Modern smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi Redmi 9, have become digital life centers where access to information must be instant. Widgets are not just beautiful pictures on the desktop, but functional tools that allow you to see the weather, currency rates, steps or news without running applications. Many users have difficulty trying to add the right element to the main screen, because the logic of the MIUI interface is different from pure Android.
Redmi 9 owners often wonder why standard methods don’t work or where the usual add button has gone. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at all the ways widgets are activated, look at the features of the MIUI 12 shell and newer, and provide solutions for common bugs. Desktop setting is the first step to personalizing your device, making smartphone use really comfortable.
You'll learn not only to add new elements, but also to manage them properly so that they don't take up space and drain your battery. We'll talk about Google's widgets, which are now available separately from the system, and explain how to integrate them into the Xiaomi ecosystem. Get ready to turn your screen into a convenient information hub.
The main ways to add widgets to the desktop
There are several proven methods to display the widget on the lock screen or the main desktop. The most common and intuitive way for Redmi 9 users is to use the desktop editing menu, which requires pinching the empty area on the screen with your finger for 1-2 seconds before the vibration and menu at the bottom.
Once the bottom menu appears, select Widgets, which is usually in the center or left, and opens a library of all available items, broken down by category or application, find the desired widget, such as "Hours" or "Weather", and drag it to the free grid cell.
The second method involves using an application menu: In some versions of the firmware, if you press a specific application icon (for example, Calendar or Music), the option "Add a widget" appears in the context menu, which allows you to instantly place an item associated with this program, bypassing the general library.
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If the widget does not drag and drop immediately, try to select it in the library first, and then click "Add" in the menu that appears, after which it will stand in the free cell.
The third option is relevant for those who use third-party launchers, but even in stock MIUI there are hidden features. Some widgets require a pre-size adjustment. Once placed on the screen, you can pull the edges of the widget to change its dimensions, if a particular interface element allows.
Working with Google widgets in the shell of MIUI
One of the features of the modern versions of MIUI on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is the separation of Android widgets and Google widgets. Starting with Android 10 and above, Google has brought its widgets (News, Google Fit, Calendar, Weather) into a separate application that you need to download or activate.
To access the full set of Google widgets, make sure your device has a Google app installed and services updated. If the standard set is not enough, go to the Play Market and find the Google Widgets app (or update the main Google app).
Google widget integration often provides more accurate information than Xiaomi’s system counterparts, especially in terms of geolocation and personalized recommendations. However, it’s worth remembering that Google’s active widgets can consume more traffic and battery power, as they constantly update data across the network.
| Type of widget | Source | Resource consumption | Functional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clock (System) | MIUI | Low. | Time, date, alarm clock |
| Weather (Google) | Google App | Average. | Prediction, precipitation by the hour |
| Stepper | MIUI / Google Fit | High. | Counting steps, calories |
| Notes | MIUI Notes | Low. | Quick access to the to-do list |
Size and appearance of elements
Once you have opened and placed the widget on the Xiaomi Redmi 9, it is often necessary to resize it to fit perfectly into the desktop design. Not all widgets support this feature, but most standard widgets (calendar, weather, gallery) allow you to change the dimensions.
To resize, press and hold your finger on the widget that's already placed until it sticks out and there's a frame with markers on the edges. By pulling those markers, you can stretch the element vertically or horizontally. It's important to consider that the desktop grid has a minimal cell, the smaller of which the widget can't shrink.
⚠️ Warning: When stretching the widget, make sure that there are no other icons or folders in the adjacent cells, otherwise the widget will not be able to expand into this area.
Some widgets can be changed through the app’s settings, for example, a weather widget can have multiple display styles (digital, analog, minimalist) and often just click on the widget itself or select the “Edit” option from the long-press menu to change the style.
Hidden widget settings
Widget Management: Removing and Deleting
Control of the hosted elements is as important as their initial installation. On Redmi 9, the widget is moved by simply drag-and-drop. Press the widget, wait for the vibration and move it to any vacant spot on the current or adjacent screen.
If the widget is no longer needed or takes up too much space, it is easy to remove. There are two main ways to remove it. One is to drag the widget to the top of the screen, where you will see the "Delete" or the basket icon. The second way is more modern: pinch the widget and select the "Delete" item in the context menu that appears.
It's worth noting that removing the widget from the desktop doesn't remove the app itself. If you delete the calendar widget, the Calendar app will stay in the phone's memory with all the data, allowing you to flexibly customize the interface to your current tasks without fear of losing data.
- 📱 Press the widget to activate the editing mode.
- 🗑️ Drag to the Remove Zone or select an item in the menu.
- ✅ Confirm the action if the system requests confirmation.
- 🔄 Repeat the addition procedure from the library.
☑️ Verification of widget operation
Problem Solving: Widgets are missing or not added
Xiaomi Redmi 9 users sometimes experience widgets disappearing after a reboot or the add button is inactive, most often due to the MIUI energy saving system, which aggressively unloads processes from memory. In order for the weather or news widget to be updated, the corresponding application must be given permission to work in the background.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the desired application (for example, Weather), and select Autostart and Save Battery. Set the value “No restrictions.” This will prevent the process responsible for the widget from being forced to stop.
Another common problem is the launcher cache overflow, and if the widget menu doesn't open or is empty, try clearing the cache of the Themes or Desktop system application, which often solves the problem of icons and widgets disappearing after a system update.
⚠️ Note: If the widget shows an error "Not enough memory", it does not always mean that the phone's memory is filled with files. Often it is a lack of free cells in the desktop grid.
In rare cases, the problem lies with a third-party launcher. If you have installed a Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, the widget menu may be called differently (usually by swipe up or double tap). MIUI Full compatibility with system widgets.
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The main reason widgets on Redmi 9 are missing is aggressive battery optimization, and auto-run resolution solves 90 percent of the problems.
The impact of widgets on the autonomy of Redmi 9
Active use of widgets on the lock screen and desktop directly affects the life of Xiaomi Redmi 9 on a single charge. Dynamic widgets such as news feed, stock quotes or live wallpaper require constant access to the processor and communication module, which increases energy consumption.
Static widgets, such as a simple watch or a calendar without animation, consume minimal resources. If you are critical to autonomy, it is recommended to minimize the number of live widgets, especially widgets that use geolocation (maps, weather) in real time.
You can optimize your consumption by turning off the update of widgets that you rarely use. Some widgets allow you to adjust the refresh interval in your internal settings. Increasing the interval from 15 minutes to 1 hour will significantly save battery life during the day.
- ⚡ Dynamic widgets (news, social networks) consume the most energy.
- 🔋 Static elements (hours, date) have little effect on the battery.
- 📉 Disabling Auto Update for Rarely Used Widgets Prolongs Battery Life.