How to add and configure widgets on the lock screen Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s lock screen is not just a security guard against random clicks, but a full-fledged information hub that can be adapted to your needs. Widgets here allow you to get important data without unlocking your phone, from the weather and calendar to managing a smart home and quickly accessing your favorite applications. However, many users are not even aware of the full capabilities of this feature or face restrictions depending on the version of MIUI and smartphone model.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can add widgets to your lock screen, from standard tools to hidden features that are only available through Developer Settings or third-party launchers. You’ll learn which widgets are supported on Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13, and other devices, how to get around the limitations of MIUI 14/15, and why some widgets can suddenly disappear after a system update. And a unique life hack for creating custom widgets through the Quick Commands app, which few people know.

What widgets can be added to the lock screen Xiaomi

The list of available widgets depends on the version of MIUI and regional firmware. As standard (without root rights), users can choose from the following categories:

• 🌤️ Weather – current temperature, 5-day forecast, UV radiation index (data taken from Xiaomi Weather app).
• 📅 Calendar – Events for today/tomorrow, reminders from Google Calendar or Mi Calendar.
• ⏰ Alarm clock – the nearest alarm clock installed with the ability to turn off directly from the lock screen.
• 🎵 Music player - playback control (Play/Pause, Track, Progress for Mi Music, Spotify, YouTube Music.
• 🏠 Smart home – quick buttons to control Mi Home devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners).
• 📊 Stepmer – data from Mi Fitness or Google Fit (steps, distance, calories).
• 📱 Quick applications – shortcuts for 4 commonly used programs (manually configured).

On devices with MIUI 15 (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), dynamic widgets that change content depending on time of day or location, such as the morning weather and calendar, and the evening music player and sleep statistics, have appeared, but this feature works unstable on global firmware and often turns off after resetting settings.

It’s important to keep in mind that not all widgets display the same on different models. For example, on the POCO X5 Pro, a smart home widget can occupy the entire bottom of the screen, while on the Redmi 10C, it can only occupy a third of the space, due to the display resolution and Xiaomi’s policies on optimizing the interface for budget devices.

Step-by-step: how to add a widget to the lock screen

The process of adding widgets is intuitive, but has nuances depending on the version of MIUI.

1. Unlock your phone and go to the main screen.
2. Swipe left to open the lock screen (if you have a password, you will need to enter it).
3. Press and hold the empty space on the lock screen until the settings menu appears.
4. Slip the Widget icon (or Add a Widget in MIUI 14).
5. Select the widget from the list and drag it to one of the available zones (usually 2-3 depending on the model).
6. Configure the display settings (size, transparency, update data) and save the changes.

If the widget doesn’t appear in the list, check:

• 🔄 Updated to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 📱 Is the appropriate application installed (for example, for a smart home widget you need the Mi Home app).
• 🔒 Is the "No Distractions" mode enabled (Settings) → Special facilities → Mode without distractions).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A s MIUI 12.5) The widgets on the lock screen are disabled at the firmware level, in which case only flashing to the global or European version will help. MIUI.

Hidden Features: How to Add Non-Standard Widgets

The standard set of widgets is limited, but there are ways to expand the functionality:

1. Widgets via Quick Commands

This is a little-known MIUI feature that allows you to create custom buttons for any action:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Quick Teams.
2. Click "Add command" and select an action (for example, "Open app" or "Enable flashlight").
3. Save the command and go back to setting up the widgets on the lock screen – there will be a new item “Quick commands”.

2. Third-party launcher widgets

Applications like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher allow you to add widgets to the lock screen bypass:

• 📥 Set the launcher and assign it by default.
• 🔧 In the launcher settings, find the option "Widgets on the lock screen" (in Nova Launcher it is Settings). → Lock screen → Widgets).
• 🔄 Restart the device – after that, the launcher widgets will be available in the standard lock screen settings menu.

3. widgets via ADB (for advanced users)

If your device does not support widgets on the lock screen, you can enable them forcibly via ADB:

adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_widgets_enabled 1


adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_widgets_allowed 1

Once you have completed these commands, restart your phone, and you will see additional options in the widget menu, and be careful, this method may cause the system to run unstable on some firmware.

Compatibility table widgets with Xiaomi models

Not all widgets work on all devices, and the table below shows the compatibility of popular models with the main types of widgets (data is relevant for MIUI 14/15):

If your model is not in the table, check compatibility experimentally: add a widget and observe its operation during the day. Some widgets (for example, a smart home) may disappear after a reboot on informal firmware.

Why widgets disappear or don’t work: solutions to problems

Users often experience widgets suddenly disappearing or no longer updating, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

• 🔋 Power Saving Mode: Turn it off for applications that are displayed in widgets (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving for applications).
• 🔄 Update MIUI: After updating, the widgets are reset. restore them manually or through backup.
• 📵 Background activity restrictions: Allow auto-run for widget applications (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).
• 🛠️ System failure: Clear the cache of the Lock Screen application (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Systemic → Lock screen → Clear the cache).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G) The weather widget may not be updated due to geolocation limitations Solution: Install an alternative weather app (e.g. Yandex.Pogoda) and link it to the widget via Settings → Default applications.

If the music player widget doesn’t display album covers, check the permissions for the Mi Music app:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Music.
2. Include storage permissions, media files, and background activity.
3. Clear the cache and app data, then restart the phone.

💡

If the calendar widget does not show events from Google Calendar, sync your Google account in the settings: Settings → Accounts → Google → Calendar Sync. After that, the event will appear in the widget within 5-10 minutes.

How to customize widgets: size, transparency, location

Standard MIUI settings allow you to change only the size and position of widgets, but with the help of additional tools you can achieve more flexibility:

1. Change in size and transparency

For this:

1. Press and hold the widget on the lock screen.
2. Blue markers will appear - pull them to resize.
3. To change transparency, tap the widget → “Settings” → “Transparency” (not available on all models).

2. Use of design themes

Themes from the Mi Theme Store can change the style of widgets:

• 🎨 Open Topics → My subjects. → Lock screen.
• 🔍 Select a theme marked “Widget Support” (e.g., “Minimal Black” or “iOS Style").
• 📲 Apply the theme – widgets will automatically adapt to the new design.

3. Manual editing via APK (for power users)

With tools like APK Editor, you can modify widget system files, but this requires:

• Root-right or unlocked bootloader.
• Backup copies of the original files.
• Knowledge in editing XML-file.

⚠️ Attention: Editing of systems APK-File files can lead to loss of warranty and unstable operation of the device. Before experimenting, create a full backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

💡

The safest way to customize is to use themes from the Mi Theme Store, which does not require root rights and does not affect the stability of the system.

Alternative methods: if widgets are not supported

If your Xiaomi model doesn’t support lock screen widgets (like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3), consider these options:

• 🔐 Always On Display (AOD): Set up displaying time, notifications and basic information through Settings → Screen. → Always on Display: Not all models support AOD, but on Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50 He's working steadily.
• 📱 Third-party apps: Install Lock Screen Widgets or WidgetLocker from Google Play.These programs emulate widgets on top of the standard lock screen.
• 🔄 Custom firmware: Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience supports widgets on the default lock screen, but requires unlocking the bootloader.

When using third-party applications, consider the risks:

• 🔒 Ability to bypass screen locking through vulnerabilities in third-party software.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to background activity.
• 📵 Conflicts with system updates (widgets may disappear after updates).

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi lock screen