How to add a widget to the screen Xiaomi: all the ways and secrets of MIUI

Xiaomi’s widgets are not just a piece of jewelry, but a powerful tool for quick access to information, which can track the weather, manage a smart home, control charging, or even run your favorite apps in one tap. However, many users have difficulty adding widgets: they disappear after an update, do not appear correctly, or are not at all on the list of available ones.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to install widgets on MIUI 14/15 (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark), explain why some widgets may not work, and show hidden chips that aren’t written about in the official instructions, and teach you how to create your own widgets through third-party apps and bypass system limitations.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t have widgets: common reasons

Before adding widgets, it’s worth figuring out why they might be missing or not working properly, and most often, one of the reasons is that:

• 📱 An outdated version MIUI. In the firmware older MIUI 12.5 Many widgets are simply not supported.
• 🔄 Manufacturer restrictions: Xiaomi blocks widgets for some apps (like Google Weather or Yandex.Weather) in favor of its own services.
• 🛠️ System services disabled. If the developer settings disabled Windows animation or Background processes, widgets may not load.
• 📦 Optimizing the battery. MIUI aggressively closes the background processes, which is why widgets stop updating.

Another nuance: on some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), widgets are hidden by default in “Lite Mode” (Lite Mode). To return them, you need to turn this feature off in Settings → Special Features → Lightweight Mode.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), widgets MIUI And if you do that, you'll have to install alternative launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair.

Method 1: Standard addition via widget menu

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 13-15. Instructions are suitable for models Redmi 10/11/12, POCO X5/F5, Xiaomi 13/14 and others:

1. Unlock the screen and press the empty space on the home screen (not on the icon!).
2. At the bottom of the screen will appear menu – select Widgets (icon with squares).
3. Scroll through the list of available widgets left/right. Click on the right one and drag it to the screen.
4. If the widget supports settings (such as Weather or Calendar), tap it after adding and select Settings.

Some widgets (like Google Keep or Spotify) may require permission to display on top of other windows. If the widget doesn't appear after adding, go to Settings → Apps → Permissions → Special Access → Display on top of other windows and turn on the option for the desired application.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Turn off "Light Mode" in the settings

Permission to display over other windows

Reboot your smartphone

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Method 2: Add via Nova Launcher

If standard MIUI widgets don't suit you (for example, due to limited functionality or design), you can use a third-party launcher. One of the most popular is Nova Launcher.

• 🎨 Install widgets of any size (including non-standard ones, for example, 4×2).
• 🔄 Customize transparency and style widgets.
• 📱 Add widgets that MIUI Blocking (e.g. Google Assistant or Tasker).

Installation instructions:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play and install it as the default launcher.
2. Hold your finger on the main screen. → Widgets.
3. All available widgets will appear on the list, including those hidden in MIUI. Choose the right one and drag it to the screen.
4. To adjust the size of the widgets, go to Settings Nova → Home Screen → Grid Size and select the appropriate values (e.g. 10×10 for flexibility).

If the widgets don’t show up after installing Nova Launcher, try clearing the launcher cache in Settings → Applications → Nova Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.

💡

In Nova Launcher, you can create a folder with widgets: add the Nova Actions widget, select Shortcuts → App & Widget Drawer → Widgets. Now all widgets will be in one place!

Method 3: Widgets via Good Lock (for POCO/Xiaomi on Android 12+)

If your smartphone runs Android 12/13/14 (like the POCO F4 GT or Xiaomi 12T), you can use the Nice Catch module from the Good Lock package (developed by Samsung, but also running on other devices).

• 🔧 Add widgets to the lock screen (such as weather or player).
• 🎯 Customize gestures for widgets (swipe up/down to open).
• 🖼️ Change the background of widgets (including transparency).

How to determine:

1. Download Good Lock from Google Play.
2. Inside the app, find the Nice Catch module and install it.
3. Launch Nice Catch, select Add a widget to the lock screen and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (especially with the MIUI 14) Good Lock may not work properly. If widgets don't appear after installation, try turning off battery optimization for the application in the settings.

Method 4: Creating your own widgets through KWGT

If you need unique custom-designed widgets (such as a stylized watch, battery indicator or smart home control panel), use the KWGT Kustom Widget Maker app.

• 🎨 Create widgets from scratch or download ready-made themes from the Play Market.
• 📊 Add dynamic data (weather, CPU, RAM, network).
• 🔄 Configure interactive elements (buttons, swipes).

Step-by-step:

1. Install KWGT from Google Play (there are free and paid versions).
2. Open the app and select Add a widget to the main screen.
3. The KWGT widget will appear in the list – select its size (for example, 4×2) and add to the screen.
4. You can tap the video to open the editor.

Some functions (such as weather display) require additional KWGT Plugin Pack or Tasker.

Table: Compatibility of widgets with Xiaomi models

Not all widgets work on all devices, and the table below shows the proven combinations for popular models:

On devices with MIUI 15 Google widgets (such as Search or Calendar) may not be displayed due to conflict with Xiaomi services. APK-manual widget file via APKMirror.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even when installed correctly, widgets can not work properly, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

• 🔄 Widget not updated: Check permissions for the app (especially location access for weather widgets). disable battery optimization for the widget app in settings. Reboot your smartphone.
• 📱 Widget disappeared after update MIUI: Remove the widget and add it again. Clear the launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🚫 No widget added (grey): Check to see if power saving mode is on. Make sure there is enough space on the screen (some widgets require a minimum of space). 4×2 cell).

⚠️ Note: If you are using a dark topic in the MIUI, Some widgets (e.g. from Google) can be displayed with a white background, and this can only be corrected by setting the widget itself or changing the launcher.

Standard MIUI

Nova Launcher

Lawnchair

POCO Launcher

Other-->

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

1) MIUI version (update to the last one).

Permits for annexes.

(3) Battery optimization settings.

4) Compatibility of the widget with your Xiaomi model (see table above).-->