Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, allow you to turn any web page into a full-fledged application. It's not just a convenience, but a way to optimize the workspace, eliminating the need to enter an address in your browser every time. You can bring an online store, a news portal or an operator's personal account to the home screen, making them available in one tap.
The procedure for creating such labels is radically different from the installation of conventional labels. APK-The Android system sees them as PWA (Progressive Web Apps, or special links that integrate into the launcher interface, depending on the browser used — whether it is a standard Mi Browser, Google Chrome or Yandex — the algorithm of actions will have its own nuances, which we will analyze in detail.
Owners of Xiaomi Redmi and Poco devices often face security limitations that can block shortcuts without explicit permission, a normal desktop junk protection response, and understanding how the launcher works in conjunction with the browser will help avoid errors and quickly get the desired icon.
Choosing a browser to create web applications
The first step is to choose the software through which to access the resource. Not all browsers are equally good at creating stable shortcuts that do not disappear after a reboot or update. In the Android ecosystem, and in particular on Xiaomi smartphones, Google Chrome and the built-in Mi Browser are the leaders.
Google Chrome is considered a benchmark for compatibility, and it uses Blink, which handles site manifestos correctly, allowing you to create icons with the original logo of the resource, rather than the standard image of the globe. This makes the desktop more aesthetic and recognizable. Chrome also automatically caches data, which speeds up the loading of pages when you re-access.
The built-in Mi Browser also has shortcutting functionality, but it can work differently depending on the version of MIUI. In some regions, it's called Browser and has a yellow icon. Its advantage is deep integration with a clearing system and traffic savings, which is relevant for Internet-limited tariffs.
Third-party solutions such as Yandex Browser or Opera also support this feature, but can behave unpredictably when upgrading the shell. For example, after switching from MIUI 13 to HyperOS, some users noted that shortcuts from less popular browsers stopped opening, requiring reinstallation.
Instructions for Google Chrome on Android
The most common scenario is the use of a regular browser from Google. the interface of the program is unified, so the instruction is suitable for both old Redmi Note models and flagships of the Xiaomi 14 series. The algorithm of actions is simple, but requires attention to the details of the menu.
First, you open your browser and go to the site you're planning to add, wait for the page to load fully, including all graphic elements and scripts, and then you can start creating a shortcut, because the system has to read the metadata of the resource.
Follow the step-by-step algorithm:
- 📱 Click on the menu button represented by three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the screen.
- 📲 In the list that opens, select Add to the main screen (in some versions Install the application).
- ✏️ In the window that appears, confirm the name of the label or change it to a shorter and clearer one.
- ✅ Press Add or Install, and the system will prompt you to drag and drop the icon manually or do it automatically.
☑️ Checking before setting a label
It is important to note that if the menu item is called Install the app, the site supports PWA technology. In this case, a separate icon will appear on the desktop, which will open in a window without the browser address bar, creating the effect of a native application, which is especially convenient for services like Telegram Web or Twitter.
Creating icons through Mi Browser and Yandex
Embedded solutions from manufacturers often have their own interface features. In Mi Browser, the process can be hidden deeper in the menu, and in Yandex Browser, it is integrated into the general widget system.
In the standard Mi browser (yellow icon), you click on the menu button (three bars or dots), then select Tools or immediately find Add to the desktop. The system can request permission to create shortcuts if it was not given earlier. Without this action, the button can simply blink, but the icon will not appear.
Users of Yandex Browser should click on the tab button (square with a number), then on the three dots in the bottom corner and choose Add to the main screen. The peculiarity of this browser is that it often offers to install not just a shortcut, but a mini-app from the Yandex directory, which works faster and has advanced functionality.
What if there is no "Add" item?
Note that MIUI is strictly monitoring desktop changes, and if you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher), the process may be different, and in such cases, the shortcut is often created automatically, but the location of the shortcut needs to be adjusted manually.
Permits and security of MIUI
One of the main problems faced by Xiaomi users is blocking shortcut creation by security: the MIUI and HyperOS shell requires explicit permission for any application that tries to change the structure of the desktop.
If nothing happens when you try to add a site, you need to check the permission settings. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find your browser (Chrome, Mi Browser, etc.) in the list. Click on it and select Other permissions.
In the list that opens, look for the option to Create Desktop Shortcuts (or Desktop Shortcuts). Make sure the switch is Always Allow. If you choose Ask or Disallow, the system will ignore your commands or constantly display pop-ups.
| MIUI/HyperOS version | The path to adjustment | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 13 | Settings → Applications → Permissions Management | Strict control, often requiring manual switching on |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Applications → All applications → [Browser] | Individual settings for each application |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Settings → Security and Security → Privacy | Simplified interface, automatic recommendations |
| Global ROM | Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy | It may be different from the Chinese version of the firmware. |
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Tip: Once you have enabled the "Create Shortcuts" permission, it is recommended that you completely close your browser through Task Manager and reopen it, which ensures that the new settings take effect immediately.
Ignoring this step is the most common reason for failure, and many users think that the browser is "glutty" when in fact it is simply denied access to the desktop at the system level, which takes less than a minute to check, but saves a lot of nerves.
Resolving problems with displaying icons
There are times when a shortcut is created but looks incorrect: instead of a website logo, a white page or a standard Android icon is displayed, this is due to caching of old data or the features of the site's coding.
The first solution is to clear your browser cache. Go to Settings → Apps → [Your browser] → Storage and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear Everything, otherwise you'll lose your saved passwords and your browsing history. Once cleared, try re-create the shortcut.
The second option is to use Desktop site mode. Some mobile versions of sites don't have the right sized icons in their code. Check the PC version on your browser menu, wait for the desktop version to reload, and then create a shortcut.
⚠️ Note: If the icon still does not appear, try to take a screenshot of the site logo, crop it in the gallery to a square and use the "Themes" app" → "Widgets" → "Image" to create a picture label leading to a link. It's a workaround, but effective method.
The problem may also be the design theme, which means that if you use a third-party theme from MIUI Themes, it can force you to change all icons to your own. Try switching to a standard Classic or Default theme temporarily to see if the original icon of the site appears.
Organization of workspace and folders
After creating a few shortcuts, the desktop can turn into chaos. To keep order on Xiaomi, it's convenient to use folders. Just drag and drop one site icon to another and they will come together as a group.
You can rename a folder, like Work, Stores, or Social Media, and inside the folder, site shortcuts behave like regular apps: they can be sorted, moved, and removed in a long tap, which helps visually separate native programs from web applications.
For advanced users, the widget function is available. Some browsers allow you to bring to the desktop not just an icon, but a whole widget with a news feed or a search bar of a particular engine. This is done through the widget menu (long tap on the empty space on the screen → Widgets).
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Grouping web shortcuts into separate folders not only graces the interface, but also speeds up the search for the right resource, especially if you have more than 50 applications installed.
Removal and management of web shortcuts
Removing the created site shortcut is no different than removing a regular app: Find the icon on your desktop, click on it and hold your finger until a menu or vibration appears. Then drag the object to the Remove (basket) area or click on the cross at the top of the screen.
It's important to understand that removing the shortcut does not delete the browsing history, cache, or passwords stored in the browser itself. It's just a link. If you want to completely clear the traces of your stay on the site, you need to go to your browser settings and clean the history specifically for that domain.
If the label stops opening (it gives an error "Page not found" or "Application not installed"), then the site has changed the address or structure, in which case the label should be removed and recreated by clicking on the current link. PWA-Applications sometimes require updating through the browser, which will be notified.
⚠️ Note: When removing a label created as PWA (If you have an application installed, the system may ask if you also want to clear the data of this application. Be careful: if you have saved logins there, select "No" if you want to leave data, or "Yes" if you want to completely remove traces.