How to pull the application to the Xiaomi desktop: all the ways for MIUI 14/15

Have you installed a new app on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but can't find it on your desktop? Or want to move a frequently used app to a convenient place, but the system stubbornly hides it in the menu? The problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones based on MIUI - the shell from Xiaomi often behaves illogically with shortcuts. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to pull the application to the desktop, including hidden functions and workarounds for the latest versions of the firmware.

It's important to understand that the behavior of the system depends on the version of MIUI (14, 15 or older), the device model (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) and even regional firmware. We tested all methods on current devices and collected only those that work in 2026. If the standard method did not work, read on, there are alternatives!

Why doesn’t the app appear on Xiaomi’s desktop?

Before we get to the instructions, we will understand the causes of the problem. There are several pitfalls in MIUI that may cause app shortcuts to be left out:

• 🔄 Automatic Sorting: The system by default groupes new applications into a Recommended or Recently Installed folder rather than bringing them to the home screen.
• 📱 “No-tag” mode: in some firmware (especially on the POCO) Mode enabled, where all applications are hidden in the menu, and only widgets are on the desktop.
• 🔒 Limitations MIUI: The shell blocks shortcuts for system applications (e.g., Settings or Camera) through standard methods.
• 📦 Hidden Apps folder: If you previously hid an app, it could have landed in that folder (available via device search).

Another common reason is the MIUI update. After major updates (for example, from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), the desktop settings are reset, and the shortcuts disappear, in which case resetting the launcher settings will help (we will discuss this below).

⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party launcher (like a Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher), the ways you add shortcuts will be different. MIUI.

Method 1: Standard Addition through the Application Menu

This is the most obvious method that works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12-15.

1. Open the app menu (swipe up the desktop or click on the All Apps icon in the dock panel).
2. Find the app you want in the list. If you don't have one, search at the top of the screen.
3. Press the application icon with your finger and, without letting go, drag it to the desktop or docking panel.
4. Release your finger when the words “Add to the home screen” or similar appear.

If the icon is not fixed on the desktop, but returns back, it means:

• 🚫 The application is system (for example, Google Play Store or Phone).
• 🔧 Unlabeled mode is enabled (see Method 2).
• 📱 You've got a launcher from POCO (separate setup is required).

There is a free space on the desktop |

App is not hidden in the folder "Recently installed" |

Navigation gestures disabled (they may interfere with dragging)|

The problem isn't the third-party launcher.-->

Method 2: Disable Unlabeled Mode (for POCO and some Redmi)

POCO devices and some Redmi models (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro+) have a default mode where all apps are hidden in the menu and only widgets are displayed on the desktop to bring back the classic look:

1. Press the empty area on your desktop and select Desktop Settings (or Screen Settings).
2. Go to the Desktop Style (or Layout) section.
3. Choose the option with application shortcuts (or Classic).
4. Confirm the changes and wait for the launcher to restart (it can take up to 10 seconds).

After that, all the installed apps will appear on the desktop, and you can drag and drop them as usual. If the option with app shortcuts is missing - your model does not support this mode, try other ways.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware POCO When you change the style of the desktop, you can lose the widgets, and you have to add them again with a long press on the free space of the screen.

Standard MIUI|

Nova Launcher|

POCO Launcher|

Microsoft Launcher|

Other-->

Method 3: Creating a shortcut through application settings

If standard drag and drop doesn’t work (for example, for system applications like Google Play Store or Galery), you can create a shortcut through the program information menu:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want in the list (use search if it’s not in the visible area).
3. Slip on it, then select Add to the home screen or Create a shortcut.
4. Confirm the action – the icon will appear on the desktop.

This method works even for apps that can't be dragged from the menu, but there are limitations:

Important: On MIUI 15, in some regional firmware, the Add to Home screen option is hidden behind a long tap on the app icon in the Application Management menu. If you can't see the buttons, try holding the icon for 2-3 seconds.

Method 4: Using the Application Shortcuts widget

If previous methods have failed, you can bypass the restrictions with the standard MIUI widget, which is suitable for system applications and those programs that are not displayed in the menu:

1. Clutch the empty area on the desktop and select Widgets.
2. Scroll down the list and find the App Shortcuts widget (or Shortcuts on English firmware).
3. Drag it to the desktop, and the app selection window will open.
4. Select the desired program from the list and confirm.

The advantage of this method is:

• 🔧 It works even for applications that cannot be added in the standard way (for example, the Google Play Store on some firmware).
• 📌 You can create a shortcut for a specific section of the application (for example, directly in Settings). → Sound).
• 🔄 The widget is updated automatically when you change the application icon.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Application shortcuts may not be available in this case, try updating the firmware or use Method 5.

💡

If the app you want isn't on the widget list, try opening it at least once through the menu. Sometimes MIUI adds programs to the shortcut list only after the first run.

Method 5: Reset the launcher settings (if nothing helps)

If none of the methods worked, the problem may be the launcher's settings fail, in which case a factory reset will help (not to be confused with a full phone reset!):

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
3. Find the MIUI Launcher (or POCO Launcher if you have POCO) in the list.
4. Select Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm.
5. Reset the device.

After discharge:

• 🔄 All shortcuts and widgets will disappear from the desktop (they will have to be reconfigured).
• 📱 The standard layout will return. MIUI (If you change the theme or style).
• ⚡ Apps that were not previously displayed should now appear on the menu.

Important: This method doesn't delete your data or apps, it just resets your desktop display settings, but if you've used third-party icons or custom themes, you'll have to reconfigure them, too.

Method 6: Creating a shortcut through ADB (for advanced users)

If all standard methods have been exhausted and the app still doesn't want to appear on the desktop, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer and minimal technical skills, but works 100% of the time.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (use the original cable!).
4. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
5. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and execute the commands:

adb devices


adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"




adb shell cmd shortcut create-home -p "name packet" -a "action"

Examples for creating a Google Play Market label:

adb shell cmd shortcut create-home -p com.android.vending -a com.android.vending.AssetBrowserActivity

Once the command is completed, the shortcut will appear on the desktop, and this method works even for system applications that cannot be added in standard ways.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not follow commands unless you are sure of their purpose. For security, back up your data before experimenting.

💡

ADB is the most reliable way to add a shortcut to any application, but it requires caution. Use it only if other methods have failed.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When adding shortcuts to the Xiaomi desktop, users often encounter typical errors, and let’s analyze the most common and ways to solve them:

Another common mistake is to try to add a shortcut to a locked desktop, and MIUI has a screen layout lock feature that prevents changes, so you can turn it off:

1. Clutch the empty area on the desktop.
2. Select Desktop Settings → Additionally.
3. Turn off the option to block the layout.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions