Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the unobvious logic of the MIUI interface, which is radically different from standard Android. When you pick up the new Redmi 9, the usual swipe to the left on the desktop may not lead to the expected result — a widget tape. It is not a breakdown or a failure, but a feature of the software shell that Xiaomi implements to differentiate their products. Finding widgets becomes a real puzzle for those who move from other brands or just used to “pure” Android.
The problem with search is often that users are not looking for widgets where they are actually located in the menu structure. In MIUI 12, which is pre-installed on Redmi 9 out of the box, the element grouping system has undergone changes. Instead of the usual individual tab or sidebar, widgets are now often integrated directly into the menu of adding items to the desktop.
In this article, we’ll take a look at all the ways you activate and find widgets. We’ll look at launcher settings, Google Discover, and alternative installation methods. You’ll learn why your screen might not have the right buttons and how to fix it in a few minutes. Understanding the MIUI structure will help you personalize your smartphone to your needs.
Features of the MIUI interface on Redmi 9
The MIUI interface has a unique architecture that hides many system features from the eyes of the average user. Redmi 9 has a default mode where widgets are not put into a separate sidebar, as they were in older versions of firmware or other smartphones. This is done to save space and visual clarity, but creates the illusion of their absence.
It's important to understand the difference between app widgets and newsfeeds. Widgets are interactive elements that display real-time information like weather, hours or currency rates. Newsfeed is a stream of content from aggregators. At Xiaomi, the two functions are separated, and the widgets are searched through the desktop editing menu, not a swipe.
Redmi 9 system constraints, driven by the budget Helio G80 processor, also affect the number of animated widgets available. Heavy widgets can be disabled by default to preserve battery performance. So even finding the widget menu, you can see a stripped-down list compared to the brand's flagship models.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to install third-party launchers immediately after purchase if you are not able to configure them.This can cause navigation buttons to fail and gestural controls to fail on Redmi 9.
Why is Xiaomi hiding widgets?
Where to look for widgets: step-by-step instructions
To find widgets on Xiaomi Redmi 9, you need to make a long tap on the free desktop space. This action will cause the edit menu, where in the bottom row of icons you need to select "Widgets." This is where the entire library of available elements for your screen is hidden. The short swipe to the left here does not work, because by default the "App Vault" or "Google Discover" function is activated, which blocks access to the system tape.
Once you enter the widget menu, you will see a grid with available elements, which are divided into categories: Recommended, Tools, Systems, and installed app widgets. To add an item to the screen, you just drag it to the desired area or click on the Add button if it appears in the interface.
If you don’t see app-specific widgets, make sure they are installed and have the necessary permissions. Some programs, such as bank clients, may block widget creation for security purposes or require additional activation in their internal settings.
☑️ Checking the availability of widgets
There's also a second way of accessing that doesn't work on all versions of the firmware, which is to try to pinch two fingers (to put your fingers together) on the desktop, and this gesture also opens up the editing menu from where you can go to widgets. But on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12, the long-press method is the most stable and guaranteed.
Setting up Google Discover and App Vault feed
Many users confuse widgets with the left-hand edge bar, known as Google Discover or App Vault. On Redmi 9, this feature is often enabled by default, taking up the place where widgets used to be. To return the classic tape or disable the extra, you need to go to the desktop settings.
To manage this feature, make a long tap on your desktop and select Settings (the gear icon). In the menu that opens, find “More” or immediately see the “Ribbon left” switch, and you can choose between “No Ribbon,” “App Vault” (Xiaomi services) or “Google Discover” (Google news).
Choosing Google Discover will turn the left swipe into a smart news feed that learns from your preferences, but it won't add widgets in the classic sense - only information cards. You still have to use a long-pressed menu for widgets.
It is worth noting that activating Google Discover can consume additional battery power, as the background process constantly updates the news feed. If you rarely use news on the lock screen, it is better to choose the option “No tape” to optimize the work of Redmi 9.
Installation of third-party application widgets
The standard set of widgets on Redmi 9 may seem sparse, but the possibilities are expanded with the installation of third-party software. Apps from Google Play Market often come with their own widgets that automatically appear on the system menu after installation. You don't have to search for them separately - they integrate into the shell.
Popular applications like Weather & Widget, Google Keep, or Google widgets enrich the functionality significantly. Once installed, the search algorithm remains the same: long-click on the table → Widgets → scroll the list to the name of the application.
Some developers offer widgets as separate mini-apps, in which case they will be at the bottom of the widget menu or in the category “Others”. If the widget does not appear, try to reboot the smartphone – this updates the index of installed components.
| Type of widget | Source | Impact on the battery | Demands the Internet. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clock and Date | Systemic | Low. | No. |
| Weather. | System/Annex | Average. | Yes. |
| Currency rates | Annex | Average. | Yes. |
| Stepper | System/Annex | High. | No. |
| Calendar | Google/System | Low. | Yeah (synchronization) |
| Music player | Annex | Average. | No. |
💡
Use minimally updated widgets (like a static watch) if you want to maximize the Redmi 9’s life from a single charge.
Display problems and their solution
A common problem on Redmi 9 is that widgets disappear after a reboot or system update, and this may be due to the aggressive MIUI energy saving system, which kills the processes needed to run the widget, so you need to go to the battery settings and allow background activity for a particular application to fix this.
Another reason is a crowded launcher cache, and if the widget menu is late or empty, try clearing the Launcher cache in the application settings, which won't delete your data, but will update the list of available components.
If widgets are dancing or changing size spontaneously, check the desktop grid settings. From the table editing menu, select Grid and set a larger format (e.g., 4x6) so that the items have enough space to display correctly.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the application that created the widget, the widget itself will not disappear from the desktop, but will stop updating and may display an error. Always delete the widget swipe before uninstalling the program.
💡
Aggressive MIUI energy saving is the main cause of broken widgets. Allow auto-run and background work for important applications.
Third-party launchers as an alternative
If the standard MIUI shell seems too limited, you can install a third-party launcher, such as a Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher.This will completely change the interface of your Redmi 9, making widget management more familiar, as on pure Android.
Installing a third-party launcher requires caution. Once installed and first launched, the system can warn of potential risks — this is Xiaomi's standard protection. You will need to confirm your selection and allow the new default launcher to be used in the settings.
The advantage of third-party solutions is flexibility: you can configure swipes, gestures and widget layouts to pixel accuracy. 3D-effects may work slower than the standard shell.