How to add an app shortcut to the Xiaomi Redmi desktop: all ways + error solving

Why you need shortcuts on your desktop and what problems they solve

Xiaomi Redmi’s desktop is not just a background image, but a tool for quick access to frequently used features. App shortcuts save time: instead of searching menus or swipes on screens, just one touch is enough, especially for users who are actively working with 10+ apps daily — messengers, banking services, navigators or games.

However, standard ways to add icons to MIUI are not always obvious. For example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, many users lost the "Add to Desktop" item in the context menu of applications. And owners of Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5 encounter a bug when shortcuts spontaneously disappear after rebooting. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from basic to hidden, and also solve typical problems.

Before you get to the instructions, check the version of your shell: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This depends on the availability of certain features. For example, in MIUI 13 and later, the option “Desktop Mode” has appeared, which affects the display of icons.

Method 1: Standard Addition through the Application Menu

This is the simplest method that works on all Redmi models (from Redmi 9A to Redmi Note 13 Pro+) regardless of the MIUI version.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the application menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen or tap on the icon All apps»).
• 🔍 Find the desired application in the list (if necessary, 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 Desktop (or Create a Shortcut in some versions).
• 📍 Drag the icon to a free space on one of the desktops.

If the item “Add to the desktop” is missing, this may mean:

• ⚙️ You have a third-party launcher installed (e.g. Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher).
• 🔄 Shell MIUI It works in “Desktop Mode” (more on this below).
• 🐛 System bug (solution – reboot or reset launcher settings).

Make sure there is a free space on the desktop.|Check if the “No-Tag” mode is enabled in the settings|Disable third-party launchers (if you use them)|Reboot the phone without the "Add" item»-->

Method 2: Creating a shortcut through application settings

This method is useful if the standard method doesn’t work or if you want to add a shortcut to system utilities (like Settings, Camera or Flashlight) that don’t show up in the app menu. MIUI, including MIUI 14.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Find the app you want (use search if the list is long).
4. Slip the name of the application to open its card.
5. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select "Add to the desktop».

This method also allows you to add shortcuts for hidden system applications that are not displayed in the main menu, such as:

• 🔦 Lantern (if no widgets are available)
• 📡 Modem mode (for quick access point activation)
• 🔊 Sound and vibration (to adjust volume)
• 🔋 Battery and productivity

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If there is no need in the list of applications, try to enable the display of system: in the upper right corner of the section "Application Management" click on three dots (⋮) → «Showing System Processes».

Method 3: Using Widgets for Quick Access

Widgets are an alternative to shortcuts that allow apps to not only run, but also interact with their functions directly from the desktop. For example, the Google Search widget gives access to the voice assistant, and the Weather widget shows the current forecast without opening the application.

How to add a widget:

1. Hold your finger on the free space on the desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select “Widgets”.
3. Scroll through the list and find the widget you want (e.g. Yandex.Weather or Google Drive).
4. Press the widget and drag it to the desktop.
5. Size if necessary (some widgets support scaling).

Advantages of widgets over conventional shortcuts:

The disadvantage of widgets is that they take up more screen space. If you want minimalism, you'd better use standard shortcuts. However, for commonly used utilities (like Google Keep for notes or Stepmer), widgets can be more convenient.

Problem Solving: Labels disappear or not added

Xiaomi Redmi users often experience added shortcuts disappearing after a system reboot or upgrade.

⚠️ Note: If the labels disappear after the update MIUI, This may be due to the launcher's automatic reset. Before upgrading, back up the icons through Settings. → Annexes → Launcher → Backup (not available on all models).

Problem 1: No item "Add to the desktop"

• 🔄 Solution: Reboot your phone. In 70 percent of cases, it restores functionality.
• 📱 Solution: Install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) and add a shortcut through it.
• ⚙️ Solution: Check if Desktop Mode is enabled in Settings → Desktop → Screen mode. If it's on, turn it off.

Problem 2: Shortcuts disappear after reboot

• 🔧 Solution: Disable Launcher Optimization in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Battery → No restrictions.
• 🗑️ Solution: Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📥 Solution: Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI (In new versions, bugs have been fixed with the preservation of labels).

Problem 3: You can’t add a shortcut to a system application

• 🛠️ Solution: Use the method №2 (via Settings) → Annexes).
• 🤖 Solution: Install Activity Launcher from Google Play – it lets you create shortcuts for hidden system features.

Method 4: Creating shortcuts through ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., on custom firmware or after unsuccessful launcher experiments), you can create a shortcut through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but gives you complete control over adding icons.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times tap on the item "Version" MIUI».
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable and confirm the debugging permit.
4. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
5. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
6. Enter the command to create a shortcut (replace com.example.app with the package of the desired application): adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT -n com.android.launcher3/.ShortcutInstallActivity -d "package:com.example.app" -e name "Name of label"

To find out the application package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, Google Chrome will be com.android.chrome.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause system failures. Don't follow commands unless you're sure they're there.

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ADB-This method is suitable for restoring labels after crashes or on custom firmware, but requires caution. For most users, methods 1-3 are sufficient.

Third-party launchers: When standard methods don't work

If the built-in MIUI launcher is not satisfied (for example, due to bugs or limited customization), you can install an alternative.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – flexible customization of icons, gestures and animations.
• ⚡ Apex Launcher – lightweight and fast, with support for them.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – Pixel-style launcher, with adaptive icons.
• 🔧 Microsoft Launcher – Integration with Windows and Office Tools.

How to add a shortcut through Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (at the first start, an offer will appear).
3. Open the application menu (swipe up).
4. Press the icon and drag it to the desktop.
5. Nova Launcher also allows you to create folders with shortcuts and customize gestures for quick launch.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 More customization options (icon size, fonts, animations).
• 🔄 Stability (no bugs with missing labels).
• 📂 Ability to hide apps from the menu.
• 🔍 Improved search by apps and contacts.

Disadvantage: Some MIUI system features (such as pop-ups or navigation gestures) may not work properly. Check compatibility with your Redmi model before installing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi Redmi