How to fix the application on the home screen Xiaomi: all the ways for MIUI 12-14

The app attachment feature on Xiaomi’s MIUI-enclosed smartphones allows you to quickly access your favorite programs without digging into the menu. But not everyone knows that this process can differ from one firmware version to another – especially if you are talking about MIUI 12, MIUI 13 or fresh MIUI 14 based on Android 13/14. Moreover, some models (for example, POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12) have unique interface nuances that make it difficult to find the desired option.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to secure applications, from standard drag and drop to hidden launcher functions, how to capture icons on the home screen, in the dock, and how to get around the system limitations if the application stubbornly “does not want” to fix, and pay special attention to the problems that users face after updating the firmware or resetting settings.

If you've just moved from iOS or another Android smartphone, MIUI may seem counterintuitive. Unlike pure Android, for example, there's no separate "Secure" button when holding the icon. Instead, it uses gestures and context menus that aren't always intuitive. But don't worry, after reading this manual, you can customize the main screen to suit you in a few minutes.

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1. Standard method: Drag the icon to the main screen

This is the most obvious method, and it works on all versions of MIUI, from the 10th to the latest, but even here, there are pitfalls that many people don't know about.

To secure the application on the main screen:

Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
Find the right app and hold its icon for 1-2 seconds.
Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to a free place on the main screen or in the dock panel.
Release your finger – the application will be fixed.

⚠️ Warning: If you drag and drop the icon back into the menu, there is no free space on the screen. Remove unnecessary widgets or create a new screen (swipe left on the home screen).

This works for 95% of applications, but some system utilities (such as Security or Themes) can be blocked from moving.

📊 What version? MIUI You're using it?

MIUI 12

MIUI 13

MIUI 14

I don't know.

other

2. fastening in the dock panel (lower panel of quick access)

The dock panel in MIUI is the bottom bar with 4-5 icons that shows up on all screens. By default, it usually hosts Phone, Messages, Browser and Camera, but you can replace them with any other application.

Instructions:

📱 Open the application menu (swipe up).
👆 Hold the icon of the desired application and drag it to the dock panel.
🔄 If there is no free space in the dock, drag one of the existing icons upwards - it will be removed, freeing the slot.
✅ Release your finger – the application will be fixed.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) the dock panel can be locked. To unlock it, go to Settings → Main screen screen → Dock panel and disable the option "Fix the dock».

If you want to return a standard set of icons in the dock, do a launcher reset:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear data

3.Creating a shortcut for applications that "don't want" to be anchored

Some system applications (such as Settings, Security, or Game Turbo) do not allow themselves to be fixed in a standard way, in which case you can create a shortcut through the widget menu.

Step-by-step:

🖼️ Keep an empty space on the main screen → select "Widgets».
🔍 Scroll down to the "Application Shortcuts" section».
📌 Find the right app and hold its icon.
🏠 Drag it to the main screen or to the dock panel.

This method works even for programs that are hidden in the Settings → All Apps menu, such as the ability to pin Developer Mode or Special Features.

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If the shortcut of the application looks unaesthetic (gray background, non-standard icon), set the theme of the Minimal or Pixel design in the Themes section - this will lead all icons to a single style.

4.Use of the editing mode of the main screen

MIUI 13/14 has a hidden editing mode that makes it easier to manage icons, and many users are unaware of its existence, although it speeds up the process significantly.

How to turn on the editing mode:

Hold your finger on the empty spot on the main screen.
At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a toolbar. Click on the Edit icon.
Now you can: 🔄 Drag icons freely (without retention). ✖️ Remove apps swipe up. 📂 Create folders by dragging one icon to another.

Ready.

⚠️ Warning: In this mode, it is easy to accidentally delete an important icon. If this happens, do not panic - the application will remain on the menu and you can fix it again.

Take a screenshot of the current location of the icons

Check the free space on the screen

Close all background applications

Turn off navigation gestures (if disturbed)

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5. Fixing through launcher settings (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, after a firmware update), you can use hidden launcher settings, which requires activation of the developer mode.

Instructions:

Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable the option “Debug by USB”.
Connect your phone to your PC and use the command ADB: adb shell settings put secure launcher_app_lock 0 This will unlock all launcher restrictions.
Now try to fix the application in a standard way.

To install a third-party launcher:

Download the selected application from Google Play.
Open it and follow the setup instructions.
In the system settings, select the new default launcher: Settings → Applications → By default → Launcher

⚠️ Attention: Some functions MIUI (For example, Super Wallpapers or Themes may not work properly with third-party launchers. Before installing, back up your current screen layout via Settings. → Main screen screen → Backup.

What happens if you remove the standard launcher?

The standard MIUI launcher is a system application and cannot be removed without root rights. However, it can be disabled through Settings → Applications → Launcher → Disable. In this case, you will lose access to certain functions, such as: - Animations for transitioning between screens. - Weather and calendar widgets from Xiaomi. - Quick customization of the the theme. To return everything back, you just need to turn the launcher back on in the settings or reset its data.

7. Problem Solving: Why is the application not secured?

Sometimes, even after completing all the instructions, the icon stubbornly doesn't want to stay on the home screen, so let's look at the main reasons and ways to fix them.

Frequent problems and solutions:

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
The icon is back on the menu	There is no free space on the screen.	Remove unnecessary widgets or create a new screen (swipe left)
The app doesn't drag and drop.	System constraint (e.g. Settings)	Create a shortcut through widgets (Section 3)
Dock panel locked down	The option "Fix the dock" is enabled	Turn it off in Settings → Main screen → Dock panel
Icons disappear after rebooting	Launcher failure or conflict of topics	Clear the launcher data or reset the topic to standard

If the problem persists, try resetting the launcher settings:

Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear data and cache

After that, all the icons will be dropped, but you can fix them again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about fixing apps on Xiaomi

Can I lock the app on a locked screen?

No, MIUI does not support pinning icons to the lock screen. However, you can add shortcuts to quickly access the camera, flashlight or favorite contacts through Settings → Lock screen → Shortcuts.

How to secure a folder with applications?

To create a folder, drag and drop one icon onto another and release it. Then hold the folder that you get and move it to the home screen or to the dock. MIUI 14 You can change the color and shape of folders through a long press → «Edit».

Why did the fixed applications disappear after the MIUI update?

This is a well-known bug that occurs when you upgrade to a new firmware version. To return icons: Clear the launcher data (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data. Restart the phone. Secure the apps again. If the problem recurs, roll back to the previous version. MIUI through settings → Updating the system → Package update.

Can I attach the widget as an app?

Yes, but not directly. First, add a widget to the home screen (hold the empty space → “Widgets”), and then create a shortcut for it through the “Tags” app (available on Google Play), for example, you can fix the widget weather or player.

How to remove the inscriptions under the icons?

In MIUI 13/14, you can hide the app names: Keep the screen empty → Screen settings. Select Makeup → turn off the App Names option. On some models (POCO), this option may be called Icon Style.