The company's smartphones Xiaomi are deservedly considered one of the most flexible in terms of personalization among all devices based on Android. Users often find that the standard layout of icons and menus does not meet their aesthetic preferences or ergonomic requirements. The ability to change literally every element of the interface turns customization into a fun process that allows you to adapt the gadget to specific tasks.
However, the abundance of options can confuse even an experienced user. Where are the grid settings hidden? How can I remove unnecessary signatures or change the animation for minimizing applications? In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available tools for customizing the main screen in the shells MIUI and the new HyperOSso that you can create a unique workspace.
We will not touch on third-party launchers, since the built-in one system launcher Xiaomi offers colossal functionality, which is enough for 95% of use cases. Proper organization of space on the display directly affects the speed of work and ease of access to important functions in everyday life.
Basic configuration of the grid and size of elements
The first step to the ideal organization of space is choosing a suitable application grid. The standard arrangement of icons may seem too sparse or, conversely, overloaded. To change the number of rows and columns, you need to go to the interface settings by long pressing on an empty area of the screen.
In the menu that opens, select the item Settings, and then go to the section Advanced. This is where the parameter Gridlurks, which allows you to switch between different layout options, for example, 4x5, 5x5 or even 5x6 in newer firmware versions. Selecting a denser grid allows you to fit more shortcuts on one screen without having to scroll.
Please note that changing the density of the grid may affect the size of the icons themselves and the font underneath them. If you prefer minimalism, choose a grid with fewer elements to add air to the interface. For those who like to have a maximum of tools at hand, the maximum density is suitable.
⚠️ Attention: When switching to a very dense grid (for example, 6 columns), the labels under the icons may become too small or cut off. It is recommended to check the readability of application names immediately after changing the settings.
In addition to the number of cells, the option to change the size of icons is often available in the same menu. This is a global setting that applies to all items on the desktop at the same time. Increasing the size helps users with low vision, and reducing it frees up space for widgets.
Managing signatures and hiding icons
One of the most popular customization features is the ability to hide signatures under application icons. This allows you to create a clean, visual interface where navigation is carried out exclusively by app logos. This setting is especially relevant for those who know the location of their applications well.
To activate this mode, again use a long tap on the free area and go to Settings. Find the switch Captions and deactivate it. The interface will instantly update, and the text labels will disappear, giving way to a clean graphic series. This also visually increases the available screen area.
If you want to hide not signatures, but entire applications that you do not use often, but do not want to delete, use the hidden applications function. In the launcher settings, find the item Hidden applications. The system will prompt you to set a password or use biometrics to access this section.
Adding apps to this list removes their icons from desktops and from the menu of all applications. They can only be accessed through a special gesture or by entering a code on the phone. This is a great way to protect confidential data or simply remove visual noise from rarely used software.
To quickly open hidden applications, use the two-finger pinch gesture on the home screen (if the function is activated in the security settings) or enter the secret code in the Phone application.
Setting up folders and grouping applications
Proper grouping of applications into folders is the key to order on your smartphone. In shells from Xiaomi this process is implemented intuitively, but has several hidden features. The standard method of creating a folder is simple: drag one icon onto another, and the system will automatically create a container.
However, few people know that folders can not only be renamed, but also changed their size and display style. Click on the created folder to open it, then click on the folder name. In some versions MIUI you can choose the background color or change the header font, although this function depends on the installed theme.
For advanced organization, use folder widgets. This is a unique feature that allows you to expand a folder directly on your desktop without opening it completely. Inside such an extended folder you can place up to 9-12 icons that will always be visible. This saves space and speeds up access to a group of apps, for example, banking applications or social networks.
The process of turning a regular folder into a widget looks like this:
- 📂 Create a folder and place the necessary applications in it.
- 🖐 Tap on the folder and hold your finger until it “will come unstuck.”
- 🔽 Pull the folder down or click on the special expansion arrow (depending on the OS version).
- 📍 Place the expanded folder in a convenient place on the main screen.
Using such groupings allows you to reduce the number of desktop pages by half. Instead of scrolling through ten screens in search of the right utility, you can group them by topic and pin the most important groups to the bottom of the display for quick access with your thumb.
Widgets: from classics to interactive elements
Widgets are the most powerful personalization tool in the ecosystem Android, and Xiaomi gave users access to a huge library of such elements. They can be static (clock, weather) and interactive (player, notes, switches).
To add a widget, perform a long tap on an empty space and select item Widgets. You will see a catalog of all available items, sorted by application. Pay attention to the section of system widgets from Xiaomi —they often have a unique design that matches the shell style, and offer more functions than standard counterparts from Google.
The “Quick Notes” and “Shortcuts” widgets deserve special attention. They allow you to create new entries or launch specific application functions in one click. For example, a camera widget may have separate buttons for different shooting modes, and a music widget may display the album cover in high resolution.
| Widget type | Functional | Recommended location |
|---|---|---|
| Clock and Weather | Time, temperature, daily forecast | Top of the screen (large size) |
| Switches | On/off Wi-Fi, flashlight, airplane mode | Middle of the screen or bottom doc |
| Notes | Quick viewing and creation of notes | Second or third screen |
| Pedometer | Daily activity tracking | Home screen for motivation |
Some widgets support resizing. After you add an item to the screen, touch and hold it, then drag the frame to expand or shrink it. This makes it possible to adjust the widget to the free space in your grid without disturbing the overall composition.
☑️ Optimizing widgets
Animations, transitions and visual effects
The visual component of the interface is not limited to static pictures. The dynamics of transitions between screens and when minimizing applications creates a feeling of smoothness and responsiveness of the system. In the launcher settings Xiaomi you can choose one of several swipe effects.
Find the section Swipe effect in the desktop settings menu. Options like “Classic”, “Cascade”, “Rotation”, “Cube” and others are available here. Selecting the “Cube” or “Rotate” effect can give the interface a futuristic look, but it is worth remembering that complex animations may have a slight effect on the switching speed.
The speed of the animation for minimizing applications is also adjusted. This setting is located in the Advanced -> Collapse effectsection. You can choose whether the app will disappear to the center of the screen, fly up, or simply dissolve. For maximum performance on older models, it is recommended to select the simplest effects.
⚠️ Warning: On devices with 4 GB of RAM or less, using heavy 3D swipe effects (such as Cube) may cause micro-delays when changing desktops. In such cases, it is better to choose the “Shift” or “Classic” effect.
Don't forget about the wallpaper. They are the foundation of the entire visual style. W MIUI i HyperOS has a “Wallpaper Carousel” feature that automatically changes images on the lock screen and sometimes on the desktop. Turn it off if you want to keep a static, carefully selected picture that won't distract you by constantly changing.
Navigation gestures and the Home button
The final touch in customizing your interaction with the desktop is choosing a navigation method. Modern smartphones Xiaomi offer two main options: the classic three buttons at the bottom of the screen or full-screen gestures.
Gesture control frees up significant space at the bottom of the display, which was previously occupied by the navigation bar. This is especially important on phones with elongated screens, where every pixel counts. To enable gestures, go to Settings -> Desktop -> System navigation.
When using gestures, swiping from bottom to top replaces the Home button, swiping with a delay opens the multitasking menu, and swiping from the edge of the screen returns back. This method takes a couple of days to get used to, but after that, going back to buttons feels archaic and awkward.
If you still prefer buttons, you can change their order. The standard sequence “Back - Home - Menu” can be replaced with “Menu - Home - Back”, which is convenient for left-handers or users who have switched from other brands. The option to hide buttons when watching a video or reading is also available.
Switching to gesture navigation increases the usable screen area and speeds up access to the multitasking menu, but requires a short period of adaptation of finger motor skills.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why after a firmware update Are all your desktop settings lost?
During major system updates (for example, moving from MIUI 13 to 14 or to HyperOS), the structure of the configuration files may change. The system resets the launcher settings to factory settings to avoid conflicts. Unfortunately, there is no automatic restoration of the old layout, so the grid and widgets will have to be reconfigured manually.
Is it possible to change the shape of icons without installing a third-party launcher?
Yes, this is possible through the app Themes. Go to the theme store, look for the Icons section, or download the full theme that you like. Apply the theme, and then in the theme settings, select to apply only icons. This will change the style of all shortcuts to match the selected package, without affecting the rest of the interface.
How to remove ads in folders and recommendations on the desktop?
Advertising recommendations in folders ("Popular Apps") and on the lock screen can be disabled. Go to Settings launcher, find item Recommendations or Receive recommendations and turn off the switch. Also check the settings of the “Security” and “Music” applications, where similar options for receiving promotional materials are often hidden.
Why widgets do not update or show incorrect time?
Most often the problem lies in aggressive energy saving. The system can “kill” the widget process to save battery. Go to Settings -> Applications -> All applications, find the desired application (for example, Weather or Clock), go to Activity control and select mode No restrictions. This will prevent the system from closing the widget process in the background.
Is it possible to restore a deleted icon if I don’t remember where it was?
Yes, all installed applications are always available in the “All applications” menu (swipe up from the main screen or menu button). If the icon disappears from the desktop, simply find the application in the general list, long-press it and drag it back to any free screen. If the application has been completely deleted, you need to download it again from the store Google Play or GetApps.