How to make a shortcut to the desktop of the Xiaomi phone: all the ways of 2026

Why Xiaomi can’t add a shortcut and how to fix it

Are you trying to move the app icon to Xiaomi's home screen, but nothing's happening? Or did you lose all the shortcuts after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi smartphones - especially after the transition to new versions of the shell. The fact is that since MIUI 12, the logic of working with the desktop has changed: developers removed the usual long-press icon in the app menu, and some functions were hidden in the depth of the settings.

In this article, you will find the most relevant ways to add shortcuts to the home screen for all modern Xiaomi models (2020-2026), including devices with a hyper-shell HyperOS. We're going to take a look at not only the standard methods, but also the little-known tricks -- like how to put a contact, a website, or even a hidden app on the screen. All the instructions are tested on the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Xiaomi 13T.

Before you start, check out two key settings:

  • 🔹 Version. MIUI/HyperOS: Go to Settings. → The phone, if you have an older version. MIUI 12.5, Some of the ways may not work – update the firmware.
  • 🔹 Launcher type: Xiaomi uses a standard launcher by default, but some users install third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher.
📊 What kind of smartphone you Xiaomi?
Redmi (Note, K-series)
POCO (F, X, M-series)
Xiaomi (Numerical, T, Ultra)
Another brand

Method 1: Standard Addition via Application Menu (MIUI 14/HyperOS)

This is the simplest method that works on most modern devices, but many users don’t know that the algorithm has changed — now a long click on the icon in the app menu does not work (as it was in older versions of Android).

  1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
  2. Find the right app and click on its icon once (not long!).
  3. In the context menu that appears, select Add to the home screen (or Create a shortcut for some system applications).
  4. The shortcut will automatically appear on the first free desktop space.

If there is no Add to the home screen, the application does not support shortcut creation (e.g., some system utilities like Security or Themes).

Make sure there is a free space on the desktop.

Close all open applications (swipe up)

Check if the "Light Mode" mode is enabled in the settings

Turn off the child mode (if activated)-->

Method 2: Drag from the notification bar (for widgets and quick actions)

This method is suitable for adding not only applications, but also widgets (weather, hours, notes) or quick actions (for example, turning on a flashlight or mobile data).

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
  2. In the upper right corner, find the icon. ⚙️ Settings and click on it.
  3. Scroll down to the Shortcuts and Widgets (or Tools in HyperOS) block.
  4. Press the desired item (such as a flashlight or Google Search) and drag it to your desktop.

⚠️ Note: Not all of the elements in the notification panel can be displayed. For example, Flight Mode or Bluetooth will be added as switches, not as separate applications. Also note that the list of available widgets may differ in HyperOS - some options are moved to the Smart Assistant section.

Type of labelWhere to find it.Features
AnnexApplication menu → context menuIt does not work for system utilities.
widgetLong press on the desktop → “Widgets”The size can be changed after adding
ContactAnnex “Contacts" → name-strokeCreate a shortcut for a quick call/SMS
Site (web label)Browser → menu → “Add to the main screen”Requires Internet connection

Method 3: Creating a shortcut for system applications (hidden functions)

Some Xiaomi built-in utilities (such as Engineering Menu, Hardware Tests, or Locator) don’t appear in the app menu and don’t have a standard way to add to the desktop.

  1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play (free, no ads).
  2. Open it and find the system application you want (e.g. com.android.settings for hidden settings).
  3. Slip on the line with the name and in the menu that appears, select Create Shortcut.
  4. Confirm the addition - the icon will appear on the desktop.

🔹 Examples of Useful Hidden Labels:

  • 📡 Engineering menu (com.android.engineermode) – for network and sensor testing.
  • 🔧 Developer settings (com.android.settings.DevelopmentSettings) – if not enabled.
  • 📍 Xiaomi Locator (com.miui.compass) – for compass calibration.
How to Restore the Old Way of Adding Labels (for MIUI 12-13)
If you don’t like the new interface, you can return a long-pressed icon via Settings → Home Screen → Additional → Return the classic menu. However, after upgrading to MIUI 14/HyperOS, this option may disappear.

Method 4: Website shortcut (Chrome, Mi Browser, Firefox)

If you frequently visit a particular website (e.g., VKontakte, YouTube or corporate portal), it can be added to the desktop as a separate application.

On Google Chrome:

  1. Open the site you want to fix.
  2. Put it on the icon. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner.
  3. Select Add to the main screen.
  4. If you wish, change the name of the label and confirm.

In Mi Browser:

  1. Go to the right page.
  2. Click on the icon. ⋯ → Additionally. → Labeling.
  3. Choose whether you want to open the site in a browser or as an isolated site. PWA-annex (recommended).

⚠️ Note: Web shortcuts created through Mi Browser may not work after resetting your phone.To avoid this, export bookmarks to your Xiaomi account:

  1. Open Mi Browser. → ⋯ → Bookmarks → Exports.
  2. Choose Export in Xiaomi Cloud.

💡

If the web shortcut opens in the browser instead of a separate window, clear the browser cache in Settings → Apps → Browser → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 5: Contact shortcut (quick call)/SMS)

To add a button to your desktop to make a quick call or send a message to a specific contact:

  1. Open the Contacts app.
  2. Find the right contact and hold it with your finger for 1-2 seconds.
  3. In the menu that appears, select Create a shortcut.
  4. Select action: Call, Message or Video Call.

The label will be created with the contact icon, and if you want to change the look of the contact,

  1. Press the shortcut on your desktop and select Change.
  2. Click on the icon → select Gallery or Sticker to change the picture.

🔹 Additional opportunities:

  • 📞 You can create a group shortcut to call multiple contacts at the same time (via Truecaller or Google Play Group Call).
  • 💬 For a label. SMS You can pre-register the text of the message (in the settings of the label).

Problem Solving: The label is not added or disappears

If you followed the instructions but the shortcut never appeared on your desktop, check out the following points:

Problem.Reason.Decision
A label is not created by pressing.The "For Children" or "Guest Mode" mode is enabledTurn off in Settings → Special. opportunities → Mode for children
The shortcut disappears after the rebootLauncher failure or memory optimizationClear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache
You can't drag the icon.Screen layout fixation enabledClip the empty space on the desktop → Screen settings → Remove the fixation of the layout
The label opens the wrong appConflict with cloned applications (Double Appendices)Remove the clone in Settings → Applications → Dual applications

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the launcher settings:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the Launcher (or MIUI Launcher) and select Warehouse.
  3. Click Clear Data (not cache!).
  4. Reboot the phone – after that all the shortcuts will have to be added again.

💡

If the problem persists after the launcher is reset, check if there is a third-party launcher (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair) on the phone. In this case, the addition of shortcuts occurs through the launcher settings itself, and not through the Xiaomi system menus.

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi

Can I change the label icon to a custom one?
Yes, for this: Install an Icon Changer or Shortcut Maker app from Google Play. Open it and select the shortcut you want to change. Upload your picture (format) PNG, recommended size 192×192 Create a new label, the old one can be deleted. ⚠️ On HyperOS, some icon-change apps may not work due to security limitations.
How do I remove the label?
In the standard launcher Xiaomi to remove the text under the icons, but there are workarounds: 🔹 Install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) and turn off signatures in its settings. 🔹 Use a widget instead of a shortcut (some widgets are displayed without text). 🔹 Change the font to transparent through Settings → Screen. → font → Download fonts (risky, the system may get lost).
Why did all the labels disappear after the MIUI update?
This is a known problem when you switch to MIUI 13/14 or HyperOS. Shortcuts disappear due to a reset of the launcher settings. To restore: Check the Deleted folder on the desktop (swipe up on the home screen → Remote). If there are no shortcuts there, you will have to add them again (see Method 1). To avoid the problem in the future, back up the screen layout through Settings → Additional → Backup.
Can I add a shortcut to the lock screen?
No, you can't put app shortcuts on your lock screen on Xiaomi for security reasons. However, you can add quick action shortcuts: Go to Settings → Lock screen. Select Shortcuts (or Quick Actions in HyperOS). Set up to 5 shortcuts from the list (flashlight, camera, call, etc.) To add arbitrary apps to the lock screen, you will need to unlock the bootloader and install custom firmware.
How to transfer shortcuts to another screen?
To move the shortcut to another desktop: Hold the shortcut with your finger and wait until it sticks away from the screen. Without letting go, swipe it to the edge of the screen (left or right) and the phone switches to the next desktop. Release your finger when the shortcut is in the right place. If you only have one desktop, first add a new one: swipe left/right on the home screen → press +.