How to install a widget Xiaomi Redmi: all ways + mistake-making

Widgets on Xiaomi Redmi turn the screen into a personal information center: real-time weather, quick access to notes, smart home management or music player – all at hand without running applications. MIUI This article will not only examine basic add-on methods, but also hidden firmware chips, as well as circumventing the limitations of third-party widgets.

It is important to understand: the installation algorithm depends on the shell version (MIUI 12/13/14) And the model of the smartphone, for example, on the Redmi Note. 12 s MIUI 14 The path to widget settings is different from Redmi 9A s MIUI 12.5. We’ve taken these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that are relevant to all current versions of firmware, you will also learn how to return remote widgets, why they can disappear after a system update, and how to install widgets from Google or Samsung on Xiaomi.

Preparation: Check compatibility and settings

Before adding widgets, make sure your Redmi is ready for this:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: The widgets are fully functional starting with MIUI 12. on older versions (e.g., on older versions, MIUI 11 on Redmi Note 8) functionality is limited. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
• 🔄 System Updates: If widgets don’t show up or aren’t working properly, check for updates in Settings → System updates. Often bugs are fixed in new builds.
• 🛠️ Launcher: By default, Xiaomi is used MIUI Some widgets (like those from Nova Launcher) may not work without changing the standard launcher.

On Redmi with MIUI 14 Google Global widgets (e.g., Search or Calendar) are hidden by default. To activate them, you need to adjust the "Special Permissions" menu".

Also check if the Easy Mode is enabled (Settings) → Special facilities → In this mode, widgets are automatically turned off to save resources.

Method 1: Adding standard widgets MIUI

The easiest way is to use Xiaomi's built-in widgets, which are optimized for the shell and rarely cause errors. Here's how to install them:

1. Unlock the screen and go to the main desktop (where the app icons are located).
2. Make a long tap on any free spot on the screen, and you'll see a menu with options at the bottom.
3. Select the widgets (on some models - Add widget).
4. Scroll through the list of available widgets. Here you will find: 🌡️ Weather (with a forecast of 5 days) 📅 Calendar (with events from Mi Calendar) 🎵 Music (player control) 🏠 Smart home (fast scenarios for Mi Home) 📊 System data (battery charge, memory)

Click on the widget you want and hold it to drag it to the screen. Release your finger when the placement frame appears.

Some widgets (like Weather) allow you to select a size. To do this, click on the widget after adding and select Change Size.

If the widget you want isn't listed, check if the app is installed, for example, the Mi Fit widget will only appear after you install the app of the same name from Google Play.

Method 2: Widgets from Google and Third Party Apps

Many users prefer widgets from Google (such as Search, Calendar or Keep) or third-party apps (such as Widgetsmith, KWGT). However, on Xiaomi Redmi, they often don't appear in the standard menu:

For Google widgets:

1. Install the latest version of Google’s app from the Play Market.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Find the Google app and open its settings.
4. Activate the Display permission over other windows and Widgets (if any).
5. Go back to the home screen, make a long tap, and select Widgets. Now Google widgets should appear on the list.

For third-party application widgets (e.g, KWGT):

• 📥 Install the application (for example, KWGT Kustom Widget Maker from Play Market.
• 🔧 Run it and download your favorite widget from the library.
• 🖼️ Return to the main screen, make a long press. → Widgets → find the widget KWGT (It is usually called by the name of the downloaded template).
• 🔄 If the widget doesn't appear, restart your phone or clear the launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → MIUI Launcher → Clear the cache).

On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) You may need to change the launcher to Nova Launcher or Action Launcher for full-fledged third-party widgets.

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If the Google widget doesn’t appear, try disabling battery optimization for the Google app in the settings (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Google → Not optimize).

Problem Solving: Widgets Disappear or Fail to Work

A frequent complaint of Xiaomi Redmi users is that widgets suddenly disappear after a restart or system update.

If the widget stopped working after the MIUI update, try the following steps:

1. Clear the launcher's cache: Settings → Annexes → MIUI Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
2. Remove and add the widget again.
3. Check for updates for the app to which the widget belongs.

Critical error: If after the update MIUI all widgets are gone and not added, reset the launcher settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Points (Menu) → Resetting App Settings

This will return the standard desktop configuration without losing data.

Hidden features: widgets in the control panel and on the lock screen

Few people know, but on Xiaomi Redmi widgets can be added not only to the home screen, but also in other areas of the system:

• 🔽 Control panel: B MIUI 13/14 Now you can add widgets to the dropdown notification panel:
• 🔒 Lock screen: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) It supports widgets on the lock screen, so you can activate them:

On Redmi, Always-on Display (AOD) (Like Redmi. K50) You can set the widget to display even on the screen that's off:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Always-on Display.
2. Choose a style AOD Widget-enabled (usually marked with an icon) ⚙️).
3. Customize the information displayed: time, date, notifications or data from widgets.

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Widgets in the control panel and on the lock screen are available only on Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 13 and later: On older versions, these features may be missing or not work smoothly.

Widgets for smart home: management of devices Mi Home

If you're using the Xiaomi Mi Home ecosystem (smart lights, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners), widgets can help you control your devices directly from the home screen. Here's how to set them up:

Adding the Mi Home widget:

1. Install the Mi Home app and log in to your Xiaomi account.
2. Add all smart home devices to the app (if you haven’t already).
3. Return to the main screen, make a long press → Widgets.
4. Find the Mi Home widget (usually called “Smart Home” or “Mi Home Control”).
5. Select the size of the widget: 2×2 — management 4 device; 4×2 — management 8 device + scenario; 4×4 — Full control panel with weather and energy consumption.
6. Once added, click on the widget to configure the display devices: 🔄 Change the order of the devices; 🌓 Set up night mode (muffled colors); 🔌 Add quick scenarios (e.g., “Leaving for Work” or “Sleeping").

If the Mi Home widget does not update the status of devices, check:

• 🌐 Internet connection (smart home devices require a cloud connection);
• 🔄 Background activity of the Mi Home app in battery settings;
• 🔄 Firmware updates for the devices themselves (in the Mi Home app) → Profile → Settings → Firmware update).

Geolocation problem: If the smart home widget doesn’t work over the geofence (like when leaving home), check the permissions for Mi Home:

Settings → Applications → Mi Home → Permissions → Location → Always

Creation of custom widgets with KWGT and Widgetsmith

If standard widgets aren't enough, you can create your own with specialized applications. Let's look at two popular tools:

1. KWGT Kustom Widget Maker

KWGT It allows you to create widgets of any complexity: from simple watches to interactive panels with system data:

1. Install KWGT and KLWP (for live wallpaper) from Play Market.
2. Launch it. KWGT and select Load Preset, where you can download ready-made widgets from the community.
3. After downloading the template, return to the main screen, make a long press. → Widgets → find the widget KWGT (It will be called by the name of the template).
4. Add the widget to the screen and adjust its size.
5. To edit, click on the widget → You can change colors, fonts, add new elements (for example, battery indicator or weather data).

2. Widgetsmith

Widgetsmith is easier to use and offers ready-made styles for watches, calendars and weather.

1. Install Widgetsmith from Play Market.
2. Open the app and select the size of the widget (Small, Medium or Large).
3. Set up the style: choose the type (watch, weather, calendar) and design.
4. Save the widget and return to the main screen.
5. Add the Widgetsmith widget in the standard way (long press). → Widgets).
6. When you first add, select the saved style.

Both apps support automatic data updates, but Xiaomi may need to adjust:

• 🔄 Turn off the battery optimization for KWGT/Widgetsmith;
• 🔄 Allow auto-start in Settings → Permits → Auto-start;
• 🔄 Enable background activity in the application settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi Redmi