How to Add an App Shortcut to Xiaomi’s Screen: All Ways to Use MIUI 12-14

Creating shortcuts on Xiaomi’s home screen is a basic feature that makes it easier to access your favorite apps. But even experienced users sometimes face problems: the icon is not added, disappears after an update or is duplicated. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to fix applications on the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark desktop, including hidden MIUI 14 chips and solving typical bugs.

Many people think that it is enough to click and hold the icon in the app menu — but in new versions of the shell, the algorithm has changed. For example, in MIUI 13 there was a swipe up gesture with pause, and in MIUI 14 there is an option to “Fast Add” through 3D Touch (on supported models). We tested all methods on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 — and are ready to share working schemes.

If you’re just switching from iOS or Samsung One UI, note that MIUI doesn’t have a classic desktop editing mode, it uses contextual menus and gestures that depend on the firmware version, and MIUI 14.0.5+ has a feature called Smart Folders, which automatically group shortcuts into categories (social media, games, tools) if there are too many of them.

Method 1: Standard Addition through the Application Menu

It is a versatile method that works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the MIUI version.Suitable for adding both system and custom applications.

Open the App Menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen). Find the app and hold the icon for 1-2 seconds until the vibration and context menu appear. In some versions of the firmware, the desktop will immediately open instead of the menu - just drag the icon to the right place.

• 📱 For MIUI 12/13: After you hold it, you'll see a menu with "Add to Screen" and "Application Information" options.
• 🔄 For MIUI 14: the icon will immediately “stick” – drag it to a free place or in a folder.
• ⚙️ If the menu does not appear: check if the "Light Desktop" mode is enabled in Settings → Desktop → Display mode.

Please note that some system applications (such as Security or Themes) may be blocked from being added to the screen, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

Method 2: Quickly add 3D Touch (for supported models)

The 3D Touch feature (or Haptic Touch on new models) allows you to add shortcuts with a single touch - without holding. This option is available on the flagships of the Xiaomi 12/13/14 series, Redmi K50/K60 and POCO F4/F5.

Instructions:

1. Find the app on the menu.
2. Click hard on the icon (don't hold it!) and the context menu will appear.
3. Select Add to Screen (or Create Shortcut in the global version).

If the 3D Touch does not work:

• 🔧 Check the settings: Settings → Special facilities → Systemic → Touch mode.
• 📵 Make sure there is no protective film on the screen – it can block the recognition of the force of pressing.
• 🔄 Reboot the device: Sometimes the pressure sensor gets knocked down after updates.

💡

In the models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) 3D Touch works more accurately if you turn on the “High Sensitivity” mode in the display settings.

Method 3: Adding through desktop settings

If gestures don’t work or you prefer a classic interface, use the desktop settings menu, which is especially useful for adding app widgets (like weather or calendar) or hidden system utilities.

Step-by-step:

1. Press and hold the empty space on your desktop until the menu appears.
2. Select Widgets or Shortcuts (depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Scroll through the list to the App section and select the one you want.
4. Hold the icon and drag it to the screen.

In MIUI 14, this menu is also available:

• 📌 Fixed folders for quick access to groups of applications.
• 🔄 Recent - List of most recent installed programs.
• ⭐ Recommended - Algorithm MIUI selecting frequently used applications.

⚠️ Note: In some regional firmware versions (e.g. Europe), the "Widgets" item may be called "Tools" or "Additions." If you don't find the right section, update it. MIUI last-minute.

Method 4: Creating a label through "Duplicate icons"

If you need to add the same app multiple times (for example, for different accounts in messengers), use the duplicate function. This works even for system utilities that are usually blocked.

How to duplicate the icon:

1. Keep the app icon on your desktop (not on the menu!).
2. In the menu that appears, select Duplicate or Create a duplicate.
3. A new icon will appear next to you, you can move it or rename it.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not working for Google Play Store and some system applications (e.g. Settings).
• 🔄 Duplicates sync: if you delete the original icon, the duplicate will also disappear.
• 📱 Nana POCO Black Shark may need to enable the option in Settings → Desktop → Additionally.

Make sure there is free space on the screen.|Check if your model supports duplication.|Update. MIUI last-minute|Turn off Data Protection in the security settings (if the messenger is duplicated)-->

Problem Solving: Why Not Add a Label

If the icon doesn't stick or disappears after a reboot, the reasons can be different, from a firmware bug to a launcher conflict, and we've collected TOP-5 bugs and ways to fix them.

If the problem persists, try resetting the launcher settings:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

This command will return the desktop to factory settings without losing data. For more information about working with ADB, see our article ["How to enable USB debugging on Xiaomi"] (#).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) When the launcher is reset, the Topic folder may disappear. To restore it, reinstall the Mi Theme Editor app from Google Play.

Additional chips: folders, widgets and gestures

Shortcuts are just part of MIUI's capabilities, and we're going to show you how to make the desktop even more convenient:

1. Fast folders.

Create a folder by dragging and dropping an icon to another. In MIUI 14, folders support:

• 📂 Color themes – automatically adjust to wallpaper.
• 🔍 Search inside – swipe down the folder opens the search.
• 🔄 Sorting – by alphabet, date of addition or frequency of use.

Application widgets

Not everyone knows that many apps (like Google Keep or Spotify) support widgets.

1. Keep an empty space on the screen → Widgets.
2. Find the right app in the list.
3. Select the size of the widget (for example, 4×2) and drag to the screen.

3.Gestural tagging

MIUI 14 has a new set of gestures:

• 👆 Swipe up the icon – opens the action menu (for example, “New message” in Telegram).
• 👇 Swipe down - shows app notifications.
• ⏺️ Double press – Quick open (configured in Settings) → Gestures).

ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

If standard methods don’t work (e.g. for system applications like EngineerMode), you can use ADB. This method requires a PC connection, but gives you complete control over shortcuts.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For Developers.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell cmd shortcut create-home -n "Tagname" -a "Intent-action" -p "package.name"
3. For example, to add Equipment Tests (com.miui.cts): adb shell cmd shortcut create-home -n "CTS" -a android.intent.action.MAIN -p com.miui.cts

Popular packages for creating shortcuts:

• 📡 Network Test: com.android.phone (action: android.intent.action.MAIN, category: android.intent.category.LAUNCHER)
• 🔧 Engineering menu: com.miui.engineermode
• 📊 Battery statistics: com.miui.powerkeeper (requires root)

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (com.miui.securitycenter) may block shortcut creation through ADB. In this case, you will need to temporarily disable Mi Security command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.securitycenter Don't forget to include it back after adding a shortcut!

💡

ADB-Teams are the only way to add hidden system utilities to the screen (such as Camera Test or Factory Test Mode). But abuse of such shortcuts can cause failures - only use if necessary.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi