How to find shortcuts on Xiaomi: all the ways from standard to hidden

Have you removed the app shortcut from Xiaomi’s desktop but can’t find it on the menu? Or want to restore the system icon that disappeared after the MIUI update? The missing shortcut problem is one of the most common among owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. Unlike iOS or “pure” Android, MIUI firmware has a unique launcher data storage structure, which makes it difficult to find.

In this article, we will analyze all possible methods: from basic (search in the application menu) to advanced (working with system files through the application menu). ADB You'll learn where the physical shortcuts are stored in the device's memory, how to restore deleted icons without resetting, and what to do if the shortcut is lost after a launcher change. MIUI, which are not displayed in the standard conductor.

1. Standard ways to search for labels

Before you go into system settings, check the obvious places. In 80% of cases, shortcuts don't disappear without a trace, but simply move to other folders or disappear due to a launcher failure.

Start with the app menu: swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen (or click on the "all apps" icon in the dock bar).

• 📱 Hold your finger on the app icon → Drag it to the free screen space.
• 🔍 Search menus (lamp at the top of the screen) – sometimes apps “hide” on the second page.
• 📁 Check the folder "Recent" or "Recommended" — MIUI Automatically grouping underutilized programs.

If the shortcut disappeared after the MIUI update, try rebooting the launcher:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher (MIUI Launcher) → Storage → Clear cache

⚠️ Warning: Do not click Clear Data for launcher – this will reset all your widgets and the location of icons on the desktop.

2. Search through launcher settings

MIUI Launcher has hidden options that allow you to control the display of shortcuts.

1. Hold your finger on the free space on the desktop.
2. Select Screen Settings (or Launcher Settings in older versions).
3. Go to Hidden Applications – System utilities icons (e.g. Security or Themes) can be disabled here.

If the shortcut is missing after installing a third-party launcher (such as Nova Launcher or Apex), return the standard:

Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher → MIUI Launcher

In some MIUI firmware (especially POCO), the system application shortcuts are hidden by default to return them:

• 🔧 Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Show system applications.
• 🔄 Restart the device – icons should appear on the menu.

3.Where the shortcuts are stored in Xiaomi memory: system paths

Application shortcuts in MIUI are not just icons, but links to.apk files that are stored in multiple locations:

To view these folders, you will need:

• 📁 Root-access file manager (e.g., Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🖥️ ADB-commands if root is not available).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (for full access).

To view a list of all installed applications (including hidden ones) through ADB:

adb shell pm list packages -f

⚠️ Note: Delete or modify files in /system/ root-free can lead to a device blink. ADB Only if you understand the consequences.

4. Recovery of deleted labels

If you removed the shortcut from the desktop, but the application remained in the system, you can restore it without third-party tools:

1. Open the menu of all applications (swipe up from the dock bar).
2. Find the right app in the list.
3. Hold his icon and drag it to the desktop.

If the shortcut is missing after resetting your settings or updating your MIUI, try:

• 🔄 Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data ⚠️ This will remove all widgets and folders on the desktop!
• 📥 Reinstall the app – sometimes the shortcut returns after being reinstalled from Google Play.
• 🔧 Restore from backup (if sync with Mi Account was enabled).

To restore shortcuts to system applications (such as Camera or Phone) that have disappeared after the update:

Settings → Applications → Show all applications → Find the right → Enable

Check the menu of all applications

Clear the launcher's cache.

Reset the device

Restore from a backup of the Mi Cloud

Reset the launcher settings (in extreme cases)-->

5.Search for Hidden Labels Through ADB

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to find hidden packages, which is suitable for advanced users.

First, connect the device to your PC and check the list of all packages installed:

adb shell pm list packages

To find a specific application (e.g. com.android.calendar), use the filter:

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'calendar'

If the label is hidden, but the package exists, try to force it to show:

adb shell pm enable com.android.calendar

To restore the shortcut to the desktop through ADB:

adb shell am start -n com.miui.home/.launcher.UninstallShortcutReceiver -d "package:com.android.calendar"

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB It may vary depending on the version MIUI. On some devices (for example, Xiaomi 13 with the MIUI (14) additional permits are required for working with labels.

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If you are not sure about ADB commands, use Scrcpy to manage your phone from a PC – it’s safer than manually entering commands.

6.Tags issues after launcher change

Installing third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion) often leads to the disappearance of shortcuts for MIUI system applications.This is because third-party shells do not have access to hidden Xiaomi packages.

To bring back the labels:

• 🔙 Temporarily return to standard MIUI Launcher (see section 2).
• 📌 In the third-party launcher settings, find the option “Show hidden apps” (in Nova Launcher: Settings) → Annexes and widgets → Hidden applications).
• 🔧 Use Activity Launcher to create shortcuts to hidden system components.

On some models (such as the POCO F3 or Redmi K40), the Game Turbo, Second Space shortcuts do not appear in third-party launchers by default.

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Select “All actions” → find the desired application.
3. Create a shortcut on your desktop.

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The launcher side does not support all of the features of MIUI. If you are interested in system utilities (for example, Double Space or Game Mode), use the standard MIUI Launcher.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users accidentally delete shortcuts or launcher settings without realizing the consequences.

To avoid problems:

• 🔄 Regularly back up your launcher settings through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
• 📱 Do not use "accelerators" or "optimizers" to clean the cache of system applications.
• 🔧 Before the experiments with ADB Or root make a full backup through TWRP.

Frequently asked questions