How to add an app icon to the Xiaomi Redmi desktop: all ways for MIUI

Have you installed a new app on your Xiaomi Redmi but its icon didn't appear on your desktop? Or want to bring a frequently used service (like Google Maps or Telegram) to the home screen for quick access? In the MIUI shell, this is not as obvious as on "pure" Android - there is no standard "Add to desktop" menu when holding a finger on the icon.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to add an app shortcut to Redmi’s desktop (including the Note 10/11/12 Pro, POCO X3/X4, Redmi K40/K50, and more). All methods work on MIUI 12, 13, and 14, and global and Chinese firmware, and if you can’t find the right option, it’s likely due to launcher settings or manufacturer restrictions.

Why does Xiaomi not have a “Add to Desktop” button?

Unlike most Android smartphones, Xiaomi’s MIUI shell uses its own launcher (MIUI Launcher), which hides some of the standard features. Here are the main reasons why you don’t see the option to add an icon:

• 🔹 No application menu: B MIUI There is no classic app drawer, so all installed programs automatically appear on desktops. However, some system applications (such as Settings or Camera) can be nailed to the bottom bar and not duplicated.
• 🔹 Launcher restrictions: MIUI Launcher blocks the creation of duplicate icons to prevent cluttering of the screen. For example, you can not add a second icon Play Store if it is already on one of the desktops.
• 🔹 System applications: Some services (e.g. Google Assistant or Mi Account) do not have separate icons on the menu and require manual shortcut creation.
• 🔹 Updates MIUI: After major updates (for example, with the MIUI 12 on MIUI 14) the location of the options may change. If you used to add icons in one way, now it may not work.

Before you get to the instructions, check if the icon is hidden on one of the additional desktops. Flick the screen left or right — you may already have the app, but you haven't noticed it. Also look at the Tools or Others folder, where MIUI sometimes automatically folds underused programs.

Method 1: Adding via the application menu (for MIUI 14 and later)

The latest versions of MIUI 14 (and some of them in MIUI 13) have a simplified way to add icons, which doesn’t work on all models, but it’s worth trying first:

1. Open the app menu by swiping your finger up from the bottom of the screen (on the main desktop).
2. Find the desired application in the list and pinch its icon for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the context menu that appears, select Add to desktop (or Create shortcut in English firmware).
4. Drag the icon to a free space on the screen and release your finger.

If this menu item is not available, your version of MIUI does not support this option.

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On some models (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro+), the app menu swipes down from the center of the screen, rather than up.

Method 2: Creating a shortcut through application settings

This method works for all versions of MIUI and is suitable even for system applications that are not usually displayed in the menu (for example, Google Play Services or Mi Cloud).

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want (use the search at the top if there are many).
3. Slip the name of the application to open its card.
4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Add to desktop (or Create a shortcut).
5. Confirm the action – the icon will appear on the main screen.

This is particularly useful for adding hidden system applications that don't appear in the main menu, such as:

• 🔧 Developer Mode (if enabled)
• 📱 Mi Share (for fast file transfer)
• 🔒 Security (antivirus and cleaning)
• 📊 Data use (traffic monitoring)

Make sure there is a free space on the desktop.|Close all background applications (for stability)|Check if the icon is hidden in the Tools folder"|Update. MIUI Up to the latest version, if available)-->

Method 3: Use widgets (for quick access)

If you need to not just add an icon, but get quick access to the app’s function (for example, a specific chat on Telegram or a playlist on YouTube Music), you can use widgets.

1. Click and hold the empty space on your desktop (not on the icon!).
2. At the bottom of the screen, a menu will appear – select Widgets.
3. Scroll through the list to the app you want (like Google Weather or Spotify).
4. Select the size of the widget (e.g., 4×1 or 2×2) and drag it to the screen.
5. Set up a widget (if required) – for example, choose a city for the weather or a playlist for music.

Not all apps support widgets, but for many services, it is a convenient alternative to standard icons.

Widgets take up more space than regular icons, but give instant access to features without opening the app itself. For example, the Google Weather widget shows the temperature right on the screen, and the Spotify widget allows you to control music without running the program.

Method 4: Manually create a shortcut through “Actions” (for power users)

If the first three methods don’t work (e.g., the app is system-based and doesn’t appear in the menu), you can manually create a shortcut through your action settings, which requires access to Developer Mode, but works even for hidden services:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification appears You became a developer!

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Labeling

Create shortcut

Settings → Wireless Networks

Confirm the creation – the label will appear on the desktop.

This method allows you to add even items that are not normally available, such as a shortcut for:

• 📶 Mobile network settings (fast access to the 4G/5G)
• 🔋 Battery and performance (charge monitoring)
• 🔊 Sound settings (volume adjustment by category)
• 📡 Modem mode (quickly activation of access point)

⚠️ Note: Not all actions in the list lead to a viable shortcut. Some items may open settings but not display an icon. Before creating, check that the selected action supports shortcuts.

Method 5: Using a third-party launcher (if nothing helps)

If none of these methods worked (for example, on very old versions of MIUI 10-11 or custom firmware), you can install a third-party launcher. This is a program that replaces the standard Xiaomi interface with an alternative one (for example, Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher).

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 Complete customization of icons, folders and animations.
• 📂 Ability to create a shortcut for any application or action.
• 🔍 Built-in search by apps and contacts.
• 🔄 Flexible gesture settings (such as swiping up to open menus).

Instructions for installation and setting:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click Home and select a new launcher as your primary.
3. Click the empty space on your desktop and select Widgets or Shortcuts.
4. Find the Action or Activity option (Nova Launcher calls it Activities).
5. Select an application and a specific action (e.g. com.android.settings/.Settings$DataUsageSummaryActivity for data traffic).

Side launchers consume a little more memory, but give you full control over the desktop, including the ability to add system application icons that are hidden in the standard MIUI.

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The launcher side is the only way to add app icons to Xiaomi’s desktop that don’t appear in the menu (like Google Play Services or Android System).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after following the instructions, Xiaomi Redmi users may have trouble, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Some old firmware (for example, MIUI 9-10) Shortcut creation is limited. Update the system through Settings → Update of the PO.
• 🔄 Resetting the launcher settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → MIUI Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data. Attention: this will remove all your widgets and icon locations!
• 🛠️ Administrator rights: Some system applications require root access to create shortcuts. If you're not ready to get root, use a third-party launcher.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Chinese firmware MIUI (without Google services, some system applications may not be available or work differently, for example, the Google Play Store label will not be created if Google services are not installed.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions