How to return the app shortcut to the Xiaomi desktop: all ways

Did you accidentally remove the app shortcut from Xiaomi's desktop and can't find it on the menu? Or did all the icons disappear after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many users of Redmi, POCO and Black Shark smartphones. Unlike removing the app completely, missing the shortcut is just a visual system glitch that's easy to fix.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to bring the shortcut back to the desktop, including hidden MIUI features, launcher and even ADB recovery for advanced users. All methods are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and work on models from the Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If you have a different version of the shell, check compatibility in the table below.

Before you start, make sure the app is not completely removed. Check the installed program list in Settings → Apps → App Management. If the app isn’t there, you’ll have to reinstall it from Google Play or Mi App Store.

1. Fastest way: Restore via the app menu

If the shortcut is lost after a random swipe or launcher reset, try this method. It works 90% of the time and doesn't require any additional tools.

Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen). Find the app in the list, pinch the icon for 1-2 seconds, then drag it to the desktop.

• 🔍 Check if the "Prohibit Changes" mode is enabled (double tap on the desktop) → Screen settings → Prohibit change).
• 📱 Make sure you don’t use a third-party launcher (like a Nova Launcher or Hyperion) in which case return the standard launcher. MIUI.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes it drops the glitches of displaying icons.

Find the app in the menu | Disable "Prohibit Changes" |Reboot the phone | Check the default launcher-->

If the app is not on the menu but is in Settings → Apps, it is hidden by the system. Go to the next method.

2.Including hidden applications in MIUI

MIUI automatically hides some system applications (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Remote or Security) if they are not in use.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. Find the right application in the list and tap on it.
4. Activate the Show Switch on the desktop (if any).

For MIUI 15, the path may be different:

Settings → Applications → Permissions → Special Access → Hidden Applications

If the option Show on the desktop is not, try resetting the launcher settings:

• 🛠️ Hold an empty space on the desktop → Screen settings → Reset the settings.
• 🔄 Once the reboot is complete, all the icons will return to their places.

3.Using the built-in MIUI search

If the app does not appear in the menu or settings, but you are sure that it is installed, use the global search:

1. Swipe down the desktop to open the search bar.
2. Enter the name of the application (for example, "Gallery" or "Camera").
3. When the app appears in the results, press its icon and drag it to the desktop.

If the search does not find the application, but it is in the system:

• 🔍 Try entering the name in English (e.g., "Gallery" instead of "Gallery").
• 📁 Check the Hidden Apps folder in the menu (if any).
• 🔄 Update the search database: Settings → Search → Update the index.

Important: Some system applications (such as Mi Cloud or Themes) may not appear in search if they are disabled through ADB or Miui Hidden Settings.

4.Resetting launcher settings (without data loss)

If previous methods didn’t work, the problem could be the launcher settings, resetting the icons back to their standard location, but not deleting your data or apps.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select Screen Settings → Reset settings.
3. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot.

After the reboot:

• 📱 All standard applications (Phone, Messages, Camera) will return to the desktop.
• 🔄 The programs you install will remain on the menu – they will need to be manually dragged to the screen.
• 🎨 Wallpaper and widgets will be dropped to standard.

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If the reset didn’t work, try clearing the launcher cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher and click Clear Cache.

5. Advanced Method: Recovery through ADB (for experienced)

If the label is lost due to a system failure or after manual removal through ADB, you can try to return it by command, which is suitable for system applications that cannot be restored by standard methods.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

adb shell cmd shortcut list

This command will show you a list of all the shortcuts. To restore the shortcut for a particular application (like the Camera), use:

adb shell cmd shortcut create --activity com.android.camera/.Camera

Replace com.android.camera with the application package you want (you can find it through the App Inspector in Google Play).

💡

The ADB method is only suitable for system applications, and for user programs (such as WhatsApp or Instagram), it is enough to reinstall them from the store.

⚠️ Attention: misuse ADB It can cause system failures. Don't change your settings if you're not sure what you're doing. It's best to use remote system applications like Mi Video or Mi Browser to restore remote system applications. MIUI Hidden Settings or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools.

Frequent Causes of Label Disappearance and How to Avoid Them

Xiaomi labels are not just missing, but here are the main reasons and ways to prevent:

If shortcuts go missing regularly, check your phone for viruses (e.g., through Mi Security) or reset to factory settings (Settings → Phone → Settings Reset).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions