Modern Xiaomi smartphones, powered by MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, offer users huge personalization options. One of the most effective ways to make the lock screen and desktop look not only beautiful but also functional is to add widgets. These mini-apps allow instant access to the weather, currency rates, pedometer or smart home management without opening the main applications.
Many users who migrate from other operating systems or older versions of Android often have difficulty finding the right menu.The Chinese giant's interface has its own logic different from pure Android. In this article, we'll discuss how to properly add a widget to Xiaomi, where to look for hidden settings, and how to avoid typical errors that can lead to failures in the display of items.
The installation process can vary depending on the firmware version and the region for which the device is released.We will look at universal methods that work on most current models, including Redmi and POCO. Ready to experiment with the interface will allow you to create a truly unique user experience.
The main ways to add widgets to the desktop
The most obvious and standard method that most Android users are familiar with is using a long press, so to activate the editing menu, you have to touch the empty area on your desktop with your finger and hold your finger for about a second, and then the screen will shrink, and you will see a toolbar with several options at the bottom.
In the menu that appears, you should select Widgets. The system will open a library of available items that are already embedded in the shell or installed through applications. Here you can find standard hours, calendar, notes and application shortcuts. Selecting a specific item will transfer it to the free space of the screen.
It is important to note that some widgets require a certain size of free space. If the grid is occupied by icons, the system may suggest moving existing elements or not allowing the new widget to be placed, in which case you will need to pre-clean the area or change the size of the grid in the settings.
⚠️ Note: When moving widgets, do not let your finger go abruptly, otherwise the element may be curved relative to the grid, which will require re-alignment.
There is an alternative way that doesn't work on all firmware versions, but it's common in global builds. If you swipe to the right of the first screen, you're in the Google or Mi Vision widget feed. At the bottom of this tape, there's often a "Add widgets" button that duplicates the functionality of the main menu.
Work with widgets in the Mi Home application
For owners of the Xiaomi smart home ecosystem, fast access to device management is critical. The standard Mi Home app allows you to bring individual devices to your desktop in the form of interactive widgets, eliminating the need to open the application, wait for it to download and look for the right light bulb in the list.
To set up such a widget, open the Mi Home app and go to the profile or settings of a particular device. In the device management menu, find "Add to desktop" or "Create a widget." The system will suggest choosing a design: this can be a simple on button or a full panel with a brightness slider and color selection.
Once you have chosen a design, the system will redirect you to the desktop editing menu, where you will need to confirm the placement. IoT widgets are especially useful for commonly used appliances, such as robot vacuum cleaners, smart sockets or hallway lighting, and they work even when the screen is off if the widget supports direct interaction.
☑️ Setting up smart home widgets
Keep in mind that smart home widgets require a constant Internet connection to update status. If the router is rebooted or the network is unstable, the widget can display the status of "Out of the network" or "Waiting", even if the device is working, in such cases, updating the widget through a swipe or rebooting the application helps.
Configure Google widgets and third-party services
MIUI is deeply integrated with Google services, allowing you to use standard search widgets, such as Google Search, Google Photos, Google Fit, and Google Calendar, which often have a more rigorous, minimalist design that fits perfectly into light themes.
To install the Google widget, you need to go to the widget menu, scroll through the list to the Google section, and select the right one. For example, the Google One Today widget aggregates information about schedules, weather and news, which is a great way to keep abreast of events without opening a lot of apps.
Third-party services, such as Weather & Widget weather widgets or Notion note widgets, are installed in a similar way, and the main requirement is that the app must be installed on the device, and once the main application is installed, its widgets automatically appear in the system's shared library.
Why is Google’s widget not updated?
Some widgets require additional permissions to work correctly, such as a weather widget that requests geolocation access, and a calendar widget that requests access to contacts and events. Without these permissions, the widget may display empty data or not work correctly. Always check permission requests when you first install it.
Resolving problems with the display and size of the grid
A common problem for Xiaomi users is that the widgets and the grids of the desktop are not sized properly. The standard grid may be too large, making the widgets take up more space than they should or look stretched. The solution is to change the grid density.
To do this, go to Settings → Desktop (or long-click on the screen → Settings). Find "Grid" or "Grid size." Here you can choose a configuration, for example, 4x5, 5x5 or even 6x6. The more cells, the smaller the icons will be, but the more widgets will fit on the screen.
Once the grid changes, the old widgets can shift or resize, and in some cases, you have to remove the widget and add it again to adapt to the new cell proportions, which is normal for the system to change the basic parameters of the interface.
| Type of problem | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The widget's not moving. | Fixed in memory or launcher bug | Reboot your phone or change the subject |
| Black square instead of widget | Memory shortage or application failure | Clear the source app cache |
| The widget is too big. | Incorrect size of the desktop grid | Change the grid in the screen settings |
| The widget is not updated | Limitations of background activity | Allow auto-start and work in the background |
If the widget is displayed as a black square, it is often indicative of a lack of RAM at the time of rendering or a conflict with the current theme of the design. Try temporarily switching to the standard Classic theme to see if the artifact disappears.
💡
Use themes marked "Hybrid" or "iOS style" in the Mi Themes store - they often contain exclusive, animated widgets not available in stock firmware.
Using themes to expand the functionality of widgets
MIUI Themes is not just a wallpaper collection, it's a powerful customization tool. Many themes change not only icons, but also completely redraw the system widgets of watches, weather and music. Some authors create entire widget packs that are installed as separate components of the theme.
When choosing a theme, pay attention to the screenshots in the description. Often it shows what widgets will look like on a locked screen and on the desktop. Installing a theme can automatically replace standard widgets with more beautiful counterparts that match the style of the new shell.
However, be careful: third-party themes may contain ads or require extra permissions; download themes that are highly rated and have a lot of downloads; and always use the preview function before installing a paid theme to evaluate compatibility with your model.
If the widgets are missing or not working properly after installing the theme, try resetting the theme settings. To do this, in the Themes app, go to the profile and select Reset theme or simply delete the installed theme by returning to the standard one.
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Themes are the easiest way to radically change the appearance of widgets without installing third-party launchers or complex system settings.