How to change the app menu on Xiaomi: from sorting to hiding unnecessary icons

The app menu on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a list of programs, but a key interface element on which the usability of the device depends. Many users face the chaos of dozens of icons, where important utilities are lost among the rarely used services, and system applications. MIUI And the manufacturer, fortunately, has a number of ways to customize this menu, from basic sorting to deep customization through hidden settings.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of changing the application menu on Xiaomi, Redmi and other platforms. POCO (We'll also include models on HyperOS, and we'll also reveal little-known tricks for power users:

• 🔄 Sort applications manually or automatically (by alphabet, installation date, frequency of use)
• 👁️‍🗨️ Hide system and user programs without root rights
• 📂 Group icons into folders directly in the application menu
• 🔧 Configure the display through the engineering menu and ADB-team
• 🛠️ Restore the standard menu after unsuccessful experiments

All instructions tested on current versions of firmware (MIUI 14/15 hyperos 1.0) And adapted for different models - from budget Redmi Note 12 before the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. if you use an older device 2020 Some items may differ – we will warn you about this separately.

Basic sorting of applications: alphabet, date, frequency of use

The easiest way to get the menu in order is to use the built-in sorting options. MIUI HyperOS and three options for ordering icons are available:

1. Alphabetically, applications are arranged in order from A to Z (Cyrillic and Latin are mixed).
2. By installation date, new programs appear at the top of the list.
3. By frequency of use, the system analyzes your activity and displays frequently launched applications above.

To change the order:

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Slap the icon. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner.
3. Select the Sorting of Applications item.
4. Specify the required criteria (for example, alphabetically).

On HyperOS, the path is slightly different: instead of three dots, click on the ⚙️ Settings in the same menu, then go to Sort → Type of sorting.

⚠️ Note: If some applications have “disappeared” after resorting, check the Hidden Apps folder in the same settings menu.

For users who prefer manual arrangement, there is a workaround: create a folder on the home screen, move the desired applications there, and then drag the folder back to the menu, so you can capture the order of the icons regardless of the system sort.

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If you need to quickly find an app in a chaotic menu, use a swipe search down the app menu – it works even on a locked screen (setting up in Settings). → Lock screen → Search for applications).

2. How to hide system and user applications without root

One of the main annoyances of Xiaomi users is the inability to remove pre-installed system applications (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps), but they can be hidden so that they do not distract from the menu.

Method 1: Hiding through menu settings (MIUI 12–15, HyperOS)

1. Open the app menu and tap on ⋮ → Settings.
2. Select Hidden Apps.
3. Check the boxes of the programs you want to remove from your sight.
4. Confirm the action with the button Ready.

The hidden applications will remain in the system, but will disappear from the menu, and they can only be found through search or in the settings of hidden programs.

Method 2: Disable via phone settings (for some system applications)

Some services (such as Mi Pay or Mi Roaming) can not only be hidden, but also disabled, so that they do not waste resources:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want in the list (use the All filter).
3. Slip it and select Disable (if the button is active).

The programs that are disabled will disappear from the menu and stop working in the background. To return them, repeat the steps and press Enable.

Method 3: Use ADB for deep concealment (advanced)

If standard methods do not help, you can resort to ADB-This method requires connecting the smartphone to the PC and enabling debugging. USB, But it allows you to hide even those applications that are not displayed in the settings menu.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm hide com.miui.videoplayer # example for Mi Video


adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop # example for Mi Drop

To return the app, replace hide with unhide.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause system functions to fail (e.g., hiding com.android.phone will deprive you of mobile communication). → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

3. Grouping applications into folders directly in the menu

If hiding isn't your option, and sorting isn't a big deal, try grouping apps into folders. Unlike the home screen, where folders are created intuitively, the process is less obvious in the app menu.

How to create a folder in the menu:

1. Open the app menu.
2. Press the icon of the first application with your finger and drag it to the second.
3. Release your finger – the system will automatically create a folder called a folder.
4. Slip on the folder to rename it (for example, Social Networks or Work).

To add new applications to the folder:

• 📱 Drag the icon to the folder (it will light up).
• 🔄 Or open the folder and tap Add apps at the bottom of the screen.

On HyperOS, folders in the app menu support nesting, so you can create a folder inside a folder (maximum 2 levels), which is convenient for complex organization, such as:

📁 Work




├── 📁 Documents




│    ├── Google Docs




│    └── Microsoft Office




└── 📁 Messengers




├── Telegram




└── Slack

⚠️ Note: Folders in the app menu do not sync with folders on the home screen. If you delete the folder in the menu, it will remain on the desktop (and vice versa).

Check the number of icons (more than 50 apps are difficult to organize without folders)

Identify categories (e.g.: Social Media, Finance, Games, Utilities)

Remove duplicates (some applications can be installed twice)

Create a backup of the menu (via Settings) → Additionally. → Backup)

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4. Change of display style of menu: grid, list, adaptive view

Xiaomi offers several options for visual design of the app menu. The choice of style depends on the firmware version and smartphone model, but in most cases the following options are available:

• 🖼️ Grid – the classic display of icons in the form of a table (by default) 4×5 or 5×5).
• 📋 List – Apps are displayed as a vertical list with names (convenient for small screen devices).
• 🔄 Adaptive – the system automatically selects a grid or list depending on the orientation of the screen.
• 🎨 Color folders (HyperOS only) – folders are illuminated in different colors for quick navigation.

To change the style:

1. Open the app menu and tap on ⋮ → Settings.
2. Select the menu style (or the view on some models).
3. Experiment with the options available, for example, a list saves space but requires more swipes.

On HyperOS, you can also adjust the size of the icons:

1. Go to Settings. → Screen. → Size of elements.
2. Move the slider Size of app icons (affects both the menu and the home screen).

For devices with a large screen (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi) K70 Pro) is recommended to use adaptive mode - it automatically switches between the grid (album orientation) and the list (portrait).

5. Advanced settings through the engineering menu and ADB

For users who have few standard options, there are hidden settings available through the engineering menu or ADB. These techniques require caution, but allow you to fine-tune the behavior of the app menu.

Method 1: Engineering menu (for the MIUI)

Through the engineering menu, you can change the animation settings, the number of rows/columns in the menu and even disable some system restrictions.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636##.
2. Go to Phone Information (or Testing on some models).
3. Find the Launcher settings (may be called the launcher settings) MIUI Launcher).
4. Experiment with parameters: app_drawer_columns — menu-number. app_drawer_rows — rowing. enable_app_drawer_animation — shutdown.

Method 2: ADB-deep-customization

With help. ADB You can change even the settings that are not available in the interface, for example, increase the limit of icons on the page or disable automatic sorting.

Examples of teams:

Increase the number of columns to 6 (default 5)


adb shell settings put secure launcher_app_drawer_columns 6




Disable the animation of opening the menu



adb shell settings put secure launcher_app_drawer_animation_scale 0




Reset the launcher settings to standard



adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

After you apply the commands, restart the launcher (or the entire phone) to make the changes effective.

adb shell am force-stop com.miui.home

⚠️ Note: Incorrect values in the engineering menu or ADB If this happens, reset the launcher settings via Settings. → Annexes → MIUI Launcher → Clear the data.

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Before use ADB or engineering menu be sure to back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup, which will restore the system to work if something goes wrong.

6.Restore the standard menu after unsuccessful changes

If you've been experimenting with settings, the app menu has stopped opening, the icons have disappeared, or artifacts have appeared, don't panic, you can go back to the original state.

Step 1: Resetting the launcher settings

This is the most secure way that does not affect user data:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find it. MIUI Launcher (or HyperOS Launcher on new devices).
3. Slip the Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.

After that, the launcher will restart with factory settings, but all applications and data will remain in place.

Step 2: Recovery through backup

If you have created a backup copy in advance (see the tips above), restore it:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup and specify the date when the menu worked correctly.
3. Check System settings and start recovery.

Step 3: Extreme measure - reset to factory settings

If the menu is not restored and the launcher is making errors, you have to make a hard reset, which will delete all data from the phone, so pre-copy important files to the PC or cloud.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Reset all settings.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 and older), a menu reset may not work due to corrupted system files. In this case, use Recovery mode: Turn off your phone. Press the Power button. + Volume up before the Mi logo appears. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Manage volume buttons).

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When you set up the app menu, Xiaomi users encounter common errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If your problem doesn’t make it to the table, check:

• 📱 Firmware version – some features are only available on the latest updates.
• 🔄 Region of device - in global (Global) and Chinese (China) versions MIUI/HyperOS may differ in settings.
• 🛠️ Root rights – they open up additional opportunities, but deprive of guarantees.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions