Xiaomi’s lock screen is not just a random click protection, but a full-fledged information hub that can be adapted to suit your needs. Adding app shortcuts or widgets (weather, calendar, music) allows you to quickly access key features without unlocking your phone. However, in the latest versions of MIUI 14/15, this process has become less obvious – many users can not find the right settings or face system limitations.
In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to add shortcuts to the lock screen for Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark smartphones, including bypassing typical MIUI restrictions. You’ll learn how to place weather widgets, fast actions (lightlight, camera), and third-party apps — even those that are not supported by default. All instructions are tested on MIUI firmware 14.0.5-15.1.2 (Android 12-14).
1. Standard method: MIUI widgets on the lock screen
The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI widgets, which are supported by the default system. Unfortunately, their choice is limited (weather, calendar, music, steps), but for most users this is enough.
To add a widget:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Lock screen.
- 🔧 Select the lock screen widgets (in some firmware - Additional settings) → Widgets).
- ➕ Click Add widget and select one of the available options (such as Weather or Music).
- 🔄 Drag the widget to the desired area of the screen (usually at the bottom or right).
Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)
Disable energy saving for system applications
Make sure the lock screen is not protected by the pattern lock (can block widgets)
Reboot your phone if the widgets don’t show up-->
If the widget doesn’t appear after adding, try:
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
- 📱 Reset the lock screen settings (Settings) → Lock screen → Reset).
- 🔧 Enable the widget to be displayed in Always on screen (if supported by your model).
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5) Weather widgets may not update in the background. To fix this, add the Weather app to the AutoRun list (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).
2. Quick Actions: Flashlight, Camera, Google Assistant
MIUI It allows you to add quick action shortcuts directly to the lock screen, which is convenient for common features such as a flashlight, camera or voice assistant, and unlike widgets, these shortcuts work even on a locked screen (unless installed). PIN-code).
Instructions:
- Open the Settings → Lock screen.
- Select Shortcuts (or Quick Actions in newer versions of MIUI).
- Activate switches next to the desired functions: 🔦 Lantern (double pressing the power button) 📸 Camera (double pressing the volume reduction button) 🎤 Google Assistant (Holding the Home button")
🔄 Restart your phone if the changes don’t apply.
| Function | Button combination | Is it working on a locked screen? |
|---|---|---|
| Lantern | Double press power | Yeah (no PIN) |
| Camera. | Double pressing Volume down | Yes (with limitations) |
| Google Assistant | Keeping Home (or gesture) | No (requires unlocking) |
| Annex label | Customized in settings | Depends on the firmware. |
In the models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 14 Pro or Redmi) K70 Pro) Quick action shortcuts may not appear in Always-On Display mode (AOD). Turn them off. AOD or use alternative methods from the following sections.
3. Adding third-party applications through "Developer Mode"
If you need to add a third-party app shortcut to your lock screen (such as Telegram, Spotify, or Yandex Go), standard MIUI settings don’t allow that, but there’s a workaround through Developer Mode and Nova Launcher (or analogues).
Steps:
- 🔧 Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About the phone. Press 7 times on the version. MIUI, until the notice appears.
Settings → Additional → For Developers
USB debugging
Allow changes in system settings
Nova Launcher
Google Play
Nova Launcher
Lock screen settings → Add shortcuts
⚠️ Note: This method may not work on all firmware. On some devices (e.g, POCO X6 Pro after updating to MIUI 15 Nova Launcher shortcuts stop showing, so try alternative launchers like Hyperion Launcher or P.O.X. Launcher.
What if the label disappears after the update?
4. Advanced method: Adding shortcuts through ADB
For experienced users who are ready to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to add any shortcuts to the lock screen, even those that are not supported by MIUI. This method requires a PC connection, but gives maximum flexibility.
Instructions:
- 💻 Install. ADB Tools on PC.
- 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB on the phone (Settings) → For developers).
- 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command in the terminal: adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_show_notifications 1 This will allow notifications to be displayed on the lock screen (required for some widgets).
- 📲 To add the app shortcut, use: adb shell cmd shortcut create-lockscreen --package com.example.app --activity com.example.app.MainActivity (replace com.example.app with your application package).
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
Examples of popular application packages:
- 📱 Telegram: org.telegram.messenger
- 🎵 Spotify: com.spotify.music
- 🚖 Yandex Go: ru.yandex.taxi
- 📅 Google Calendar: com.google.android.calendar
💡
To find out the package of any application, install the App Inspector from Google Play. It shows the full details of any APK, including the name of the package and activity.
⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB This can cause the system to be unstable if entered incorrectly.Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup: On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), this method may not work due to the limitations of the modified software. MIUI.
5. Alternative solutions: widgets via Always-On Display (AOD)
If your smartphone supports Always-On Display, you can use it to display widgets even when it’s off. 12/13/14 series, Redmi K50/K60/K70 and other flagships with AMOLED-display.
How to set up:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Screen. → Always-On Display.
- 🔧 Turn on the switch. AOD.
- 🖼️ Select the display style (for example, dial). + widget).
- ➕ Click Set up widgets and add weather, calendar or steps.
- 🔄 Set up a display schedule (for example, only at night or always).
Limitations:
- ❌ Widgets in AOD Not interactive (you can’t click on them).
- ❌ It only works on AMOLED-Screens (not supported on Redmi Note 12 with the IPS).
- ⚠️ Increases battery consumption (approximately 1–3% per hour).
Weather.
Calendar
Music player
Stepper
Lantern/Camera (quick action)
Other-->
6. Problem Solving: Why aren't labels added?
If you’ve been following all the instructions but the shortcuts never appear, check out the following points:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Widgets are not displayed | Limitations on energy conservation | Add the application to No Limits (Settings → Battery → Optimization) |
| Labels disappear after reboot | Resetting launcher settings | Disable optimization for system launcher (com.miui.home) |
| It's not working. ADB-team | Block MIUI | Try root-rights commands or use Magisk |
| Widgets not updated | There is no internet in the background | Enable Background Data Transfer for the Application |
If nothing helps, try:
- 🔄 Reset the lock screen settings (Settings) → Lock screen → Reset).
- 📱 Update MIUI Up to the latest version (sometimes bugs are fixed in new builds).
- 🔧 Install custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience) where restrictions are MIUI removed.
💡
On most Xiaomi smartphones, you can not add shortcuts to third-party applications by standard means - this requires workarounds (ADB, Nova Launcher or custom firmware).