How to bring applications to the main screen of Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI 14 and 15

Xiaomi’s home screen is your smartphone’s business card, where only the most necessary apps should be. But what if after installing the program, its icon does not appear on the desktop, but is lost on the menu? Or how to return a randomly deleted application back? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to bring applications to the home screen for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones based on MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS).

The problem with displaying icons on the desktop can arise for various reasons, from basic unfamiliarity with the interface to failures in the launcher. We will consider not only standard methods, but also hidden functions that are not written about in the official instructions. For example, how to add system applications that are hidden by default, or what to do if you update them after the update. MIUI Icons are gone. We'll focus on the nuances for models with HyperOS, a new shell that is gradually replacing the classic one. MIUI.

1. Standard method: Drag from the application menu

The most obvious method is to use an embedded app menu that works on all versions of MIUI and is suitable for 90% of users.

1. Tap the App Menu icon** (usually a round button with six dots at the bottom of the screen or a swipe up from the bottom panel).
2. Find the app you want in the list. If it's not there, check the All Apps tab or search (the magnifier at the top).
3. Press the app icon for 1-2 seconds until it is “detached” from the background.
4. Drag it to the home screen or folder, release your finger when the backlight of the location appears.

If the app is not dragging, make sure that:

• 📱 You don't use navigation gestures (in which case the swipe up opens the notification bar, not the menu). → Display. → Navigation panel.
• 🔒 The application is not blocked by the system (relevant for some utility utilities, such as Mi Pay or Game Turbo).

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If the icon "trembles" when dragging, but does not fix - try to restart the smartphone. MIUI drip after prolonged use.

2. Addition via the context menu of the application

A lesser known, but no less effective, way is to use the icon context menu, which is useful if the application is hidden in folders or difficult to find in a shared list:

1. Find the right app and make a long tap (clip the icon, but don’t drag it).

This method is particularly convenient for:

• 📁 Apps hidden in folders (e.g. Google Play Games or Mi Video).
• 🔄 Shortcuts for quick access to functions (e.g. Settings) → Battery).
• 📱 System utilities that do not appear in the default menu (e.g. Security or Cleanup).

3.Search and add through the search bar

If an application is lost in MIUI, the fastest way to find it is to use the built-in search engine, which works even for hidden or disabled applications:

1. Swipe down the main screen to open the search bar (or tap the magnifiers at the top of the app menu).
2. Enter the name of the application. The system will show not only the installed programs, but also the web results.
3. Press the icon of the found application and drag it to the main screen.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 Works for all applications, including system and disabled.
• ⚡ Faster than scrolling through a long list on the menu.
• 📌 You can add even those programs that do not appear in the standard launcher (for example, Mi Cloud or Sim Toolkit).

4. Restoration of deleted icons

If the app icon is missing from the home screen (for example, after resetting or updating MIUI), it can be returned without reinstalling the program.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
3. Check if it is disabled (the Enable button must be active).
4. Return to the home screen and repeat the addition via the app menu (Section 1).

If the app appears in the settings but it’s not on the menu, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone (sometimes launcher) MIUI Does not update the list after installation).
• 📦 Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher (or) MIUI Launcher) → Clear the cache.
• 🛠️ Reset the launcher settings: go to Launcher Settings (double tap on empty space on the main screen) → gears and select Reset settings.

5. Work with system applications and ADB

Some Xiaomi system utilities (such as Mi Share, Quick Ball or Second Space) are not displayed in the application menu by default. ADB-team-launchers.

To begin, try this method:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools from Google on PC.
2. Connect your smartphone to your computer and allow debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB).
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "name packet"

Replace the packet name with the app name part (e.g. miui.share for Mi Share).

adb shell pm enable packet.name

Warning: improper use of ADB can disrupt the system. Do not disable system packages unless you are sure of their purpose.

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ADB-commands are the only way to return hidden system applications without root rights!

6.Use of third-party launchers

If standard methods don’t work (for example, due to bugs in MIUI or after upgrading to HyperOS), install an alternative launcher.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports gestures, adaptive icons and hidden apps.
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration and cloud settings.
• ⚡ Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher.
• 🎨 Action Launcher - Extended Appearance Settings.

How to install and configure:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play.
2. After installation, click the Home button and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. In the launcher settings, find the Hidden Applications or Shortcuts section and add the desired programs to the main screen.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🔓 Access to hidden system applications without ADB.
• 🎨 Flexible customization of icons, animations and gestures.
• 🔄 Ability to back up the layout of the main screen.

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If after installing the launcher icons became blurred - turn on the option "Adaptive icons" in its settings.

7. Solving HyperOS Problems

The new HyperOS shell, which replaces MIUI, has its own features with the main screen. If you have a model with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), note these nuances:

• 🔒 Shortcut restrictions: some system utilities (e.g. Mi) AI) You can’t put it on the main screen by standard methods – use it. ADB launcher.

If after the upgrade to HyperOS, the icons disappeared:

1. Reboot your smartphone (hold the power button → Reboot).
2. Reset the launcher settings: double tap on the main screen → Settings → Reset.
3. Update all apps via Google Play (sometimes old versions of programs with a new shell conflict).

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HyperOS is raw yet – if icon problems are repeated, roll back to MIUI via Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → Package Update (if available).

FAQ: Frequent questions