How to return the application menu to Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: all working ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still one of the most popular smartphones of the brand due to balanced performance and stable operation on MIUI. However, many users face the problem: after updating the system or changing the launcher, the Suddenly app menu disappears (applet with a full list of installed programs).

It's important to understand that in MIUI, app menus can be hidden not only because of a bug, but also because of the designer's design. For example, some versions of the shell use the default No-Menu mode, where all the icons are displayed directly on the desktop. Unless you find the "all apps" icon (usually a round icon with a gear or grid of dots), don't panic - most likely, you just need to activate it in the settings.

We tested all the methods on the Redmi Note 7 with different versions of MIUI (including global and Chinese firmware) and highlighted the most reliable ones. At the end of the article, you will find answers to common questions, such as what to do if the application menu opens but does not show all the programs, or how to return a standard launcher after experimenting with third-party shells.

Why did the app menu on Redmi Note 7 disappear?

Before you can restore the menu, you need to understand the reasons for its disappearance.

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After installing the new firmware version, the launcher settings may reset, and the application display mode will return to factory settings (for example, without a dedicated menu).
• 🎨 Change Launcher: Installing a third-party shell (Nova Launcher, Apex, etc.) often disables the standard menu MIUI, replacing it with its own.
• 👆 Random gesture change: In the Redmi Note 7 control settings, you can activate a gesture to open the app menu (for example, swipe up), but if this gesture is reassigned or disabled, access is lost.
• 🛠️ System failure: Rarely, but it happens that after cleaning the cache or forced stop of the launcher, the menu stops showing.
• 📱 Mode "No Apps Menu": In MIUI There is an option where all icons are displayed on the desktop, and a separate menu is hidden.

If the menu is missing after the firmware update, first check the MIUI version in the settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version). On the Redmi Note 7, critical launcher bugs were seen in versions 12.0.3-12.0.8 (global firmware), in which case a launcher reset or a rollback to a stable version will help.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the standard menu is available. MIUI It might be missing, but it's going to be a third-party launcher.

Method 1: Enable the menu through the MIUI launcher settings

The easiest way is to return the app menu through the standard shell settings, which works if you haven't changed the launcher and use your native MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to the Desktop section (or Home in some versions).
3. Select the launcher settings (may be called Desktop Style).
4. Find the option of the App Menu or List of Apps.
5. Activate the Tool Show Apps menu (or select the App List Mode).
6. Save the changes and return to the desktop – the menu icon should appear.

If your version of MIUI doesn't have an explicit switch, try changing Desktop Style to Standard or Classic. This often solves the problem.

Make sure you use a standard MIUI launcher (not Nova/Lawnchair)

Check the MIUI version in your phone settings

Restart the device before changing the parameters

- Turn it off. VPN (Sometimes it interferes with the work of system applications)-->

Some firmware may call it something else, like MIUI 12.5, where the path is: Settings → Desktop → Desktop Style → With the app menu.

⚠️ Note: If the menu never appeared after changing the settings, try clearing the launcher cache. → Annexes → Application management → Launcher, select Warehouse and click Clear Cache.

Method 2: Use a gesture to open a menu

In Redmi Note 7, you can open the app menu not only through the icon, but also with a gesture. If the standard button is missing, check if the gesture is reassigned:

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Gestures (or Settings → System → Gestures).
2. Find the Desktop Gestures or Launcher Gestures section.
3. Check which gesture is assigned to the action Open the app menu. By default, it's swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
4. If the gesture is disabled or reassigned, return the standard value.

The Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 11 and later also has a full-screen gesture option. If activated, a standard swipe up can open Recent apps instead of menus.

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Display. → Full screen mode.
• 📱 Choose Gestures MIUI instead of full-screen gestures.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

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If the swipe up gesture conflicts with other actions (such as opening the notification bar), try assigning a double swipe upwards for the app menu or holding your finger at the bottom of the screen.

If the gestures are set up correctly, but the menu still doesn't open, try calibrating the touchscreen.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap the MIUI version several times until you get a message: You are a developer!
3. Go back to the basic settings, open Additional → for developers.
4. Find the Sensor Calibration option and follow the instructions.

Method 3: Installation of a third-party launcher

If standard methods have not worked, you can install an alternative launcher that is guaranteed to support the application menu.

• 🔧 You use custom firmware without your native launcher MIUI.
• 📱 Menu is missing after resetting settings and is not restored.
• 🎨 You don’t like the standard interface. MIUI, You want more options for customization.

Best launchers for Redmi Note 7:

How to install and configure:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. After installation, click the Home button and select the new launcher as standard.
3. In the launcher settings, find the App Menu (or App Drawer) section and activate it.
4. If necessary, adjust the gestures and appearance.

⚠️ Note: After installing a third-party launcher, some functions MIUI It may not work properly, for example, if you lose support for dual applications or Second Space, if those features are critical, go back to the standard launcher.

Standard. MIUI|Nova Launcher|Lawnchair|POCO Launcher|Other-->

What if the app menu opens but doesn’t show all the programs?

Sometimes the app menu appears, but it doesn't show all the programs installed, and this can happen for a number of reasons:

• 📦 Hidden annexes: B MIUI There is a function of hiding applications from prying eyes.
• 🔄 Launcher cache: Clogged cache can lead to failures in the display of icons.
• 🛠️ System Restrictions: Some applications (such as service ones) do not appear in the default menu.

How to return all applications:

1. Check hidden apps: Open Settings → Apps → App management. Tap three-points in the upper right corner and select Show Hidden Apps. Uncheck the programs you want to return to the menu.
2. Clear the launcher cache: Go to Settings → Applications → Launcher. Select Storage → Clear cache. Reboot the phone.
3. Reset the launcher settings: Open the Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Storage.Click Reset settings (or Clear data). ⚠️ Warning: This will remove all your widgets and icon layouts on your desktop!

If the problem persists, check if the system applications are manually disabled.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three points and select Show all applications.
3. Find the missing programs and turn them on if they are disabled.

How to return the standard MIUI launcher after experiments?

If you’ve tried third-party launchers but want to go back to the native MIUI interface, do the following:

Method 1: Through default settings

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the current launcher (like Nova Launcher) and tap it.
3. Select Clear Data by Default.
4. Return to the desktop, press the Home button and select MIUI Launcher.

Method 2: Resetting the launcher settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → MIUI Launcher → Storage.
2. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
3. Reboot the phone.

Method 3: Reinstall the launcher via ADB (for power users)

If a standard launcher has been removed or damaged, it can be restored using ADB:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.home

After completing the command, restart the device.

⚠️ Note: If after returning to the standard launcher, the application menu still does not appear, check whether the system utility com.miui.home is disabled. ADB: adb shell pm enable com.miui.home

Additional tips for working with the application menu on Redmi Note 7

To avoid problems with the app menu in the future, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI: New firmware versions fix launcher bugs. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📱 Do not remove system apps: Even if you are not using Mi Video or Mi Music, removing them could disrupt the launcher.
• 🛠️ Use reliable launchers: If you decide to change the shell, choose proven options (Nova, Lawnchair) and avoid little-known launchers from unverified sources.
• 🔧 Backup: Before experimenting with launchers, save your current settings using Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 12.5 and later, the app menu can automatically hide if there are more than 120 icons on the desktop, this is done to optimize performance. To return the menu, move some of the icons to folders or remove unnecessary shortcuts.

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If none of these methods worked, the problem could be corrupting system files, in which case only resetting to factory settings (with loss of data) or flashing through Fastboot will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the app menu on Redmi Note 7