How to put a file on the desktop of a Xiaomi smartphone: all working methods

Why Xiaomi doesn’t have a classic desktop and what to do

If you switched from Windows or iOS to a Xiaomi smartphone (Redmi, POCO, Mi series), you might have noticed that there is no classic desktop, instead of a Desktop folder, a screen with app shortcuts and widgets. But that doesn't mean that files can't be placed in one click. In MIUI (branded shell Xiaomi) there are several ways to "pin" documents, photos or uploads on the home screen - you just need to know the nuances.

The main problem is that users try to copy a file through Explorer or Total Commander and paste it onto the desktop, like on a PC. In Android, it works differently: there is no single directory for shortcuts, and the "table" is part of the launcher (the program that controls the display of applications), so standard copying methods (Ctrl+C → Ctrl+V) will not work, but there are workarounds - from built-in MIUI tools to third-party applications.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to place files on the Xiaomi home screen in 2026, including hidden shell functions that are not obvious even to experienced users. MIUI (12 to 14) and smartphone models.

Method 1: Create a file shortcut through “Additional” (built-in MIUI method)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in file shortcut feature that MIUI has been using since version 12.5, which allows you to “pin” a link to any document, photo or archive on the home screen, but with limitations:

• 📁 Works only for files in folders Downloads, Documents or Images.
• 🔗 The shortcut is not the file itself, but a link to it (when you delete the original icon, the icon will become non-working).
• 📱 Not supported on some budget models (e.g. Redmi) A1 or POCO C50).

Step instructions:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the home screen).
2. Find the file and hold it with your finger for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select Additional → Create a shortcut.
4. The system will offer to place a shortcut on the main screen - confirm the action.

Now, you'll see a file icon on your desktop, and if you click on it, you'll see an application that can process this type of data (like WPS Office for Documents or Photo Gallery).

The required file is downloaded and available in the Downloads or Documents folder"|On the smartphone installed MIUI 12.5 or newer|In the launcher settings, the function "File Shortcuts" is not disabled (path: Settings) → Desktop → Additionally)|The file is not on SD-Card (Tags only work with internal memory)-->

Method 2: Files Widget – Quick Access to Folders

If you don’t want to host a single file, but rather get quick access to an entire folder (like downloads or documents), use the Files widget.This is an official solution from Xiaomi that works on all models with MIUI 11 and above.

How to add a widget:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
2. At the bottom of the screen, a menu will appear – select Widgets.
3. Scroll through the list to the Tools block and find the Files widget (folder icon).
4. Drag it to the desktop and select a folder to display (like Downloads).

Now you'll have a mini-panel on your screen with the latest files from the selected directory, and clicking on any of them will open it in the appropriate application.

• ⚡ Instant access to frequently used files without searching in Explorer.
• 🔄 Automatic list update (last added files are shown).
• 📂 Support for all types of files: PDF, APK, images, video.

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If the Files widget does not appear in the list, update the Files app through the Play Store or clear its cache in the settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Files → Clear cache).

Method 3: Third-party file managers with shortcut support

The built-in MIUI tools are limited, so many users install alternative explorers that are able to create file shortcuts on the desktop.

Instructions on the example of Solid Explorer:

1. Install the app from the Play Store.
2. Open Solid Explorer and find the file you want.
3. Press it and select Create a shortcut (or Add shortcut in English).
4. Confirm the placement on the main screen.

⚠️ Note: Some file managers (e.g, ES Explorer may request suspicious permissions. Check reviews in the Play Store before installing and avoid apps rated below 4.0.

Method 4: Using archivers to extract files to the "table"

Little-known life hack: some archivists (e.g. ZArchiver or ZArchiver) RAR) They allow you to extract files directly to your desktop, creating a temporary folder. APK-Files, images or documents that need to be opened quickly.

How it works:

1. Install ZArchiver from the Play Store.
2. Find an archive (such as ZIP or RAR) in the Explorer with the desired file.
3. Open it through ZArchiver and select the files to extract.
4. In the Extract Path field, specify /storage/emulated/0/Download/Desktop/ (the folder will be created automatically).
5. After extraction, go to Files → Downloads → Desktop and manually create a shortcut (see Method 1).

The advantage of this method is that files are physically copied to a separate folder rather than being links.

• 📦 Keep backup copies of important documents.
• 🔧 Test APK-file.
• 🖼️ Quickly view images without opening the gallery.

Method 5: Manually create a Desktop folder and symbolic links (for advanced ones)

For users with root rights or ADB experience, there's a radical way to create a real Desktop folder in the root directory and mount it to the launcher, which allows you to place files directly, just like on a PC.

⚠️ Warning: The method requires unlocking the bootloader and can cause the system to crash. Use only if you understand the risks!

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open ADB (an Android SDK utility).
3. Follow the commands: adb shell mkdir /storage/emulated/0/Desktop chmod 777 /storage/emulated/0/Desktop
4. Install a customization launcher (like Nova Launcher) and select the path to /Desktop as a desktop in its settings.

After that, you can move files to the Desktop folder through any Explorer, and they will appear on the home screen.

• 🔧 Reboot is required after creating the folder.
• 🛡️ Risk of data loss in case of errors in commands ADB.
• 📱 Not working. MIUI heavily protected MIUI Optimization.

Creating a label through "Additional" in MIUI|Files widget on the main screen|Third-party file managers (Solid Explorer, FX)|Archivists (ZArchiver, RAR)|Manual creation of Desktop folder (for advanced ones)-->

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even when following instructions, users face challenges, and we'll look at typical situations and solutions.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📵 Version MIUI: File shortcuts are not supported on old firmware (below 12.5.
• 🔒 Security settings: c Settings → Confidentiality → Special access → Access to files must be permissions for the shortcut-creating application.
• 📱 Smartphone model: Some devices (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro with custom firmware) may have limitations.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi) 12C or POCO X5 Pro) File shortcuts can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI and 5 times click on the line with the version. → The desktop will appear option File shortcuts.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

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Xiaomi smartphones don’t have the classic desktop experience of a PC, but there are 5 alternative ways to host files on the home screen: through MIUI shortcuts, widgets, third-party explorers, archivers, or manual folder creation. The method depends on the version of MIUI and your technical skills.