How to add the app shortcut to the Xiaomi smartphone: all ways

Adding shortcuts to Xiaomi’s home screen seems like a simple task, but MIUI users often face non-obvious nuances. Depending on the shell version (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) and the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.), the process can be different. For example, the classic method of dragging icons is missing in new versions, and in some firmware shortcuts are automatically grouped into folders. This article covers all current methods, from standard to hidden functions, including creating shortcuts for system utilities and websites.

What's special about MIUI is that the manufacturer often changes the interface logic. What worked on the Redmi 9 with MIUI 11 may not work on the Xiaomi 14 with HyperOS. We tested the instructions on 15+ models (2020-2026 release) and highlighted universal solutions. If you tried to add a shortcut, but it disappears after the reboot or does not appear in the application menu, here you will find the reason and way to fix it.

1. Standard method: Drag from the application menu

This is a basic method that works on most Xiaomi devices regardless of the MIUI version. However, after upgrading to MIUI 14, many users complain that the icons “don’t cling” when dragging, the reason lies in the gesture settings or the light mode on.

How to add a label in the standard way:

• 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
• 👆 Find the right application and pinch its icon for 1-2 seconds.
• 🖥️ Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to the home screen or to the Quick Access Panel (Dock Bar).
• ✅ Release your finger, the label will be fixed.

If the icon is not being dragged, check:

• 🔧 Whether Full-screen gestures (Settings → Display → Full-screen display) are enabled, in this swipe-up mode, the latest apps open up, not the menu. To open the list of programs, swipe up and hold your finger.
• 📁 Is Easy Mode (Settings → Special Options → Easy Mode) enabled, and the interface is simplified, and drag and drop icons can be blocked.

Light mode down.|Selected the right gesture for the app menu|Free space on the main screen|The application is not hidden in the settings-->

⚠️ Warning: On some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) after upgrading to MIUI 14, standard drag and drop only works for applications from the main menu. Shortcuts for system utilities (e.g. Developer Mode or Security) will have to be added through widgets (see Section 3).

2. Adding a shortcut through the context menu of the application

An alternative method that works even if drag and drop is blocked is suitable for all versions of MIUI, including HyperOS (the new shell for Xiaomi 14 and POCO F6).

Instructions:

1. Open the application menu (swipe up).
2. Find the app and pinch the icon before the context menu appears (usually 1-2 seconds).
3. In the window that appears, select Add to the home screen or Create a shortcut (the name depends on the version of MIUI).
4. If required, confirm the action - the label will appear in a free place.

This is more reliable than standard drag and drop because it doesn't depend on the gesture settings, but it doesn't work for:

• 🔒 System applications hidden in settings (e.g., Hardware Testing).
• 🌐 Websites (you need to use a browser widget for them).
• 📱 Applications installed in Second Space or Guest Mode.

Drag and drop from menu |Context menu |Widgets |Other |I don't know how to add-->

3. Creating shortcuts through widgets (for system utilities)

If you need to add a shortcut to a system application (e.g., Developer Settings, Security, or Backup), the standard methods won’t work, and the shortcut widget that MIUI has by default will help.

Step-by-step:

1. Press and hold your finger in the free seat of the main screen.
2. At the bottom of the screen, a menu will appear – select Widgets.
3. Scroll down and find the shortcut widget (or Tools in newer versions).
4. Drag the widget onto the screen, and you'll see a list of available system utilities.
5. Select the desired one (for example, Developer Mode) - the shortcut will appear in the form of a widget.

List of system utilities available through the widget:

• 🔧 Developer settings (if included in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).
• 🔒 Security (virus scanner, memory cleanup).
• 📡 File transfer (Mi Share)
• 🔄 Backup.
• 📊 Data usage (traffic statistics).

💡

If the right utility is not in the widget list, try turning it on in the settings: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Show all applications. Find the system application (for example, com.android.settings) and turn on the option to Show on the home screen (if available).

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi 13/14 with MIUI 14/HyperOS, the shortcut widget may not be listed. In this case, use ADB- commands (section 5) or create a shortcut through the XiaoAI voice assistant (section 6).

4. Website shortcuts (Chrome, Mi Browser, Edge)

If you want to add fast access to your home screen (like VKontakte, YouTube, or a corporate portal), you can do it through a browser. The method works in Google Chrome, Mi Browser, and Microsoft Edge.

Instructions for Google Chrome:

1. Open the site you want to create a shortcut for.
2. Click on the three dots (menu) in the upper right corner.
3. Select Add to the main screen.
4. If necessary, edit the name of the shortcut and click Add.

For Mi Browser:

1. Open the site and click on the menu icon (three lines).
2. Select Add to the main screen.
3. Confirm the action – the shortcut will appear in the form of a browser icon with the site logo.

Features of web shortcuts on Xiaomi:

• 🌐 The shortcut will open the site in the browser by default (you can configure in Settings → Applications → Default Applications).
• 🔄 If you delete the browser, the shortcut will stop working.
• 📱 On MIUI 14, web shortcuts can be grouped into the Internet folder automatically.

5. Advanced Method: Creating Shortcuts Through ADB

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on Xiaomi 13 Ultra with HyperOS), you can create a shortcut through ADB- commands. This method is suitable for any application, including hidden system.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers (you can download from the Xiaomi website or through the SDK Platform Tools).
• 📱 Developer mode on the smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — press 7 times).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging over USB (a request will appear on the phone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Find out the name of the application package you want. Type in: adb shell pm list packages | grep "app name" For example, for Settings, this is com.android.settings.
5. Create a shortcut by the command: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT -n com.example.package/.Activity For Xiaomi settings, the full command will be: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT -n com.android.settings/.Settings

After you execute the command, you'll see a shortcut request on your smartphone screen, and you'll confirm it, and you'll add the icon to your home screen.

⚠️ Warning: Some system applications (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter) may block shortcut creation via ADB In this case, try using Tasker or Nova Launcher (Section 7).

💡

The ADB- method is the only way to add shortcuts for hidden system utilities (e.g. Hardware Testing or Engineering Menu Mode).However, it requires the developer mode on and can be reset once the MIUI update is completed.

6. Alternative methods: voice assistant and third-party launchers

If none of these methods worked, use alternative solutions, which are especially useful for Xiaomi on HyperOS, where standard features are limited.

Method 1: Voice assistant XiaoAI

In Chinese and global firmware MIUI has built-in voice assistant XiaoAI, which can create shortcuts on voice command.

How to use:

1. Activate XiaoAI with a long press on the Home button or say “Hey, XiaoAI.”
2. Say the command: Add the shortcut [app name] to the home screen.
3. Confirm the action on the screen.

Method 2: Third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) to get around the limitations of MIUI.

• 🎨 Complete customization of icons and folders.
• 🔧 Ability to add shortcuts for any application, including system applications.
• 📱 Support for gestures and additional widgets.

How to set up Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (a request will appear at the first start).
3. Press your finger in the free space of the screen → Widgets → Activate Nova.
4. Select the desired application from the list (including hidden ones).

Method 3: Shortcut Maker (Shortcut Maker)

Shortcut Maker (available on Google Play) allows you to create shortcuts for any activation (application components), including those that do not appear in the menu.

Instructions:

1. Install and open the Shortcut Maker.
2. In the list, find the desired application (for example, Settings → Developer Mode).
3. Click on it and select Create a shortcut.
4. The label will appear on the main screen.

7. Problem Solving: The label disappears or is not added

If the label disappears after the reboot or is not created, the reasons may be as follows:

If the problem persists, try:

• 🔄 Reset Launcher Settings: Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Reset.
• 📱 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (sometimes bugs are patched).
• 🛠️ Install a third-party launcher (e.g., Nova Launcher).

FAQ: Frequent questions