How to remove the shortcut from the screen Xiaomi: all the ways (including hidden)

Why are Xiaomi shortcuts not like other Androids?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones have a unique logic for working with application shortcuts. Unlike “pure” Android, where removing the icon from the home screen simply removes it from view, here the process can depend on the firmware version, device model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) and even on the type of application (system or user).

The main confusion arises from the fact that MIUI offers two types of “delete”: hiding the shortcut (it remains in the application menu) and completely removing the application (uninstallation). Many users mistakenly delete the application itself when they want to simply remove the icon from the screen. Another feature is that on some Xiaomi models, system application shortcuts (for example, “Thematic Store” or “Security”) can not be removed in the standard way.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from basic to hidden MIUI features that work even on the latest firmware versions (MIUI 14/15), and explain why some shortcuts return after a reboot and how to fix it.

Method 1: Standard removal (for user applications)

This is the simplest method that works for most user-installed applications (e.g. Telegram, VKontakte, games) and is not suitable for Xiaomi system applications and some pre-installed services.

1. Press and hold your finger on the shortcut you want to remove until the menu appears (or all icons start to “shake”).
2. At the top of the screen will appear the button Remove (basket icon) - drag the shortcut there.
3. If the menu doesn’t appear, try swiping up on the shortcut — on some versions of MIUI, it’s an alternative way to call the context menu.

⚠️ Warning: A pop-up window may appear on the screen with the choice: Remove the shortcut or Delete the application. Choose the first option if you want to save the application itself in the menu.

Method 2: Remove via the application menu

If the standard method didn't work (e.g., the "slip" label and doesn't respond to clicks), try removing it through the full app menu, which is suitable for MIUI 12 and later.

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the application you want, click on it and hold it for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select Remove from the home screen (not to be confused with Remove!).
4. If you don’t have an option, tap the three dots in the top right corner and select Edit, then uncheck the Show box on the home screen.

On some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) this path may be different, for example, in MIUI 14 for POCO you need to:

Long click on the label → Information about the application → Remove from the main screen

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If the shortcut has disappeared from the app menu but is still on the screen, reboot your phone, which will reset the launcher's cache and remove the ghost icon.

Method 3: Forced removal of system labels

Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) often cannot be removed by standard methods.

Method A: Disconnection through settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the right app (like Security) and tap it.
3. Select Disable – This will remove the shortcut from the screen and hide the app from the menu (but won’t uninstall it completely).

Method B: Use of ADB (for advanced users)

If the shutdown didn’t work, you can uninstall the system app via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This requires connecting the phone to a PC.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer # example for Mi Video


adb shell pm hide com.miui.miservice # hides service shortcuts

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt the work MIUI. Before executing commands, make a backup copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup.

Method 4: Resetting the launcher settings

If shortcuts are duplicated, not deleted or returned after a reboot, the problem may be the launcher (the program responsible for the main screen) crashing, resetting its settings will return the standard look of the screen without unnecessary icons.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or POCO Launcher for POCO devices).
3. Select Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.

After reset, all shortcuts and widgets will be removed from the home screen and the settings will return to the factory settings, and the apps will not be affected, they will remain on the menu.

Method 5: Using third-party launchers

If standard methods don’t work, you can completely replace the MIUI launcher with an alternative one (for example, Nova Launcher, Lawnchair), which gives you more control over shortcuts and widgets.

Instructions:

1. Install a launcher from the Play Market (like Nova Launcher).
2. When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
3. Press your finger on an unnecessary shortcut and drag it to the cart (in Nova Launcher, this works for all icons, including system ones).

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🔧 Flexible configuration of appearance (themes, icons, animations).
• 🚫 Ability to hide system applications without ADB.
• 🔄 Automatic backup of the screen layout.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) After installing a third-party launcher, navigation gestures may disappear. To return them, go to Settings → Additionally. → Gestures and set up again.

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The launcher side is the only way to completely remove system shortcuts (such as “Theme Store”) without root rights or ADB.

What if the label is removed and the app is missing?

Sometimes when you try to remove the label, users accidentally uninstall the app itself. Here's how to return it:

1. For apps from Play Market: Open the store, find the app in the Installed → Library section and click Install.
2. For system applications: reset through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots → Show all applications. Find the application disabled and click Enable.
3. If the application is removed without the possibility of recovery: it remains only to reflash the phone or use a backup copy (if any).

On some Xiaomi firmware (such as the global version for the Redmi Note 11), system applications can be restored through GetApps:

Open GetApps → Categories → System Tools

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing shortcuts on Xiaomi