How to remove the unnecessary shortcut of the application on Xiaomi Android smartphones: from simple ways to hidden features

Desktops on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones often turn into a mess of shortcuts — especially if you’re actively installing apps or using pre-installed software from the manufacturer. Someone wants to get rid of duplicate icons, others want to hide system applications that can’t be removed, and still others accidentally created a shortcut and don’t know how to bring it back. Unlike “pure” Android, the MIUI shell has its own nuances of desktop management, and standard methods do not always work here.

In this article, we will look at all possible ways to remove shortcuts, from basic interface actions to advanced methods using ADB and third-party launchers, and focus on system applications (such as Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps) that cannot be removed in the standard way, but can be hidden or deactivated, and learn why some shortcuts return after a reboot and how to prevent this.

If you've tried to just drag the icon into the cart, but it didn't work out, don't worry. MIUI has at least 5 alternative methods, and at least one of them will work on your model, and let's start with the simplest and end with power user solutions.

1. Standard removal of a shortcut through the desktop

The most obvious way is to remove the shortcut right off the screen, and in most cases it works for custom shortcuts (those you created manually or that appeared after installing the app).

1. Find an unnecessary label on your desktop.

2. Press the icon for 1-2 seconds - it should "stick" from the screen.

3. Drag it to the top of the screen where the inscription "Delete" (or basket) appears.

4. Release your finger - the label will disappear.

⚠️

Note: This method does not remove the application itself, but only removes its label from the desktop.If the application is system (for example, Mi Community or Security), its icon can return after a reboot or MIUI update.

If you drag and drop a basket instead of a menu with "Application Information" or "Unplug" options, then the label is protected from removal, in which case, move to the following ways.

Check if it is a system application (e.g. Mi Pay or Themes)

Try to unplug the label through a long press → “Unplug”

Reboot your smartphone and try again.

Use an alternative launcher (see section 4)

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2. Delete via the application menu (App Drawer)

There are two types of labels in MIUI:

• 📱 On the desktop – they can be removed by drag and drop (see section 1).
• 📂 In the app menu (App Drawer) – here the icons are deleted differently.

To remove the shortcut from the app menu:

1. Open the Applications menu (swipe up the desktop).
2. Find an unnecessary app and pinch its icon.
3. In the menu that appears, select “Delete” (if option is available) or “Hide” (for system applications).
4. Confirm the action.

If the option to delete is not available, the application is either system or installed as a device administrator (e.g., some banking applications).

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the application you want and check if it has administrator rights (Section "More").
• 🚫 If there is, uncheck the checkbox and try again to delete it.

3. Disabling or Hiding System Applications

If the shortcut is from a system application (e.g. Cleaner, Mi Pay, Game Turbo), it can't be removed by standard methods, but you can turn off the app itself so it doesn't show up on the menu and interfere with the work. Here's how to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2. Find the desired application in the list (use search if it is not in the visible part).

3. Click on it and select "Disable" (or "Delete Updates" if the off button is inactive).

4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️

Caution: Disabling system applications can cause your smartphone to run in an unstable way, for example, disabling Mi Security will make you immune to viruses, and disabling Mi Share will disrupt your fast file transfer function. Do not disable applications with names that contain "system", "framework" or "service" - this can cause critical errors.

If the "Disable" option is not available**, try the following method:

• 🔄 Remove all app updates (button "Delete updates").
• 🛠️ Use it. ADB for forced shutdown (see Section 5).
• 🎨 Install a third-party launcher (Section 4) that allows you to hide system applications.

4.Use of a third-party launcher to manage labels

If standard methods don't work, the most reliable way is to install an alternative launcher (e.g., Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher).

• 🗑️ Remove any labels, including system.
• 👁️ Hide apps from the menu.
• 🔄 Customize gestures and the appearance of the desktop.

Instructions for setting up Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (at the first start, the system will prompt you to do this).
3. Press your finger on your desktop → select “Nova Settings”.
4. Go to the section "Applications and shortcuts" → "Hide applications".
5. Check the boxes that you want to remove.
6. Return to the desktop, the icons will disappear.

✅ Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 It works even with system applications.
• 🔄 Labels are not returned after reboot.
• 🎨 You can completely customize the appearance MIUI.

❌ Deficiencies:

• 📱 Requires third-party software installation.
• 🔋 Some launchers can slightly increase battery consumption.

💡

If the shortcuts still return after installing the alternative launcher, try disabling the MIUI system launcher via ADB (section 5) or use the application freeze feature in Nova Launcher Prime (paid version).

5. Removal of shortcuts via ADB (for power users)

If you’re ready to dive into technical details, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to forcefully remove or disable any shortcuts, including system shortcuts.

⚠️

Warning: Incorrect use of ADB can disrupt your smartphone. Before executing commands, back up your data and make sure the phone unlocks the bootloader (if required).

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

command-line

Terminal

adb devices

(Your device serial number should appear).

switch off

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.namespace

(Replace com.xiaomi.namespace with an app package, such as com.miui.video for Mi Video).

remove the application

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.namespace

🔍 How to find out the name of the application package?

• Use the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword" (replace keyword with part of the title, for example, video).
• Or install the App Inspector app from Google Play.

💡

The disable-user command is safer than uninstall because it doesn’t delete the application files completely. If you have problems after you turn off, you can always return the application with the command adb shell pm enable com.xiaomi.namespace.

6.Resetting the MIUI launcher settings

If shortcuts are duplicated, disappear or behave strangely, the problem may be in the failure of the settings of the standard MIUI launcher.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2.Look for the Louncher app (or "Launcher", "MIUI Launcher").

3. Click on "Storage" → "Clear Data" and "Clear Cache".

4. Reboot the smartphone.

⚠️

Warning: Once reset, all the shortcuts and widgets on the desktop will disappear. You'll have to reconfigure them, but that's the only way to get the launcher back to its original state if it doesn't work properly.

If the reset doesn’t work, try updating MIUI to the latest version:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📥 Download and install available updates.
• 🔋 Make sure your smartphone is at least 50% charged before upgrading.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When removing shortcuts, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

If you removed the shortcut to a banking application (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff) but the app itself is still in the system, don’t panic. Just look it up in the app menu (swipe it up your desktop) and create the shortcut again:

• 🏦 Press the app icon in the menu.
• 📲 Drag her to the desk.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions