that matches your folder (for example, folder_123.desktop).
4. Click on the three dots next to the file and select “Rename”.
5. Change only the first part of the name (up to the point), for example, with folder_123.desktop to my apps.desktop.Do not delete the extension!
6. Reboot your smartphone so that the changes take effect.

⚠️ Note: Do not rename prefixed files system_ or widget_ — If the screen is empty after the changes, return the original titles or reset the launcher: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Method 3: Using a third-party launcher

If standard methods don’t work or you need more customization options (like changing folder colors or adding icons), installing an alternative launcher will be a universal solution.

• 📱 Nova Launcher: Allows you to rename folders swipe up, supports gestures and backup screen layout.
• 🎯 POCO Launcher: Optimized for devices POCO, But it works on other Xiaomis, too. There's a built-in folder editor.
• 🔧 Lawnchair: Lightweight open source launcher, supports adaptive icons and changing fonts.
• 🖼️ Hyperion Launcher: For advanced users, it allows you to change animations, folder styles, and even add widgets inside folders.

How to rename a folder via Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and select it as the default launcher.
2. Click on the folder and hold for 1 second, then release.
3. In the menu that appears, tap on the folder name (it will be illuminated).
4. Enter a new name and click “Done”.

The advantage of third-party launchers is that they are independent of the MIUI version and work the same on the Redmi 10 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra. In addition, many of them support backup of the screen layout, which is useful when resetting settings.

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If after installing the launcher folders began to look different (for example, changed background or animation opening), go to its settings and select the style of “MIUI” or “Stock Android” for the usual look.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even after successful renaming, Xiaomi users sometimes face unexpected problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔙 Title reset after reboot: It's a bug MIUI 13.0–13.5. Corrected by updating to MIUI 14 or installation of a third-party launcher.
• 📛 Instead of the name, the characters are displayed: Chances are you renamed the.desktop file using incorrect encoding. Return the original name and try again using only the Latin or Cyrillic alphabet.
• 🚫 Rename is inactive: Check to see if Data Protection is enabled in the security settings (Settings) → Passwords and security → Data protection).
• 🔄 The folder disappeared after renaming: This happens if the title used prohibited characters (/, \,:, *,?, ", <, >, |). Create a folder again and name it without these signs.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the “Luncher” (or “MIUI Launcher”) and tap it.
3. Select "Storage» → «Clear the data».
4. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting the launcher will remove all folders and shortcuts from the desktop, but will not affect the applications themselves and their data. Before the procedure, take screenshots of the current screen layout to quickly restore it.

Additional features: how to make folders more convenient

Renaming is just the first step to organizing the desktop, and Xiaomi can set up folders more flexibly:

• 🎨 Change the color of the folder: B MIUI 14 long-pressed folder → «Style» → Choose the color from the palette. On older versions, it's only available through themes.
• 📏 Change the size of the grid: Clip the empty space on the screen → «Home screen settings» → «Grid size. Best option for folders — 5×6 or 6×7.
• 🔒 Fix folder: To avoid accidentally removing an important folder, drag it to the dock panel (bottom of the screen).
• 🔄 Sorting inside the folder: Open the folder → press three points → «Sort. You can choose by alphabet, color, or add time.

For POCO and Black Shark users, a unique feature called “Smart Folders” is available:

1. Create a folder and add 2-3 applications to it.
2. Long click on the folder → “Settings of a smart folder”.
3. Enable the Auto Add option and select a category (e.g., Social Networks or Games).
4. All new apps in this category will be automatically added to the folder.

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On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5 Pro) Dark folder themes save battery life. Use black or dark gray for the background of folders.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions