How to pull the application to the main screen of Xiaomi: all ways + problem solving

Have you installed a new app on Xiaomi but it doesn't have an icon on the home screen? Or have the commonly used software shortcuts disappeared after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones — the shell interface often hides applications in menus or automatically sorts them into folders. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to bring applications to the desktop, including solutions for system utilities and hidden programs.

MIUI is a flexible desktop setting, but sometimes this flexibility plays against the user. For example, after resetting or switching to a new shell version (for example, from MIUI 13 to MIUI 15), applications can disappear from the home screen, although they physically remain in the system. We will look not only at standard methods through the application menu, but also at hidden functions through ADB, which will help to return even those programs that are not displayed in the installed list.

Important: the instructions in this article are relevant for all modern Xiaomi devices (2020-2026) based on MIUI 12-15, including the Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5, Xiaomi 13/14 and others. If you have an older version of the shell (for example, MIUI 11), some menu items may differ - we will warn you about this separately.

1. Standard method: via the application menu

The simplest and most obvious method is to add a shortcut right from the installed list, which works for 90% of applications, except for system utilities (such as Security or Themes), which Xiaomi sometimes blocks for desktop.

How to do this:

• 📱 Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app menu (or click on the All Apps icon in the dock panel).
• 🔍 Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search at the top of the screen).
• 🖱️ Press the app icon for 1-2 seconds until the context menu appears.
• 📌 In the menu, select Add to the main screen (or drag the icon up if the menu does not appear).

If there is no Add to the main screen, then the application is either system or hidden by the MIUI settings. In this case, move on to the following methods.

2.System Search: Quick Access to Hidden Applications

MIUI has a built-in global search feature that finds not only apps, but also settings, contacts, and even files, a method that is useful if you can’t find the program on the menu (for example, after resetting or updating).

Instructions:

1. Swipe down the main screen to open the search bar (or click on the magnifying glass in the dock panel).
2. Enter the name of the app (such as Google Pay or Watch).
3. In the search results, find the desired program and press its icon.
4. In the menu that appears, select Add to the main screen.

⚠️ Note: If the app is not searchable, check if it is disabled in the settings. → Annexes → Manage applications and find the program manually. If status is disabled, turn it on before adding it to the desktop.

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If the search doesn’t find the app, try typing its name in English (e.g. Clock instead of Watch).

3. Through MIUI settings: for system and hidden applications

Some applications (e.g. Security, Themes, Game Turbo) by default do not allow you to bring to the home screen, but they can be “unlocked” through a special menu.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Show all applications (or System Processes if the program is not in the main list).
3. Find the app in the list and open its settings.
4. Scroll down and find Add to the home screen (or shortcut). If it's not, go to the ADB method (section 5).

🔹 Example: To bring Security to your desktop, find it in the list of system applications and activate the Show Shortcut option, and then the icon will appear in the application menu, and it can be added in a standard way.

4.Use of folders and widgets as an alternative

If an app stubbornly doesn't want to add to the home screen, you can go around creating a folder for it or using a widget, which is especially convenient for commonly used utilities that don't have their own icon.

Method 1: Folder with a label

• 📁 Create a new folder on the home screen (clip the empty space) → folder).
• 🔗 Open the application menu, find the desired program and drag it to the created folder.
• 🎨 If you wish, rename the folder (e.g., Hidden Applications»).

Method 2: Quick access widget

Some apps (like Settings or Google Assistant) support widgets to add:

1. Click the empty space on the home screen and select Widgets.
2. Scroll the list to the desired application (e.g. Settings → Control Panel).
3. Drag the widget to the desktop.

5. Advanced method: ADB-commands for hidden applications

If none of the previous methods worked, the last option is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for system applications that cannot be carried out by standard means, such as com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.settings.

⚠️ Attention: To work with ADB need to be debugged USB And you can install Xiaomi drivers on your computer, and you can use the commands incorrectly to disrupt the system!

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version until you become a developer!

USB-debugging

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Turn on the debugging switch over USB.
• Connect your phone to your computer and execute the commands: adb shell pm list packages | grep "application name" adb shell pm enable com.name.adb shell cmd shortcut create-home --package com.name.package --activity com.name.packet.Activiti 🔹 Example for Security: Adb shell cmd shortcut create-home --package com.miui.securitycenter --activity com.miui.permcenter.MainActivity

Once you execute the command, the icon will appear on the home screen, and if not, restart the device.

6. Problem Solving: Why the App Is Not Added

Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, the app refuses to appear on the home screen, and let's look at the common causes and ways to address them:

• 🚫 Application disabled: Check status in Settings → Applications. If it's disabled, turn it on.
• 🔒 Limitations MIUI: Some system utilities (for example, Mi Account) can not be carried out without ADB.
• 📱 Launcher replaced: If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), go back to the standard launcher. MIUI Launcher and try again.
• 🔄 Launcher's cache: Clear the Loncher app's cache MIUI customized.

🔹 On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 with a special case) MIUI 13) after the update, the icons of the Google Play Store or YouTube disappear, this is due to a conflict between Google and YouTube services. MIUI. Decision:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Google Play Store and click Show on the home screen.
3. If there is no item, update Google Play Services through the App Store.

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If the app is not added through the menu, first check if it is disabled in the settings. Often the problem is solved by simply turning on the program.

FAQ: Frequent questions