How to quickly organize icons on a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone: from sorting to resetting settings

Clutter on the home screen Xiaomi Redmi is no less annoying than slow loading of applications. Over time, icons are scattered chaotically across desktops, duplicated after updates, and important utilities drown in a sea of ​​rarely used apps. If you spend minutes searching for the right shortcut, it’s time to put things in order.

In this article we will look at all the ways to organize icons on smartphones Redmi (relevant for MIUI 12–14 and Android 11–14). From manual sorting to automatic grouping into categories, choose the method that's right for you. And if the interface “breaks” after experiments, we will show you how to return the factory settings without losing data.

We warn you right away: some functions may differ depending on MIUI shell version and smartphone model (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro vs Redmi 12C). If you do not find the desired item in the menu, check the system updates in Settings → About phone → MIUI update.

1. Manual sorting of icons: dragging and deleting

The most obvious, but not always convenient way is move icons manually. It is suitable if you have few applications (up to 30-40 pieces) and you want to arrange them in a strict order (for example, by frequency of use or color).

How it works:

• 📱 Press and hold your finger on any icon until it “sticks” from the screen (vibration will appear).
• 🔄 Drag it to a new location - to the same screen, to another desktop (swipe left/right) or to dock panel (bottom bar with 4-5 shortcuts).
• 🗑️ To remove an icon from the main screen (without deleting the application itself!), drag it up to the inscription Delete or Remove.
• 📁 To create a folder, drag one icon to another - the system will automatically combine them.

Important nuances:

• ⚠️ Removing an icon from the main screen not uninstalls the application —it will remain in the menu All applications (swipe up from the dock).
• ⚠️ On some models Redmi (for example, Redmi 9A) there is no function for creating folders - instead, the icons are simply swapped.
• 🔍 If the icon “stuck” and does not move, try rebooting your smartphone or clearing the launcher cache (more on this below).

2. Automatic sorting by alphabet or category

If manually arranging hundreds of icons is a pain, use the built-in function auto sort. It is available in the menu All applications (swipe up from the dock) and allows you to organize shortcuts by:

• 🔤 Alphabet (from A to Z or vice versa).
• 📊 Categories (social networks, games, tools, etc.).
• ⏱️ Installation date (new or old first).

How to enable:

1. Open menu All applications (swipe up from the bottom panel).
2. Tap on the icon ⋮ (three dots) in the upper right corner.
3. Select Sorting → specify the desired criterion.
4. To apply, click Done.

Method limitations:

• ⚠️ Auto sorting works only in the “All applications” menu, but does not affect the icons on the main screen.
• ⚠️ On Redmi s MIUI 12 and below there may be no sorting by category - only by alphabet.

3. Using folders to group icons

Folders are the best way to save space on your home screen and logically group apps. For example, you can create folders Social networks, Work, Games or Finance.

How to create folder:

1. Tap and hold the icon you want to add to the folder.
2. Drag it to another icon - a new folder with an automatic name will appear (for example, Folder 1).
3. Tap on the folder name to rename it.
4. To add more icons, just drag them into the folder.

Additional features:

• 🎨 You can change folder color: open it → tap on the name → select a color from palette.
• 📌 Folders can be moved between desktops in the same way as individual icons.
• 🔍 To quickly find an application inside a folder, swipe down its contents - a search will appear.

Problems and solutions:

• ❌ The folder does not open → Restart your smartphone or update the launcher via Google Play.
• ❌ The icons inside the folder disappear → Check if they are hidden in the launcher settings (see section 5).

How to return the standard appearance of folders if they became transparent after the update?

Open the folder → tap on its name → select a color Default or any other one suggested.

4. Changing the desktop grid: more or fewer icons

If there is too little space on the screen for icons or, conversely, they look small, change grid sizeThis will allow you to place more shortcuts on one desktop or enlarge them for convenience.

Instructions:

1. Tap and hold an empty space on the main screen.
2. Select Screen settings (or Desktop settings on older versions MIUI).
3. Tap on Desktop grid.
4. Select the appropriate option: from 4×5 (large icons) to 5×6 (maximum density).

Comparison of grid options:

Grid size	Number of icons	Size icons	Suitable for
4×5	20 per screen	Large	Elderly users, low vision
4×6	24 per screen	Medium	Balance between convenience and density
5×5	25 per screen	Small	Maximum number of shortcuts
5×6	30 per screen	Very small	For those who love minimalism and rarely use folders

On models Redmi s MIUI 14 i Android 13+ may be absent option 5×6 —instead, an adaptive grid is available that automatically adjusts to the screen size.

5. Resetting the launcher settings to factory settings

If, after experimenting with sorting, the icons begin to duplicate, disappear or “stick together,” resetting the launcher settings will help. will not delete your data, but will return the default layout of shortcuts and desktops.

How to reset:

1. Tap and hold an empty space on the home screen.
2. Select Screen settings → Advanced (or More).
3. Tap on Reset launcher settings.
4. Confirm the action.

What will happen after the reset:

• ✅ All icons will return to standard positions (as after buying a smartphone).
• ✅ User folders will disappear (but applications will remain installed).
• ✅ Grid, animation and settings will be reset gestures.

⚠️ Attention: If after resetting the icons are still not displayed correctly, clear the launcher cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Application management → Launcher (or MIUI Launcher) → Storage → Clear cache.

6. Hiding unnecessary icons and applications

Some system applications (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music or GetAppscannot be deleted, but you can hide their icons. This will free up space on the desktop and menu. “All applications.”

How to hide icons:

• 📱 In the menu All applications (swipe up) click on the icon ⋮ → Hide applications.
• 🔘 Tick unnecessary apps.
• 💾 Click Done —they will disappear from view, but will remain in the system.

How to return hidden icons:

1. Open again Hide applications in the menu All applications.
2. Uncheck the required ones apps.
3. Icons will appear in their original places.

⚠️ Attention: Hiding system applications (for example, Settings or Phone) can lead to unstable operation of the smartphoneHide only those apps that you do not use.

7. Using third-party launchers for flexible customization

If the standard capabilities MIUI Launcher do not suit you, install an alternative launcher from Google PlayPopular options:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher - flexible customization of icons, gestures, etc. animations.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher - support for themes and adaptive icons.
• ⚡ Microsoft Launcher - integration with Windows and cloud storage.
• 📱 Lawnchair - minimalistic open source launcher.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🔧 Ability to change size, shape and style of icons (including adaptive icons).
• 📂 Creation smart foldersthat automatically sort applications into categories.
• 🖼️ Setting background images for each desktop separately.
• 🔄 Import/export settings for quick transfer to a new smartphone.

How to install a third-party launcher:

1. Download the launcher you like from Google Play.
2. Open it after installation.
3. Follow the setup instructions (usually you are asked to select the style of icons and the number of workers tables).
4. Click Home → select the new launcher as Default.

⚠️ Attention: Some features of third-party launchers (for example, gestures or widgets) may conflict c MIUI. If your smartphone starts to slow down, return to the standard launcher in the settings. Default applications.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about arranging icons on Xiaomi Redmi

🔍 Why are the icons in a bunch after updating MIUI?

This is standard system behavior during major updates (for example, with MIUI 12 to MIUI 13). The launcher resets the arrangement of icons to avoid conflicts with the new interface. To return to the previous order:

1. Check for duplicate icons (they can be removed by dragging them up).
2. Restore a backup copy of the launcher settings, if any. was created.
3. Manually rearrange the icons (see section 1).

If the problem repeats with every update, try disabling automatic sorting in the launcher settings.

📲 How to return a deleted icon to the main screen?

If you removed the icon from the main screen (but did not uninstall the application), you can return it:

1. Open the menu All applications (swipe up from the dock).
2. Find the one you need application.
3. Tap and hold its icon → drag it to the main screen.

If the application is deleted completelyyou will have to reinstall it from Google Play or GetApps.

🔄 Is it possible to synchronize the arrangement of icons between two Xiaomi smartphones?

Yes, but only if both devices use the same version. MIUI i same launcherFor this:

1. On the old smartphone: Screen settings → Backup (if the function is available).
2. Copy the backup file to the new smartphone (for example, via Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
3. On a new smartphone: restore the launcher settings from the file.

If the backup function is missing, use third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher), that support export/import of settings.

🚫 Why can’t I move the icon to the dock panel?

Probable causes and solutions:

• 🔒 Dock panel locked: press and hold an empty space on the main screen → Display settings → remove checkbox with Lock dock panel.
• 📱 System application icon: some applications (for example, Phone or Messages) cannot be moved to the dock.
• 🔄 Launcher failure: restart your smartphone or clear the launcher cache (see section 5).

🎨 Is it possible to change the appearance of icons on Xiaomi Redmi?

Yes, but the methods depend on the version MIUI:

• MIUI 12–13: go to Settings → Themes → Icons and select another icon pack (available only with installed theme).
• MIUI 14: support for adaptive icons (press and hold the icon → Edit → select a style).
• Any version: use third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher), which support icon customization.

Please note: changing system application icons may require root access.