How to add a widget to Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI 14 and 15

The widgets on Xiaomi smartphones turn the home screen into a personalized control center, from quick access to notes to real-time weather displays, but many users have difficulty adding them: Somewhere there's a button missing, someplace there's a widget that just doesn't show up. MIUI 14/15, including hidden functions and avoiding common errors.

It is important to understand that the interface MIUI It is regularly updated, and the location of options may vary depending on the firmware version and smartphone model (for example, on the Redmi Note 12 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the path to the widget settings is visually different). We have taken these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that work on most of the brand’s devices released after 2020.

If you have tried to add a widget before, but you failed, do not rush to blame yourself. MIUI 15 developers have hidden some of the options under the gesture of long pressing, and in some localizations, the widget menu is not at all in the standard form.

1. Basic method: Adding widgets through the application menu

This is the most obvious method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with the help of the MIUI 12 and later.Suitable for standard widgets (weather, clock, calendar) and some third-party apps (e.g. Google Keep or Spotify).

Instructions:

1. Touch the empty space on the home screen and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds until the settings menu appears.
2. At the bottom of the screen, select the tab “Widgets” (icon with squares).
3. Scroll down or up the list to find the right widget.Popular options: 🌤️ Weather (shows temperature and forecast) 📅 Calendar (displays events for the month) 📝 Notes (fast access to records) 🎵 Music (player control)

Click on the widget and, without letting go, drag it to a free space on the main screen.

Release your finger, the widget will lock, and if necessary, resize it by pulling corners.

If the widget is not on the list, check:

• 🔄 Is the app to which the widget belongs updated (e.g., Google Weather requires the latest version from the Play Market).
• 📱 Does your smartphone model support this type of widgets (on budget Redmi some elements may be missing).
• 🌐 Regional restrictions: in Chinese firmware (MIUI China) some widgets blocked.

2. Hidden widgets: how to find and activate

V MIUI 14/15 Some widgets are hidden in the back of the system and don't show up in the main menu, like the Quick Settings widget (for Wi-Fi management, Bluetooth) or Steps (for fitness tracking) to add:

Method 1: through Settings → Main screen screen

1. Open Settings and go to the Main Screen section.
2. Select Widgets (or Additional Items depending on version).
3. Activate switches in front of hidden widgets (for example, Real-time Weather or Device Control for Mi Home).
4. Return to the home screen and repeat the basic way you add – widgets should now appear in the list.

Method 2: Lawnchair or Nova Launcher

If the standard launcher MIUI Restricts functionality, install a third-party launcher from the Play Market:

• 📱 Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair (free versions support widgets).
• 🔧 In the launcher settings, select Widgets → Show it all.
• 🔍 Now you will see a full list of widgets, including system ones (for example, CPU Use or Memory»).

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If after installing a third-party launcher widgets do not appear, restart the smartphone - this will reset the cache of system services.

3. Third-party app widgets: why they don't work

Many users face the problem when widgets from Google, Yandex or other apps don't appear in the add-on menu.

For Google apps (like Google Weather or Google Calendar) you need to adjust:

1. Install the latest version of the app from the Play Market.
2. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Find the right app (like Google) and enable permissions: 📍 Location (for weather widgets) 🔄 Auto-run (to keep the widget updated) 📶 Mobile data (if you use mobile Internet)

Reboot your smartphone.

4. Widgets for Mi Fit and Zepp Life: fitness on the home screen

Users of the Mi Band fitness bracelets or Xiaomi Watch smartwatches can display steps, pulse and sleep data on the home screen.

Method 1: Standard "Steps" widget

• 👟 Added via the widget menu (see basic method).
• 🔄 Updates automatically when synchronized with the bracelet.
• ⚠️ It only works if the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app is installed and configured.

Method 2: Health widget (for the MIUI 15)

1. Open the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app.
2. Go to the Profile section → Settings → Widgets.
3. Activate the option “Show on the main screen”.
4. Return to the home screen and add a widget via the menu (it will appear in the list as "Mi Fit Data").

Install Mi. Fit/Zepp Life|Enable synchronization with the bracelet|Add a widget to the main screen|Check for data updates (pull down)

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If the widget does not update the data:

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14, there's a bug that causes Mi Fit widgets to stop working after the system update. To fix this, clear the Mi Fit app cache and restart the smartphone. If the problem persists, reinstall the app.

5. Widgets for Mi Home: Smart Home Management

For owners of Xiaomi Smart Home devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners), a quick widget is available. It allows you to turn devices on / off directly from the home screen without running the Mi Home application.

How do I add:

1. Make sure all devices are connected to the Mi Home app and are on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the widget menu (hold your finger on the main screen).
3. Find the “Mi Home Control” widget (the icon with the house and light bulb).
4. Add it to the screen and select the devices to display (you can manage up to 4 devices in one widget).

Functions of the widget:

• 💡 Lights on/off (Yeelight, Xiaomi Smart Lamp).
• 🔌 Socket management (Xiaomi Smart Plug).
• 🤖 The Rapid Launch of the Robot Vacuum).
• 🌡️ View temperature and humidity (if Aqara sensors are connected).

Limitations:

• The widget only works with devices connected via Mi Home (does not support Google Home or Apple HomeKit).
• Out-of-home management requires a connection to Xiaomi Cloud.
• On some smartphone models, for example, POCO F5) The widget may not display all devices – use Nova Launcher in this case.

Problems and Errors: What to Do If a Widget Is Not Added

Even if you follow the instructions, you may encounter errors. Let's look at the typical scenarios and their solutions:

Problem 1: The widget menu doesn’t open with a long press.

⚠️ Note: On some smartphones (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Long press gesture is disabled by default. To enable it, go to Settings. → Main screen screen → Additional settings → Edit mode and activate the “Long Press” option».

Problem 2: The widget is added but disappears immediately.

• 🔄 Reboot the smartphone – it will reset the launcher cache.
• 🧹 Clear Launcher app data in Settings → Annexes.
• 📱 If you use a shell POCO Launcher, switch to standard MIUI Launcher.

Problem 3: Widgets are not updated (for example, the weather shows old data).

• 📶 Check your internet connection (weather widgets require mobile data or Wi-Fi).
• 📍 Enable geolocation for the app (e.g. Google Weather or AccuWeather).
• ⚙️ B Settings → Battery → Energy saving mode add the application to the exceptions.

Problem 4: There are no widgets for third-party apps (like Spotify or Telegram).

Not all apps support widgets on MIUI. Check it out:

• 🔍 Is there a widget in the description of the application in the Play Market (section "What's new»).
• 📱 Try adding a widget through Nova Launcher – it shows all the options available.
• 📧 Write to the developer asking for support MIUI (Many people add it to users’ requests).

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If the widget stops working after the update MIUI, Try rolling back the firmware version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Pause of updates.

7. Alternative methods: widgets through KWGT and UCCW

If you don't like standard widgets, you can create custom widgets with specialized applications.

KWGT Kustom Widget Maker

• 🎨 Allows you to create widgets from scratch or use ready-made templates.
• 📊 Supports dynamic data (weather, time, battery charge).
• 🔧 Requires customization skills, but gives complete design freedom.

How to use:

1. Install. KWGT Play Market.
2. Open the app and select “Add widget”.
3. Select a size (for example, 4×2) And add it to the main screen.
4. Click on the widget to open the editor and adjust the look.

UCCW (Ultimate Custom Clock Widget)

• ⏰ Specializes in watches and weather widgets.
• 🖼️ Supports skins (ready-made designs).
• 📲 It's easier to master than KWGT.

Example of setting up a weather widget in UCCW:

1. Install UCCW and download the skin (e.g., "Minimal Weather").


2. Add the UCCW widget to the home screen (size 4×1).




3.In the skin settings, specify the weather source (for example, OpenWeatherMap).




4. Set up a data update every 30 minutes.

Advantages of custom widgets:

• 🎨 Unique design (can be adjusted to wallpaper or theme).
• 📊 More data (for example, battery usage schedule).
• 🔄 Flexible Update Settings.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Increased battery consumption (due to frequent data updates).
• 💰 Some skins and functions are paid.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions