How to bookmark in Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Xiaomi's modern smartphones allow users to access their favorite sites instantly if they organize their workspaces correctly. Many users waste time typing an address into the search bar every time they could just tap an icon. Creating a website shortcut on the desktop turns a web resource into a full-fledged application that can be accessed in one click.

The process of bookmarking can vary slightly depending on which browser you are using by default. The MIUI shell or the new HyperOS has several browser options preinstalled, and each has its own algorithm for actions. Understanding these differences will help you customize your device as conveniently as possible.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to save a page in the Chrome browser, Yandex and the standard Xiaomi browser. You will learn not only to create shortcuts, but also to manage them, and learn a few secrets that will simplify navigation on the Internet.

Why you need shortcuts of sites on the desktop of a smartphone

The main purpose of bookmarking on the home screen is to save time. Instead of looking for a browser icon, opening it, waiting for the start page to load and entering the address, you get direct access to the content, and this is especially true for the sites you use daily: online banking, email services, news portals or social networks.

In addition, the site shortcut often looks like a full-fledged app with a unique icon, which allows you to visually unload menus and group important services. Some web resources, when added to the desktop, can even open in full-screen mode, hiding the address bar and browser interface elements, which creates the feeling of using a native application.

Using shortcuts also helps to structure the digital space, so you can bring the most important things to the first screen by removing unnecessary widgets and apps, which increases productivity and reduces visual noise, making interaction with a Xiaomi smartphone more enjoyable and efficient.

⚠️ Attention: When you create a large number of shortcuts, your desktop can become overloaded. Try to keep only the resources you use several times a day on the home screen.

Instructions: How to add a site to Chrome on Xiaomi

Google Chrome is the standard solution for most Android devices, including Xiaomi smartphones. The shortcut creation process is as simple and intuitive as possible. First, you need to open your browser and go to the page you want to save.

After loading the site, look at the top right corner of the screen, and there's a menu button that's represented as three vertical dots, and clicking on this item will reveal the list of actions available. On the list of options, you need to find the item "Add to the home screen" (or "Add shortcut"). If you don't see this item right away, you may need to scroll down the list.

The system will prompt you to change the shortcut name if the standard one doesn't fit you, or leave it as default. Once confirmed with the Add button, the icon will appear on your desktop. In some versions of MIUI, an additional action may be required: the system will ask, place the shortcut automatically or drag it manually. Choose the option that is convenient for you.

It is important to note that for the shortcut to work properly, you need to allow shortcuts to be set in your browser settings. This is usually enabled by default, but if the icon doesn't appear, check the permissions section in Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions. Make sure that access to the home screen is not blocked.

Creating bookmarks in the Yandex browser

Xiaomi smartphone users in Russia and CIS countries often choose Yandex Browser for its convenience and integration with the company's services. The mechanism for creating a shortcut here is also simple, but has its own visual features. Open the application and go to the desired page.

Unlike Chrome, the menu in Yandex can be arranged differently depending on the theme of the design, but most often it is also three dots or stripes at the bottom or top of the screen. In the menu that opens, you should select the option “Add to the main screen.”

The Yandex Browser feature is that you can create Zen feeds or news widgets, but for specific sites, you use a standard shortcut mechanism. Once you add the icon, it will appear among your applications. If you have alphabetical sorting enabled, look for it in the corresponding letter group.

⚠️ Note: Yandex Browser may offer to install PWA-The Progressive Web App, if the developer has given it the option, is a more advanced shortcut that works faster and looks like a standalone application.

You can use a long press to manage the shortcuts you've created, which will allow you to rename the object or delete it if it's no longer relevant, and regular desktop cleaning helps keep Xiaomi's system running and file structure order.

Use of the standard Mi browser

Xiaomi smartphones often have their own browser installed by default from shell developers, it is easy and has built-in features to save traffic. To bookmark here, open the site and click on the menu, which is usually located at the bottom of the screen in the form of three horizontal bars.

The bottom toolbar often has an asterisk button, which is the bookmark menu. However, to take it to the desktop, you need to find the Menu button (three dots) and select Add to the desktop. The interface may vary depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same: look for the words "Home screen" or "Desktop".

The advantage of using Xiaomi’s native browser is that it integrates deeply with the system. Shortcuts created through it rarely disappear after system updates and are correctly displayed in any design themes. In addition, Mi Browser can group shortcuts into folders right on the desktop if you drag one icon to another.

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Use the Incognito feature with caution: sites that are open in incognito mode often do not allow themselves to be added to the home screen for privacy reasons.

Table of comparison of methods of creating labels

To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have prepared a comparison table that shows the differences in the interface and the additional features of different browsers on Xiaomi devices.

As you can see from the table, the differences are more cosmetic, and the key is to know where to look for the right button in a particular interface, and regardless of the choice, the result will be the same: quick access to your favorite resource.

Managing and removing shortcuts on Xiaomi

Bookmarking is only half the task. It's important to be able to manage it so that the desktop doesn't turn into chaos. To remove a shortcut on Xiaomi, just click on it and hold your finger until the vibration or menu appears. Then select "Delete" or drag the icon to the basket that appears at the top of the screen.

If you want to rename a shortcut, you can't do that with standard Android tools -- you're given the name at the time you create it. But on the MIUI shell, you can sometimes edit it with a long press and select "Change" if you don't, it's easier to delete the old shortcut and create a new one with the right name.

To group website shortcuts by topic, create folders. Just drag and drop one icon to another. This is especially useful for separating work and entertainment. For example, one Finance folder may have bank shortcuts, and the News folder may have popular media.

⚠️ Note: Deleting the shortcut from the desktop does NOT delete the history of visits or cache of the site in the browser itself. Your data is safe, only the icon link is deleted.

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Regular revision of shortcuts on the desktop helps to maintain high speed of the interface and find the right sites in seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Now you know how to bookmark your Xiaomi phone in a variety of ways, use that knowledge to optimize your workspace and enjoy the speed of access to your favorite resources, and the right labeling makes smartphone use much more comfortable.