Apps Fixed in Xiaomi Smartphones: A Complete Guide to 2026

Have you ever noticed that some apps on your Xiaomi screen stay in place even after a system reboot or upgrade, while others disappear or move? MIUI. Unlike conventional shortcuts, fixed applications receive a privileged status: they not only retain their position, but can also run faster, consume fewer resources in the background and even bypass some system limitations.

In this article, we will discuss what it means to fix applications on Xiaomi smartphones, how it differs from adding to the Favorites or creating a widget, and how to use this feature correctly to optimize the operation of the device. MIUI 14/15, And you can also pin down not only standard applications, but also system utilities, and you can manually manage their priorities. If you want to learn how to control your smartphone desktop professionally, read on.

What is application fixing and how does it work in MIUI

App attachment in Xiaomi is a mechanism that binds a selected application to a specific location on the desktop or in the dock panel (bottom panel with frequently used programs).

• 📍 Save position after rebooting, resetting launcher settings or updating MIUI.
• ⚡ Start faster due to caching in RAM (priority status in the system).
• 🔒 Not removed when cleaning the launcher cache or resetting icons.
• 🛠️ Can receive extended rights (for example, work in the background without restrictions).

Technically, the fixation is implemented by changing the isPinned flag in the launcher database. MIUI. This flag is assigned to an application by the system or user and affects how it is handled by the Android kernel. For example, a fastened application can ignore the limitations of Battery Optimization if allowed in the settings.

It is important to understand that the ≠ Addition to the Favorites folder (Favorites in the MIUI). Featured applications are simply grouped for convenience, but not given system privileges, but those that are fixed are integrated into the logic of the shell at a deeper level.

Differences between widgets and tags

Many users confuse fixed applications with widgets or conventional shortcuts.

The main advantage of fixing to widgets is the saving of resources: widgets constantly update their content (such as weather or currency rates), which consumes battery power and CPU time, while the fixed application simply freezes in RAM in a state of readiness for launch, without consuming unnecessary resources.

But before the usual shortcuts, the fixing wins in stability: even after the launcher fails or the theme changes, the fixed applications will remain in their places. This is especially true for users who often experiment with settings. MIUI.

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To distinguish the fixed application from the regular one, try dragging it to another screen. The fixed application will stick back to its place through the 1-2 seconds.

How to fix the application on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

The process of fixing depends on the version MIUI, But the general logic holds. Let's look at the universal method for MIUI 12–15:

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the desired application and pinch its icon for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the context menu that appears, select Secure on the home screen (or Pin to Home in English).
4. Drag the icon to the right place (to the dock or desktop) and let go.

To fix in the dock panel (bottom panel with 4-5 icons):

1. Press the app icon on your desktop.
2. Drag it into the dock panel and hold it for 2-3 seconds until the prompt to pin here appears.
3. Release your finger – the application will be fixed.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) may require additional confirmation in the dialog box. If the option to Secure is inactive, check:

• 🔧 Launcher settings: go to Settings → Main screen screen → In addition, and enable the Allow the Fixing.
• 📱 Developer Mode: If you have disabled animations (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI, 7 taps, some functions may not work properly.

The hidden possibilities of consolidating MIUI 14/15

In the latest versions MIUI Apps have received additional functions that few people know about:

• 🔄 Priority cache: Fixed applications can take up to 20% of RAM in the background without being cleaned by the system (configured in Settings) → Annexes → Special rights → Priority of memory).
• 🚀 Quick start with a gesture: On Xiaomi 14 and newer dock-based apps, you can swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen (similar to the return gesture in Android 13).
• 🔒 Protection against Deletion: In Corporate Profiles (MIUI For Work) attached applications cannot be removed without the right of administrator.
• 🔄 Device Sync: If you use Xiaomi Cloud, the attached apps can be transferred to another smartphone via backup (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Synchronization → Launcher settings).

Especially useful is the function of priority cache for messengers (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp), if you pin them and set maximum priority, notifications will come instantly, even when you are actively using other applications, this is achieved by the fact that the system does not kill the messenger process when there is a lack of memory.

Another hidden feature is the fixing of system utilities, like you can pin Settings, Camera, or even Developer Mode for quick access.

1. Open the application menu and find the desired system utility.
2. Press its icon and select Create a shortcut (if the option to Secure is not available).
3. Drag the created shortcut to the desktop and fix it in a standard way.

Solving application consolidation problems

Sometimes the fixed applications are not going to be the right ones, disappearing, duplicated, or not maintaining their position, and let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Fixed applications are gone, don't try to restore them manually through backup! This can cause the launcher to crash. Instead, reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

If neither method worked, try an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher) that supports app anchoring at a deeper level and often solves compatibility issues with the newer app. MIUI. To transfer fixed applications to a new launcher:

1. Install an alternative launcher from Google Play.
2. Export the current launcher settings (Settings) → Main screen screen → Exports, if available).
3. Import them in the new launcher through the Backup menu.

In the models with MIUI 14+ Resetting security settings can also help:

Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Resetting Privacy Settings

Optimizing the desktop with fixing

App consolidation is not just a convenience, it's also a productivity tool, and here are some optimization scenarios:

• 📱 Minimalist desktop: Secure 3-4 of your most important apps (messaging app, phone, camera) in the dock and hide the rest in the app menu, which will reduce visual noise and speed up access to key features.
• 🎮 Gamer profile: Secure the Game Turbo, Discord and YouTube launcher on a separate desktop. MIUI 15 You can assign a double tap gesture for quick switching between profiles.
• 💼 Operating Mode: Secure Outlook, Google Drive and Zoom with priority cache so they are always ready to use. Turn off notifications for other apps via Settings → Notifications → Don't disturb mode".
• 📸 Photographer: Put the camera, Google Photos and Lightroom on the first screen. MIUI You can assign the camera to start with a double press of the power button - this will save time.

For maximum efficiency, combine fastening with gestures:

• Assign a swipe up from the corners of the screen to run fixed applications (Settings) → Additionally. → Gestures).
• Use Double Press to quickly open the messenger or camera.
• Activate One-Hand Mode (Settings) → Additionally. → One-hand mode) to easily manage fastened apps on large screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

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App fastening combined with gestures and prioritized caching can reduce the time to access frequently used programs by 30-40% (based on Xiaomi Lab tests). MIUI 15).

Don’t forget the visual hierarchy:

• Place the most important apps in the lower right corner (the maximum reach zone for the thumb).
• Use color accents of themes to highlight fixed icons (e.g. red for work applications, green for entertainment).
• Group related applications: messengers on one screen, tools on another.

Security and limitations of anchorage

Despite the convenience, app attachment has a number of limitations and risks that are worth knowing about:

⚠️ Note: Administrator-enabled applications (e.g. Google Authenticator or banking applications) can become a vulnerability, and if a device is lost, an attacker can access critical functions faster, as they are always at hand. We recommend using Application Blocking (Settings) → Passwords and security → Blocking applications for sensitive programs, even if they are fixed.

Main limitations:

• 🔒 Number limit: No more than 5-8 apps can be attached to the dock panel (depending on the model). There is no limit on the desktop, but too many fixed icons can slow down the launcher animations.
• 📵 Battery optimization conflict: If in Settings → Battery → Battery optimization is enabled strict mode, fixed applications may lose priority in the background.
• 🔄 Problems with changing the launcher: Not all alternative launchers correctly transfer fixed applications from the MIUI. For example, Nova Launcher can duplicate icons.
• 🛠️ Restrictions for system applications: Some utilities (e.g. Settings or Security) cannot be fixed in a standard way – a shortcut is required.

To minimize the risks:

1. Regularly check the list of fixed applications in Settings → Main screen screen → Fixed applications and remove unnecessary ones.
2. Turn off priority cache for apps you don’t use daily (Settings) → Annexes → Special rights → Priority of memory).
3. Use Safe Mode to check stability: if the launcher starts to slow down after fixing the new application, remove it and test the system.

On corporate devices (MIUI For Work, attaching applications may conflict with security policies, such as blocking a change to a dock panel or restricting the list of programs allowed to be secured, in which case, when you try to secure the application, you will see a message: It's limited to device policy. IT-department or use a personal profile (Work Profile) for work applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about fixing apps in Xiaomi