How to save a link to the desktop of the phone Xiaomi: all the ways for MIUI 14/15

Keeping frequently used Xiaomi desktop links saves time and makes it easier to access your favorite sites. However, in MIUI, this process is different from standard Android – there is no universal “Add to the home screen” button. It depends on the version of the shell (MIUI 14 or MIUI 15), the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) and the browser used.

In this article, we'll look at the ways we can do it for 2026, including bypassing the limitations of MIUI when the standard method doesn't work. We'll look at options for Google Chrome, Mi Browser, Firefox, even Yandex.Browser. And what to do if the shortcut disappears after a reboot or doesn't open a full-screen site.

Why Xiaomi can’t be linked to like other Android phones

In pure Android (like Pixel or Samsung), just click "Add to Home Screen" on the browser menu, but MIUI blocks this feature for two reasons:

• 🔒 Security Policy: Xiaomi Limits Website Shortcuts to Prevent Phishing Attacks Through Fake Icons.
• 📱 Optimization of the interface: B MIUI 14/15 The focus is on widgets and Quick Apps, not classic shortcuts.
• 🌐 Browser Separation: The feature works differently in Mi Browser (built-in), Chrome and third-party browsers.

For example, on the Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 13, the shortcut from Chrome was created through the Share menu, and in MIUI 15 on Xiaomi 14, this method stopped working. Instead, the option “Add to the Lock screen” appeared – but it is not available in all regions.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using POCO Launcher or third-party launchers (e.g. Nova Launcher), standard restrictions MIUI In this case, use the instructions for pure Android.

Method 1: Google Chrome (powers 90% of Xiaomi models)

This is the most reliable method for most devices, including the Redmi 12, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13 Lite. Suitable for MIUI 14/15, but requires the latest version of Chrome (update to Google Play).

1. Open the desired site in Chrome (for example, vk.com or youtube.com).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → select "Add to the home screen".
3. If there is no item, tap on the address bar → copy the URL → go to Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions and turn on “Master on top of other apps”.
4. Return to the site, click three dots → Share → select Add to Home Screen (if the option doesn’t appear, see Problem Solving).

The shortcut will appear with the site logo. The first time you click, you'll see a Chrome mini window, which is normal. To open the site in full screen, you'll need to make additional adjustments:

Open the shortcut from the desktop |Tap three dots in the browser → "Add to the home screen" again |Select "Open as an app" (if available) |Reboot the phone-->

Method 2: Through Mi Browser (Xiaomi’s built-in browser)

Mi Browser is the standard browser on all Xiaomi smartphones, but its interface has changed in different versions of MIUI. MIUI 15 feature is hidden deeper than before.

Instructions for Mi Browser 13.5+:

1. Open the site in Mi Browser.
2. Click on the three dots at the bottom of the screen. → "More".
3. Select "Add to the main screen" (in older versions - "Create a shortcut").
4. If there is no item, update your browser via the App Store or GetApps.

Features of the method:

• 🔄 Shortcuts from Mi Browser are automatically updated (if the site has changed the icon).
• 🚫 It does not work for websites with HTTP (only HTTPS).
• 📌 V MIUI 14 shortcut can be duplicated in the Tools folder on the desktop.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. the EU), Mi Browser is replaced by Xiaomi Browser with a different menu.

Method 3: Through Firefox (alternative to MIUI 15)

Firefox is the only browser that bypasses the limitations of MIUI on all versions, and is suitable for Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K60 and other models with MIUI 15, which do not work standard methods.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Firefox from Google Play.
2. Open the desired website (for example, twitter.com).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → “Add” → “Add to the main screen”.
4. Confirm the shortcut. It will appear with the Firefox logo, but it will open the site in full screen mode.

Advantages of the method:

• 🛡️ It works even if Chrome permissions are disabled.
• 🔓 Maintaining websites on HTTP (Unlike the Mi Browser).
• 🔄 The shortcut is updated automatically when you change the favicon site.

💡

If the shortcut from Firefox opens in a mini window, go to Settings → Apps → Firefox → Open by default and select “Open Supported Links”.

Method 4: Using Quick Apps in MIUI

Quick Apps is a feature that has been introduced in MIUI 12 and allows you to create lightweight versions of sites that work as native apps, a method that is suitable for the Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 GT and other Quick Apps-enabled models.

How to add a website to Quick Apps:

1. Open your site in Mi Browser or Chrome.
2. Click on three dots → “Add to Quick Apps” (in Chrome, it can be called “Install PWA”).
3. Confirm the installation. The app will appear on the menu and on the desktop.

Differences from the usual label:

⚠️ Note: Not all websites support PWA (Progressive Web App. Compatibility checks can be made on PWA Builder: For example, instagram.com and twitter.com work, but ok.ru doesn't.

Method 5: Manually create a shortcut through "Widgets"

If none of the methods worked (for example, on the Xiaomi Mi A3 with Android One), you can create a shortcut manually through the widget menu.

Instructions:

1. Click and hold the free space on the desktop → select “Widgets”.
2. Scroll down and find "Tags" or "Shortcuts" (the name depends on the version of MIUI).
3. Select "Browser Shortcut" (or "Browser Shortcut").
4. Enter the site URL (e.g. https://web.telegram.org) and the shortcut name.
5. Click "Ready" - the icon will appear on the desktop.

Limitations of the method:

• 🖼️ The icon will be standard (square with the letter "W"), not the logo of the site.
• 🔗 The shortcut always opens in the browser by default (you can’t choose Chrome or Firefox separately).
• 📶 Internet connection required – offline mode is not supported.

What to do if the label doesn’t work or disappears

Shortcut problems on Xiaomi are usually related to MIUI settings or browser conflicts, and here are the typical errors and their solutions:

If the label opens the wrong site (for example, instead of vk.com, an ad is loaded), it is a sign of a virus: remove the shortcut, check the phone for malware through Xiaomi Security and create a new shortcut.

FAQ: Frequent questions about retaining links to Xiaomi

1. MIUI version (update to Settings → About Phone → System Update).

2. Regional firmware (global version has fewer restrictions).

3. Root rights (on rooted devices, shortcuts are created without restrictions).-->