How to add an app to Xiaomi desktop: all ways to MIUI 14 and 15

Have you installed a new app on your Xiaomi but can’t find it on your desktop? Or want to remove unnecessary shortcuts and leave only the most important? In MIUI, adding apps to the home screen works differently than in “pure” Android — there’s no classic “app menu” and sorting algorithms are often confusing. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the current ways to anchor shortcuts on the desktop for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones in 2026, including the hidden features of MIUI 14/15.

The problem is that when you upgrade to new firmware, the interface changes and the old instructions stop working. For example, MIUI 13 had a separate All Apps section, and MIUI 15 replaced it with Favorites. We tested all the methods on the latest models, from the budget Redmi 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and we highlighted the ones that work stably. We also tell you how to return deleted shortcuts and why some applications can not be added to the desktop.

Why apps aren’t displayed on Xiaomi’s desktop

MIUI has automatic app sorting enabled by default, and it decides which shortcuts to show on the home screen and which to hide in Favorites, often leading to:

• 📱 New apps don’t appear on the desktop after installation
• 🔍 Old labels disappear after update MIUI
• 🚫 Some applications (e.g. system) cannot be fixed manually.

The main causes of the problem:

• 🔄 The “Smart Sort” mode is enabled in the launcher settings
• 📁 The application is added to the folder (for example, “Recommended” or “Games»)
• 🔒 The shortcut is hidden through privacy settings (for some system utilities)
• 📲 A third-party launcher (Nova, Apex) is used, which conflicts with the MIUI

Before you add applications manually, check the launcher settings.

1. Press and hold an empty space on the desktop
2. Select Screen Settings (or Launcher Settings)
3. Turn off the option of Smart Sorting Applications

Method 1: Addition via the Favorites menu (MIUI 14/15)

This is the simplest and most versatile method that works on all modern Xiaomi smartphones. In new versions of MIUI, the classic “app menu” has been replaced with the Favorites section, which opens with a swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

Step-by-step:

1. Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen to open Favorites.
2. Find the app you want in the list (use the search at the top if it’s not on the first page).
3. Press and hold the app icon for 1-2 seconds.
4. Drag it to the desktop or to the docking panel (the bottom fixed line).
5. Release your finger when the inscription Add to the main screen appears.

If the app does not appear in Favorites, check:

• 🔍 Is it hidden in a folder (for example, Recommended or Tools)
• 📥 Is it installed at all (sometimes the installation is interrupted without notice)
• 🔒 Is it not system (some Xiaomi utilities can not be added to the desktop)

Check if the application is installed (go to Settings → Applications)

Turn off the smart sorting in the launcher settings

Make sure there is a free space on the desktop (maximum) 5×5 icon)

Reboot your smartphone if the shortcut doesn’t appear after installation-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) swipe up opens Google Search instead of Favorites. To fix this, go to Settings → Home. → Swipe up on the home screen and select Favorite Apps.

Method 2: Creating a shortcut through application settings

If the app doesn't show up in Favorites or you want to create a shortcut for a specific feature (like direct dialing), use this method. It works even for system utilities that are usually hidden.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want in the list (use the search at the top).
3. Slip on it, then select Open or Create a shortcut (if the option is available).
4. On some models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) you need to click Additional → Create a shortcut on the home screen.

This method is suitable for:

• 📞 Quick contact set (creates a direct call label)
• 📁 System utilities (e.g. Developer Mode or File Manager)
• 🎮 Game modes (a shortcut to run a game with optimized settings)

🔹 Limitation: Not all apps support shortcut creation. For example, for Google Play Store or Settings, this method will not work – you can only add them through Favorites.

💡

If you frequently use the same app feature (e.g. scanning) QR-If you have a code in the Camera, create a separate label for it. → Select the desired function from the menu → drag it to the desk.

Method 3: Using the app shortcut widget

MIUI 14/15 has a hidden widget that allows you to add shortcuts to your desktop for any application, even those that don't appear in Favorites, which is useful if the standard methods don't work.

How to add a widget:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select Widgets from the bottom menu.
3. Scroll through the list to the Tools or Systems section.
4. Find the App Shortcuts widget (or App Shortcuts in English firmware).
5. Drag him to the desk.
6. In the window that opens, select the application from the list.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Works for hidden and system applications
• ✅ Allows you to create shortcuts for specific actions (for example, “New message” in Telegram)
• ✅ It does not depend on the settings of smart sorting

🔹 Note: Some firmware widgets are called QuickStep or Shortcut Maker. If it's not on the list, try updating. MIUI last-minute.

Method 4: Manually create a shortcut through ADB (for experienced)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can create a shortcut manually using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and enabling developer mode, but it works for any application, including system applications.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.

Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell cmd shortcut create-home --package <name packet> --activity <name activity>

To find out the name of the package and the activity name:

1. Install the App Inspector app on your smartphone (available on Google Play).
2. Open it, find the app you want, and copy the Package Name and Activity Name values.
3. Put them in the team above and execute them.

How to install and configure Nova Launcher:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select it as the default launcher.
3. To add a shortcut: Press and hold the empty space on your desktop. Select Widgets → Nova Actions. Drag the Shortcut widget onto the screen. In the menu that opens, select the app or action.

🔹 Important: When using third-party launchers, some features MIUI They may not work properly, for example:

• ❌ The weather will not be displayed on the desktop.
• ❌ Quick settings (swipe down) can be opened with a delay
• ❌ Some system notifications will not be displayed

If you decide to return to the standard MIUI launcher, go to Settings → Home and select MIUI Launcher.

💡

Third-party launchers give more freedom in setting up your desktop, but can conflict with proprietary MIUI features. Before installing, check reviews for your smartphone model.

How to return deleted shortcuts to the desktop

If you accidentally delete an app shortcut from your desktop, it can be easily restored. In MIUI, removing the shortcut does not mean removing the app itself — it just disappears from the home screen, but stays in the system.

Recovery methods:

1. Through Favorites: Swipe up to open Favorites. Find the app in the list. Press and hold its icon, then drag it to your desktop.
2. Through launcher settings: Press and hold the empty space on the desktop. Select screen settings → Restore layout. Confirm the restoration of the standard icon location.

Through the Action Story (for MIUI 15):

• Open Settings → Applications → Action history.
• Find the remote app in the list.
• Slip it and select Add to the main screen.

Why some applications can not be added to the desktop

Not all applications in MIUI can be fixed to the home screen, but the restrictions apply to:

• 🔒 System utilities: For example, Permission Manager, Developer Mode, or Mi Share. These can only be opened through Settings.
• 🛡️ Hidden Apps: If the app is hidden through Second Space or Private Mode, its shortcut will not show up.
• 📦 Service components: For example, Google Play Services or Miui Daemon – they work in the background and do not have an interface.
• 🔄 System Updates: Shortcuts for Updating MIUI Security sometimes goes missing after updates.

Bypassing restrictions:

• 🔧 For system utilities, use ADB (method 4) or application shortcut widget (method 3).
• 🔍 If the application is hidden, check Settings → Confidentiality → Hidden applications.
• 📲 For background services (e.g. Google Play Services), create a shortcut through Nova Launcher.