How to save a link to the desktop of the phone Xiaomi: all ways in 2 minutes

Save web links to the desktop of Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that every second user faces. Unlike the iPhone, where the process is standard, owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi often get lost in the MIUI settings. The problem is compounded by the fact that new versions of the shell (for example, MIUI 15 based on Android 14) the path to creating a shortcut has changed, and the old instructions from the Internet lead to a dead end.

This article covers the current methods (including hidden MIUI chips) that work on all Xiaomi 2020-2026 models. No root rights or third-party apps are just built-in tools. And if you’re looking for a solution for a particular model (like the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13T), at the end of the article there’s a compatibility table with nuances for different firmware versions.

Before you get to the instructions, check the version of MIUI on your device. To do this, open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. It depends on which one will work faster. Also note that some browsers (for example, Google Chrome) block shortcuts for “unsafe” sites (without HTTPS). If the link is not saved, the problem may not be in the phone, but in the site protocol.

1. Standard method through the MIUI browser

The built-in MIUI Browser (formerly called Mi Browser) is the most reliable shortcut creation option, and it's tightly integrated with the shell and doesn't require any additional permissions. Here's how it works:

Open MIUI Browser and go to the site you want. Click on the three dots in the top right corner (browser menu) and select Add to the home screen. If you don't, upgrade your browser via Google Play or the MIUI App Store.

In the window that appears, you can:

• 🔤 Change the name of the shortcut (by default the title of the page is taken).
• 🎨 Select an icon – the system will offer several options based on the favicon of the site.
• 📍 Specify the place on the screen where the shortcut will be added (drop it into the desired area).

If Add to the home screen is inactive (grey), it means that the site uses an insecure HTTP protocol or has limitations on the part of the developer, in which case try alternative methods from the following sections.

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If the shortcut after creation opens not the site, and the browser with an empty page – clear the cache MIUI Browser in the application settings.

2. Save via Google Chrome (if MIUI Browser is not suitable)

Google Chrome is the second most popular browser on Xiaomi devices, but it has some nuances. In the latest versions of MIUI 14/15, the shortcut feature on the desktop is hidden behind additional settings. Here's how to activate it:

Open the site in Chrome, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Add to the home screen.

1. Enter chrome://flags and press Enter.
2. In the search, enter Desktop Shortcuts.
3. Find the Enable desktop shortcuts from the menu and set the Enabled value.
4. Restart the browser.

After that, the feature will appear in the menu. Note that shortcuts created through Chrome can open in a miniature browser window, not on the entire screen. This is a feature of WebView in MIUI, and you can fix it only through third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher).

3. Creating a shortcut through "Tags" in MIUI settings

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden tool to create shortcuts directly from system settings, which works even for sites that block browser-based save.

Go to Settings → Home Screen. Scroll down and find the Application Shortcuts section (some versions call it Widgets and Shortcuts). Click Add Shortcut and select Website.

In the window that opens, enter:

• 🌐 Site address (required with https://).
• 📝 Title of the label (you can leave blank – then the title of the page will be taken).
• 🖼️ Icon (the system will offer standard options or allow you to upload your image).

The main advantage of this method is that the shortcut will open in full screen mode, without the browser address bar, but there is a disadvantage: if a site requires authorization, you will have to enter a login / password every time you open.

Site opens in browser without errors | Address begins with https:// (not http://)| There is enough free space on the screen on the phone | Browser restrictions are disabled in the security settings-->

4.Using the Quick Labels widget (for MIUI 12-15)

If previous methods have failed, try adding a shortcut through the Quick Shortcuts widget.This method is suitable for users who have disabled the web shortcut creation function in the browser.

Click and hold the empty space on the home screen, then select Widgets.In the list, find the Quick Shortcuts widget (or Tools & Quick Settings in the English version) and drag it to the screen.

In the widget settings, select Add a shortcut → Web site and enter the page address. This method is less convenient than direct shortcut installation, but works even on devices with limited rights (for example, on work phones with a mobile phone). MDM-politicians).

Note: Quick shortcuts may not be available on some models (e.g., the global firmware POCO F5), in which case try installing it through Themes → Widgets or updating MIUI to the latest version.

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Quick shortcuts are the only way to add a web shortcut to devices with enterprise restrictions (such as on service phones).

5. Alternative methods: third-party applications and launchers

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party solutions. We tested 5 popular applications and launchers - the results in the table below:

To install any of these apps, go to Google Play and type in the name in search. After installation, follow the instructions inside the program. For example, Nova Launcher needs to:

1. Set the launcher as the main one (at the first start).
2. Press and hold an empty space on the screen → Widgets → Nova Actions.
3. Select Shortcut → URL/Web and enter the site address.

Important: On POCO Launcher devices (such as the POCO X5 Pro), third-party launchers may conflict with system animations. Back up the home screen through Settings → Home Screen → Backup layout before installation.

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If after installing a third-party launcher, system application icons (for example, Camera or Phone) disappear, return the standard launcher in the default settings.

6. Problem Solving: Why the Label Is Not Saved or Not Working

Even after successfully creating a shortcut, Xiaomi users are faced with common mistakes, and here are the most common ways to correct them:

Problem 1: The shortcut is saved but opens a blank page or browser.

⚠️ Warning: This is due to a conflict between WebView, the system component responsible for displaying web pages. Update Android System WebView via Google Play or clear its cache in Settings → Annexes → Show all applications → Android System WebView → Memory.

Problem 2: Add to the main screen is not in the browser menu.

• 🔄 Update your browser to the latest version.
• 📱 Check if restrictions are set through Settings → Annexes → Special access → Display over other windows.
• 🛠️ Reset your browser settings in the App Settings → Warehouse → Delete the data.

Problem 3: The shortcut disappears after the phone is rebooted.

⚠️ Attention: It's a bug MIUI 14, related to memory optimization. To fix, disable Memory Cleanup when locked in Settings → Battery → Performance mode.

FAQ: Frequent questions about retaining links to Xiaomi