How to save a site on the desktop of the phone Xiaomi: instructions for all models

You want to quickly open your favorite site right from the Xiaomi home screen, but don’t know how to add a shortcut to it? This guide will help create a convenient icon for any web resource — whether it’s a social network, mail or a work portal. The process takes less than a minute, but many MIUI users face difficulties due to the features of the shell.

Unlike standard Android, where you just click “Add to the home screen” in the browser, Xiaomi algorithm depends on the firmware version and installed browser. We will analyze all the current ways for MIUI 12-15 (including HyperOS), and also show how to avoid typical errors – for example, when the shortcut disappears after a reboot or opens in the wrong browser.

Important: If you're using POCO or Redmi with custom firmware, check the Android version in Settings → About Phone. This is the method you choose.

1. Method through the standard Xiaomi browser (MIUI Browser)

The most reliable method for smartphone owners with a pre-installed browser MIUI Browser, it works on all models, from Redmi Note 10 to flagship Xiaomi 14.

Instructions:

• 🌐 Open up. MIUI Browser (Blue Globe icon) and go to the desired site.
• 📱 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select Add to the main screen.
• ✏️ If necessary, edit the name of the shortcut (the title of the page is taken by default).
• ✅ Click Add – the icon will appear on the desktop.

Is the desired website (not the browser’s main page) open?

Is there a free space on the main screen?

Is the browser updated to the latest version?-->

If the Add to the main screen option is missing, update your browser via Google Play or clear its cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Browser → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: Labels created through MIUI Browser can open in this browser even if you use Chrome by default. To change the browser by default, go to Settings → Annexes → Default applications → browser.

2.The method for Google Chrome (relevant to MIUI 14-15)

Chrome users often face a problem: the Add to Home screen button is not on the menu, due to the limitations of MIUI, but there is a workaround.

How to add a website via Chrome:

1. Open the site in Google Chrome.
2. Press three points. → Add to the main screen.
3. If there is no point, use an alternative method: 🔗 Copy. URL website. 📱 Create a shortcut through the shortcut widget (long tap on the home screen) → Widgets → Labels). 🖱️ Select the Browser → insert URL.

On Xiaomi with HyperOS (2026), shortcuts from Chrome may not be saved after the reboot. №1 (MIUI Browser) or install third-party launchers such as Nova Launcher.

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If the shortcut doesn’t appear, try dragging it from the Unused Apps folder (swipe up on the home screen → basket icon in the upper right corner).

3. Alternative method: through "Tags" in the widget panel

This versatile method works on all versions of MIUI, including older models (Redmi 9A, Xiaomi Mi A3).

Step-by-step:

1. Long press on the free place of the main screen → Widgets.
2. Find the shortcut widget (the icon with four squares) and drag it to the screen.
3. In the menu that opens, select the Browser.
4. In the URL field, enter the site address (e.g. https://vk.com).
5. Click Ready - the shortcut will appear in the widget.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi Note 11 after update to MIUI 14 shortcuts can become regular bookmarks. To return a function, roll back to the site. MIUI 13 or use a third-party launcher.

5. Creating a shortcut through third-party launchers (Nova, Apex)

If standard methods don’t work, install an alternative launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher, which allows you to add shortcuts to sites without the limitations of MIUI.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the site in any browser and copy the URL.
3. Long tap on the home screen → Widgets → Activities (if not, install the Nova Launcher TeslaUnread expansion).
4. Find your browser (like Chrome) → select Shortcut or Bookmark.
5. Insert the copied URL and save it.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ It works on all versions of Android and MIUI.
• ✅ You can choose an icon for a label.
• ✅ No binding to a standard browser.

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The launcher side is the only solution for HyperOS users who don’t have shortcuts saved after the reboot.

6.How to remove unnecessary website shortcut

If the label is no longer needed or created incorrectly, delete it as follows:

• 🗑️ Long-pressed label → Drag it to the basket (Delete) at the top of the screen.
• 🔍 If the label is not removed, check if it is a widget. → Widget information → Delete.
• 🔄 If the shortcut appears again after removal, clear the launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → MIUI Launcher → Clear the cache).

On some models (Xiaomi 13T, POCO F5), site shortcuts may be blocked by the system as "not secure."

Settings → Memory → Cleaning → Settings (cogs) → Disable “Blocking Unsafe Labels”

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

User experience shows that most of the problems with site shortcuts on Xiaomi are due to three factors:

1. Browser and MIUI incompatibility: For example, Chrome Beta or Firefox Nightly may not support shortcut creation.
2. Power saving restrictions: If the browser is added to the list of optimized applications, shortcuts may not be saved. exclude the browser from optimization in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
3. Launcher Conflict: Installing multiple launchers (e.g. MIUI Launcher + Nova) can cause shortcuts to disappear. Select one and disable the second in Settings → Applications.

On Xiaomi with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi 12C, POCO M6 Pro), site shortcuts may not work as well because of the MIUI optimization features for these chipsets, in which case only a change of launcher will help.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions