How to install the app shortcut on the Xiaomi desktop: all ways

Creating shortcuts on the Xiaomi desktop seems like a simple task — until you encounter the nuances of MIUI. Unlike “pure” Android, the shell from Xiaomi has its own rules for managing icons: some applications do not want to be added in the standard way, system utilities are hidden in the depths of the menu, and after updates the interface can change dramatically. This article will help you understand how to add a shortcut to the home screen in Redmi, POCO or Mi regardless of the firmware version — from MIUI 12 to HyperOS.

We will look not only at basic methods (dropping from the app menu or through the context menu), but also at alternative solutions for complex cases: when an application does not appear in the list, the shortcut disappears after a reboot or you need to create a duplicate of the icon. Particular attention is paid to system tools (for example, Security or Game Turbo), which often “hide” from the user. If you encounter an error “failed to add a shortcut”, here you will find reasons and ways to bypass.

1. Standard method: Drag from the application menu

The most obvious method works on all versions of MIUI, but has limitations.

1. Tap the app menu icon (usually at the bottom of the screen in the center or right).
2. Find the app you want in the list. If you don't have one, use the search bar at the top.
3. Press the icon with your finger for 1-2 seconds until it “rises” above the screen.
4. Drag it into a free desktop space or a folder. Let go of your finger.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Redmi Note 12 after updating to MIUI 14+ If the icon doesn't drag and drop, check if the One Hand mode is on (Settings) → Special facilities).

Make sure there is a free space on the desktop.

Check if the screen is locked (unlock it)

Turn off the "One Hand" mode in the settings

Reboot your smartphone if the problem persists-->

This method is suitable for 90% of user applications, but does not work for:

• 📱 System utilities (e.g., Equipment Testing or Developer Mode).
• 🔧 Hidden functions MIUI (Second Space or Double Apps).
• 🚫 Limited-rights applications (for example, some banking programs block shortcuts).

2. Addition via the context menu of the application

If drag and drop doesn’t work (for example, because of interface lags), try an alternative method:

1. Open the Apps menu and find the right app.
2. Touch the icon with one finger (do not pinch!) – the context menu will appear.
3. Select Add to the home screen (or Create a shortcut in older versions of MIUI).

🔹 Note: On certain firmware (e.g, MIUI 13 for Redmi 10) the context menu may not appear when you first click:

• 🔄 Try to press twice with a little pause.
• 📱 Make sure you are touching the icon, not the name of the app.
• 🔧 Check if Gesture mode is enabled instead of Buttons (Settings) → Display. → Navigation through the system).

Redmi Note 11/12/13

POCO X3/X4/X5

Mi 11/12/13

Redmi 10/9/8

Other-->

This method often saves you when standard drag and drop fails to work due to animation bugs in MIUI. If it doesn't work, move on to the following methods.

3. Creating a shortcut through the application settings

For some system utilities (e.g., Security, Cleanup or Game Turbo), a shortcut can be created through their internal settings.

1. Open the Security app (usually on the menu or desktop).
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Add to the main screen.

A similar path works for:

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14+ and HyperOS some system applications (such as Themes or Mi Video) may not have the option of shortcut creation.In this case, use the widget method (section 5).

4.Use of widgets for hidden functions

If the app doesn't appear on the menu or can't be added in the standard way, try circumventing the restrictions through widgets.

• 🔒 Hidden system tools (e.g. Developer Mode or Local Backups).
• 📱 Duplicate apps (if you need two WhatsApp or Telegram icons).
• 🔧 Quick access to settings (for example, a shortcut for Flight Mode).

Instructions:

1. Click the empty space on the desktop → select Widgets.
2. Scroll through the list to the Tools or Settings section.
3. Find the Settings Shortcuts widget (or Quick Settings).
4. Drag it to the screen and select the desired function from the list.

💡

If the widget you want isn’t listed, try installing a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) that lets you create shortcuts for any application, including system ones.

🔹 Example: To add a shortcut to Developer Mode:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Add the settings shortcuts widget to the screen.
3. In the list, find the Developer.

5. Third-party launchers: when MIUI refuses to cooperate

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be the limitations of MIUI, in which case the installation of an alternative launcher will help.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports shortcuts for any application, including system, and allows you to customize gestures.
• 📱 Lawnchair – lightweight launcher with support for themes and adaptive icons.
• 🔧 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration and cloud backup shortcuts.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (at the first start, an offer will appear).
3. Click the blank space on the screen → Widgets → Nova actions.
4. Select the App Shortcut and specify what you want from the full list (including hidden ones).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, some functions MIUI They may not work properly:

• 🔕 Navigation gestures (such as swiping up to return home).
• 📱 Weather widgets and Smart Assistant (may need to be reconfigured).
• 🔋 Battery optimization for launcher (add it to exceptions in Settings) → Battery).

6. Solving label problems

Sometimes shortcuts are weird, disappearing after a reboot, not opening apps, or duplicated.

🔹 Tip: If shortcuts are often reset, try disabling Adaptive Optimization in battery settings:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Battery settings.
2. Turn off Adaptive Optimization (or Smart Optimization in older versions).
3. Reboot your smartphone.

💡

If the shortcut problem occurred after the MIUI update, try resetting the launcher settings: Settings → Apps → Launcher → Storage → Clear the data. This will return the standard icon layout, but remove all custom desktop settings.

7. Creating shortcuts for websites

MIUI allows you to add not only apps but also web pages to your desktop, which is convenient for quick access to frequently visited sites (such as mail or social networks).

1. Open Google Chrome or Mi Browser.
2. Go to the desired site (e.g. vk.com or gmail.com).
3. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) → Add to the main screen.
4. If necessary, edit the name of the label and confirm.

⚠️ Note: Website shortcuts are opened in the browser by default. If you want the site to open in the application (for example, VKontakte instead of a browser), use the Open Supported Links function:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as VK).
3. Tap Open by default → turn on the option to Open supported links.

🔹 Note: Some sites (e.g. instagram.com) automatically redirect to an in-app opening if installed, in which case the desktop shortcut will lead directly to Instagram, not the browser.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi