How to add an app to Xiaomi desktop: all ways to MIUI 14 and 15

Why are app shortcuts disappearing from Xiaomi’s desktop?

Xiaomi’s MIUI shell is known for its flexible interface, but sometimes users face a problem: installed apps don’t appear on the home screen or disappear after an update. The reason lies in the default settings – the system automatically hides underused programs in the “All Apps” folder (App Drawer), this is done to save space, but not always convenient.

The second common situation is that when you reset or flash your smartphone (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.), the shortcuts are reset, and MIUI 15 also has a Smart Desktop Organization feature that automatically moves the icons based on how often you use them, and if you didn't know about it, you can see where your programs went!

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to add apps to your desktop, including hidden MIUI features that aren’t mentioned in the official instructions, and why some apps (like Google Play Games or Mi Fit) can’t be fixed in the standard way, and what to do about it.

Method 1: Standard Addition through the Application Menu

This is the basic method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of model – be it the Redmi A2 or the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and earlier versions (starting with MIUI 12).

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the All Apps menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen or tap on the “dot” icon in the dock panel).
• 🔍 Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search at the top of the screen).
• 🖱️ Press the app icon for 1-2 seconds until the context menu appears.
• 🏠 In the window that appears, select "Add to Home screen).

If the option "Add to desktop" is inactive (grey), then:

• ❌ The application is system-based and hidden from the user (e.g. Mi Cloud or Security).
• ❌ You are trying to add a widget, not a shortcut (widgets are added in a different way - see section 4).
• ❌ App Lock (App Lock) is enabled – unlock it in Settings → Passwords and security.

The screen is turned off the “Easy Mode” mode

The application is not hidden in the MIUI settings

Free space on the desktop (not all cells are occupied)

The Smart Organization function is disabled (if it interferes)

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Important! On some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), after a long tap, the icons are moved instead of the menu.

1. Press the icon and drag it up the screen (in the desktop area).
2. Release your finger when the free cell lights up.

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If the app doesn't appear in the All Apps menu, check the Hidden folder in the launcher settings, and programs that you haven't used in a long time automatically enter it.

Method 2: Adding through launcher settings

If the standard method didn’t work, try managing shortcuts through the hidden settings of the MIUI launcher.

• 🔄 The app disappears after the reboot.
• 🔒 The label cannot be moved or removed.
• 📱 The screen displays duplicate icons.

Instructions:

1. Click the empty space on your desktop (not on the icon!).
2. In the menu that appears, select "Home screen settings".
3. Go to the "App Management" section.
4. Click Hidden apps and check if your app is hidden there.
5. If you want to add a system application (such as Game Turbo), turn on the option to “Show System Applications”.

In MIUI 15, the path has changed a bit.

Settings → Desktop → Additional → Icon Management

After these manipulations, try adding the application again in the standard way (see Method 1). If the problem persists, move on to the next method.

Method 3: Creating a shortcut through the "Application Shortcuts" widget

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden widget that allows you to create shortcuts for any application, including those that can not be added in the standard way, and this works even for system utilities like EngineerMode or Mi Share.

How to do this:

1. Click the empty space on the desktop and select "Widgets".
2. Scroll down and find the app shortcuts (App Shortcuts or Quick Tools) widget.
3. Drag it to the desktop (the size of the widget can be changed).
4. Slip on the widget and in the list that appears, select the desired application.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ It works for all applications, including hidden system.
• ✅ You can create a shortcut for a specific action in the application (for example, immediately open the “New chat” in Telegram).
• ✅ The widget can be renamed (for example, to call "Developer Settings" instead of the technical name).

Standard MIUI Launcher

Nova Launcher

POCO Launcher

Other

I don't know what it is.

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Restriction: Some models (Redmi 10A, POCO C55) may not have the Application Shortcut widget, and the following method will help.

Method 4: Using the Tools widget for system applications

If you need to add a system application (such as Security, Mi Video or Cleaner) to your desktop that doesn’t appear in the All Apps menu, use the Tools widget.

Step-by-step:

1. Clutch the empty space on the screen → "Widgets".
2. Find the widget "Tools" (the icon with a wrench).
3. Drag it to your desktop and select a size (recommended 2×2 or 4×1).
4. Slip on the widget and in the list find the desired system application.

List of applications that can only be added through this widget:

Attention! Some system applications (e.g. EngineerMode) can cause malfunctions when used incorrectly. On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and Redmi K60 Pro, access to the engineering menu is blocked at the firmware level, and trying to open it will cause a reboot.

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The Tools widget is the only way to add system utilities to the desktop that are not displayed in the application menu.

Method 5: Manually create a shortcut through ADB (for experienced)

If none of the above methods worked, the last option is to create a shortcut through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

• 🔧 System applications that cannot be added otherwise.
• 📦 Manually installed applications (through APK).
• 🔄 Restore shortcuts after resetting settings.

This will require:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps by assembly number → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).

Teams for creating a label:

adb shell am start -n com.android.launcher3/.Launcher


adb shell cmd shortcut create-home --package <package_name> --activity <activity_name>

Where:

• <package_name> — Application package name (e.g. com.android.chrome for Google Chrome).
• <activity_name> — Entry point (available through adb shell dumpsys package).

⚠️ Attention, misuse ADB It can cause a launcher to crash. Before experimenting, back up your desktop through Settings. → Desktop → Backup.

To simplify the process, you can use the Shortcut Maker utility from Google Play - it automatically determines the process. package_name and activity_name for any application.

Why the app is not added to the desktop: 5 reasons

If you’ve tried all the ways but the label never appears, check out these points:

1. Third-party launcher (Nova, Apex, Microsoft Launcher) Solution: Go back to the standard MIUI launcher or configure adding shortcuts in the alternative launcher settings.
2. The application is installed for another user (if Multiple Users are enabled). Check Settings → System → Multiple Users.
3. Corporate policy restrictions (if the phone is linked to a work account) in which case the labels are blocked by the administrator.
4. Damaged launcher data. Solution: Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher.
5. The application is instant app. These programs do not support shortcut creation.

⚠️ On some models (Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, Redmi) K70 Pro after updating to MIUI 15 may trigger a bug whereby application shortcuts are replaced with standard icons MIUI (This is only treated by resetting the launcher settings or rolling back the firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi