How to bring the application to the main screen of Xiaomi: all ways

Have you installed a new app on your Xiaomi but its icon doesn't appear on the home screen? Or have the frequently used software shortcuts disappeared after the MIUI update? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Black Shark smartphones. Unlike "pure" Android, the MIUI shell has its own app nuances - from automatically hidden icons to the "All Apps" menu features.

In this article, we will discuss 5 We've tried and tested ways to bring an app to Xiaomi's screen, from basic launcher activities to hidden system functions, and we'll tell you why some programs don't show up on the menu, how to return deleted shortcuts, and what to do if the app is installed but it's not on the list. MIUI 14/15 All the brand’s current models, including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.

1. Basic method: add through the menu "All applications"

The easiest method is to use the standard All Apps menu, which works on all versions of MIUI and doesn't require any additional settings.

1. Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the app menu (if you have gesture navigation). On button-based devices, click on the All Apps icon (six dots at the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the app you want in the list, and if it's not there, check the "Recently Installed" tab or search the "magnifying glass" tab.
3. Press the app icon for 1-2 seconds until the vibration and screen thumbnail appear.
4. Drag the icon to the home screen or folder. Release your finger to fix it.

If the app does not appear in the All Apps menu, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔍 App hidden in settings MIUI (see section 3).
• 📥 Installation not completed (check Settings) → Annexes → Application management).
• 🚫 Application blocked by Security MIUI (antivirus or optimizer).

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If you don't see the All Apps menu, check the launcher settings: Settings → Home Screen → Home Screen Style. Choose "With an Applet" instead of "Without an Applet".

2.Why is the app not listed?

Sometimes the installed programs just don't appear in the All Apps menu, they're in the system. This is a typical MIUI problem related to:

• 📦 Automatic concealment of “systemic” or underused applications.
• 🔄 Conflict after the shell update (especially when switching to the MIUI 14/15).
• 🛠️ Launcher cache errors (often solved by rebooting).

To find the "lost" app:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Turn on the All Apps filter (at the top of the screen).
3. Scroll through the list or search. If there is an app but it doesn't show up on the screen, go to Section 3.

If the application is not even in the Application Management list, the following scenarios are possible:

3. How to return hidden applications to MIUI

MIUI automatically hides some applications, such as system utilities (Security, Themes) or programs you haven't used in a long time, to return them:

1. Open the Settings. → Main screen screen.
2. Select "Hidden Apps" (in some versions - "Apple Settings").
3. Uncheck the apps you want to return, and they'll immediately appear on the All Apps menu.

If the item "Hidden applications" is not:

• 🔧 Try an alternative path: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Threefold (⋮) → Show all applications.
• 🔄 Restart the phone – sometimes the launcher cache is reset only after the reboot.

On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), hidden applications can only be returned via ADB. If you use custom firmware, check its documentation.

4. Creating a shortcut through the widget "Application shortcuts"

If the standard method doesn’t work, use the App Shortcuts widget, which is especially useful for applications that can’t be dragged to the home screen (such as some system utilities).

1. Click the empty space on the main screen and select "Widgets".
2. Find the Application Shortcuts widget (usually in the Utilities section).
3. Drag it to the screen and select the desired app from the list.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ It works even for hidden system applications.
• ✅ Allows you to create a shortcut for a specific action in the application (for example, immediately open chat in Telegram).
• ✅ Does not require superuser rights.

The app shortcut widget is not available on all firmware.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Check if widgets are included in Settings → Main screen → Widgets

Restart your phone if the widget doesn’t show up

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5. Use of alternative launchers

If problems with displaying apps occur regularly, consider installing a third-party launcher.Popular options for Xiaomi:

• 📱 Nova Launcher – flexible settings, gesture support.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – lightweight open source launcher.
• 🔧 Microsoft Launcher – Integration with Windows and Office.

How to install an alternative launcher:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. Open the app and follow the setup instructions.
3. When the system prompts you to select the default launcher, select the one installed.

Warning: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese) may not work as well as third-party launchers. If you experience a freeze or reboot after installation, go back to the standard launcher in the settings:

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader (Redmi Note for China), third-party launchers can cause the error "Stop app com.miui.home." In this case, roll back to the standard launcher via Settings → Annexes → Application management → Threefold (⋮) → Default launcher.

6. Recovery of deleted labels

If you accidentally removed the app shortcut from the home screen, it can be easily returned:

1. Open the All Apps menu (swipe up from the bottom edge).
2. Find the right application and pinch its icon.
3. Drag to the main screen. If the shortcut doesn't stick, check if the change protection mode is on in the launcher settings.

If the tag is missing after the MIUI update:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone - it will reset the launcher cache.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache of the com.miui.home app in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 📥 Install firmware updates (sometimes shortcut bugs are fixed in new versions).

On MIUI 14+ firmware, shortcuts can be restored through the basket:

1. Click the empty space on the home screen and select “Home screen settings”.
2. Go to the "Basket" section (the garbage can icon).
3. Find the deleted shortcut and click "Restore".

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If the shortcut is missing after resetting, check the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder in internal memory – backup copies of the home screen layouts can be saved there.

7. Solving problems with system applications

System applications (Camera, Phone, Messages) sometimes disappear from the home screen after updates or resets.

1. Check if the application is disabled: Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Application Name] → Enable.
2. If the application is disabled and it cannot be enabled, reset via Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Resetting app settings.
3. For advanced users: Restore the application via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.camera (replace com.android.camera with the desired application package).

List of standard application packages Xiaomi:

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB require the debugging enabled USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB). Misuse ADB It may cause the system to fail.

FAQ: Frequent questions