How to set up widgets on Xiaomi: from basic actions to hidden chips MIUI

What are widgets on Xiaomi and why do they need them?

The widgets on Xiaomi smartphones are mini-programs that display current information directly on the home screen or in the notification panel. Unlike the usual app shortcuts, they show real-time data: weather, calendar, notes, health statistics or even smart home controls. For example, the weather widget updates the temperature every 30 minutes, and the music player widget allows you to control tracks without opening the application.

V MIUI 14/15 (Current versions of the firmware for Redmi, POCO And Xiaomi, widgets are more flexible, they can be scaled, moved between screens, and even made transparent, but many users still don't use them to the fullest, limited to the standard set. Meanwhile, setting up widgets correctly saves time – for example, the Quick Notes widget allows you to create a note with a single touch, and the Google Keep widget syncs with your account and is available on all devices.

It is important to understand the difference between system widgets (embedded in the system). MIUI) The former are optimized for Xiaomi hardware and consume less battery, but the latter often offer more features. For example, the Spotify widget shows the album cover and control buttons, and the system player only shows the progress of the track.

How to add a widget to Xiaomi’s home screen

Adding a widget takes less than a minute, but for beginners, this process often raises questions. MIUI 14/15:

1. Unlock the screen and go to the main screen (or the one you want to add the widget to).
2. Make a long tap on any free screen spot until the settings menu appears.
3. At the bottom of the screen, select the Widget tab (the icon with three squares).
4. Scroll through the list of available widgets left/right. System widgets are marked with an icon MIUI, third-party - application logos.
5. Press the widget you want, and drag it onto the screen, and release your finger when the outline appears.
6. If the widget supports size change, pull around the corners to stretch it (for example, the Weather widget can be made square or rectangular).

Some widgets require additional customization after adding, for example, the calendar widget will suggest selecting the events displayed (personal, work or all), and the Google Fit widget will suggest syncing the data with the account. If the widget does not appear in the list, check:

• 🔹 Is the appropriate application installed (for example, for the Yandex widget.Weather you need to download the application itself).
• 🔹 Whether the firmware has been updated (in MIUI 13 and older, some widgets may not be available).
• 🔹 Are the widgets disabled in the security settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the annex] → Widgets).

Top.-5 Useful widgets for Xiaomi and their configuration

And among the dozens of widgets available, there are some that actually make everyday tasks easier.-5 Taking into account the functionality and economy of the battery:

The Smart Home widget is especially useful for Xiaomi ecosystem owners, such as the Yeelight light button or Mi Robot Vacuum button, and the Steps widget motivates you to move more by showing you progress on your targets right on the screen.

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If the Weather widget is not updated, check the permissions for the Weather app in the settings (Settings) → Annexes → Weather. → Permits → Geodata: often the problem is solved by including precise location.

Third-party app widgets (such as Spotify or Telegram) may not work if the battery settings for them enable optimization. To fix this, go to Settings → Battery. → Optimize the battery and turn it off for the right application.

How to change the size and location of the widget

V MIUI widgets support dynamic resizing, but not everyone knows how to use it:

1. Add the widget to the screen (see the instructions above).
2. Make a long press on the widget until the frame with dots on the corners appears.
3. Pull at any point to resize. Some widgets only support fixed proportions (e.g., the Watch can only be made square).
4. To move, drag the widget to the right place, MIUI You will automatically create a new one.

Important nuances:

• 🔹 Widgets 4×1 (horizontal) well suited to the bottom of the screen, where usually placed the dock bar.
• 🔹 Widgets 2×2 (square) weather or calendar friendly - they do not take up much space but show enough information.
• 🔹 Some widgets (like Google Fit) show more data when stretched (activity charts, detailed statistics).

If the widget does not change size, this may be due to:

• 🔸 The limitations of the widget itself (for example, Quick settings always take up the width of the screen).
• 🔸 Using a third-party launcher (in Nova Launcher or Hyperion, the widget setting is different).
• 🔸 An outdated version MIUI (into MIUI 12 and below some widgets don't scale).

Removing and Resetting Widgets: What to Do When the Widget Doesn't Work

If the widget has stopped updating, shows errors, or simply becomes unnecessary, it can be deleted or reset. Here's how to do it correctly:

Removal of the widget

1. Long tap on the widget → cross-size (×) top-corner.
2. Drag the widget onto the cross and let go.
3. Confirm the removal (if required).

Resetting the widget settings

If the widget is buggy, but you do not want to remove it, try:

• 🔹 Clear the application cache to which the widget belongs (Settings) → Annexes → [Name of name] → Clear the cache).
• 🔹 Reboot the smartphone (sometimes widgets “hang” due to launcher errors).
• 🔹 Update the app to Google Play (if a third-party widget).

A common problem: Weather widgets show incorrect data.

• 🔸 The wrong city in the settings (long press) → Settings → manually).
• 🔸 Disabled geodata for the Weather app.
• 🔸 Server failures (check the Internet operation).

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If after removing the widget it continues to appear on the screen, clear the launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Clear the cache) and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Some widgets (such as Smart Home) reset the scripts when removed. If you used the widget to control lamps or sockets, you will have to reconfigure the scripts when it returns to the screen.

Hidden chips widgets in MIUI: What widgets you didn’t know about can do

V MIUI 14/15 There are some non-obvious features of widgets that are rarely mentioned in official instructions:

1. Quick Settings widget with custom buttons

By default, the widget shows standard switches (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.), but it can be customized:

1. Add the Quick Settings widget to the screen.
2. Long press. → Edit.
3. In the list of available buttons, find Other settings → Here you can add Read Mode, Game Mode or even Screen Translation (for quick text scanning).

2. Transparency of widgets

V MIUI 15 it became possible to change the transparency of some widgets (for example, Weather or Calendar):

• Long tap on the widget → Style. → slider Transparency.
• This is useful if the widget covers the wallpaper or other screen elements.

3.Widgets in the notification panel

Few people know that in MIUI You can add widgets not only to the main screen, but also to the notification panel:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Swipe left on the panel. → Click Edit (Princer icon).
3. At the bottom of the screen will appear a list of available widgets (for example, flashlight, calculator, Screen recording).
4. Drag the desired widget to the top of the screen.

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Screen recording in the notification panel allows you to start recording with one touch, without opening the "Stork" completely. This is convenient for streamers or those who often shoot gameplay.

4. Dynamic wallpaper widgets

If you use dynamic wallpapers (like Earth & Moon or Forest), some widgets can adapt to them, such as the Weather widget in a dark theme will display white text and in a light one will display black text.

1. Go to the Settings → Wallpaper → Dynamic Wallpaper.
2. Choose a wallpaper marked Adaptive Design.
3. Add a Weather widget or Calendar – it will automatically adjust to the color scheme.

Widgets on a locked screen: how to add and configure

V MIUI You can display widgets even on a locked screen, which is convenient for quick access to information without unlocking, for example, a Weather widget or Steps will be visible immediately after waking up the phone.

To add a widget to the locked screen:

1. Go to Settings. → Screen locking → Additionally. → Widgets on the lock screen.
2. Turn on the switch to show widgets.
3. Click Add widget and select from the list (only system widgets: Weather, Calendar, Steps are available).
4. Configure the information displayed (for example, for the weather you can hide it) UV-index, leaving only the temperature).

⚠️ Attention: Widgets on a locked screen display limited information for security reasons, such as a Message widget that won't show text messages, only the number of unread ones, and to see the full data, you'll have to unlock your phone.

If the widget does not appear on the locked screen, check:

• 🔹 Whether notifications are displayed on the locked screen (Settings) → Notifications → On the lock screen).
• 🔹 Are the widgets disabled in the security settings (Settings) → Confidentiality → Additionally).
• 🔹 Is there a third-party screen blocker (e.g., Norton App Lock) that can block widgets.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Xiaomi Widgets