How to fix the application on Xiaomi with Android 11: all the ways and nuances of MIUI

Fixing apps on Xiaomi’s Android 11 screen is a task that seems elementary at first glance, but often raises questions among users.The fact is that the MIUI shell (even in the 12th and 13th versions based on Android 11) has its own interface features that differ from the “pure” Android. For example, on some Redmi Note 10 or Poco X3 Pro models, the standard way to hold the icon does not work, and in the Mi 11 Lite algorithm differs because of the customized launcher.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods of attaching applications, from classic drag and drop to hidden MIUI features that few people know about. You will learn how to circumvent the system limitations if the icon “does not want” to be fixed, and what to do if the fixed applications disappear after the update.

Why Xiaomi with Android 11 can not fix the application?

Problems with attaching apps to Xiaomi are usually due to three factors:

• 🔹 Version. MIUI: In the firmware MIUI 12.0.x and MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11, the icon fixing algorithm differs from the MIUI 13+. For example, at Redmi. 9T To fix the icon, you need to hold it longer than in the Mi 11 Ultra.
• 🔹 Type of launcher: Stock launcher MIUI Supports anchoring, but if you are using a Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher, the process may be different.
• 🔹 Manufacturer restrictions: On some models (e.g. Redmi) A1+) fixing system applications is blocked at the firmware level.

Another common reason is battery optimization mode. If an application is aggressively optimized, the system can reset its position on the screen after rebooting. Check this in Settings → Applications → Application Management → [App name] → Battery optimization.

Method 1: Classical fastening by holding an icon

This is the most obvious method, but it doesn't work on all devices the same way.

1. Find the app in the menu of all apps (swipe up the main screen).
2. Hold the app icon for 2-3 seconds until the vibration and menu appear.
3. In the context menu that appears, select Secure on the home screen (or Add to the desktop in some versions of MIUI).
4. Drag the icon to the right place on the screen and let go.

If the menu doesn't appear:

• 📱 Check if the one-hand mode is enabled (Settings) → Additionally. → One-hand mode. It can block long pressing.
• 🔄 Try to restart the device - sometimes the launcher glitches interfere with the fixing.

Turn off one-hand mode.

Check the free space on the screen

Make sure the app is not on the blacklist of optimization

Restart the device if necessary.-->

Nuance for Poco Launcher: On Poco Launcher devices (such as Poco X3 NFC), after holding the icon, you first drag it to the Add to Desktop area at the top of the screen, and then place it on the home screen.

Method 2: Affixing through the application menu

If a long press doesn’t work, try an alternative method:

1. Open the menu of all applications (swipe up from the dock panel).
2. Find the right application and click on the three-point (⋮) top-right corner of the icon.
3. In the drop-down menu, select Secure on the main screen.
4. The icon will automatically appear in the first free place.

This method works even on devices with gestures turned off (for example, if you use navigation buttons), but it is not available for system applications (for example, Settings or Phone) – they can only be fixed through retention.

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If the menu doesn’t have a “Secure” option, try adding the app to the folder on the home screen first and then pulling it out of there – sometimes this works as a workaround.

Method 3: Using the app shortcut widget

If the application stubbornly does not want to fix, you can go a workaround through the widget:

1. Hold the empty space on the main screen and select Widgets.
2. Find the App Shortcuts widget (or App Shortcuts in the English version of MIUI).
3. Drag it to the screen and select the desired app from the list.
4. Set the size of the widget (usually 1×1 or 2×1) is enough.

The advantage of this method is:

• 🔧 It works even for system applications that cannot be fixed in a standard way.
• 🔄 The widget can be placed in the dock panel (if there is free space there).

Disadvantage: The widget takes up a little more space than the standard icon and may look different (for example, without the adaptive icon).

Method 4: Affixing through ADB (for power users)

If none of the above methods work, you can use them. ADB-This is true for devices with unlocked bootloader or customized firmware (for example, LineageOS on Xiaomi Mi). A3).

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell cmd overlay enable-exclusive com.android.systemui Then: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -c android.intent.category.HOME
3. Then try to fix the application in a standard way.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause shell malfunctions if the instructions are not executed correctly. On devices with a locked bootloader, this method will not work without first unlocking.

If the icons still don’t stick after the commands are executed, check if the installed launcher conflicts with the system. For example, Microsoft Launcher or Action Launcher can block standard MIUI functions.

Method 5: Resetting launcher settings (extreme case)

If the attachment of applications became impossible after updating or changing the theme, the launcher reset will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher app (or POCO Launcher if you use it).
3. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
4. Reset the device.

After discharge:

• 🔄 All previously fixed icons and widgets will disappear – they will have to be reconfigured.
• 🎨 Reset the theme and wallpaper settings.
• ⚡ The standard layout of the main screen will return.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro), a launcher reset may cause a temporary loss of access to the dock.

What if the attached applications disappear after the reboot?

This is a common problem on Xiaomi with Android 11, which is related to the work of background optimization.

• 🛡️ Turn off battery optimization for launcher: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher MIUI. Choose Battery Optimization → No restrictions.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic cleaning. RAM: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to unlock the developer menu. Return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Do not remain active (unplug this item).

Use a third-party launcher

Nova Launcher

On root-righted devices, you can disable background optimization entirely through the Magisk Disable Flag Secure module or edit the build.prop file (ro.miui.optimization=0).

FAQ: Frequent questions about fixing apps on Xiaomi

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If none of the methods worked, check the integrity of system files through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points (⋮) → Checking for updates. Sometimes, icon fixing failures are caused by firmware damage.