How to create a folder on the desktop Xiaomi Redmi 9T: all ways + life hacks on the organization of the screen

The desktop of the Xiaomi Redmi 9T is quickly filled with app icons, especially if you are actively installing new programs. Without an organization system, finding what you want becomes increasingly difficult, you have to flip through screens or search. The solution is simple: creating folders that group similar applications (social networks, games, utilities) into one place. But in the shell of MIUI, this process has nuances that depend on the firmware version and launcher settings.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all current versions. MIUI on the Redmi 9T, Including hidden functions (such as creating folders in the app menu), as well as tips for optimizing your workspace, we will examine common errors — why a folder is not created, disappears or opens — and give recommendations for backing up the screen structure. We will focus on alternative launchers if the standard features are available. MIUI You're not good for it.

Why Redmi 9T can’t create a folder: common reasons

Xiaomi Redmi 9T users often find that when trying to drag the icon to another, nothing happens. This is not a bug, but a feature of the MIUI launcher (the program responsible for displaying the desktop).

• 🔄 Gesture incompatibility: In newer versions of MIUI (12.5+), the drag and drop gesture conflicts with system swipes (e.g., calling Google Assistant).
• 📱 Light Desktop Mode: The simplified interface disables icon grouping (check Settings → Desktop → Screen Mode).
• 🔒 Protection against accidental changes: The "Block layout" option can be activated in the security settings.
• 🛠️ Launcher cache failure: After the MIUI update, display settings are sometimes reset.

If none of the reasons are right, the problem may lie in the firmware update. For example, in MIUI 13 for Redmi 9T changed the folder creation algorithm - now you need to hold the icon longer (about 1.5 seconds) to activate the grouping mode. Also check if there is a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher), which overrides standard gestures.

⚠️ Warning: If you use a child mode or restricted profile (e.g., through Parental Control), folder creation will be blocked. Turn off restrictions in Settings → Special Features → Child Mode.

Method 1: Standard folder creation on the desktop (MIUI 12–14)

This is the basic method that works on most of the firmware versions for Redmi 9T. Follow the instructions carefully - timing is critical here:

1. Press and hold the first icon (such as WhatsApp) that you want to add to the folder. After ~1 second, the vibration will appear, and the icon will “take off”.
2. Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to a second icon (like Telegram), and a semi-transparent circle will appear above the second icon.
3. Release your finger – the system will automatically create a folder called “Unnamed folder” (or “Unnamed folder” in English localization).
4. Tap the name of the folder to rename it (for example, "Messenger").

If the folder is not created the first time, try:

• 📌 Hold the icon longer (up to 2 seconds).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes resetting the launcher cache helps.
• 🎯 To be more precise, drag the icon strictly to the center of the second icon, not to the edge of the icon.

Hold the icon long enough (1.5–2 seconds)|

"Blocking the layout" mode in the settings is disabled |

No active gestures (e.g., swipe for Google Assistant)|

Use the standard launcher MIUI, not outside-->

On Redmi 9T with MIUI 13.5+, folders are created only if there is free space on the desktop for drag and drop animations. If the screen is full of icons, first free at least 1-2 cells.

Method 2: Create a folder in the application menu (hidden MIUI function)

Few people know, but MIUI allows you to create folders not only on the desktop, but also in the application menu (a list of all installed programs).

1. Open the app menu by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or clicking on the All Apps icon in the dock panel).
2. Click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Edit".
3. Hold the icon of the first app and drag it to the second, and the folder will be created right on the menu.
4. To exit the editing mode, click "Done" in the upper right corner.

The advantage of this method:

• 📁 Folders in the app menu do not take up space on the desktop.
• 🔍 They are easier to find through search (just type the folder name in the search bar MIUI).
• 🔄 You can quickly switch between folders without returning to the home screen.

⚠️ Warning: Folders in the app menu don't sync with folders on the desktop. If you delete the folder in the menu, it won't disappear from the home screen (and vice versa).

On the desktop |

In the appendix menu |

I'm using a third-party launcher.|

I don't create folders, I prefer search-->

Method 3: Use of alternative launchers (Nova, POCO, Lawnchair)

If you don't like the standard MIUI launcher (for example, because of folder restrictions), you can install a third-party one. Redmi 9T works well:

To install a third-party launcher:

1. Download the application from Google Play (links in the table).
2. After installation, click "Home" and select a new launcher as the main one (the system selection window will appear).
3. In the launcher settings (Long Press → Settings), turn on the option "Allow folder creation".

Important: When you change the launcher, all folders created in the standard MIUI will disappear (they are tied to the launcher). To save the structure, use the backup function in Nova Launcher or take screenshots of the screen.

💡

Nova Launcher allows you to set up automatic folder creation by category (for example, all games will be grouped into the Game folder). To do this, go to the Settings → Folder → Auto sort.

How to Rename, Remove or Change the View of a Folder

Once you create a folder, you can customize it.

Rename the folder

Tap the folder name (default "No Name") → type a new name → click "Done" on the keyboard. MIUI 14 has support for emoji in folder names (e.g., 🎮 "Games").

Deletion of the folder

There are two options:

• 🗑️ Drag all icons from the folder back to the desktop – the folder will be deleted automatically.
• 🚮 Hold the folder → select Delete (in some versions MIUI you need to drag the folder to the basket at the top of the screen).

Changes in appearance

In the standard MIUI launcher, options are limited, but you can:

• 🎨 Change the background of the folder: hold the folder → "Change the background" (4 options are available: transparent, blurred, color, application icon).
• 📏 Change the grid size: Settings → Desktop → Grid size (affects the number of icons in the folder).

Nova Launcher has more features:

• Customize folder color and transparency.
• Change in opening style (vertical/horizontal list, grid).
• Add widgets inside the folder (such as weather or notes).

Backup and restore folders on Redmi 9T

If you reinstall firmware often or experiment with launchers, it's helpful to keep the desktop structure. MIUI doesn't have a built-in folder backup tool, but there are workarounds:

Method 1: Screenshots + manual recovery

Take screenshots of each screen (Power button + volume reduction), and after reset, restore the folders manually. Minus: a long process if there are many icons.

Method 2: Use of Nova Launcher

Nova has a function to export settings:

1. Open the Nova Settings → Backup.
2. Click on “Create a backup” and save the file (e.g., in Google Drive).
3. After reinstalling MIUI, re-install Nova and import the backup.

Method 3: Backup applications (e.g. Home Backup)

Utility like Home Backup (available on Google Play) saves:

• 📁 Folder structure and contents.
• 📱 The location of the icons on the screen.
• 🎨 Widget settings (if supported by launcher).

Example of work:

1. Install Home Backup from Google Play.


2. Open the application and press "Backup".




3. Select "Lawnchair" or "Nova" (depending on the launcher).




4. Save the backup file to the cloud or memory card.




5. To recover: press "Restore" and select the saved file.

⚠️ Warning: The backup folder does not store application data (e.g., instant messaging or game progress). Use separate tools, such as Mi Cloud or Titanium Backup (requires root).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after creating folders correctly, Redmi 9T users encounter bugs, and here are the typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

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

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find MIUI Louncher and press Storage.
3. Select “Clear Data” (this will reset all folders and desktop settings!).
4. Reboot the phone.

💡

If the folders on Redmi 9T are permanently reset after the MIUI update, disable automatic system optimization in Settings → Battery → Optimization. This will prevent the launcher cache from resetting.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions