How to Add an App Shortcut to Xiaomi Redmi Screen: 5 Ways + Problem Solving

Adding app shortcuts to the Xiaomi Redmi home screen seems like a simple task — until you encounter the nuances of MIUI. Unlike “pure” Android, Xiaomi’s shell hides some features, offers alternative gestures and even blocks the transfer of some system icons. This article will not just list the standard steps, but will reveal hidden methods for adding shortcuts for applications that “don’t want” to appear on the screen (for example, service utilities or limited support games).

We tested the instructions on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10C and POCO X5 Pro (all on MIUI 14/15) — the differences in the interface are minimal, but we will note the critical points separately. If your smartphone runs on Android 13+ with a HyperOS shell, some menu items may be called differently — this too will be warned in advance.

Before you go to the instructions, check two things: 1 Make sure the app is installed (sometimes users try to add a shortcut to the remote program). 2 Open Settings → Home and select the “Standard” display mode (not “No shortcuts”).

1. Standard method: Drag from the application menu

This is a basic method that works on 90% of Redmi devices. The algorithm is simple, but there are pitfalls — for example, some system applications (like Security or Themes) can be nailed to a folder and not be moved.

How to do this:

• 📱 Unlock your phone and swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the app menu.
• 🔍 Find the right app (if necessary, use the search bar at the top).
• 🖱️ Press the app icon on 1-2 A few seconds before it is “separated” from the background.
• 📲 Drag it to the free seat of the main screen or to the dock bar (bottom panel).

If the icon doesn't move: Problem 1: The application is a system service (e.g. Google Play Services). These programs are usually hidden from manual addition. Problem 2: Easy Mode is enabled (check Settings → Special features).

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If you need to add a shortcut to the website (for example, VK or Yandex.Mail, open the site in the Chrome browser, click «⋮» → «Add to the main screen».

2. Add via context menu (for stubborn icons)

Some apps (especially those preinstalled by Xiaomi) block drag and drop, but they can be added through the context menu, which works for Camera, Gallery and other system utilities.

Instructions:

1. Open the application menu (swipe up).
2. Find the program you want and tap its icon once (don’t pinch!).
3. In the menu that appears, select Add to the home screen (or Secure for the dock bar).

If there is no item Add to the main screen:

• 🔄 Try to reboot your phone – sometimes the menu is delayed.
• 🛠️ Update Launcher MIUI Google Play (Search on Demand «MIUI Launcher»).
• 📱 Hold the icon for longer than 3 seconds – on some firmware, this triggers an alternative menu.

3. Creating a shortcut through the "Application Shortcuts" widget

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden widget to add shortcuts to any application — even those that don’t appear on the menu — which is especially useful for utility tools like ADB or Hardware Test.

Step-by-step:

1. Click and hold the empty space on the home screen → select Widgets.
2. Scroll down and find the App Shortcuts widget (or App Shortcuts on English firmware).
3. Drag it on the screen, and it opens up a list of all the programs that are installed, including the hidden ones.
4. Select the desired application – its icon will appear on the screen.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ App shortcuts may not be available on HyperOS firmware (replace launcher with Nova Launcher).
• ⚠️ Some system applications (for example, MIUI Daemon) do not have a graphic icon and will appear as a grey square.

Use of alternative launchers (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

If standard methods don't work, the most reliable way is to install the launcher side, which not only solves the shortcut problem, but also adds flexibility to the interface setup. We recommend Nova Launcher (the free version is sufficient).

How to add a shortcut through Nova Launcher:

• 📥 Install Nova Launcher from Google Play and select it as the default launcher.
• 🏠 Press and hold the empty space on the screen. → Widgets → Nova Actions → Application labels.
• 🔍 Find the application you want (including hidden system) and add it to the screen.

The advantages of third-party launchers for Redmi:

• 🔧 Ability to change the size of icons and fonts.
• 📂 Creating folders with an unlimited number of applications (in MIUI limit: 16 icons in a folder).
• 🔍 Search by app directly from the home screen (without opening the menu).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) A1) After installing a third-party launcher, the camera opening gesture may disappear by double pressing the power button. To return the function, go to Settings → System settings → Buttons and gestures → Camera gesture.

5. Adding shortcuts for hidden system applications (ADB method)

Some apps (such as Equipment Test or Developer Mode) don’t appear in the menu, but they can be “pulled” onto the screen using the help of the app. ADB-This is a way for advanced users, but it works even on blocked firmware.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Developer's Included Mode and Debugging USB phone-on.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (should display the serial number of your Redmi).
3. Find out the package name of the application you want (e.g., for the Equipment Test, com.miui.cts). A list of all packages can be obtained by the command: adb shell pm list packages
4. Create a shortcut on the home screen: Adb shell am start -n com.miui.home/.launcher.ShortcutPicker --es package_name "com.miui.cts"

Ready-made package name for popular hidden Xiaomi apps:

⚠️ Note: Not all system applications can be safely opened manually, for example, running com.miui.permcenter without superuser permissions can cause the interface to crash and need to restart.

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

If you’ve completed all the steps but the shortcut never appeared (or disappeared after the reboot), check out these points:

Launcher updated to the latest version | There is free space on the screen (at least 1 cell) | Application not removed or disabled in settings | Mode "No shortcuts" disabled in launcher settings-->

Problem 1: The shortcut disappears after the reboot. Solution: This is a typical MIUI 14 error on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11). Update the firmware or reset the launcher settings: Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.

Problem 2: You can't add a shortcut to a game (like Genshin Impact). Solution: High-demand games are sometimes blocked by the system.

• 🎮 Add the game through Game Turbo (in the app menu, find the folder "Games»).
• 📥 Reinstall the game by pre-clearing the Google Play Store cache.

Problem 3: A gray square appears on the screen instead of an icon. Solution: This means the app doesn't have a graphical resource for the icon. Use Nova Launcher or create a shortcut manually through ADB (see section 5).

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If none of these methods worked, check if guest mode or parental controls are on, and they block the change to the home screen. → Accounts. → Guest mode.

FAQ: Frequent questions on labels on Redmi