Xiaomi Desktop Site Shortcut: 5 Ways to Secure a Web Page as an App

Why the standard method doesn’t work on Xiaomi and what to do

You tried to save your site to the home screen through your browser, but instead of a shortcut, there was a meaningless "Bookmark" icon? It's not a bug -- that's how MIUI works by default. The fact is that Xiaomi's firmware blocks the creation of classic web shortcuts (PWAs) through Chrome or Mi Browser, suggesting instead to add a bookmark to your browser folder. But there are workarounds -- and they don't require root rights or complex manipulations.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working methods, including hidden MIUI features, third-party apps, and even manual shortcut creation through ADB (for advanced users). All methods are tested on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5 smartphones with MIUI 14 and Android 13, but work on older versions as well (starting with MIUI 12).

Before proceeding to the instructions, check:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. The methods may differ for MIUI 12-13 and MIUI 14+.
• 🌐 Default Browser: Chrome and Mi Browser have different algorithms. We'll look at both options.
• 🔒 Security settings: Some firmware must allow installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications).

Method 1: Creating a shortcut through Chrome (works on 80% of devices)

This is the easiest method, but it doesn’t always work, depending on the version of Chrome and MIUI. If you don’t have a shortcut after you complete the steps, then you can move on to Method 2.

Instructions:

1. Open your site in Google Chrome (update your browser to the latest version!).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → “Add to the main screen”.
3. In the window that appears, uncheck the box from the Open as a bookmark (if any).
4. Press "Add» → «Allow" in the warning window.

If instead of a label, an icon of the bookmark appeared:

• 🔄 Try to update Chrome through Google Play.
• 🛠️ Clear the browser cache: Settings → Annexes → Chrome → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Restart your phone and try again.

Update Chrome to the latest version

Clear the browser cache

Close all tabs before adding

Disable VPN (can block PWA)

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⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 13 for Redmi and POCO This method does not work due to manufacturer limitations, in which case use Method 3 or Method 4.

Method 2: Manually create a shortcut through “Widgets” (hidden MIUI function)

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden tool to shortcut web pages directly through the widget menu, which works even where Chrome refuses to add PWAs.

Step-by-step:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop → select Widgets.
2. Scroll down the list and find the Tools section (or Tools on English firmware).
3. Select the shortcut widget and drag it to the screen.
4. In the menu that opens, select “Browser” → enter the site URL (e.g., https://vk.com).
5. Click “Ready” – the label will appear on the desktop.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔧 It works on all versions. MIUI (including MIUI 12 for older devices).
• 🚀 No need to install additional applications.
• 🎨 You can choose any icon for the label (from the system offered).

💡

If the shortcut widget is missing, update the Launcher system app via Google Play (called MIUI Launcher or POCO Launcher).

Method 3: Hermit App – Lightweight Web Applications Without Advertising

If you need to not just add a shortcut, but create a full-fledged web application with notifications and no ads, use Hermit Lite Apps. This application allows you to “pack” any site in an isolated container that works as native software.

How to install and configure:

1. Download Hermit from Google Play.
2. Open the app and press "+" in the lower right corner.
3. Enter the site URL (e.g. https://twitter.com) → select “Create Lite App”.
4. Set up your name, icon, and permissions (for example, turn off notifications if they are not needed).
5. Click “Ready” – the application will appear in the menu and on the desktop.

Why Hermit is better than standard labels:

• 🛡️ Blocks ads and trackers on websites.
• 🔔 Supports push notifications (for example, for VK Telegram Web).
• 🔒 Works in isolated sandstone (does not have access to your data).
• 📱 Easy to use native apps – takes everything 5-10 MB for one "Lite application».

⚠️ Note: Some sites (such as Instagram or TikTok) block Hermit because of its anti-sparsing protection.

Method 4: Kiwi Browser –forced PWA for stubborn sites

Kiwi Browser is a modified open-source Chrome that can force PWAs (Progressive Web Apps) even where standard Chrome refuses.This method is suitable for sites that block additions to the home screen (such as WhatsApp Web or Google Docs).

Instructions:

1. Install Kiwi Browser from Google Play.
2. Open the right website in Kiwi.
3. Press three points. → «Add to the main screen».
4. Turn on the "Open as a window" switch (this will force the PWA to be created).
5. Click "Add" → confirm the permission.

Kiwi is better than standard Chrome:

• 🔨 Forced installation PWA Even for "stubborn" sites.
• 🔒 Built-in ad blocker (based on uBlock Origin).
• 🖥️ Chrome extensions (you can install Dark Reader or Tampermonkey).
• 📱 It works on all versions of Android, including Xiaomi. MIUI.

If the site is not added anyway:

• 🔄 Try to clear Kiwi Browser data (Settings) → Annexes → Kiwi → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• 🌐 Enable the desktop version of the site in your browser settings (sometimes it helps to bypass the blockings).
• 📋 Check if the traffic saving mode is included in the MIUI (Settings → Connections and sharing → Saving traffic).

Method 5: Creating a shortcut through ADB (for advanced users)

If all previous methods failed, you can force a PWA to be created via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires you to connect your phone to your computer, but it is guaranteed to work on any version of MIUI.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, for stable connection).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download it here).
• 📱 On the phone is enabled the developer mode and debugging USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable developer mode on Xiaomi: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times)
2. Activate debugging via USB: Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging via USB
3. Connect your phone to your computer and execute the command: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d "https://example.com" --activity-clear-task (Replace example.com with the right one. URL).
4. On the phone will appear the sentence “Add to the main screen” – confirm.

⚠️ Note: If nothing happens after the command is executed, check: Connect to the USB (Try another cable or port. Debugging permission on your phone (confirmation window should appear). Version ADB (Update the platform-tools to the latest version).

💡

The ADB method is the only option for creating a PWA on Xiaomi with HyperOS or custom firmware, where the standard shortcut addition feature is disabled.

Problem Solving: Why the Label Doesn't Open or Disappear

Even after a successful label creation, problems can arise, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions.

If the shortcut has stopped working after the MIUI update:

• 🔄 Re-create it (the old ones) PWA They may break down after the firmware update).
• 🛠️ Clear the Launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Clear the cache).
• 📋 Check if the browser permission settings have reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi