Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often experience a change in interface logic after another major system update, especially when it comes to newer versions of the MIUI shell or the latest HyperOS, where developers are revising standard screen interactions. Users who have been used to years of customizing their desktop in one way may be confused when the usual menus move or change their structure, raising the legitimate question of how to manage the design elements and where to look for the usual personalization tools.
The problem of finding widgets is often not about removing them, but about changing the algorithm for calling the editing menu. In modern versions of firmware, the company tries to unify the experience of using it, bringing it closer to the stock Android, but also retaining its unique chips. Understanding these differences is critical for comfortable use of the device. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to call the widget menu, eliminate possible system errors and learn how to organize the screen space correctly.
It is worth noting that the location of controls may depend on the specific model of your gadget and the regional version of the firmware. Global versions of MIUI Global may behave differently than the Chinese MIUI CN or the version for the Russian market. However, the basic principles of navigation remain similar.
Standard method of calling via swipe
The most common and standard way to get into the widget menu on Xiaomi smartphones is to use a special gesture on the desktop. Unlike many other manufacturers where widgets are in the general menu of applications, here they are put in a separate tape. To activate this mode, you need to unlock the phone and go to the main screen, making sure that you are on the first page, where the clock and search are usually located.
Swipe (swipe) from left to right over an empty space on the screen. It is important that the finger does not touch the application icons, otherwise the app itself will open instead of the widget menu. If the swipe is done correctly, a separate panel will open containing weather widgets, pedometers, notes, music and other system services, and this is where the separate tape of Xiaomi widgets, which is a signature feature of their shell, is located.
If a standard swipe doesn't work, you may have a desktop style change. Check the theme settings: in some third-party themes, navigation can be reworked by the designer. The gesture can also be blocked if Pocket Mode is turned on or the app is running full-screen, although this is rare on the desktop. In most cases, a simple movement of a finger from the left edge of the screen instantly opens up access to the desired menu.
Desktop editing menu
The second, more traditional way for Android devices is to use the desktop editing menu, which is especially relevant if you need to add a widget directly to the free space among the application icons, instead of the sidebar, and to do this, you need to find free space on the screen where there is no icon or folder.
Take a long tap on the blank area of the screen. In a second, the screen will shrink and the toolbar will appear at the bottom. Here you will see the Wallpaper, Settings and, most importantly, the Widget button. By clicking on it, you will be on the full list of all available widgets installed on the system, and here they are sorted alphabetically or by the applications that belong.
In this menu, you can not only add, but also remove or resize the items you already have installed. Just drag the widget to the desktop and release your finger. If the widget supports resizing, there will be a frame around it with markers, pulling over it, you can stretch or compress the item vertically or horizontally, which gives you flexibility in planning the screen space.
☑️ Checking screen settings
Display settings in MIUI and HyperOS
MIUI and HyperOS interfaces offer users a choice between the two main desktop display modes. The mode they choose will determine how the widgets behave and where they are placed. Understanding the difference between Classic and Standard mode will help avoid confusion.
In Classic Mode (often referred to as Android Mode), all widgets are in the shared app menu or are called through long-pressing, as described above. A separate left panel may not be available in this mode, or it will contain only system recommendations. In MIUI (or HyperOS) mode, a branded left panel with widgets is activated, which opens with a swipe.
You can switch between these modes in the system settings. Go to Settings, then select Desktop. There you will find Desktop Mode. The switch will allow you to select your preferred option. After changing the mode, the menu structure can change, and the widgets can "move" or become available through another gesture.
What is the difference between MIUI and Android widgets?
Third-party launchers and their impact
Often users can’t find widgets because they have a third-party launcher that completely replaces the standard Xiaomi interface. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher have their own widget management rules that don’t depend on the phone’s settings.
If you have a third-party launcher, standard swipes and long taps may not work as usual. Usually, in such shells, widgets are called by long pressing on an empty space and selecting "Widgets" or "Widgets" in the context menu that appears. Some launchers require opening a separate application menu to access them.
To return the standard behavior, you either need to study the instructions of a particular launcher, or temporarily disable it. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the installed launcher and click Delete or Stop. After that, the system will prompt you to select the default launcher - select System Launcher.
| Parameter | System launcher | Third-party launcher (Nova, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Widget Challenge | Swipe left or long press | Long press. → Widget menu |
| Integration | Full (Mi Widgets) | Limited (Android Standard) |
| Grid setting | Limited to topics | Flexible cell setting |
| Animation. | Optimized for MIUI | Depends on the launcher. |
Display problems and system bugs
Sometimes widgets can disappear due to software failures or cache errors, a common phenomenon after a firmware update, when old data conflicts with new system files. If the menu does not open or the list of widgets is empty, the first thing to do is check for updates for system components.
Go to the Safety app (green zipper icon) that is preinstalled on all Xiaomis. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Update Components. The system will check for new versions for key modules, including desktop components, and install them. This often solves the problem of missing interface elements.
⚠️ Note: If widgets stop working after installing a specific theme from Themes, try resetting the theme to a standard one. Third-party themes may contain configuration errors that block widgets from running.
Another reason could be a crowded cache of the Desktop app. Cleaning the cache won't delete your icons and settings, but it will reset temporary files that may have been corrupted. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the Desktop (or System Launcher) list, click Storage and select Clear Cache.
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If the Weather widget shows incorrect data or is not updated, check the permissions for the Weather app. It must be allowed geolocation access and background work.
Additional sources of widgets
Google Play or GetApps (Mi Store) offers thousands of third-party widgets that can significantly expand the functionality of your smartphone, such as calendar widgets, currency rates, system monitoring or just a beautiful watch.
Once a third-party app is installed, its widget doesn't always appear automatically on the desktop. Often it needs to be found manually through the edit menu (long click on the empty space), scrolling the list down to the letter that the app name begins. Some developers hide widgets inside the app itself, requiring you to click the Add to Desktop button in the widget settings.
For advanced users, there are special widget aggregators, such as Widgetsmith (analogues for Android) or KWGT. They allow you to create your own designs from scratch using photos, text and system variables, which gives you maximum freedom in customization, although it takes time to customize.
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MIUI system widgets consume less power than complex third-party counterparts because they are optimized at the core level of the system.