How to set up widgets on Xiaomi: a complete guide with examples

Widgets on Xiaomi smartphones are not just a desktop decoration, but a powerful tool for quick access to information and device management, which can track the weather, control battery power, manage a smart home or even run your favorite apps with a single touch. However, many Redmi, Poco or Black Shark users have difficulty configuring where to find the widgets they need, how to resize them, or why they disappear after an update. MIUI.

In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of working with widgets on Xiaomi – from the basic installation to hidden functions that are not written in the official instructions. You will learn how to add widgets to the lock screen, adjust their transparency, restore after resetting settings and even create your own combinations using third-party launchers. MIUI 14 and MIUI 15, as well as the specifics of firmware for global and Chinese versions of smartphones.

What are widgets and why do they need on Xiaomi

A widget is a mini-program that displays dynamic information directly on the desktop or lock screen. Unlike conventional application shortcuts, widgets update data in real time, such as showing the current temperature, battery level or the latest notifications from messengers.

On Xiaomi smartphones, widgets are integrated into the shell MIUI and are divided into three types:

• 📱 System widgets — weather, clock, calendar, power management. They're set by default and optimized to work with the system. MIUI.
• 🎯 App widgets from Google, Spotify, Yandex and other services require the installation of appropriate software.
• 🔧 Third-party widgets – created using launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher) or specialized applications (KWGT, UCCW). Allows you to completely customize the appearance.

The main advantages of widgets on Xiaomi:

• ⚡ Quick access to key features without opening apps (such as turning on a flashlight or Wi-Fi).
• 📊 Data visualization: memory usage schedules, step history, currency rates.
• 🎨 Personalization: changing sizes, transparency, color schemes.
• 🔄 Automation: Some widgets (such as Mi Home) allow you to control smart devices directly from the screen.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi smartphones with firmware for the Chinese market (China) ROM) Some widgets may be missing due to regional restrictions, and unlocking them will require changing the region in settings or installing global firmware.

How to add a widget to Xiaomi’s home screen

The process of adding widgets to Xiaomi depends on the version MIUI, But the general scheme remains the same. Consider the universal method that works on most models (Redmi Note 12, Poco). X5, Xiaomi 13 and others.):

1. Unlock your smartphone and go to the main screen.
2. Make a long touch (press and hold your finger) in the free screen space until the settings menu appears.
3. At the bottom of the screen, select the Widgets item (on some firmwares, Widget or the three-square icon).
4. Scroll through the list of available widgets left/right. System widgets are usually located at the beginning, and application widgets are located further.
5. Click on the widget you want and drag it to the free space on the screen. Some models (Black Shark) will need to select a size first.
6. Release your finger to lock the widget, and if necessary, resize it by pulling the corner markers.

If no widget is added:

• 🔄 Check if there is enough space on the screen (widgets cannot be superimposed on other elements).
• 📱 Make sure that the application to which the widget belongs is installed and updated.
• 🔧 On some firmware (MIUI 14 for Redmi 10) you need to first unlock the ability to add widgets to Settings → Main screen screen → Additionally.

On Xiaomi MIUI 15 has Smart Widgets, which automatically adapt to your habits, like the Google Discover widget that shows interest news, and the Mi Fit widget that shows your last workout, to activate this feature:

1. Add any widget to the screen.
2. Click on it and hold it until the menu appears.
3. Select the widget settings → Smart mode.
4. Turn on the adaptive content switch.

Setting the size and appearance of widgets

One of the key advantages of widgets on Xiaomi is the ability to change their size and style, but not all widgets support customization: for example, the system widget Weather can be stretched to the full screen, and the Google Search widget has a fixed size.

How to change the size of the widget:

1. Press the widget and hold it until it is "detached" from the screen.
2. Release your finger and white markers will appear around the widget.
3. Pull at the markers to increase or decrease the widget. on some models (Poco) F5) To do this, you need to first click on the icon Edit (pencil) in the upper corner.
4. Record the changes by clicking on the free screen space.

Additional external settings:

On smartphones Xiaomi with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Ultra) dark theme widgets are consumed on 15-20% less power than light. To turn on dark mode for widgets, go to Settings. → Screen. → Dark theme and activate the option Forced for widgets.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, Poco M3) After changing the size of the widget, some information may disappear (for example, the weather widget does not display the forecast for the week.

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If the widget looks blurry after resizing, try rebooting your smartphone or removing/addling the widget again. This helps reset the display cache.

Widgets on the lock screen: how to add and configure

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi allows you to add widgets to the lock screen - this is convenient for quick access to information without unlocking the phone. However, the functionality is limited: you can only accommodate system widgets (Weather, Calendar, Steps) and some widgets from Xiaomi (Mi Fit, Mi Home).

Instructions for addition:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select the lock screen widgets (on some firmware - Additional information).
3. Activate the switch to show widgets.
4. Click Select widgets and tick the necessary ones (maximum 3 at the same time).
5. Set up the display order by dragging widgets in the list.

Features of widgets on the lock screen:

• 🔒 Available only after setting up the pattern lock or PIN-code.
• 📱 On Poco and Black Shark, lock widgets may be missing due to customized firmware.
• 🔄 Widgets are updated less frequently than on the home screen (e.g., weather every 30 minutes).
• 🚫 You can't change the size or transparency.

If the widgets are not displayed on the lock screen:

1. Check if the option to Show notifications on the lock screen is enabled in Settings → Notifications.
2. Make sure your smartphone is not in power saving mode (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime).
3. Update the firmware: in MIUI 15 bugs with widget display on Redmi Note 12 Pro fixed+ Xiaomi 12T.

Problems with widgets on Xiaomi and their solutions

Widgets on Xiaomi sometimes work unstablely: disappear after an update, do not update data or display incorrectly.

1 The widget disappeared after the update MIUI

This is a common problem when moving from MIUI 13 on MIUI 14/15. Widgets may be dropped due to changes in shell structure.

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes widgets are automatically restored.
• 📱 Check if the widget is hidden: make a long touch on the screen → Main screen settings → Hidden elements.
• 🔧 Remove and add the widget again.
• 📲 If the widget was from a third-party application (for example, KWGT), Update this app on Google Play.

2.The widget does not update the data

For example, the weather widget shows old information, and the Google Calendar widget doesn’t sync.

• 🔄 Enable Autosynchronization in Settings → Accounts and synchronization.
• 📶 Check your internet connection (widgets only update when you are actively connected).
• 🔋 Turn off the power saving mode for the widget application in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• ⚙️ For weather widgets: check the location in Settings → Confidentiality → Permits → Location.

3.The widget is displayed blurry or cropped

This problem is typical for smartphones with high-resolution screen (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Black Shark 5 Pro).

• 🔍 Try changing the size of the widget (sometimes it helps to reduce the size of the widget). 1-2 cell).
• 📱 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) – it optimizes the display better.
• 🔧 Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with HyperOS firmware (new name for foreign versions) MIUI 15) some of the older widgets may not work, in which case you will have to wait for an update from the developers or use similar widgets from Google.

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If the widget stopped working after resetting, first update all apps through Google Play, and then restart the smartphone. 80% of the time this solves the problem.

Hidden widgets and secret MIUI features

Xiaomi hides some widgets from users by default, but they can be activated through settings or third-party tools.

1. Game mode widget

It allows you to quickly turn on game mode, block notifications and optimize performance.

1. Activate Game Mode in Settings → Special facilities → Game mode.
2. Add the Game Turbo widget through the widget menu (see Section 2).
3. Set up hotkeys for quick access.

Quick settings widget 2.

Similar to the notification panel, but with the ability to customize the buttons. MIUI 14+:

1. Add the widget Control Panel.
2. Press it. → Settings → Select which switches to display (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Flashlight, etc.).

Widget "Scanner" QR-code"

Allows scanning. QR-codes directly from the main screen without opening the camera:

1. Add the scanner widget from the list of system.
2. Set the size (optimally — 2×2 cell).
3. When you click on the widget, a scanner with automatic code recognition will open.

World Time Widget 4

Useful for travelers - shows time in different time zones:

1. Add the Watch widget (version) 4×2 or 4×1).
2. Press the widget. → Settings → Time zones.
3. Add the right cities and set up the display.

To access the hidden widget on Xiaomi with MIUI 15 Developer codes can be used:

#6484## - Widget Test (shows all available, including hidden ones)
##4636## → Phone Information → MIUI Settings → Widgets

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On smartphones Xiaomi with NFC (For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+) You can add a Quick Payment widget for contactless payments, and it supports Google Pay, Mi Pay, and local payment systems.

Third-party widgets: KWGT, UCCW and alternative launchers

If the standard widgets MIUI Not enough, you can use third-party solutions:

1. KWGT (Kustom Widget Maker)

The app for creating widgets from scratch or based on templates. Supports animation, interactive elements and integration with Tasker.

• 🎨 More than 1,000 themes in the Play Market.
• 📊 Support for data from smartphone sensors (stepmer, battery, network).
• 🔧 Possibility of export/import of widgets.

To add a widget KWGT:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Download your favorite template (file with.kwt extension).
3. Add the widget. KWGT on the screen (select the size depending on the template).
4. Click on the widget → select the downloaded template.

2. UCCW (Ultimate Custom Clock Widget)

A specialized application for creating widget watches with a unique design supports:

• 🕒 Analog and digital watches.
• 🌡️ Integration with the weather widget.
• 🎨 Customization of each element (arrows, dial, background).

3. Alternative launchers

Launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher extend the widgets:

• 🔄 Flexible screen settings (for example, 10×10 opportunistic 5×5).
• 📱 Support for widgets blocked in MIUI.
• 🔧 Backup of the location of widgets.

Example of setting up Nova Launcher for widgets:

1. Install the launcher and select it as the main one.
2. Go to the Nova Settings → Widgets.
3. Activate the option to Show all widgets (includes hidden system).
4. Set the cell size for the desired widgets.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with a locked bootloader (Redmi for the Chinese market), some launchers may not work smoothly, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi