How to make a page shortcut from the Internet to the desktop of Xiaomi phone: all ways

Why does the standard method not work for Xiaomi?

On most Android smartphones, adding a site shortcut to the desktop takes 2 clicks: Share → Home screen. But Xiaomi owners often find that this option is simply not on the browser menu. It's all about MIUI firmware, which blocks the creation of web shortcuts through standard tools.

Reasons for limitation:

• 🔒 Security policy MIUI — The system considers web labels potentially dangerous (phishing risk).
• 📱 UI Optimization – Xiaomi simplifies menus by removing rarely used features.
• 🌐 Competition with Mi Browser – the manufacturer promotes its browser, where shortcuts are created differently.

Fortunately, there are three ways to get around the limitation, from the simplest (via Chrome) to the most versatile (using widgets), and then we’ll take each method into account the features of different versions of MIUI (12, 13, 14) and phone models.

Method 1: Google Chrome (on 90% of devices)

This method is suitable for all Xiaomi smartphones that have Google Chrome installed (even if it is not the main browser).The main condition is the application version is at least 100.0.0 (check in Settings → About Chrome).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the desired web page in Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → select “Add to the home screen”.
3. If necessary, edit the name of the shortcut (the title of the page is taken by default).
4. Click “Add” – the shortcut will appear on the desktop.

Open a page in Chrome (not in Mi Browser) |

Update Chrome to the latest version|

Make sure there is a free space on the desktop |

Disable the power saving mode (can block background processes)-->

What to do if you don’t have the “Add to Home Screen” option? This means your Xiaomi has disabled the web.-API for Chrome:

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes resetting temporary data helps.
• 🛠️ Clear Chrome cache: Settings → Annexes → Chrome → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📥 Install Chrome Beta – in the test version, the function is more stable.

⚠️ Note: Shortcuts created through Chrome can open in a mini version of the browser without an address bar. To return the full interface, click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the window that opened and select Open in Chrome».

Method 2: Mi Browser (official method for MIUI 13/14)

If you use a standard Mi Browser browser, the algorithm is different, and shortcuts are not created as individual icons, but as widgets, which is a feature of MIUI firmware.

Instructions for Mi Browser:

1. Open the desired page in the browser.
2. Click on three dots at the bottom of the screen → “More” → “Add to the main screen.”
3. Select the size of the widget (the options are 2×2, 4×2 or 4×4).
4. Confirm the addition - the widget will appear on the desktop.

Important nuance: Mi Browser widgets don't update content in the background. For example, if you add a currency widget, the data will only be relevant after you open the browser. To update the information manually, tap the widget and hold 2 seconds → "Update".

Method 3: Universal (via “Tags” in MIUI settings)

This method works on all Xiaomi devices, regardless of browser, and is suitable for creating shortcuts not only for web pages, but also for specific sections of applications (for example, a chat in Telegram or a playlist in YouTube Music).

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application shortcuts.
2. Select a browser (Chrome, Mi Browser or other).
3. Click “Add shortcut” → enter the URL of the desired page.
4. Set a name for a shortcut (e.g., “dollar rate” or “my mail”).
5. Click Save – the shortcut will appear in the app menu.
6. To bring it to the desktop, find the shortcut in the list of applications, click and hold → drag to the free space.

Advantages of this method:

• 🌍 It works on all versions. MIUI (including).
• 🔗 You can create shortcuts for deep links (for example, youtube.com/playlist?list=...).
• 🛡️ Does not require superuser rights or debugging USB.

⚠️ Note: If you see a wrong label error when creating a label URL», Make sure that the address starts with https:// or http://. Some versions MIUI not recognize links without a protocol (for example, site.ru instead of https://site.ru).

Problem Solving: The label doesn’t open or disappears

Even after successfully creating a shortcut, Xiaomi users may face problems.

If the label leads to a 404 error:

• Check if the URL of the page has changed (for example, after the site redesign).
• Remove the shortcut and create it again with the current address.
• If the site requires authorization, use the “Add to the home screen” mode in Chrome – it saves cookies.

💡

To open the shortcut in full screen mode without an address bar, before creating, enable settings in Chrome → Homepage → Open as an application.

Alternative methods: for advanced users

If standard methods do not work (for example, on custom firmware or root-right devices), workarounds can be used.

Method 1: Tasker (Automation)

• 📱 Install the Tasker app from Google Play.
• Create a task: “Open the URL”
• Add the Tasker widget to your desktop and tie to the task.

This method allows you to configure additional actions, for example, automatically turn on the VPN when you open the shortcut.

Method 2: Nova Launcher (replacement of the standard launcher)

Nova Launcher

MIUI

💡

Using third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher) is the only way to get around the limitations of MIUI on devices that block web shortcut creation through standard tools.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your firmware, browser and goals, and below is a comparison table with the pros and cons of each option.

Recommendation:

• 📱 If you're on Xiaomi MIUI 14 – Use Chrome (method 1).
• 🔄 Nana MIUI 12/13 With Mi Browser – Create a widget (method) 2).
• 🛠️ For custom firmware or root access - Nova Launcher (method 4).

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi