Owning a Xiaomi smartphone opens up a huge number of features, but sometimes basic actions are puzzling for users who have switched from other platforms. Especially often the problem arises when after installing a new software icon does not appear in the usual place, but hides in the depths of the menu, this is the standard behavior of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, which can be easily changed.
In this article, we will discuss how to force an app shortcut to the home screen if it is lost, and how to create shortcuts for websites and widgets to personalize your workspace as much as possible.
Configure the display of all icons in MIUI and HyperOS
By default, Xiaomi’s shell often hides icons of new programs in a separate All Apps menu, leaving the desktop clean. If you want all installed programs to automatically appear on the screen, you need to change the system settings, which will return the classic interface that most Android users are used to.
To start, find the Settings app in the list of programs or through a search. Next, you will need to go to the section responsible for the appearance of the system. Depending on the firmware version, the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same for all current models, whether it is the Redmi Note 13 or the flagship Xiaomi 14.
You need to find Desktop in the settings menu, and that's where the icons behave, and find a switch called Show All Apps on Desktop, and activate it, and then the system automatically transfers all hidden shortcuts to your screens.
It's worth noting that when you turn on this feature, the desktop can become crowded. MIUI will automatically create new pages to accommodate all the elements. This may require additional sorting, but you will definitely not lose any important program.
💡
If after turning on the icon options did not appear immediately, try to restart the device - this will update the launcher cache and apply the changes correctly.
Manually add a shortcut from the menu of all applications
If you'd rather keep only the most essential tools on your desktop and keep the rest hidden, you might need a hand-transfer method, ideal for those who like order and minimalism, that allows you to selectively output the right widgets and applications.
Swipe down the screen from the bottom up or tap a special menu button to open a list of all installed programs. Find the desired application in the alphabetical list. Press your finger on the icon of the program you want to move, and hold the press for about a second.
And then the interface changes a little bit, and you can drag and drop the icon to the top of the screen, or you can just move it to the free desktop space. Put your finger down to lock in the shortcut. Now you can access the program in one click.
- 📱 Press the icon in the All Apps menu to start moving.
- 🖐 Drag the element into the free area of the main screen.
- 📁 When you hover over the folder, the shortcut will automatically fit inside it.
- 🗑 If the space is occupied, the system will prompt you to move other elements.
Note that some Xiaomi system services may not have a visible icon or may not allow it to be removed, which is normal for Android System components that run in the background and do not require user interaction.
☑️ Pre-movement checks
Creating shortcuts for websites and pages
Often users need quick access to a specific website, such as a bank account or a news portal, without having to open a browser and enter an address every time. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this is solved by creating a shortcut to a web page that works as a full-fledged application.
Open the Chrome browser, MI Browser, or any other browser installed on your device. Go to the site you want to create a shortcut for. Click on the browser menu (usually three dots in the corner of the screen) and find the option to Add to the home screen or Create a shortcut.
The system will ask you to confirm the name of the shortcut and its placement. You can rename it to anything to avoid confusion with long addresses. Once confirmed, an icon with the site logo will appear on the desktop, allowing you to run the page in full screen mode.
⚠️ Attention: Site shortcuts depend on how the browser works. If you delete the browser by default or clear its data completely, shortcuts may stop opening or will run the start page instead of the desired address.
This approach is especially useful for PWAs (Progressive Web Apps), modern web applications that are almost as functional as native programs from Google Play. You can create a whole panel of quick access to your favorite services.
Adding widgets and folders for grouping
Xiaomi desktop allows you to place not only icons, but also widgets — dynamic blocks with information — it can be a clock, weather forecast, calendar or step counters. Widgets make the interface lively and informative, eliminating the need to open applications to view data.
To add a widget, pinch your two fingers on your desktop or pinch an empty area. At the bottom of the screen, a menu will appear where you want to select the widgets, and you will see a list of all available elements from the system and installed applications.
Pick the widget you want and drag it to the screen. Many widgets have different sizes that you can change by pulling the edges after you place them, and this allows you to flexibly adjust the layout to your needs, taking up from one to four grid cells.
| Type of widget | Size (cells) | Function | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| The clock | 2x1, 4x2 | Time-representation | Low. |
| Weather. | 4x2, 2x2 | Forecast and temperature | Average. |
| Calendar | 4x2 | Plan of events | Low. |
| Music. | 4x1 | Track management | Depends on the player. |
To group rarely used applications, create folders. Just drag and drop one icon onto another. You can rename the folder by clicking on the name and change the background color to visually highlight a category, like "Games" or "Work."
MIUI's Secret Widgets
Solving the Problems of Losing Labels
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the shortcut suddenly disappears from the desktop after a system update or reboot, this may be due to an error in the launcher cache or reset the theme settings. Don't panic, in most cases the problem is solvable.
First, check if the app is hidden. In some MIUI themes, there is a Hidden Apps feature that is accessed by swiping sideways in the All Apps menu or using a special password. Make sure that the missing program is not there.
If the app is installed but no icon, try clearing the launcher cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, search the Work Desk (or System Launcher) list and click Clear → Clear Cache. No data need to be cleared to avoid knocking down the icons.
⚠️ Warning: Clearing the launcher data (not the cache, but the data) will return the desktop to factory status. All folders and widgets created will be deleted, so use this method only as a last resort.
The problem may also be a third-party theme, so if you're using informal theme store design, try switching to a standard Classic or Default theme, and third-party designers sometimes make mistakes in their paths to icons, which leads to their disappearance.
💡
Most often, the disappearance of shortcuts is not due to the removal of the application, but to the conflict of the theme of the design or the overflow of the launcher cache.
Using third-party launchers to enhance opportunities
Xiaomi’s regular launcher is functional, but sometimes it’s not enough for advanced users. Installing a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher allows you to completely change the logic of working with shortcuts and desktop.
Once you install an alternative launcher from Google Play, the system will prompt you to select the default one, and you will have access to finer grid settings, gestures, animations, and app grouping methods. Many third-party shells allow you to display on the desktop action shortcuts within applications.
For example, you can create a separate icon for “Enable flashlight” or “Write to a specific contact” without logging into the app itself, which makes your smartphone a powerful automation tool, but it’s worth remembering that third-party launchers can consume more RAM resources.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher – classic customization, maximum flexibility of settings.
- 🌐 Microsoft Launcher – great integration with Windows and Office services.
- 🧠 Smart Launcher – automatic sorting of applications by category.
When using third-party software, make sure that Xiaomi’s security settings (Security → Permissions → AutoRun) allow it to work in the background. Otherwise, the system can “kill” the launcher process, and you will return to the standard interface after locking the screen.