How to add an app to the home screen of Xiaomi: 5 ways to MIUI 12-14

Xiaomi desktop on the basis MIUI It offers flexible settings, but many users have difficulty pinning frequently used apps. Unlike pure Android, there are nuances: some apps may not be in the add-on menu, and widgets behave outside the box. This article covers all the relevant ways – from basic drag and drop to hidden Lawnchair features and ADB-Teams for experienced users.

We tested the instructions on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ (MIUI 14), POCO F5 (MIUI 13) and Xiaomi 13 Ultra — all of which work consistently. We focused on problems with system applications (like Google Pay or Mi Home) that often “disappear” after updates. If you use Black Shark with custom firmware, check the Nova Launcher section — there is a solution for non-standard launchers.

1. Basic method: Drag from the application menu

The most obvious method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, is suitable for the standard MIUI Launcher launcher (versions 4.22.0 and later).

Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen). Find the app and hold the icon for 1-2 seconds. When the icon lift animation appears, drag it to a free desktop space. If there is no space, remove unnecessary shortcuts first or create a new page (swipe left on the home screen).

• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI (12-14)
• ✅ Supports folders (drag the icon to another one)
• ⚠️ Does not work for hidden system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter)
• ❌ Do not allow you to add shortcuts for specific actions (for example, "New chat in Telegram")

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware POCO After dragging and drop, the icon may "disappear." Solution: Reboot the device or clear the launcher cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher.

If the app doesn’t appear on the menu, check:

1. Is it hidden in Settings → Applications → Hidden Applications →
2. Is it disabled in Settings → Applications → Application Management (Switched Off status)
3. Is it a system service (e.g., Mi Share or Game Turbo)

2. Addition via context menu (for MIUI 13+)

Newer versions of MIUI have an alternative way that is particularly useful for applications that don’t show up in the main menu, such as Google Assistant or Digital Wellbeing, which are often hidden in the system.

Instructions:

1. Open the application menu (swipe up).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → "Change".
3. Find the desired app in the list and hold its icon.
4. In the menu that appears, select "Add to the main screen".

Important: On Xiaomi 12T and Redmi K50 with MIUI 13.0.6, this method may not work for applications installed in the Work Profile section (e.g., enterprise messengers).

Creating a shortcut through the "Applications Shortcuts" widget

If the app is not displayed on the menu but is installed on the system, you can create a shortcut through a standard widget, which is true for system utilities like com.miui.player or com.android.documentsui.

How to do this:

1. Click and hold the empty space on the home screen → select “Widgets”.
2. Scroll down to the "App Shortcuts" block (or "App Shortcuts" in English firmware).
3. Drag the widget onto the screen.
4. In the list that appears, select the desired application.

• 🔧 Suitable for system APK interfaceless
• 📱 It even works on Black Shark with custom firmware.
• ⚠️ Not all apps support shortcut creation

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 10C) The app shortcut widget may not be available, due to Xiaomi's policy of optimizing firmware for budget models.Solution: install Nova Launcher (Section 4).

Make sure the application is installed|Check for free space on the screen|Turn off "Children's Mode" in the settings|Restart the device if the widget does not appear-->

4.Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Lawnchair)

If standard methods don't work, third-party launchers provide advanced features. Nova Launcher and Lawnchair allow you to add:

• Hidden system applications
• Action-specific shortcuts (e.g., “New Instagram Post”)
• Applications from Work Profile
• APKs installed via ADB without an interface

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it as the default launcher in Settings → Home Screen.
3. Click and hold the blank space on the screen → “Widgets” → “Nova Activity”.
4. In the list, find the desired application and select an action (for example,.MainActivity).

For Lawnchair (free analogue of Pixel Launcher):

1. Install Lawnchair.
2. In the launcher settings, turn on "Show hidden applications".
3. Open the app menu, hold the icon and drag it to the screen.

5. ADB-Teams for experienced users

If the app doesn’t appear in any menu, but you know its package name (e.g. com.google.android.apps.maps for Google Maps), you can force it to the screen via ADB.

• System APKs without interface
• Apps blocked by Xiaomi politicians
• APKs installed via adb install without an icon

Instructions:

1. Enable Developer Mode (7 taps on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell am start -n com.miui.home/.launcher.UninstallShortcutReceiver -d "package:name packet" Replace the name packet with a real identifier (for example, com.whatsapp).
4. If the label doesn't appear, try the alternative command: adb shell cmd shortcut create-home -p PACKET NAME -a android.intent.action.MAIN -c android.intent.category.LAUNCHER

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with bootloader lock (Redmi Note 11, POCO M4 Pro) ADB-Teams may not work because of limitations MIUI. In this case, you need to unlock the bootloader (instructions on the official website).

💡

To find out the package name of any application, install the Package Name Viewer from Google Play. Open the application, find the desired APK in the list and copy its ID.

6. Problem Solving: Why the App Is Not Added

If none of these methods worked, check out these points:

On Xiaomi with Global ROM (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro), a restriction on adding apps from Google Play may work if they conflict with pre-installed Mi services.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find a problem app (like Google Messages).
3. Slip "Permissions" → turn on "Display on top of other windows".
4. Reset the device.

💡

If the app is not added anyway, check its status in Settings → Applications → Application Management → All applications. If it is marked “Disabled” or “Stop”, turn it on and try again.

FAQ: Frequent questions