How to bring the app icon to the screen of the Xiaomi phone: all ways

Why is it impossible to add an app shortcut to Xiaomi?

Did you install a new app on your Xiaomi Redmi, POCO or Mi 11 but it doesn’t have an icon on the home screen? or did you lose all the shortcuts after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many Xiaomi smartphone owners – especially after the move to MIUI 14, where the logic of working with the applications has changed.

Unlike pure Android, the MIUI shell has its own nuances: there is no classic app menu (like on Samsung or Google Pixel), and all the programs are hidden by default in the All Apps folder. In addition, Xiaomi is actively promoting its smart folder launcher, which automatically groups icons into categories.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to return the icon of any application to the home screen – from standard to hidden MIUI functions.

Method 1: Standard Addition through the Application Menu

The simplest method, which works on all versions of MIUI (12 to 14), is suitable for most applications except system (for example, Settings or Phone – their shortcuts are usually already on the screen by default).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open All Apps (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
• 🔍 Find the desired application in the list (you can use the search at the top).
• 🖱️ Hold your finger on the app icon 1-2 seconds.
• 📲 Drag it to a vacant spot on the home screen or to the docking panel (bottom panel with frequently used programs).

If the icon is not dragging, check:

• ❌ Is there a lock screen (for example, in mode Mode for children or Second space).
• ❌ Is the security mode turned on (in some firmware it blocks changes to the main screen).
• ❌ Is the application system (some Xiaomi utility programs can not be brought to the screen).

Is the application running at least once?| Is there free space on the home screen?| Is the power saving mode enabled?| Have the application rights been checked in the settings-->

Method 2: Through launcher settings (for MIUI 13/14)

Newer versions of MIUI have a hidden launcher settings section where you can force a shortcut even for apps that aren’t usually displayed on the menu, a technique that is particularly useful for the POCO F4, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and other MIUI 14 models.

How to open hidden settings:

1. Go to the main screen.
2. Make a double tap on the free place (not on the badge!).
3. In the menu that opens, select the Home Screen Settings.
4. Scroll down and find Show Hidden Apps (or Manage icons depending on version).
5. Turn on the switch next to the desired application.

After that, the icon will appear in the All Apps menu, and it can be pulled to the screen in the standard way (see Method 1).

Method 3: Using the "Application Shortcuts" widget

If an application persists in not adding to the screen, you can go a workaround through a widget, which works even for system utilities that are usually hidden (e.g., Developer Mode or MIUI Optimization).

Step-by-step:

1. Hold your finger to the free space on the main screen.
2. In the menu that appears, select Widgets.
3. Scroll through the list to Tools (or Systems) section.
4. Find the App Shortcuts widget (or App Shortcuts in English firmware).
5. Drag it to the screen and select the desired app from the list.

The disadvantage of this method: the widget takes place as 4 badge 2×2), But it's guaranteed to work for even the most stubborn programs. A3 Other models with almost pure Android.

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If the widget doesn't have the right app in the list, try running it at least once through the All Apps menu. Sometimes MIUI doesn't display programs that have never been opened.

Method 4: Through ADB (for advanced users)

If all previous methods have failed, the radical way is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to:

• 🔧 System applications that Xiaomi has specifically hidden (for example, the company’s own software, MIUI Daemon or SecurityCenter).
• 🔧 Applications removed from launcher after firmware update.
• 🔧 Problem programs that don’t appear on the menu due to a crash.

Warning: This method requires the developer mode on and PC connection. Wrong commands can disrupt the system!

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux).
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
5. Use the command to create a shortcut (replace com.example.app with your application's batch name): adb shell cmd shortcut create-home --package com.example.app --activity.MainActivity.

To find out the batch name of the application, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

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ADB-The teams work only for applications that support shortcut creation. Some Xiaomi system utilities (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) may ignore this command.

Method 5: Installation of a third-party launcher

If you're constantly lacking the flexibility of a standard MIUI launcher, the most reliable way to install an alternative is to install one.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports customization of icons, gestures, backup settings.
• 🌟 Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher similar to the Pixel Launcher.
• 🌟 Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for Xiaomi, supports themes MIUI.
• 🌟 POCO Launcher – the official launcher from Xiaomi, but with advanced settings.

After installing a third-party launcher:

1. Open the app menu (usually swipe up).
2. Find the right application and pinch its icon.
3. Most launchers will have a context menu with the option to Add to the main screen.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

The downside of this method: some MIUI features (such as Super Wallpapers or Smart Assistant) may not work properly with third-party launchers.

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Before installing a third-party launcher, back up your current home screen settings. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher and select Backup (if available).

Why are app icons disappearing from Xiaomi’s screen?

Sometimes users face the opposite problem: shortcuts disappear from the home screen on their own.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Second Space or Private Mode MIUI, Icons can disappear when you switch between profiles. Check if this mode is activated accidentally (swipe down the notification panel). → mask icon).

• 🔄 Automatic optimization: MIUI Sometimes "cleans" rarely used shortcuts. → Battery and productivity → Optimization of the system.
• 📱 Reset launcher settings: After updating the firmware, the screen settings may reset. Restore them through Home Screen Settings → Restore.
• 🚫 Blocking applications: If the application is blocked in Security → Blocking apps, its icon may disappear.
• 🔧 Launcher failure: Reboot your phone or clear the launcher cache in Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

If the system app icon (such as Camera or Phone) is missing, try:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the missing app and tap it.
3. Select Display on the home screen (if the option is available).

FAQ: Frequent questions about shortcuts on Xiaomi