How to return or configure the app menu on Xiaomi: all ways

On Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI, the app menu (or “app box”) may not work like it does on standard Android. Depending on the shell version and device model (Redmi Note 12, Poco X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.), this interface element is either hidden or requires a separate setup. In some firmware, it is not at all by default – instead, all application icons are displayed directly on the desktop.

If you’re used to the classic app menu (like on Samsung or Google Pixel), where all programs are assembled in one place, it can be returned or emulated in several ways. In this article, we’ll break down all the current methods for MIUI 12-15, including hidden settings, third-party launchers and workarounds for devices without root access.

Why does Xiaomi not have a default app menu?

The MIUI shell was originally designed with a focus on minimalism and convenience for users accustomed to iOS. Unlike “pure” Android, where the app menu (App Drawer) is a standard element, Xiaomi has all icons on desktops by default.

• ✅ Quick access to frequently used programs without unnecessary gestures.
• ✅ Visual simplicity – no need to open a separate menu.
• ✅ Memory savings (in older versions) MIUI The application box consumes additional resources).

But not everyone likes this approach, especially those who have moved from other brands, and fortunately, new versions of MIUI 14-15 have the option to include a classic menu, and older devices have workarounds.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A POCO M3 s MIUI 12) the option to enable the application menu can be blocked by the manufacturer, in which case only installing a third-party launcher will help.

Method 1: Enable the application menu through MIUI settings (official method)

If your device is running MIUI 14 or 15, you probably already have the option to turn on the application box.

1. Open the settings (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Desktop section (or Home Screen on some models).
3. Find Desktop Style and select With an Application List (or With an Application Box).
4. Confirm the changes – the system will prompt you to select the transition animation.

After that, an App icon (usually a dot circle or grid) will appear on the desktop, and clicking on it will open a classic menu with all the programs installed.

Check out the MIUI version (update to the latest version)

Reset the device

Reset your launcher settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear Data)

Try another way from the article.-->

On some devices (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi K50), this item may be called differently:

MIUI 12 or older |MIUI 13|MIUI 14|MIUI 15|I Don't know-->

Method 2: Use of third-party launchers (for all versions of MIUI)

If your version of MIUI doesn't have an inbuilt option to turn on the app menu, you can install an alternative launcher. This software completely replaces the standard Xiaomi interface, adding an application box and other features.

• 📱 Nova Launcher is the most popular launcher with flexible settings (there is a free version), supports gestures, icon themes and, of course, the classic app menu.
• 🎨 Lawnchair is an open source launcher in the style of Google Pixel. lightweight and fast.
• ⚡ Microsoft Launcher – Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem (OneDrive, Office) + menu.
• 🔧 Action Launcher – Advanced settings including responsive icons and fast panels.

To install a third-party launcher:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play (for example, Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, press the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen).
3. In the window that appears, select the installed launcher and press Always.
4. In the new launcher settings, find the App Menu (or App Drawer) section and activate it.

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If the app menu doesn’t appear after installing the launcher, check the gesture settings in the launcher itself. For example, in Nova Launcher, go to Settings → Gestures and controls → Open the app menu gesture and assign a swipe up.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ It works on any version. MIUI, including older devices (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1).
• ✅ Additional features: changing icons, adaptive themes, gestures.
• ✅ No need for root access.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Some launchers can slow down animations a little on weak devices.
• ❌ Xiaomi system applications (such as Security or Themes) may conflict with the launcher.

Method 3: Reset the launcher settings (if the menu is missing after the update)

Sometimes, after the MIUI update, the app menu suddenly disappears, even if it was turned on before, due to a failure in the system launcher settings, to bring it back:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher (or MIUI Launcher, Poco Launcher depending on the model) in the list.
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Reset the device.

After that, the launcher will reset to the factory settings, and you will be able to reconfigure the application menu through Settings → Desktop.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the launcher data will remove all your desktop settings (icon layout, widgets, wallpaper.

Method 4: Enable menus through ADB (for advanced users)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can try to enable the application menu via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for devices where the option is locked at the firmware level, but requires a connection to a computer.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer via USB and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (its serial number should appear).
3. Execute the command to enable the application menu: adb shell settings put secure launcher_app_drawer_enabled 1
4. Reboot your smartphone.

If the command works, after the reboot, an app menu icon will appear on the desktop. If not, try an alternative command:

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural_extra_wide_back

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-You can't change the other parameters unless you're sure they're there.

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ADB-The method doesn't work on all Xiaomi devices, and on some models (e.g. Redmi). 10C) The manufacturer blocks the change of this parameter at the program level.

How to set up the application menu after turning on?

Once you have enabled the app menu, you can customize it to your needs, and here are the basic settings available in MIUI and third-party launchers:

• 🔤 Sorting applications: alphabetically, by installation date or manually.
• 🎨 Display style: grid (3×4, 4×5 etc.), list or adaptive view.
• 🔍 Search bar: you can enable or disable quick search by app.
• 📁 Folders in the menu: creating groups of applications (for example, "Social Networks", "Games").
• 🖼️ Menu background: transparent, blurred or wallpapered.

To change these parameters:

1. Hold your finger on the free space on the desktop.
2. Select Desktop Settings (or Launcher Settings for Third-Party Shells).
3. Find the Application Menu and Configure options section for your preferences.

In Nova Launcher, for example, additional options are available:

• Swipe down for a search.
• Hiding apps from the menu.
• Set up the opening/closing animations.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting up the application menu on Xiaomi, various errors can occur. Let’s consider the most common and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📋 Compatibility of your model with the chosen method (for example, Black Shark often requires unlocking the bootloader).
• 🔄 Availability of updates for MIUI launcher.
• 🛠️ System File Integrity (can be checked through Settings) → The phone. → System verification).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions