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

Xiaomi’s desktop is littered with app icons, and you can’t find what you want quickly?Folders are an easy way to clean up your programs by categorizing them into social networks, games, work tools, or instant messengers. In this article, we’ll look at all the available methods for creating folders on MIUI devices (versions 12-15), including hidden chips and solving typical problems.

It’s important to understand that the process can vary slightly depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) and the firmware version. For example, MIUI 14 introduced the automatic sorting of applications by folder, and MIUI 15 added animations when dragging. We will take into account all the nuances to make the instruction suitable for most devices of the brand.

Method 1: Standard folder creation on the desktop

This is a basic method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the version of MIUI. Suitable for grouping of frequently used applications - for example, WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber can be combined into a folder "Messengers".

Algorithm of action:

1. Unlock the screen and go to the main desktop (not in the app menu!).
2. Find the first icon you want to add to your folder and hold it for 1-2 seconds.
3. Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to the second icon – they should light up slightly.
4. Release your finger: The system will automatically create a folder with the default name (e.g., “Folder 1”).

To rename the folder:

1. Touch the created folder once - its contents will open.
2. Tap the current name (for example, “Folder 1”) and enter a new one, for example, “Social networks” or “Work”.
3. Click Ready on the keyboard or outside the input field.

Hold the icon long enough (before vibration)

Make sure that both icons are not blocked from changes.

Check that you are not in widget editing mode

Disable Application Protection for selected programs (if the folder is not created)-->

⚠️ Note: If the icons are returned to place when dragging, then the function Protection against accidental clicks is enabled on the device (located in Settings). → Special facilities → Touch and hold it off or hold the icon for longer than 2 seconds.

Method 2: Create a folder in the application menu

MIUI 13 and later has the ability to group applications directly into the application menu (a list of all installed programs that can be swiped upwards), which is convenient if you don’t want to clutter your desktop but need sorting.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Edit.
3. Press the app icon and drag it to another icon – just like on the desktop.
4. The folder will be created right in the app menu, and to rename it, tap it by name.

Features of this method:

• 📁 Folders in the application menu are not displayed on the desktop - it is a separate grouping system.
• 🔄 When you delete the folder from the application menu, the programs themselves are not deleted, but returned to the general list.
• 🔒 Some system applications (such as Settings or Phone) cannot be added to the folder.

Method 3: Automatic sorting (only MIUI 14 and later)

In recent versions of Xiaomi firmware, they added the function of automatic grouping of applications into categories, the system itself analyzes installed programs and suggests creating folders, for example, “Games”, “Social Networks” or “Tools”.

How to turn on automatic sorting:

1. Go to Settings. → Desktop.
2. Find the Automatic Sort of Applications and activate the switch.
3. The system will offer grouping options. You can agree or edit categories manually.

Advantages and disadvantages of automatic sorting:

Standard drag and drop on the desktop

Grouping in the application menu

Automatic sorting (MIUI 14+)

I don’t want to create a folder, I prefer to search by name.-->

⚠️ Warning: If some applications have disappeared from the desktop after you enable automatic sorting, check the Other folder in the application menu.

How to add a widget or shortcut to a folder

Xiaomi folders can store not only app icons, but also widgets (such as weather or calendar) or shortcuts (fast actions, such as “New Telegram message”).

Instructions for addition:

1. Open the folder you want to add the widget to.
2. Slip on the free space inside the folder and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select Add a widget or Add a shortcut.
4. Select the item you want from the list (e.g. Google Weather widget or New Contact shortcut).

Limitations:

• 📱 No more than 16 items (applications) can be stored in one folder + widget).
• ⚙️ Not all widgets support folder placement (e.g., Spotify dynamic widgets or YouTube Music).
• 🔄 Some system functions (e.g., “Flight Mode”) cannot be added to the folder.

💡

If the widget doesn't fit in the folder, try adding it to the desktop first and dragging it to the folder. Sometimes that bypasses the limitations of MIUI.

Solving folder problems on Xiaomi

Sometimes users find that folders disappear after a reboot, do not open or save changes, and consider common errors and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The folder disappeared from the desktop.

• 🔍 Check the basket (hold your finger in the free space of the desktop) → The basket may have been deleted accidentally.
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes folders are restored after a reboot.
• 📱 If the folder contained system applications (such as the Camera), they could “fall out” after the update. MIUI.

Problem 2: You can't rename a folder.

• 🔒 Make sure the folder is not locked (hold your finger on the folder) → Folder information → uncheck the box with Block).
• 📝 Try to enter the name in English - sometimes Cyrillic causes glitches in the MIUI.
• 🔄 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI (below 12.5) were bugs with renaming.

Problem 3: Apps “drop out” of the folder after the update.

⚠️ Note: After major updates MIUI (For example, from version 13 to version 14, the system can reset user folders. To avoid this, make a backup of the desktop through Settings before upgrading. → The phone. → Backup.

Hidden chips of working with folders

MIUI offers some hidden features that not everyone knows about, such as changing the color of a folder, adding a password, or even hiding it from prying eyes.

Change of color of folder:

1. Open the folder and tap it by its name.
2. In the name entry field, click on the icon 🎨 (palette) to the right.
3. Choose one of the offered colors or create your own with sliders.

Adding a password to the folder:

This feature is only available on devices with MIUI 14 and POCO Launcher.

1. Hold your finger on the folder → folder settings.
2. Select password protection and install PIN-code.
3. Now, when you open the folder, a password will be requested.

3. Hiding the folder from outsiders:

• 👁️ Move the folder to the hidden desktop (swipe to the left of the main screen).
• 🔒 Use the Second Space app (built into the MIUI), Create a separate profile with other folders.
• 📁 Rename the folder to a “.” (dot) – it will become almost invisible in the list.

💡

Password to the folder is not full data protection. For confidential applications (banks, instant messengers), it is better to use the built-in application protection function in MIUI or third-party utilities like AppLock.

FAQ: Frequent questions about folders on Xiaomi