Xiaomi’s modern smartphone has become a powerful tool that we use every day for work, communication and entertainment. With each month the number of installed programs grows, turning the desktop into a chaotic set of icons. Finding the right widget or utility takes more time, which is annoying and reduces the productivity of the device.
The MIUI operating system and the new HyperOS offer flexible tools to clean up your system. You can group software by topic, change the look of the grid, and even hide sensitive programs from prying eyes. Properly organizing screen space is not only aesthetics, but also a way to extend the life of the display by reducing the frequency of search movements.
In this article, we will go into detail all the available methods of systematization, we will touch on standard methods, hidden features and third-party solutions for advanced users, prepare to optimize your smartphone to the perfect state.
Basic principles of the organization of the desktop
Before you get to the tricky part, you need to learn basic navigation principles. Xiaomi's Android shell interface allows you to move icons with a simple touch. Press and hold your finger on any element, then edit mode begins, at which point you can drag and drop objects to any free area of the screen or to other pages.
It's important to distinguish between two main sorting types: manual placement and automatic alignment. In the first case, you decide where each icon will be located. In the second case, the system automatically fills the empty spaces, moving objects. For fine-tuning, it's better to turn off autocomplete to preserve the created structure.
⚠️ Note: When dragging icons to other pages, be careful not to accidentally create a duplicate folder if you accidentally release your finger over another group of apps.
The standard grid usually offers 4x5 or 5x6 items. Changing the density of the placement allows you to fit more programs on one screen, but makes them smaller and uncomfortable to press.
- 📱 Use the bottom line (doc bar) only for the most commonly used programs such as phone, messages and browser.
- 📁 Group rarely used utilities into themed folders so as not to clutter the main space.
- 🔄 Regularly delete or archive programs you haven’t used in more than a month.
Constant control of desktop content helps keep the interface running fast. Although modern Snapdragon and Dimensity processors can handle a large number of objects easily, visual noise tires the user.
Creating and Configuring Folders for Grouping
The most effective way to get things in order is to create folders. To group multiple apps, drag and drop one icon onto another. The system automatically creates a container where you can add the rest of the same category. Name the folder briefly and clearly, for example, "Banks," "Social networks" or "Games."
Inside the folder, sorting is also manageable, you can organize programs alphabetically or by frequency of use, and recent versions of MIUI have introduced a feature that automatically renames folders, where the system itself suggests a name based on the content.
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Rename the folder to Other or Rare so that you (psychologically) open it less often, leaving programs that only take up space.
You can adjust the folder size, and it normally takes the place of a single icon, but when you add a lot of elements, it turns into a full page, so you don't have to overload one folder, you have to create a few highly specialized groups.
- 🎨 Change the color of the folder if your theme supports customization of interface elements.
- 📂 Create nested structures, although the system does not welcome this, you can simulate nesting through widgets.
- 🗑️ Remove empty folders immediately as they continue to take up space in the desktop grid.
Grouping is especially relevant for users who install a lot of software from Google Play and GetApps. Without a folder system, finding the right utility becomes a long process of flipping screens.
Using widgets for fast navigation
Widgets are not just a decoration, they're a functional access sorting tool. By placing Tasks or Frequent Contacts widgets on the home screen, you can access functions without logging into the app itself, which reduces the need to keep dozens of icons in view.
In HyperOS, widgets are more interactive, you can resize them, stack them up, and adjust transparency, and a large calendar or weather widget can take the place of four icons, but it can provide much more information.
Widget stacks allow you to put multiple information blocks in a single cell, swipe up or down, you swipe the contents of the cell without taking up too much space, and it's ideal for news feeds, notes, and habit trackers.
⚠️ Attention: A large number of active widgets, especially those that are updated in real time (weather, currency exchange rates), can significantly increase battery consumption.
Use shortcut widgets to quickly start frequently used functions such as flashlight, scanner QR-It'll make room for other important programs and speed up access to tools.
Hiding applications and Second Space mode
Not all programs need to be visible all the time. Xiaomi has an app hide feature that allows you to remove icons from the desktop and menu, leaving them available only through a special input or password.
You can use a gesture or code to access hidden content, for example, you can set up the unlocking of hidden applications using a fingerprint, which provides a high level of security without the need to install third-party blockers.
A more radical sorting method is to create a second space, which is actually a second profile on the phone with its settings, wallpaper and a set of apps, and you can switch between the main work profile and the personal one-touch or print.
| Function | Hiding icons | Second Space | Guest mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level of protection | Low (only the view hides) | High (complete isolation) | Medium (temporary access) |
| Access to data | Through search or code. | Switching profiles | Restricted access |
| Appointment | Hiding Rare Programs | Separation of work and rest | Transferring the phone to others |
Guest mode is also useful for temporary access sorting, and by turning it on, you hide your personal photos, messages and certain apps, giving the other person only basic functionality.
How do you turn on the hide of applications?
Sort through the menu of all applications
Unlike iOS, Android allows you to separate the desktop and menu of all applications. In the MIUI settings, you can select a mode where only selected shortcuts remain on the screen, and the full list is in a separate menu called up by swipe.
Within this menu, sorting happens automatically, so you can choose the order of installation time, frequency of use, or alphabetical order, so you don't have to manually place icons on pages.
☑️ Setting up the application menu
Searching the menu of all applications works instantly, and if you start typing a name, the system will prompt you to run the program even if it's deep in the folders, which is the fastest way to navigate for those who remember the names.
- 🔍 Use the search bar at the top of the menu to instantly start, don’t look for icons with your eyes.
- 📈 Sorting “Frequent” automatically lifts up the programs you are using right now.
- 📅 Sorting “Recent” is convenient if you are constantly switching between new installations.
This approach allows you to keep your desktop clean, using it only as a quick access panel, and not as a repository of all installed files and utilities.
Automation and third-party launchers
MIUI is sometimes not enough for a perfect organization, and third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Smart Launcher come to the rescue, allowing you to create nested folders, customize gestures, and change the logic of sorting beyond recognition.
Process automation also helps maintain order, and scripts can be used to set up automatic desktop cleaning of downloaded files or to move new games to a separate folder immediately after installation.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party launchers could lead to increased power consumption and conflicts with Xiaomi’s navigation system gestures.
For advanced users, settings are available via ADB. With commands, you can hide system applications that are usually not deleted, freeing up space and simplifying the list of available software.
adb shell pm hide com.example.unwanted.appUsing such commands requires caution, as hiding critical system components can cause the device to operate in an unstable manner.
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Third-party launchers offer maximum flexibility, but MIUI’s regular facilities are optimized better for battery handling and system stability.