How to add an app icon to the Xiaomi desktop: all ways for MIUI 12-14

Creating an app shortcut on Xiaomi’s desktop seems like a simple task, but users often face unexpected challenges: Depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14), the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, Poco X5, Xiaomi 13T), and even the installed shell (for example, POCO Launcher), the process can be radically different: somewhere it is enough to keep your finger on the icon, and somewhere you need to bypass the system restrictions through the developer’s settings.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to add an icon to your desktop, including hidden MIUI features, bypassing restrictions on system applications (like Google Play Store or Gallery), and solutions for cases where the standard method doesn’t work, and you’ll learn why some apps can’t be added directly through the Add to Desktop menu and how to fix it without root permissions.

1. Standard method: via the application menu

This is the most obvious method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14 shell.Suitable for all applications except system (such as Settings or Phone).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
• 🔍 Find the right app in the list.
• 🖱️ Hold your finger on the app icon 1-2 seconds.
• 📲 Drag the icon to the free desktop space.

If you have a context menu after you hold your finger instead of dragging it, you have editing mode on your device.

1. Click on the free desktop space and hold for 2 seconds.
2. Select Widgets → Application shortcuts.
3. Scroll through the list and select the desired application.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, Poco M3) post-update MIUI 13 standard method may not work for apps from Google Play. №3 or №4.

2. Through the application settings (for hidden icons)

If the application does not appear in the menu (for example, Google Drive or Mi Credit), it can be added through the internal MIUI settings. This method is suitable for system utilities that are not usually displayed in the list of applications.

How to do this:

• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔎 Enter the name of the application in the search bar (for example, Camera or Records).
• 📌 Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Add to desktop.

If there is no item Add to the desktop, then the application is blocked by politicians MIUI. In this case, the method will help. №4 using ADB.

3. Use of the "Application shortcuts" widget

If standard methods don't work, you can create a shortcut through a widget, which is universal and works even on older versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 11 on Redmi 8).

Step-by-step:

1. 🖱️ Press and hold your finger in the free space of the desktop.
2. 📝 Select the widgets in the menu that appears.
3. 🔍 Scroll through the list to Tools or Shortcuts section.
4. 📌 Find the app shortcut widget (usually) 4×1 or 2×2).
5. 🔄 Drag it to the desktop and select the desired application from the list.

The advantage of this method is that it allows you to add even those applications that do not appear in the main menu (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music), but the widget takes up more space than a regular icon.

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If there is no app shortcut widget, update your MIUI Launcher via Google Play Store or GetApps.

Addition via ADB (for system applications)

Some system utilities (Settings, Contacts, Messages) cannot be added in the standard way, in which case ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will help, the method requires a connection to a computer, but does not need root rights.

Instructions:

1. 💻 Install. ADB Tools on the computer.
2. 🔌 Connect Xiaomi to the USB And turn on the debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers).
3. 🖥️ Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) enter:

adb shell pm create-shortcut --package com.android.settings --activity com.android.settings.Settings

Replace com.android.settings with the application package you want (e.g. com.google.android.gm for Gmail) and you can find out through the App Inspector app from Google Play.

⚠️ Warning: After you execute the command, the shortcut will appear in the app menu. If it doesn't show, restart the device. APK — MIUI may block such labels.

5. With the help of third-party launchers (Nova, POCO Launcher)

If the built-in MIUI methods don’t work, you can install an alternative launcher, such as Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher, which offers more flexibility in setting up your desktop, including:

• 🎨 Changing the size of icons.
• 🔄 Hiding Unnecessary Applications.
• 📌 Adding labels to any APK (including).
• 🖼️ Use of custom icons.

How to add an icon through Nova Launcher:

1. 📥 Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. 🔧 Assign it as default launcher in Settings → Annexes → By default.
3. 🖱️ Click on the desktop. → Widgets → Nova Actions → Annex label.
4. 🔍 Select the desired application from the full list (including hidden ones).

POCO Launcher (pre-installed on Poco devices) also supports this feature, but with limitations for system utilities.

Problem Solving: Why Icons Are Not Added

If none of the methods worked, check the following points:

If the problem persists, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or your current launcher).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting the launcher will remove all widgets and icons on the desktop. Pre-take screenshots of the current arrangement to quickly restore it.

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If none of these methods worked, check if the device has a working profile (for example, through Android Enterprise), in which case the addition of shortcuts can be blocked by the administrator.

FAQ: Frequent questions