How to create a folder on the desktop Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: 3 working methods + error solving

Have you just bought a Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro and want to clean up your desktop? Or have you been using a smartphone for a long time but still don’t know how to group apps into folders? This guide will help you understand the nuances of creating folders on the MIUI shell – even if you have not been able to do it before.

On Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI, folders are created differently from those on Android or iPhone, and there are some features, from gestures to hidden launcher settings, and we’ll look at all the current ways (including the little-known method through Launcher Settings), and also look at why folders sometimes disappear after a reboot and how to fix it.

At the end of the article, we have an FAQ with answers to frequent questions (for example, can you move the folder to another screen or why the folder does not display all the icons) If you are a user of the Redmi Note 8 Pro or another model on MIUI, the instruction will be suitable for you (the difference is only in the shell version).

1. Method 1: Create a folder by drag and drop (fastest)

It is a standard method that works on all versions of MIUI, from 11 to 14, suitable for those who want to group applications on the fly without unnecessary clicks.

The algorithm is simple:

• 📱 Press and hold the icon of any application on your desktop (not in the app menu!) in a second, the vibration will appear, and the icon will rise".
• 👆 Keep your finger on, drag it to another icon, and when they touch it, there's a gray outline around, which means that folder has been created.
• 📁 Let go of your finger. The folder will open automatically, so you can rename it (click on No Name) or add other apps.

If you have MIUI 12 or newer, the folder will have a semi-transparent background with a blurring effect. In older versions (MIUI 11), the folder design is a solid color square.

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If the folder is not created by drag and drop, try moving the icon to a free space first, and then throwing it to another one, sometimes working a second time.

⚠️ Warning: If you have left-handed mode enabled (Settings) → Special facilities → Usability, gestures may work differently, in which case use Method 2 through launcher settings.

2. Method 2: Through launcher settings (if drag and drop does not work)

This method will be useful if:

• 🚫 You've got your gestures disabled in MIUI;
• 🔄 Folders are created, but immediately disappear;
• 📱 You use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) but want to return the standard launcher.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select Launcher Settings (in some versions of MIUI, this item is called Desktop).
3. Slap it on the app folder.
4. Turn on the Allow folder creation switch (if it is turned off).
5. Go back to your desktop and try to create a folder in Method 1.

If the launcher Settings item is not in the main menu, try to find it through a search in the settings (the magnifier icon at the top).

Method 3: Create a folder through the application menu (for MIUI 13/14)

Newer versions of MIUI now allow you to create folders directly from the App Menu (called swipe up from the bottom of the screen), which is convenient if you want to group applications that are not on the desktop.

How to do this:

• 📂 Open the Applications menu (swipe up from the dock panel).
• 👆 Press and hold the icon of the first application, then drag it to the second.
• 🔄 The folder will be automatically created and will appear on the desktop. If you need it, move it to a convenient place.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 When you create a folder through the application menu, it can be "empty" (no icons inside:

1. Open the folder.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Choose Edit.
4. Add the apps manually.

This method is especially useful if you have little space on your desktop, but you need to group applications from the menu.

4. How to rename a folder and change its appearance

The default name for the new folder is No Name or Folder, to give it a meaningful name:

1. Tap the folder once to open it.
2. Tap on the title text (for example, without a name).
3. Enter a new name (such as Social Media or Job).
4. Press Ready on the keyboard.

In MIUI 13/14, you can also change the color and shape of the folder:

• 🎨 Open the folder and click on the three dots at the top.
• 🖌️ Select folder style.
• 🔲 Available options: Round, Square, With blur (only for MIUI 14).

⚠️ Note: If you are using a dark topic in the MIUI, folders will automatically turn dark. To return the light style, go to Settings. → Screen. → Dark mode and turn it off.

5.Why folders disappear after a reboot and how to fix it

A common problem on Redmi 8 Pro is that folders disappear after a system reboot or update.

1. Folder saving option disabled Check: Settings → Launcher settings → Application folders → Save folders. The switch should be active.
2. Launcher cache failure Clear cache: Settings → Applications → Application management → Launcher → Clear cache.
3. If you installed a Nova Launcher or other launcher, return the standard: Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher.
4. bug MIUI After the update, if the folders disappear after the update to MIUI 13/14, perform a reset of the launcher settings (see spoiler above).

If nothing works, try re-create the folder and don’t restart the phone for 10-15 minutes – sometimes MIUI takes time to save the changes.

6. Additional tips for working with folders on MIUI

A few life hacks for convenience:

• 📌 Folder attachment to the dock panel: Drag the folder to the bottom panel (doc) – so it will be available on all screens.
• 🔒 Hiding the folder: To hide the folder from outsiders, move it to Secret Space (you need to include in Settings). → Confidentiality).
• 🔄 Quick Add to the folder: Drag the icon to the folder and hold it for 1-2 seconds – it will automatically add inside.
• 📱 Transfer the folder to another screen: Clip the folder, drag to the edge of the screen and hold - the desktop will scroll.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI There is a limit of 16 applications in one folder, and if you need more, create a second folder with a similar name (e.g., Games 1 and Games 2).

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Folders on MIUI are not just a grouping of icons, but a tool to save space on the screen. The optimal number of folders: 3-5 pieces (for example, Social Networks, Work, Games, Utilities).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions