Have you noticed that the Xiaomi desktop icon has disappeared? This is a common problem faced by owners of Redmi, POCO and other brands. The reasons can vary from accidental removal to failure of the MIUI shell. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to return the shortcut, from basic to advanced, including recovery through system settings and even resetting the launcher.
It's important to understand that missing an icon doesn't always mean removing the app itself. Most often, the shortcut is simply hidden, moved to a different folder or removed from the main menu. We'll look at solutions for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and Android (10 to 14), and also focus on the nuances for models with POCO Launcher and HyperOS. If you tried standard methods and they didn't work, at the end of this article there is a section with non-obvious tricks that will help even in difficult cases.
1. Check the Hidden Applications folder in MIUI
The first thing to do is check the special folder where MIUI automatically sends underused or hidden applications, a section that is often overlooked, although it solves the problem 60 percent of the time.
To get there:
- 📱 Open the main app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
- 🔍 In the upper right corner, tap the search icon (magnifying glass) and enter the request “Hidden applications».
- 📁 The system will show the folder with the corresponding name - open it.
- 🔄 If the desired application is there, press its icon and drag it to the desktop.
If the folder is empty or not searchable, it's another one, and on some POCO firmware, this folder is called Application Archive, so check it out.
2.Recovery through launcher settings
The launcher (desktop shell) in Xiaomi has its own settings where you can reset the location of icons or return hidden items, which works on all versions of MIUI, including HyperOS.
Instructions:
- Click on the empty space on your desktop and select Desktop Settings (or Launcher Settings on POCO).
- Go to the section “Application settings” → “Hidden applications”.
- Check the list and uncheck the checkmarks from the programs that should be displayed.
- Go back and select Reset layout – this will return all icons to their original state.
If the shortcut never appears after resetting, try restarting your smartphone. Sometimes the MIUI launcher caches the changes and requires a restart.
Take a screenshot of the current location of the icons
Remember the names of hidden folders
Make sure that important applications are not in the archive
Reboot your phone after resetting-->
3. Search through the system menu "All applications"
MIUI has a hidden menu that displays all the programs you have installed, including those that aren't shown on your desktop, which will help if the shortcut has been removed but the app itself is still on the system.
How to find it:
- 🔧 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 In the top search bar, enter the name of the missing application.
- 📌 If it is found, tap it and select “Add to desktop».
- 🔄 If there is no option, then the application is uninstalled (go to the section about the restoration of remote programs).
On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), this path may be slightly different. If you don’t find App Management, try the alternative route: Settings → System → Additional → Default Apps.
What if the app does not appear in the list?
4. Reinstall or restore a remote application
If previous methods didn't work, the application may have been removed, in which case it needs to be restored, depending on whether it was pre-installed (systemic) or downloaded by the user (user).
For user applications:
- 🛒 Open Google Play Store and find the app by name.
- 🔄 If it was installed earlier, instead of the “Install” button will be “Restore” or “Update».
- 📥 Click on it – the application will be reinstalled, and the shortcut will appear on the desktop.
For system applications (e.g. Camera, Gallery, Settings):
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Enable the display of system applications (three dots in the upper right corner).
- 🔄 Find the application you want, open its page and click “Enable” (if disabled) or “Reset».
⚠️ Note: Some system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) may be disabled by the manufacturer in your area, in which case their recovery is possible only through the use of the system. ADB custom-made.
5.Resetting cache and launcher data
If the shortcut disappears regularly or after a MIUI update, the problem may be in the damaged launcher cache, cleaning the cache and data will return it to factory settings, but will not delete your files or other applications.
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In search, type “Luncher” (or “POCO Launcher” for the respective models).
- Select the app and click on “Storage”.
- Tap “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data” (Warning: This will reset the location of all icons!).
- Reboot your smartphone.
After the reboot, the launcher will reassemble the application database, and all shortcuts should reappear. If that doesn't happen, try installing an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) and check if the application is displayed in it.
💡
Before you reset the launcher, take a screenshot of the current location of the icons, and after cleaning, all the shortcuts will return to their original state, and you will have to reconfigure the desktop.
6. Verify access rights and conflicts with other applications
Sometimes shortcuts disappear due to conflicts with optimization programs, antiviruses or cache cleaning utilities (e.g. Clean Master, CCleaner) that can block icons from being displayed as “junk.”
How to check:
| Cause of conflict | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Optimizers (e.g., Security from Xiaomi) | Open the optimizer → “Clean up” → Remove the missing application from the cleanup list. |
| Antiviruses (Avast, Kaspersky) | Go to the antivirus settings → “Exceptions” → Add the application to the whitelist. |
| Energy saving regime | Go to Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode and turn it off for a problem application. |
| Conflict with another launcher | Remove alternative launchers or reset their settings. |
Also check if the app has disabled notification rights or background.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the missing app → «Permits».
- Make sure all necessary rights are included (especially “Show over other windows” and “Shoot up”).
7. Extreme measures: resetting settings or flashing
If neither of these methods worked, the problem could be at the system level, leaving two radical solutions:
A. Resetting to factory settings
This will delete all data from the device, so make a backup copy first.
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Select “Reset All Settings” (not to be confused with “Network Reset”!).
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
B. Fastboot Flashing
If the reset didn't help, the firmware might have been damaged, and then reinstalling MIUI via Fastboot will help.
- Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
- Install the Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
- Follow the instructions of the firmware program.
⚠️ Note: Fastboot flashing will delete all data, including photos and contacts. Use this method only if other methods have not worked, and you are confident in your actions. For models with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 10, Xiaomi) 12T You will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.
💡
Before resetting or flashing, be sure to remove the memory card and SIM-It'll keep them from random formatting.