How to change the size of widgets on Xiaomi: all the ways for MIUI 12, 13 and 14

The widgets on the screen of Xiaomi’s smartphone are not just decoration, but a useful tool for quick access to information. However, standard sizes often do not suit users: some seem too large and take up half the screen, others are so miniature that you have to squint. Fortunately, MIUI offers several ways to adjust the dimensions of widgets, but not all of them are obvious.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for resizing widgets on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from basic settings in the launcher to hidden features for power users. We will focus on the differences between the versions of the MIUI 12, 13 and 14 shell, as well as the nuances for specific models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12).

Why can’t you change the size of all widgets the same way?

Before we get to the instructions, it's important to understand why some widgets don't scale, because their size depends on three factors:

  • 📱 Version. MIUI: V MIUI 12 and older, there is support for flexible widgets, but not for all applications.
  • 🔧 Type of widget: Static widgets (like Watches or Weather) are usually fixed sizes, while dynamic widgets (like Google Search) are adaptive.
  • 🛠️ Xiaomi’s standard launcher limits capabilities, while third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher) give more freedom.

For example, the calendar widget in MIUI 14 can be stretched into 4×2 cells, and the Yandex.Weather widget - only 2×1. This is due to the policy of application developers, not the limitations of the shell itself. Later in the article we will show how to circumvent some of these restrictions.

📊 What version? MIUI You're using it?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
MIUI 15 (beta)
I don't know.

Method 1: Standard size change in the MIUI launcher

The easiest method is to use built-in shell tools, which works for most native Xiaomi widgets (weather, watches, notes) and some third-party apps.

  1. Press and hold your finger on the empty desktop until the menu appears.
  2. Slip the button on the Widgets (the icon with squares).
  3. Find the widget you want in the list and drag it to the screen.
  4. After placing, touch the widget again - white dots will appear in the corners.
  5. Pull at any point to increase or decrease the size.

Note that not all widgets support this method, and if there are no dots in the corners, the size is fixed, so try alternative methods in the following sections.

Make sure the widget is not blocked (double tap → "Allow change")

Check the free space on the screen (widgets can not be superimposed on icons)

Update the app you want to change

Restart the device if the zoom points do not appear-->

Method 2: Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

If standard MIUI settings don’t suit you, third-party launchers offer advanced customization options, such as Nova Launcher, which allows you to:

  • 🔄 Change the size of any widgets, even those in the MIUI fixed.
  • 📏 Set up the grid step (for example, 10×10 opportunistic 5×5).
  • 🎨 Apply transparency and overlapping widgets on each other.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

  1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
  2. Press your finger on the desktop → Widgets → choose the right one.
  3. After placing, tap the widget → in the menu, select Change Size.
  4. Pull over the edges to adjust the dimensions. Nova even has non-integral scaling (e.g., 3.5×2.2).

💡

In Nova Launcher, you can save the widget layout template and restore it after resetting. To do this, go to Backup / Import in the launcher settings.

Method 3: Size Editing through ADB (for power users)

If you’re ready to dive into technical details, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) lets you manually change widget settings, including those that don’t lend themselves to standard methods, which requires USB debugging and basic command line knowledge.

Warning: Incorrect commands can cause launcher malfunctions, and we recommend you back up your data before starting.

⚠️ Note: Change of system parameters through ADB It can disrupt stability MIUI. If after commands widgets stopped showing, reset the launcher: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Instructions:

  1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
  2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm grant com.miui.home android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS This will give the launcher the right to change the system settings.
  4. To change the size of the widget, use: adb shell settings put global widget_sizes "package_name=width,height" Replace package_name to the application identifier (e.g. com.miui.weather) and width,height to the desired cell sizes (e.g., to the desired cell sizes, 4,2).
How do you know? package_name applications?
Install the App Inspector app from Google Play. Open it, select the widget you want in the list, and copy the Package Name field value.

Method 4: Use of customization applications (KWGT, UCCW)

If you need to not just resize, but completely redesign the widget, pay attention to tools like KWGT (Kustom Widget Maker) or UCCW. They allow you to create widgets from scratch or edit existing ones, including:

  • 🎨 Arbitrary dimensions (e.g, 5×1 or 3×3).
  • 🖼️ Transparent background and wallpaper overlay.
  • 📊 Dynamic data (weather, battery, RAM).

Example of settings in KWGT:

  1. Download KWGT and any template you like (e.g. Minimal & Elegant KWGT).
  2. Add the KWGT widget to the screen (size is selected when placed).
  3. Open the widget → click on the pencil icon → Edit.
  4. In the editor, go to the Layout tab and change the Width and Height settings.

Important: Widgets created in KWGT can consume more RAM than standard ones. If you notice lags, reduce the frequency of updating data in the widget settings.

Method compatibility table for different versions of MIUI

To save you time, we have collected data on support for changing the size of widgets depending on the shell version and launcher type:

MethodMIUI 12MIUI 13MIUI 14Sideways launcher
Standard scaling✅ (limitedly)✅ (widened)✅ (full-time)❌
ADB-team✅ (claim)✅ (claim)⚠️ (limited)❌
KWGT/UCCW✅✅✅✅
Nova Launcher✅✅✅✅ (full control)

The table shows that MIUI 14 offers the most flexibility in configuring widgets without additional tools, but for full control, it is still recommended to use Nova Launcher or KWGT.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing the size of widgets, users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

  • 🔳 Widget does not change size: Make sure it is not blocked (double touch) → "Allow change. If zoom points don't appear, try restarting the device.
  • 📱 The widget disappeared after the size change: This may be due to a conflict with the wallpaper or theme. return the standard theme to Settings → Registration.
  • ⚙️ ADB-Teams not working: Check if debugging is included USB And if you have Xiaomi drivers installed on your PC, make sure you're using the current version of the platform-tools.

⚠️ Note: If after use ADB widgets stopped updating (for example, the weather does not show current data), clear the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the annex] → Clear the cache.

💡

Before using ADB or third-party launchers, back up your data. In MIUI, you can do this in Settings → About Phone → Backup.

Can you change the size of the widgets on the locked screen Xiaomi?
No, the MIUI lock screen only displays fixed widgets (like Weather or Calendar) that are sized by the system and are not subject to change, but you can choose which widgets to show: go to Settings → Lock screen → Widgets on the lock screen.
Why did the MIUI update reset widgets to standard size?
This is a known problem when switching to a new shell. To avoid losing settings: Before upgrading, take screenshots of the widgets' location. Use a launcher with backup (like Nova Launcher). If the widgets are gone, remove and add them again, sometimes it helps to restore the previous size.
How to return the standard size widget if it has become too large?
If the widget is stretched and doesn't shrink in the standard way: Hold the widget and drag it to the cart (remove it). Add it again, it will return to the default size. For widgets created in KWGT, open the editor and reset the settings in the Layout section.
Can you resize the widgets on Xiaomi tablets (like Pad 6)?
Yes, Xiaomi tablets have the same methods as smartphones. However, note: The big screen can make widgets look disproportionate. Use a 6×6 or 8×8 grid for better adaptation. MIUI for Pad (like the Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro) supports horizontally-oriented widgets that cannot be changed on smartphones.
Are there dynamic-sized widgets that adapt to the content?
Yes, some widgets automatically resize depending on the data: Google Keep: Stretches when you add new notes. Microsoft To-Do: Adjusts to the number of tasks. Sports Mi Fit: Changes height depending on the activity. To activate this feature, select Autosize (if available) when you place the widget.