How to make a folder for applications on Xiaomi: all ways and life hacks

Xiaomi's desktop quickly fills with app icons, especially if you're actively installing new programs. Without organizing the space, finding the right one becomes difficult -- you have to flip screen after screen or search. The solution is simple: just learn how to create folders for applications. This not only saves space, but also speeds up access to frequently used services.

Depending on the version of the MIUI shell (12, 13 or 14) and the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.), the process may be slightly different, but the general logic remains the same. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of grouping applications from the basic drag and drop method to the hidden functions of the launcher, and you will learn how to rename the folder, change its appearance and avoid typical errors in organizing the desktop.

Why you should use folders on Xiaomi

The advantages of app grouping are greater than it seems, and here are the key reasons why Xiaomi users are adopting this way of organizing:

• 📱 Screen space savings: Instead of 9-12 icons, you place 1 folder, freeing up space for widgets or wallpaper.
• ⚡ Fast access: Frequently used applications (social networks, instant messengers, banks) are always at hand in one folder.
• 🧹 Clean UI: There is no chaos of disparate icons – the desktop looks neat and professional.
• 🔍 Easy search: In MIUI you can search not only by the name of the application, but also by the name of the folder.

And folders also help you differentiate between personal and work applications, like you can create separate groups for social media, finance, games, or health, which is especially useful if you're using the same smartphone for different purposes.

Interesting fact: MIUI 14 has a feature called Smart Folders that automatically sort apps into categories (e.g., Work, Rest), but manual configuration is still more flexible.

Method 1: Standard folder creation (for all versions of MIUI)

This is the simplest and most versatile method that works on any Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO smartphone, regardless of the firmware version.

1. Press and hold the icon of any application on the desktop until it “rises” up.
2. And without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to another icon that you want to group, and you get a translucent circle, which is the future folder.
3. Let go of your finger. The system automatically creates a folder with two apps inside.

Now you can:

• 📝 Rename the folder: tap its name (default: "Folder" or "Unnamed") and enter a new one.
• ➕ Add other applications: Drag them to the folder in the same way.
• ❌ Delete the application from the folder: open the folder, click on the icon and select “Delete from the folder” (not to be confused with uninstallation!).

Note that if you drag and drop all apps from the folder, it will automatically disappear, and folders cannot be created in the App Menu (where all installed programs are displayed) - only on the desktop.

Method 2: Using the desktop editing mode

MIUI 13/14 has a handy editing mode that makes it easy to work with icons and folders, and is especially useful if you need to create multiple folders at once or move many applications.

Algorithm of action:

1. Touch the empty space on your desktop and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds until the menu appears.
2. Select Desktop Settings (or Edit, depending on the model).
3. Turn on the switch Edit Mode. Now all the icons will start to shake slightly, and at the top of the screen will appear the toolbar.
4. Select the desired applications (touch the ticks in the corner of the icons) and click Group on the panel.
5. MIUI will automatically create a folder with the selected programs, and rename it if necessary.

The advantage of this method is that you can:

• 🔄 Massively move applications between folders.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary icons from the desktop (without uninstallation).
• 📏 Change folder size (in some versions MIUI).

In MIUI 14, editing mode allows you to create folders even with applications from different screens - just scroll through the desktop without leaving the mode.

Method 3: Automatic Sorting with Smart Folders (MIUI 14)

Smart folders debuted in MIUI 14 and is available on flagship models (Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi K60, etc.) It analyzes your habits and automatically groups applications into categories: Social Networking, Multimedia, Games, etc.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings. → Desktop.
2. Find the Smart Folders section and activate the switch.
3. Select the categories you want to see on your desktop (you can disable unnecessary ones).
4. Click Apply. The system will create folders in a few seconds.

Features of the function:

If Smart Folders don't fit you, you can turn them off in the same settings, and all folders you create will remain, but they won't automatically update.

How to rename and customize the appearance of the folder

By default, folders in MIUI have a standard name (Folder, Unnamed or the name of the first application inside).

1. Touch the folder to open it.
2. Put your name on the current one (it will be illuminated).
3. Enter a new name (up to 12 characters) and press Ready on the keyboard.

Name tips:

• 📌 Use short and clear names: Social Networks, Banks, Games.
• 🎨 Add emojis to visually separate: 🎮 Games, 💰 Finance.
• 🔤 Avoid transliteration (e.g. Sotseti instead of Social Network).

As for the appearance, the following settings are available in MIUI:

• 🎨 Folder color: Depends on the theme (light/dark).
• 📐 Size: In some versions of MIUI you can stretch the folder by holding the edges of the folder.
• 🖼️ Preview: The 4 most recent apps used are displayed inside.

💡

If the folder name doesn’t change, try rebooting your smartphone or updating your launcher via Google Play (the app is called MIUI Launcher).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with folders on Xiaomi, users often face several problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

⚠️ Warning: If it disappeared from your desktop after you created the folder, check the App Menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).

Problem 1: You can’t drag the application into the folder.

• 🔹 Make sure the application is not system-based (e.g. Settings or Phone – they can’t be grouped).
• 🔹 Check if Protective Mode is enabled in the security settings (it can block desktop changes).

Problem 2: The folder does not open when you click.

• 🔹 Reboot your smartphone, it will reset the launcher's cache.
• 🔹 Update MIUI Launcher to Google Play.
• 🔹 Reset launcher settings: Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher → Storage → Clear data.

Problem 3: Applications inside the folder are duplicated.

• 🔹 It's a visual bug. Just reboot the device.
• 🔹 If you have duplicates, delete the folder and recreate it.

💡

Before resetting the launcher settings, take a screenshot of the current location of the folders - after cleaning the data, all the icons will return to their original position.

Additional life hacks for organizing the desktop

Creating folders is just the first step to a perfect desktop. Here are some advanced tips for Xiaomi users:

• 📂 Embedded folders: MIUI allows you to create folders inside folders. To do this, drag one folder to another (it doesn't work on all models).
• 🔒 Folder fastening: Hold the folder and select Secure so you don't accidentally delete it.
• 🌓 Dark folder theme: Turn on dark mode in the settings, and folders will become less visible on the wallpaper.
• 🔄 Quick switch: Swipe down the folder will open its contents without clicking.

For lovers of minimalism:

• Hide all icons in folders, leaving only widgets (weather, hours, notes) on the desktop.
• Use the Empty Screen as the main one – create a blank page and make it the main one in the launcher settings.

If you lack standard MIUI features, try alternative launchers from Google Play:

• Nova Launcher - flexible folder configuration, gestures, backup layout.
• Apex Launcher – Support for tabs inside folders.
• Microsoft Launcher – integration with Windows and smart folders by category.

FAQ: Frequent questions about folders on Xiaomi