How to remove unnecessary shortcut from the desktop on Xiaomi: all ways

Why Xiaomi shortcuts don’t behave like other Android smartphones

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based desktop has a unique shortcut management logic that often causes confusion. Unlike pure Android, where removing an app icon simply removes it from the screen, on Redmi, POCO or Mi devices, this process may work differently, because MIUI shares the concepts of “delete the shortcut” and “delete the application” — and that’s a fundamental difference.

Many users are faced with a situation where, when trying to drag an icon into the cart, the system suggests uninstalling the application itself, rather than simply removing its shortcut. This is due to the features of the Mi Launcher launcher, which by default does not show the option to “Delete the shortcut” in the context menu. Moreover, on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13T or POCO F5), the shortcuts of system applications can not be removed at all by standard methods – they can only be hidden.

Another feature of MIUI is that it automatically restores shortcuts after you upgrade or reset your launcher, which means that even if you manually delete the icon, it can reappear in a few days, and to fix the problem once and for all, you need to understand what kind of shortcut you're trying to remove:

• 📱 Application shortcut – an icon leading to the installed program (can be deleted or hidden).
• 🔗 Website shortcut – a link to a page in the browser (removed via the browser menu).
• 📁 Folder shortcut – group of applications (removed as a regular icon).
• 🔧 System shortcuts – icons like “Theme” or “Security” (you can only hide it).

Method 1: Standard removal by long pressing

The most obvious method works for most user applications, but has limitations.

1. Press and hold your finger on the icon of the app you want to remove.
2. Wait for the menu to appear (usually takes 1-2 seconds).
3. Drag the icon to the top of the screen where the “Delete” or basket will appear.

But there are pitfalls here:

• ❌ If the system application shortcut (e.g., “Camera” or “Contacts”), the shopping cart will not appear — MIUI Just suggest removing updates or disabling the application.
• ❌ On some versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 14 on Xiaomi 12 Pro) instead of removing the shortcut, the application uninstalls.
• ✅ Works faultlessly for labels of third-party applications (VK, Telegram, games, etc.).

⚠️ Note: If you see the message "Application will be removed", it means that MIUI Try to uninstall the program itself, not just remove the icon, in which case interrupt the action and use alternative methods from this article.

Method 2: Remove via launcher settings (hidden options)

MIUI hides some desktop management features in the depth of settings, a method that is suitable for removing persistent shortcuts that don't want to disappear in the standard way:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. Find the Launcher (or Mi Launcher) list and open its settings.
4. Go to the Warehouse section → Clear the data.

This method will reset all desktop settings, including icons, widgets and folders. Once the launcher is rebooted, system application shortcuts (like "Themes" or "Mi Video") will disappear, but they can be returned through the application menu.

⚠️ Attention: Once you clear the launcher data, you'll have to reconfigure the desktop. Take pre-screenshots of the current location of the icons to restore them faster. POCO Launcher – There are other ways to use it.

Take screenshots of the desktop |Remember the location of the widgets |Review the backup of the applications |Make sure the passwords are saved-->

Method 3: Disabling system applications (for indelible shortcuts)

Some shortcuts (such as "Mi Community", "GetApps" or "Mi Pay") cannot be removed by standard methods because they are tied to system applications, in which case disabling the application itself will help, which will automatically remove its icon from the desktop.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Activate the option to Show System (triple menu at the top).
3. Find the right app (e.g. com.miui.mishare.connectivity for Mi Share).
4. Click Disconnect → Confirm.

List of system applications that can be safely disabled without risk to the system:

• 📱 com.xiaomi.mipicks - GetApps (Xiaomi app store).
• 💬 com.miui.bugreport - Error Report.
• 🎵 com.miui.player - Mi Music (if you use another player).
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video.
• 🌐 com.miui.browser – Mi Browser (if you use Chrome).

Do not disable applications called com.android, com.qualcomm or com.miui.home, which can cause the system to fail.

Method 4: Use of a third-party launcher (Nova, POCO Launcher)

If standard methods don't work, the most reliable way is to install an alternative launcher, which will allow you to completely control shortcuts, including system ones.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – the most flexible, supports icon hiding and backup.
• ⚡ POCO Launcher – Optimized for Xiaomi, Lightweight and Fast.
• 🎨 Lawnchair is an open source launcher similar to Pixel Launcher.

How to hide the shortcuts in Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it as the default launcher in the settings.
3. Press and hold the label you want to remove.
4. In the menu that appears, select Hide (eye icon).
5. To return the shortcut, go to the Nova → Hidden Apps settings.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ You can hide any labels, including system labels.
• ✅ Quick access via search is possible.
• ✅ Settings synced with the cloud (in the paid version of Nova).

⚠️ Note: When using a third-party launcher, some functions MIUI (For example, Super Wallpapers or Double-Tap locks may not work properly. Check compatibility with your model before installing it (Xiaomi) 11T, Redmi Note 12, etc.).

💡

If the shortcuts still return after installing Nova Launcher, disable the auto-update MIUI in the system settings. The shell sometimes resets the default launcher after updates.

Method 5: Remove via ADB (for power users)

This method is suitable for advanced users who are ready to work with the command line, it allows you to remove even those shortcuts that do not lend themselves to other methods, but require connecting a smartphone to a PC.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux).


2. Enter a command to check the connection:




adb devices




(The name of your device should appear).




3.To remove the system application shortcut (e.g., Mi Video), use:




adb shell pm hide com.miui.videoplayer




To return the label:




adb shell pm unhide com.miui.videoplayer

List of popular removal packages:

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not delete packets that you do not know what they are intended for, for example, deleting com.miui.home will cause the launcher to crash.

💡

ADB-The teams are only running until the first reboot, and when the smartphone is restarted, the hidden apps will reappear, and the root rights are needed to permanently delete the apps, which will void the warranty.

How to bring the deleted label back

If you accidentally delete the desired icon or want to return the hidden application, you can do this in several ways:

• 🔍 Through Search: Swipe down your desktop to open the search bar, and type in the name of the app. Then click and hold the icon in the search results to drag it back.
• 📂 Through the Apps menu: Tap the All Apps icons (usually in the dock bar at the bottom of the screen), find the right one and drag it to the desktop.
• ⚙️ Through Launcher Settings: In Nova Launcher, go to Settings → Hidden applications and uncheck the box from the desired.
• 🔄 Through ADB: Use the command adb shell pm unhide [name packet] (see previous section).

If the system app shortcut (such as “Settings” or “Phone”) has disappeared and is not returned, try:

1. Reboot the smartphone.
2. Reset the launcher settings (Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear Data).
3. Update MIUI to the latest version (sometimes shortcut bugs are fixed in new builds).

On Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro models with MIUI 14, system application shortcuts can be restored automatically after an update. To avoid this, turn off auto-update in Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three → Settings → Auto-download updates.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)