How to create a folder on the desktop Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: all ways + problem solving

Why can’t Redmi Note 10 Pro create a folder in the standard way?

You try to drag and drop an icon to another, but instead of a folder, apps just swap places? Or did the "Create a folder" item disappear from the context menu after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro - the fault of the features of the MIUI 12/13/14 shell and the launcher settings.

Unlike pure Android, where folder creation is intuitive, Xiaomi may depend on firmware version, theme, and even regional settings. For example, the European version of MIUI for Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet model) has defaulted on the icon grouping function on the desktop if the Simplified Menu mode is activated, and in Chinese firmware, this item may not be available at all without root rights.

But don't rush to install third-party launchers! We've put together 5 working methods, including hidden MIUI features, that will help you create a folder even without superuser rights. And if something goes wrong, at the end of this article, we'll look at typical errors and their solutions.

Method 1: Standard folder creation through drag and drop (works 80% of the time)

This is a basic method that should work if you don’t change your launcher settings. Suitable for MIUI 12-14 on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with global or European firmware.

1. Unlock the screen and go to the main desktop (not in the app menu!).
2. Press and hold your finger on any app icon you want to add to your folder, and in 1-2 seconds, the icon will “stick” off the screen.
3. Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to another icon that should be in the same folder. Keep your finger on the second icon 1-2 seconds until the animation of creating the folder appears.
4. Release your finger – the system will automatically create a folder called Unnamed folder.

If the icons just swapped, then the grouping function is disabled in the settings.

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Desktop → Additional settings and include the item "Allow folder creation".
• 📱 Check if Light Mode is activated (it has grouping disabled). → Special opportunities → Easy regime.
• 🎨 Reset the theme to standard: Topics → My subjects. → Standard.

All interface simplification modes must be disabled |

The theme of the design should not block the functions of the launcher |

There is enough free space on the desktop (at least 2×2 cells)|

Applications are not blocked from changes (check in "Security")-->

Method 2: Through the context menu (hidden MIUI function)

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden desktop context menu that allows you to create folders in one click, and it works even if drag and drop doesn't work.

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop (not on the icon!) will appear menu with items "Wallpaper", "Widgets", etc.
2. In the upper right corner of the screen, tap the icon. ⚙️ "Desktop settings".
3. Scroll down and find Additional Options → Create a folder (in some versions it is hidden under “More”).
4. The system will tell you to select the applications to add, tick the ones you want and click "Done."

If you don't have a "Create folder" option, your version of MIUI doesn't support it, in which case you should try updating your firmware or use Method 3.

Method 3: Create a folder through a file manager (for system files)

If you want a folder not for app icons, but for storing files directly on your desktop (for example, for quick access to documents), this method is best suited. It works through the standard Xiaomi File Manager.

1. Open the Files app (the blue label folder icon).
2. Go to the Device section → Internal memory. → MIUI.
3. Find the desktop folder (or desktop_backup) — That's your desktop.
4. Click Create → Folder at the bottom menu, and then ask for a name (like “Documents”) and confirm.
5. Return to your desktop and update the screen with a swipe down – a new folder will appear among the icons.

A critical nuance: folders created through the file manager do not support drag and drop applications – they are only designed to store files (photo, PDF, APK, etc.) To add an application, you need to create its shortcut manually (see Method 4).

Method 4: Using shortcuts for applications (if folders are not created)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can go a workaround by creating a folder for files (like in Method 3), and then add application shortcuts to it. It's not exactly a standard folder, but visually and functionally it will be similar.

1. Create a folder for files through Files → MIUI → desktop (as described above).
2. Install the Shortcut Maker app from Google Play (or any similar app like QuickShortcutMaker).
3. Open Shortcut Maker, find the desired app in the list and create a shortcut for it.
4. Move the created shortcut to the folder on the desktop.

The advantage of this method is:

• 🔄 It works even if the grouping of icons in MIUI.
• 📁 Allows you to store in one folder and files and applications.
• 🔒 Does not require root rights or debugging USB.

Cons: When you delete the original application, the shortcut will stop working, and some system applications (such as Settings or Camera) may not appear in the Shortcut Maker list.

💡

If you need to add a system application to your folder (such as “Settings”), create a shortcut through the standard menu: click on the application icon → “Application Information” → “Create a shortcut” (if there is a paragraph).

Method 5: Third-party launchers (last chance)

If all previous methods have failed, the most radical option is to install an alternative launcher, which completely replaces the standard MIUI interface on the desktop.

Best launchers for Redmi Note 10 Pro with folder support:

• 📱 Nova Launcher – the most flexible, with customization of gestures and animations.
• 🎨 Lawnchair is a lightweight launcher with support for Google Pixel themes.
• 🔧 Apex Launcher – Optimized for Performance.
• 🌐 Microsoft Launcher – Integration with Windows and Office.

How to install and configure:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click "Home" and select a new launcher as the main one.
3. Drag one icon to another – the folder will be created automatically (unlike MIUI, this always works here).
4. To return a standard launcher, go to Settings → Applications → By default → Launcher.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, some functions may stop working MIUI, for example:

• Weather and pedometer widgets from Xiaomi.
• Navigation gestures (if they are linked to system actions)
• Design themes from the official Xiaomi Themes store.

💡

Third-party launchers are not a crutch, but a complete interface replacement, and many Redmi Note 10 Pro users are switching to them forever because of the greater stability and customization.

Problem Solving: Why is the folder not created or disappears?

Even if you manage to create a folder, it can suddenly disappear after a reboot or update, and let's look at the common mistakes and their solutions.

Problem 1: The folder disappears after the reboot

Reason: A failure in the launcher cache or a conflict with the memory optimizer.

Decision:

1. Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.
2. Disable optimization for launcher: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → Find “Luncher” → Disable.

Problem 2: You can't rename a folder

Reason: In some versions of MIUI, renaming is blocked to prevent failures.

Bypass:

• Create a folder with any name.
• Install Nova Launcher and rename the folder through its menu.
• Return to the standard launcher - the name will remain.

Problem 3: The folder is empty after adding files

Reason: Files were moved to a folder through a file manager, but did not appear on the desktop.

Solution: Restart your device or swipe down your desktop, and if it doesn't work, check the permissions to the MIUI/desktop folder.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-Card as internal memory, folders on the desktop may not be saved due to Android limitations. Move files to internal memory or use cloud storage (for example, MI Cloud or Google Drive). FAQ: Frequent Folder Questions on Redmi Note 10 Pro Can I Create a Folder in a Folder (Next Folders) on the Desktop, MIUI It doesn't support nested folders on the desktop. It's a maximum of one level of grouping. If you want a complex structure, use a file manager or third-party launchers like Nova Launcher (which has support for nested folders). How do you get a remote folder back from your desktop? If the folder was deleted accidentally: Check the Recycle Bin in Files → Recycle Bin (stored for 30 days) If the folder was system (for icons), try resetting the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Drop it. To recover files from a folder, use DiskDigger or Recuva (requires root for deep scanning). Why does the folder create an error called "Insufficient memory"? This error is not caused by free space on the device, but by the launcher limitations. Remove unnecessary widgets from your desktop. Reset your launcher settings (see instructions above). MIUI before the latest version — in firmware older than 13.0.5, this bug has been fixed. Can you sync folders on the desktop with another Xiaomi device? Yes, but only if the folder is created through Files → MIUI → For synchronization: Activate MI Cloud in account settings. Enable file backup: Settings → Xiaomi account → MI Cloud → Backup → Files. On the second device, log in to the same account and recover data from the cloud. Note that application folders (created through icons) are not synced — only file folders. How to change the folder icon on the desktop? In the standard MIUI launcher, this is not possible. But there are workarounds: Use Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher — they have the function of changing icons. Set the theme with other icons: Topics → Online topics → Find the theme with your favorite icons. For folders with files: replace the standard icon through the rootB or ADB file manager.