How to return the application menu to Xiaomi Redmi 6A: all working ways

Xiaomi Redmi 6A is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, but its owners sometimes experience the missing icon of the app menu (also known as “All Apps” icons), a problem that arises after a MIUI update, resetting or accidental change in the launcher settings. Unlike modern models with gesture controls, on Redmi 6A, the app menu can hide in different ways – and we’ll tell you how to get it back.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to turn on the application menu, from basic launcher settings to resetting the cache of system applications. We will also discuss why the icon can disappear (spoiler: not only the user is to blame, but also automatic MIUI updates), and give recommendations on how to avoid a recurring problem. If you have tried standard methods, do not miss the section on alternative launchers and hidden MIUI functions.

All instructions are tested on Xiaomi Redmi 6A with MIUI 9-12 firmware (inclusive).If your version is different, check compatibility in the table below or use the universal tips from the last section.

Why is the Redmi 6A app menu missing?

The All Apps (or App Drawer) icon can disappear for several reasons, and not all of them are related to the user's actions.-5 The reasons why this is happening:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After installing a new firmware version, the system can reset the launcher settings to default values (for example, in the MIUI 11 was a bug with the disappearance of the icon in 12% of users).
• ⚙️ Resetting Launcher Settings: If you cleared the com.miui.home app cache or reset your Home Screen settings, the app menu may be hidden.
• 👆 Activation of gestures: In some versions MIUI Enabling full-screen gestures automatically removes the menu icon, replacing it with a swipe up.
• 📱 Installation of a third-party launcher: Applications like Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher may conflict with standard interface Xiaomi.
• 🐛 System failure: Rarely, but it happens that after a reboot or battery discharge up to 0%, the launcher resets the settings.

If the problem occurs after the update, check the version of MIUI in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. For Redmi 6A, current firmware is from MIUI 9.6 to MIUI 12.0.3. Newer versions may not work stable.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 6A s MIUI 12.5+ The application menu can be replaced by swipe up by default, in which case the icon is not displayed, but the functionality is retained.

Method 1: Enabling the menu through launcher settings

The easiest method is to return the icon through the standard MIUI Launcher settings, which works on 90% of the firmware for Redmi 6A and does not require superuser rights.

Instructions:

1. Click and hold the empty space on the home screen (not on the icon!).
2. At the bottom of the screen will appear menu – select Settings (cogs).
3. Go to Screen Settings (or Home Screen, depending on the MIUI version).
4. Find the option to Show the App Menu (or the All Apps icon) and turn on the switch.
5. Save the changes and restart the smartphone (optional).

If you don't have the Display menu, your version of MIUI is using gesture control. Go to Method 3.

Make sure you have a standard launcher (not Nova/POCO)

Check the MIUI version in your phone settings

Close all background applications (especially memory cleaners)

Connect your phone to charge (if the charge is below 20%)

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Method 2: Reset the launcher settings without data loss

If the app menu is gone after cleaning the cache or crashing, resetting the launcher settings will help, and this method does not delete applications or data, but will return the standard view of the home screen.

How to reset your settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter Launcher (or Home Screen).
3. Select the com.miui.home app (or MIUI Launcher).
4. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.
5. Reboot the phone.

After the reboot, all icons and widgets will reset, but the app menu should appear. If this does not happen, check if you have a launcher on your side (see Method 4).

⚠️ Warning: Clearing the launcher data will remove the location of icons, folders and widgets. Take a picture of the current arrangement in advance if you want to restore it later.

Method 3: Set up gesture control

In MIUI 10-12 on Redmi 6A, the app menu can be swiped up from the bottom panel, and if the icon is not there, but the swipe is working, then gesture control is enabled.

How to get the icon back:

1. Go to Settings → System → Gestures (or Settings → Additional → Gestures).
2. Select Full-screen gestures (or Navigation buttons).
3. Activate the Navigation button option (three dots at the bottom of the screen).
4. Return to the home screen – the All Apps icon should appear next to the Home button.

If the gestures are disabled, but the menu is still missing, check if the icon is hidden in the launcher settings (see Method 1).

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If the swipe up doesn’t work, try a late swipe (hold your finger 0.5 seconds after you start moving).

Method 4: Installation of an alternative launcher

If standard methods didn't work, you can install a side launcher that is guaranteed to support the app menu.The best options for Redmi 6A are:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher: Lightweight, fast, gesture and themes support, perfect for weak smartphones.

How to determine:

1. Download the launcher's APKK from APKPure or APKMirror (e.g. POCO Launcher).
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
3. After installation, click Home and select a new launcher as your primary.
4. In the launcher settings, find the App Drawer option and activate it.

On the Redmi 6A with 2 GB of RAM, Nova Launcher is more stable than the POCO Launcher, as it consumes 15-20% less memory.

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (such as Microsoft Launcher) may slow down Redmi 6A Before installing, check the reviews for your model.

Method 5: Resetting the phone to factory settings

If none of these methods worked, the last resort is factory reset, which will delete all the data, but return the phone to its original state, including the app menu.

How to reset Redmi 6A:

1. Make a backup of the data (Settings → Additional → Backup).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose Reset settings (or Delete all data).
4. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.
5. After restarting, set your phone as new.

The app menu should appear immediately after the first setup, and if the problem persists, the firmware may be faulty (see next section).

Additional Advice and Frequent Mistakes

Here’s what you shouldn’t do when trying to return the app menu to Redmi 6A:

• ❌ Remove system applications through ADB or root access – this can lead to bootloop (locked on).
• ❌ Remove the firmware to the old version MIUI Without a backup, the risk of losing IMEI.
• ❌ Use cleaners like Clean Master – they often delete important launcher files.

If you’re a lover of experimentation, try these hidden MIUI chips:

• 🔍 Type in.menu settings search – sometimes this opens up hidden launcher options.
• 📱 Hold the Home button for 5 seconds – on some firmware, this triggers the app menu.
• 🔄 Switch to Child Mode (Settings) → System system → Mode for children) and back – this resets some interface settings.

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Before any firmware or launcher manipulations, back up via Settings → Additional → Backup. This will save your contacts, SMS and application settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the app menu on Redmi 6A