How to open and configure widgets on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: the full guide

Widgets on Xiaomi Redmi are mini-apps that display useful information directly on the home screen: weather, calendar, notes, quick settings or even data from Google Fit. But many users face the problem: after updating MIUI or buying a new smartphone, Suddenly widgets disappear or can not be added. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to open widgets on the Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and other models – from basic to hidden features.

It's important to understand that MIUI is updated regularly, and the settings may vary depending on the firmware version. We'll look at current methods for MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (2026), and we'll also give you tips for older versions. If you have a Redmi with a HyperOS shell, some of the features may work differently, but the basic principles remain the same.

Before you start setting up, check if the widgets are disabled in system settings. Sometimes the problem lies in accidentally changing settings or conflict with installed launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher). If you use a third-party launcher, go back to the standard MIUI Launcher to avoid errors.

1. Basic method: adding a widget through a long press

The easiest method is to use the standard widget menu built into MIUI Launcher, which works on all Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and Redmi A2+.

1. Unlock your smartphone and go to the home screen (not in the app menu!).

2. Make a long press on any free screen spot (not on the icon!).

3. At the bottom of the screen, a panel with options will appear. Select Widgets (the icon with squares).

If you don't have Widgets, your launcher doesn't support this feature. Go back to the standard MIUI launcher (more on that in the next section). In the menu that opens, you'll see a list of available widgets: weather, clock, calendar, music player, etc. Drag the widget to the free screen space.

• 📱 For MIUI 14/15: Widgets are grouped by app (e.g. Google, Mi Fit).Click on the app name to expand the list.
• 🔄 Size change: Some widgets (like weather) support zoom. After adding, pinch the widget and pull around corners.
• ❌ Removal: To remove the widget, pinch it and drag it to the basket at the top of the screen.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models with MIUI 13 and below widgets may not appear if Easy Mode is enabled (Settings) → Special facilities → Light mode. Turn it off before setting it up.

2.If widgets do not appear: return the standard launcher

A common reason widgets disappear is the use of third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, POCO Launcher), which replace the standard MIUI interface, and many system widgets stop working, to return them:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2. Find the current launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher) in the list.

3. Click Disable (or Remove Updates if it is a system application).

4.The system will prompt the return of the MIUI Launcher - confirm the action.

After returning to the standard launcher, widgets should appear. If this did not happen, check if they are disabled in the system settings (for more on this in the next section).

Click the empty space on the main screen → appeared menu?

Is the standard MIUI Launcher back?

Checked to see if the light mode is on?

Updated the firmware to the latest version?-->

3. Including widgets in system settings

If the widgets don't appear even after returning to the standard launcher, they may be disabled in system settings.

1. Open Settings → Main screen.

2. Scroll down and find the Widgets section (or Additional Settings → Widgets in older versions of MIUI).

3. Make sure the Show Widgets switch is on (must be blue).

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 12.5 for Redmi 9), this item may be called Screen Settings → Widgets. If you don't have an option, then your version of MIUI doesn't support widgets (relevant to very old models like the Redmi 4X).

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If you don't have widgets in your settings after you turn them on, try rebooting your smartphone. Sometimes the changes only apply after the reboot.

Another possible reason is that there are restrictions on the second space or mode for kids, and if you use these features, the widgets can be blocked.

1. Go to Settings → Second screen (or Mode for children).

2. Disable the function or configure permissions for widgets.

4. Add widgets through the application menu

MIUI 14/15 has an alternative way to add widgets, right from the app menu, which is convenient if you don't have enough space on the home screen.

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).

2. Find the app you want to add a widget for (e.g. Google or Mi Fit).

3. Press the app icon and drag it to the main screen.

4. In the menu that appears, select the Widget (if available).

This method does not work for all applications, but is supported by most system utilities (Calendar, Notes, Weather). If the widget option is not active, then the application does not provide widgets.

5. Hidden widgets: how to add system utilities

Xiaomi Redmi has hidden widgets that don’t appear in the main menu, but can be useful, like a quick setup widget (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight) or battery monitoring widget to add:

1. Click the empty space on the home screen and select Widgets.

2. Scroll down the list and find System widgets (or MIUI) section.

3. There may be:

• 🔋 Battery: Displays charge level and temperature.
• 📶 Network: Shows the speed of the Internet in real time.
• 🔊 Sound: Volume control directly from the screen.
• 🔦 Flashlight: Quick access to on/off.

These widgets are often hidden by default, as they duplicate functions from the notification panel, but they are handy if you need to constantly monitor the charge or network speed.

⚠️ Attention: Network monitoring widget can significantly increase battery consumption, as it constantly polls traffic data. If you notice that the smartphone has become faster to discharge, delete this widget.

6. Problem Solving: Widgets Are Not Working or Disappearing

If widgets are added but don’t update data (for example, the weather shows old values), or disappear after a reboot, try these methods:

1. Clearing the launcher cache:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher (or Lawnchair if you use it). Click Clear Cache and restart your smartphone.

Resetting the launcher settings:

In the same MIUI Launcher settings, select Warehouse → Delete Data. Attention: this will reset the location of the icons on the home screen!

Permit verification:

Some widgets (like Google Fit or Mi Fit) require additional permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → Permissions and make sure the app has access to:

• 📍 Location (for weather widgets).
• 📱 Notifications (for chat widgets).
• 🔋 Battery data (for charge monitoring).

Update of firmware:

If the widgets aren’t working properly, check for MIUI relevance. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update and install the latest patches. This is especially true for Redmi Note 11 and older, where widgets can bug on older firmware versions.

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If widgets disappear after the MIUI update, it’s a known mistake. Try manually reinstalling the launcher through Settings → Applications → MIUI Launcher → Remove the updates.

7.Alternative ways: widgets through Google and third-party apps

If standard MIUI widgets don’t suit you, you can use alternatives:

1. Google widgets:

Install Google’s app from the Play Market and add a search, weather, or calendar widget. These are often more informative than the standard ones from Xiaomi.

Annex KWGT:

It's an advanced tool for custom widgets. Download KWGT Kustom Widget Maker and download ready-made themes from the community. Minus takes time to set up.

Nova Launcher + widgets:

If you don't like MIUI Launcher, install Nova Launcher and use its built-in widgets. They're more flexible in size and appearance settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi Redmi