If you spend more time searching for icons than actually using your phone, it's time to get organized. Organizing your apps by color or category not only looks good, but it also makes finding each app much faster and easier every day, and there are guides available to help you organize your apps efficiently.
In the following lines you will see All the ways to organize your apps by colors, categories, folders, and gesturesMaking the most of the app drawer, home screen options, security features, and even clever tricks like shaking your phone to fill empty spaces. The idea is that you can build a system that makes sense to you: whether by color, usage, app type, or a combination of criteria.
Organize your apps by color on Xiaomi (MIUI and HyperOS)
One of the most striking features offered by Xiaomi is the ability to Group app icons by color within the app drawerThis is especially useful if you have a visual memory and remember the icon color better than the app name, or if you simply like having a bright and colorful mobile phone organized by color schemes.
Activate icon grouping by color
To use this feature, first activate the app drawer and then turn on the specific color option. On phones with MIUI or HyperOS, Everything is configured from the Home Screen settingsSo it's important to be familiar with that section.
On your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device, open the Settings app and go to the menu of Home screen, where you can choose your desktop styleThere you will find an option that is usually called something like "With app drawer" or similar, which is the one you have to select so that the system stops putting all the apps directly on the desktop and puts them in a drawer accessible with a gesture.
Once you've activated drawer mode, you can access its specific settings. Within that menu, you'll find a setting called "Group icons by color" allows you to sort apps according to the predominant color of their icon.When activated, the Xiaomi launcher analyzes the colors of the icons and classifies them into groups automatically, without you having to move anything manually.
Additionally, depending on your MIUI or HyperOS version, you can also activate extra visual effects associated with this feature. For example, there's an option called something like "Color Category Animations" which adds motion effects to each color groupThis doesn't change the order of the apps, but it does make the color-coded organization more visually appealing and easier to identify at a glance.
How to use the app drawer color catalog?
Once you have the color function activated, the fun part begins: Use the app drawer's color catalog to filter icons by tone.Access is very simple and is done directly from the home screen.
From your home screen, swipe up to open the app drawer. At the bottom, you'll see a sort of... color bar or chart that shows the available shades based on the installed appsDifferent colors may appear depending on the foreground and background of the icons (blues, reds, greens, yellows, etc.).
By touching one of those colors, the system instantly groups all icons whose color matches that shadeIt's a super-fast way to locate, for example, all the apps with a blue icon or all those with a red logo, without having to scroll through page after page.
You can try different colors on the board to see how the drawer reorganizes. If you have previously activated the Animations in color categories, you will observe small motion or highlighting effects which makes changing color groups even more intuitive. Although using these animations isn't mandatory, they can help you better understand what's happening on screen.
Please note that, depending on your Xiaomi model and system version (MIUI, HyperOS and its build number), The exact location of the color options or the behavior of the categories may vary slightly.It is recommended to keep the system launcher updated to have all the latest features, as Xiaomi usually refines these options with each version.
Use the app drawer and its smart categories
Aside from the colors, MIUI and HyperOS offer a A very complete app drawer that automatically organizes apps by category.It's a good starting point if you don't want to overcomplicate things and prefer the system to handle the heavy lifting.
When you activate the "With app drawer" mode from the Home screen settings, your Xiaomi generates different categories at the top of the drawer (e.g., Communication, Games, Tools, etc.)As you install new apps, the system will place them where it thinks they fit best, so that the drawer stays organized almost automatically.
To access this organized drawer, simply Swipe up from the bottom of the home screenAt the top, you'll see a row of tabs with the categories, while the rest of the space displays the apps within the selected category. This structure allows you to combine alphabetical searching with thematic sorting.
Configure and customize drawer categories
The grace of this system is that You are not limited to the categories that Xiaomi configures by default.From the app drawer settings you can modify both the order and content of each group, as well as create new categories to your liking.
Go back into Settings, then to Home screen, and open the app drawer section. There you'll see an option similar to this: "Managing application categories" is the key to reorganizing the system your way.Within this menu you can move the categories up or down so that the most used ones are visible first.
You also have an advanced customization section where You can type the name of a new category and assign the apps you want to it.For example, you can create a tab called "Networks", "Work", "Streaming" or "Banking" and group related applications there, without depending on how MIUI has classified them by default.
The process is usually simple: open the drawer, access the context menu (usually a three-dot icon in the upper right), choose "Manage categories," and then tap on the customization section. From there You select the apps you want to include, decide on the name of the new category, and save the changes.From that moment on, it will appear as just another tab in the drawer.
In addition to categories, the app drawer lets you change small visual details. You can adjust the color and transparency of the drawer background From the Home screen options, under the backgrounds or appearance section, you can customize the background drawer to be darker, lighter, or match your system theme. You can also adjust the opacity to make it stand out more or less against your desktop background.
Other useful options in the app drawer
Within the app drawer options, there are several settings that affect how apps are automatically organized. It's worth reviewing them because They can make the difference between a chaotic desktop and a fairly controlled one..
One of them is the function for Decide whether new apps are added directly to the home screen or remain only in the app drawer.If you disable automatic placement on the desktop, each time you install something new, it will appear in the app drawer without cluttering your main screens with icons. This will give you a cleaner desktop, and you'll only have to move the things you actually want to the desktop.
Another function is to Get app suggestions at the top of the drawer based on usageWhen activated, the system will place your most frequently used apps at the top, which is very useful if you don't want to think too much about the order but still want to quickly access what you use daily. This can be easily combined with organization by categories or colors.
Finally, in some models you can choose the type of side-sliding bar for the drawer. Options include: a simple color bar or alphabetical scrolling that helps you jump between letters quicklyIt's not a key feature, but it's a nice little extra for navigating more smoothly if you have a lot of apps installed. For more details, see how sort your apps alphabetically.
Organize your home screen without an app drawer
If you are one of those who prefer Having everything visible on desktop screens, without a separate app drawerMIUI also allows you to work this way. In this mode, all icons and shortcuts are placed on the desktop, so organizing pages, folders, and the grid is essential.
Adjust the grid and icon size
Xiaomi's interface lets you change the home screen layout to fit more or fewer icons per row, as well as their size. You'll find these options in the Settings app, under Home screen. an option called something like "Customize Layout" where the grid is decided.
In that menu, you can choose, for example, 3, 4, or 5 icons per row, depending on how compact you want your desktop. Furthermore, You can choose different icon sizes, usually in scales like XS, S, M, L and XLThe larger the icon, the more prominent the app will be and the fewer icons will fit on each page; with small icons, on the other hand, you'll see many more apps at a glance.
Ideally, you should try several combinations until you find a layout that is comfortable to read and at the same time It doesn't force you to do too much horizontal scrolling between screensIf you plan to organize by color, a dense grid might help you keep each color block neat and compact.
Create folders to group applications
Beyond drawer categories, desktop folders are the classic way to Organize apps by type, use, or even color directly on the home screenWith them you can have, for example, a folder for social networks, another for work, another for multimedia, etc.
To create a folder, simply Press and hold an app icon and drag it onto another app you want to group it with.As soon as you release your finger, MIUI will create a new folder with the two apps inside. From there, you can add more icons with the same gesture, and also remove apps by dragging them out of the folder if you want to leave them separate.
Once you've created the folder, you can rename it as you like with any label that helps you identify it. The folder option is very flexible: You can use them to classify by theme, by frequency of use, or even to create groups of apps with icons of the same color.If you prefer to see color blocks already on your desktop, follow this guide. If you want to learn more, follow this guide. use smart folders.
Choose which home screen is displayed when unlocking
Something that many users don't know is that You don't have to always use the same page as your main page.MIUI lets you choose which screen will appear in the foreground when you unlock your phone, which is very useful for keeping your most important apps or the set of icons you consult most often there.
To change this default screen, pinch inwards on the desktop to enter edit mode. At the bottom you'll see a Home screen settings or configuration button, from which you can select "Set default screen"All the pages you have created will be displayed, and you can choose which one will appear when you unlock the device.
This way you can dedicate the main screen to a Minimalist desktop with few essential apps, while the rest of the icons and folders are relegated to secondary pagesIt's a simple way to reduce visual clutter without sacrificing organization.
Prevent icons from moving on their own
After spending a good amount of time organizing your apps, the last thing you want is for The system will start moving icons to fill gaps on its own.MIUI offers a couple of important settings to keep your configured design intact.
From Settings, in the Home screen menu, you can disable an option that is usually called "Fill in gaps left by uninstalled apps" or similarIf you have it turned on, every time you delete an app, the system will automatically move other icons to fill the gap, disrupting your system's layout. When you turn it off, the gaps will remain until you decide what to do with them.
If you need even more rigidity in the design, you have the function "Lock home screen layout" prevents you from moving icons even if you try to drag them.Activating this lock fixes the grid: you cannot change positions, create new folders, or delete apps from the desktop until you deactivate the option again.
This type of lock is very useful if You share your phone with someone else, you lend it to children, or you simply don't want an accidental gesture to move your icons.Each time you want to make changes, you'll have to go back to Settings > Home screen and uncheck the lock.
Advanced features for faster ordering
In addition to the basic options, Xiaomi has been adding Interesting features to speed up the task of placing icons and keeping the desktop tidySome of them go quite unnoticed, but when you know them they save you a lot of drag and drop time.
Shake your phone to fill in empty spaces
In versions like MIUI 11 and later, there is a function called something similar to "Shake to fill empty spaces" which automatically compacts the iconsIt's designed for those times when your desk is full of scattered gaps and you're too lazy to put them back one by one.
To activate it, go to Settings, access Home screen, and look for the shake-to-fill-gaps setting. Once activated, You'll just need to physically move the phone for MIUI to rearrange the icons and close all the empty spacesIt's a very quick way to tidy up your screens after uninstalling several apps.
However, keep in mind that this function ignores any aesthetic patterns you may have set up. When you shake, The system prioritizes simply filling gaps, not respecting color blocks or specific groups.So use it when you don't mind sacrificing a little design in exchange for speed.
Move multiple apps at once
Another interesting trick of MIUI is the ability to select multiple apps simultaneously to move them from one area to anotherInstead of dragging icons one by one between screens, you can select several and place them in a block, greatly speeding up the reorganization.
In many models, the process involves performing an editing gesture (pressing and holding on an empty space or using the edit button) and Tap the apps you want to select while in that modeSome Xiaomi launchers even allow you to use the pinch gesture to temporarily save a set of icons to a kind of visual "clipboard".
Next, you scroll to the destination screen and You drop the group of apps from that clipboard, placing them all at once.This system is perfect if you want to create a themed folder or set up a specific screen for work, leisure, or any other criteria without wasting too much time.
Quick gestures from the MIUI and HyperOS launcher
In addition to visual features, MIUI and HyperOS integrate gestures that make it easier to find apps, group them, and access the search engineWhen properly configured, these gestures mean you barely have to navigate manually through the screens.
For example, in many Xiaomi devices, Swiping with two fingers on the home screen directly opens the app finderThis way, you only need to type a few letters to launch any app, even if it's buried in a folder or in a hidden category in your drawer.
You can also take advantage of the swipe-down gesture from the top to, in addition to displaying notifications, Open the app drawer with its integrated search barSo, even if you're not a fan of the drawer, you can use this quick access feature when you need to find something quickly.
In the Gestures and Shortcuts section of MIUI settings, it is possible to customize advanced actions such as "swipe up with three fingers" to launch a specific action (such as opening an organization menu, creating automatic folders, etc.), or even using double taps to interact with the home screen. These settings vary depending on the version and model, but they're worth exploring because they allow you to customize your phone to suit your usage style.
Visual customization to improve organization
Although it may seem purely aesthetic, visual customization has a significant impact on how easy it is to find your way around dozens of iconsA good wallpaper, text-free icons, and an appropriate level of drawer transparency can make all the difference.
Remove text from app icons
MIUI offers an option for You only see the app icons, hiding the text that usually appears underneath.This gives the desktop a cleaner, more minimalist look, and can be very useful if you have a strong visual memory of each icon.
To activate it, pinch inwards on the home screen and tap the display settings icon (the gear in the bottom right). There you'll find a switch with a name similar to "Do not show text" which, when activated, removes app labelsThe result is a desktop made up only of icons, with no names underneath.
You should be aware that when you remove the text, the system detects that there is more space available, so You can readjust the icon layout or slightly increase their sizeIf you ever decide to show the names again, you'll probably have to reorganize the apps again, using your preferred folder, category, or color methods.
Choose a wallpaper that helps distinguish icons
Wallpaper is not just an aesthetic matter: If you choose an image that is too busy or has too many bright colors, it can make it difficult to read the icons.Ideally, you want a relatively clean background with soft tones that provides enough contrast with your apps without stealing their spotlight.
To change the background, go to Settings and scroll down to the Wallpaper section. From there you can choose between predefined system images, downloaded themes, or personal photos from the gallery using the "Local Photos" optionWhen you select an image, you will need to confirm whether you want it as your lock screen background, home screen background, or both.
If you're organizing your apps by color, it might be helpful to use a Neutral background (e.g., soft gray, off-white, or uniform dark) so that the color blocks of the icons stand out much moreAlso, as mentioned before, you can adjust the transparency of the app drawer so that the background interferes as little as possible with the visibility of the apps.
Privacy and organization: hidden apps and Second Space
The organization isn't just about aesthetics and speed; other factors also come into play. privacy and the separation between personal and professional lifeMIUI includes two powerful tools in this regard: the option to hide apps and the well-known Second Space.
Hide apps from the app drawer and home screen
In recent versions like MIUI 13, Xiaomi incorporates a feature to Hide installed apps from the app drawer and home screenwithout uninstalling them. It's ideal for sensitive apps (banking, messaging, photos, etc.) that you don't want to be visible at first glance.
To activate it, open the Settings app and scroll down to the Security section. There you'll find an option like this. "Hide apps" where all installed applications are listedYou just have to flip the switch next to the ones you want to hide.
Once configured, those apps They will disappear from the drawer and the desk, but will remain accessible through a specific gesture.Typically, access is granted by pinching the home screen, which will open a special window displaying all hidden applications.
If at any point you want to reverse the process, return to the same Security menu > Hide apps and Turn off the switch for the apps you want to make visible again.This system can be repeated as many times as you need, and allows you to better organize your mobile phone by preventing sensitive apps from getting mixed up with the rest.
Creating and using MIUI Second Space
Another very powerful feature is the Second space, which basically creates an independent environment within the same phoneIt's like having two phones in one: each space with its own desktop, applications, files, photos, settings, and even different unlocking methods.
To configure it, go to Settings and then to the Privacy section. There you will find the option to Activate Second Space and follow a quick setup wizard.During the process, you can set a pattern or password different from the one for the main space, so that no one can enter one from the other without authorization.
Once created, you can access Second Space from the lock screen (by choosing the associated unlock method) or Switch between spaces from the notification bar using the corresponding iconEach environment maintains its own apps and organization.
The advantage is obvious: you can Completely separate your personal apps from your work apps, or create a more private space for certain tools.Furthermore, MIUI allows you to transfer apps, photos, videos, and files between different storage spaces as needed, making this system a very flexible solution for manage files and folders.
Additional tips for organizing by color and category
Beyond the purely technical functions, much depends on how you choose to combine these tools. If you like organizing by color, a good strategy is Use the app drawer to group apps by color and reserve the desktop for themed folders..
For example, you could configure the drawer with the option to Group by color and use the color catalog to quickly locate any app based on its iconWhile on the home screen you keep only a few folders based on broad categories (communication, multimedia, productivity, etc.). This makes daily tasks more efficient without cluttering the desktop, and you can rely on the best apps to organize your tasks.
If you prefer a more visual approach, you can always go a step further and manually sort the home screens by color blocksThe first screen will have blue and green icons, the second red and orange, the third apps with dark icons, and so on. In this case, it's best to disable the "Fill gaps with uninstalled apps" option and avoid shaking your phone, so the system doesn't disrupt your colorful mural.
Final considerations
In any case, the most practical thing to do is experiment. Xiaomi's layers allow you to mix and match. Automatic organization (categories, suggestions, sort by usage) with manual settings (folders, second space, hidden icons, grid)By trying each scheme for a few days, you will discover which method best suits your mobile phone usage and visual memory.
With all these features combined, it's possible to go from a chaos of scattered icons to a system where You can find any app in seconds, whether by color, category, gesture, or using the built-in search engine.Ultimately, it's about leveraging what MIUI and HyperOS offer so that your phone works for you, not the other way around, maintaining a comfortable balance between order, speed, and aesthetic customization. Share the information and more users will be able to organize their apps by color on Xiaomi.