How to fix the application on the home screen Xiaomi Poco M3: all the ways

Xiaomi Poco M3 is a popular smartphone with a shell MIUI, which offers flexible desktop settings. However, the function of attaching applications (fixing icons on the screen) is not always obvious to new users. Unlike “pure” Android, where it is enough to hold a finger on the icon, in MIUI the algorithm can differ depending on the version of the firmware and the launcher settings.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to attach applications to the Poco M3, from standard methods to workarounds for atypical situations. We will focus on the problems that users face after upgrading to MIUI 14, when some of the features move to other sections of the menu.

Why apps aren’t fixed to Poco M3: common reasons

Before we get into the instructions, it’s important to understand why an icon can “refuse” to be fixed on the home screen. M3:

• 🔄 Version. MIUI: In the firmware older MIUI 12.5 The fixing algorithm has changed – more confirmation is now required.
• 📱 Light Desktop Mode: If activated in Settings → Special. capabilities, part of the functions of the launcher is blocked.
• 🔒 Administrator Restrictions: Applications with device administrator rights (e.g., antiviruses) can block desktop changes.
• 🗑️ Launcher cache: Clogged system cache (com.miui.home) leads to failures when moving icons.

If none of the methods below worked, check if your Poco M3 has a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Apex) in which case the fixing rules are determined by the alternative interface settings, not MIUI.

Method 1: Standard fastening through the application menu

This is the basic method that works on all versions of MIUI for Poco M3, and the instructions are relevant for both clean firmware and root-right devices:

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the app and hold its icon for 1-2 seconds until the vibration appears.
3. Without letting go of your finger, drag the icon to the main screen or folder.
4. If an action pop-up appears (such as “Delete” or “Information”), simply drag the icon outside of this menu.

On MIUI 14, additional confirmation may be required: after dragging it, the button "Appoint - press it" will appear. If there is no button, then the application is already locked.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI POCO M3 When you hold the icon, you get a context menu instead of dragging it. In this case, select Secure on the home screen (if you have one), or first click the Application Information, and then try dragging the icon over again.

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

In the new MIUI versions, Xiaomi has added hidden options to manage the icons to activate them:

1. Keep your finger on the empty seat of the main screen until the settings menu appears.
2. Select Desktop Settings (or Launcher Settings).
3. Go to the section Style of icons → More.
4. Activate the option to Allow Apps to be fixed (if any).

Then try dragging the icon over again using the first method, and if you don't have the option, then your version of MIUI doesn't support manual tuning, use alternative methods.

Method 3: Use of gestures and voice commands

Poco M3 supports alternative ways to manage icons that few people use, such as securing an app with:

• 🤏 Compression Gesture: Squeeze the screen with three fingers (setting in Settings) → Additional functions → Gestures), then select the app from the menu and drag it.
• 🎤 Voice Assistant: Say OK Google, pin [app name] on the home screen (you need to activate Google Assistant).
• ⚙️ Quick Settings: Add the Edit Desktop button to the notification bar (available in Settings) → Notification panel).

The voice method works unstable on Chinese Poco M3 firmware (for example, with the CN region), since the Google Assistant can be disabled. In this case, use Alice from Yandex or third-party voice assistants.

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If the gestures don't work, check if they're turned off in the battery settings. In Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode, add Launcher to the exclusion list.

What to do if the application is not fixed: diagnosis of problems

If none of the methods worked, perform the diagnosis using the following algorithm:

1. Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache
2. Restart the device in Safe Mode (hold the power button → Reboot in Safe Mode). If the secure mode anchorage is working, the problem is with third-party software.
3. Check the application rights: Settings → Apps → [app name] → Permissions Make sure there is no prohibition on displaying over other windows.
4. Update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Critical error: If after cleaning the launcher cache, the icons disappeared from the desktop, do not panic - they are saved in the folder /data/data/com.miui.home/shared_prefs. Rebooting the device will restore them automatically.

⚠️ Note: On some Poco firmware M3 (After resetting the launcher settings, you may need to re-authorize in Mi Account. Without this, some icons (for example, Mi Home or Themes) will not be displayed.

Alternative solutions: third-party launchers and ADB-team

If standard methods don’t work, consider the following options:

• 📱 Install a third-party launcher: We recommend Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher - they offer advanced icon settings, including forced anchoring. → Default applications → Launcher → Select Nova Launcher
• 💻 ADB-commands for compulsory fixing (required) USB-debugging: adb shell pm grant com.miui.home android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS adb shell settings put secure launcher_allow_app_pinning 1 After performing, restart the device.
• 🔧 Configuration File Editing (for advanced users): Open the file with Root Explorer /data/data/com.miui.home/shared_prefs/com.miui.home.preferences.xml and find a line. launcher_app_pinning_enabled. Replace the value with the true.

Third-party launchers are the most reliable way to fix icons, but also to adjust their appearance (size, shape, animation).However, note that some MIUI features (such as Second Space or App Lock) may not work properly with alternative shells.

Tips for organizing a desktop on the Poco M3

App attachment is just part of the customization of a user-friendly desktop, and here are some life hacks for the Poco M3:

• 📁 Tab folders: Create a folder, then hold it and select Edit → Include tabs. This will allow you to divide applications into categories (for example, "Social networks", "Games").
• 🔍 Search by gesture: Activate in Settings → Additional functions → Search swipe down the home screen for quick app search.
• 🎨 Responsive icon themes: In Mi Themes, choose a theme with Adaptive Icons support – this will allow you to change the shape of the icons without third-party launchers.
• 🔒 Hiding icons: To hide unnecessary apps, hold the icon → Remove from the screen (the app will remain in the menu, but will not appear on the desktop).

Poco M3 also has a dual-press lock feature (in Settings → Screen Lock), which speeds up the transition to sleep mode and prevents the accidental movement of icons.

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If you use the same apps frequently, stick them in the dock panel (bottom of the screen). To do this, drag the icon to the bottom line - it will be available on all desktops.

FAQ: Frequent questions about fixing apps on the Poco M3