How to install a widget on Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways MIUI 14 and 15

Widgets on Xiaomi Redmi are not just a decorating desktop, but a powerful tool for quick access to information. However, many users face problems when installing them: the desired widget does not appear in the list, then after updating. MIUI In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install widgets, from standard solutions to bypassing the system limitations for third-party applications.

Feature of the Redmi smartphone (unlike the flagship Xiaomi or POCO) It's a simpler firmware. MIUI, where some widget features may be hidden or limited, such as on the budget models of the Redmi Note 12 or Redmi series. 10C There are fewer options available by default than on the Xiaomi 13 Pro. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any features available – you just need to activate them correctly.

It is important to understand: the process of installing widgets depends on the version MIUI (14 or 15, smartphone models, even regional firmware, and we tested all of these techniques on the latest devices, from Redmi. A2 redmi K60 Pro — and put together working solutions. If you tried to add a widget through a long press on the desktop, but it didn't work, do not rush to give up: then you will find alternative ways, including hidden settings and third-party launchers.

1. Standard method: adding widgets through MIUI Launcher

Let’s start with the basic method that works on most Xiaomi Redmi devices with factory launcher, which is suitable for installing widgets of embedded applications (weather, clock, calendar) and some third-party programs that support the Android Widget standard. API.

The instructions are relevant to MIUI 14/15 on the Redmi Note models 11/12/13, Redmi 10/11/12, Redmi K50/K60 If you have custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), the steps may vary slightly.

1. Unlock your smartphone and go to the main screen (not in the app menu!).
2. Make a long tap on any free screen spot (not on the icon!). Wait for the menu to appear at the bottom of the screen.
3. In the bottom panel, select Widgets (the icon with squares). If this item is not available, see the section on hidden settings.
4. Scroll through the list of available widgets left/right, showing both system elements (like Weather or Calendar) and widgets installed applications (like Google Weather or Spotify).
5. Click on the widget you want and drag it to a free space on your desktop without letting go. Some widgets (like the Watch) allow you to choose a size, so make a pinch gesture after placing it.
6. To remove the widget, make a long press on it and drag it to the basket at the top of the screen.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models with MIUI 14 (e.g. Redmi) 9A or Redmi 10A) The widget list can be cut down, and that's because you're optimizing your firmware for budget devices. MIUI 15 or use alternative methods from the following sections.

2.Why the widget doesn't appear in the list and how to fix it

One of the most common problems is when the widget you want doesn't appear on the add-on menu, and there are many reasons, from firmware bugs to application limitations, and we'll go through the main cases and solutions.

• 🔄 The app doesn't support widgets. Not all programs have built-in widgets. VK They're not provided, and Google Keep or Yandex Weather is. Check the app description on Google Play.
• 📱 Widget hidden in settings MIUI. In some firmware versions, system widgets (such as Device Information) are disabled by default and can be returned via a hidden menu (see next section).
• 🔒 Limitations MIUI for third-party widgets, starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi is blocking widgets of some applications (especially optimizers and launchers) for security reasons.The solution is to use an alternative launcher.
• 📲 There is a widget, but it doesn't show because of the cache. Try clearing the cache of an app that doesn't show up: Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Theme conflict. Some themes from the Mi Theme Store can block widgets. Return the standard theme: Settings → Registration → My subjects. → Standard.

If the widget previously worked but disappeared after the update MIUI, Try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or Lawnchair if you use it).
3. Select Warehouse → Clear the data (no cache!).
4. Reboot your smartphone. The widgets should come back, but they'll have to be re-placed.

3. Enabling hidden widgets through settings MIUI

Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi has hidden some of the system widgets in order to “optimize the interface.” For example, device information widgets (with data on charge, memory and temperature) or Quick settings are not displayed in the standard menu, but they can be returned.

To do this, you will need to activate the developer mode and enable debugging by USB, But the process itself doesn't require root rights. MIUI 14/15:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times in a row until the notification appears).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include: Debugging by USB Allow debugging (when connected to a PC)

Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command in ADB (You need to install the Platform Tools utility from Google):

adb shell settings put global hidden_widgets_enabled 1

Reboot the device. Then you'll see hidden items in the widget menu, like:

• System monitor (CPU, RAM, temperature)
• Fast switches (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.)
• Event calendar (extended version)

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI The hidden widgets may disappear again, in which case repeat the procedure with the ADB. It is also not recommended to include all hidden widgets at the same time – this can lead to a slowdown in the interface on budget models (Redmi). 9A, Redmi 10A).

4.Use of third-party launchers for extended widgets

If standard methods don't work, the best solution is to install an alternative launcher, which will not only add any widgets, but also completely customize the desktop.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher is the most stable option with support for gestures, adaptive icons and groups of widgets.The free version limits the number of desktops.
• 🎨 Lawnchair is an open source launcher optimized for MIUI. Supports dynamic widgets and dark themes.
• 📱 Hyperion Launcher – Lightweight Launcher with Support KWGT And Tasker. Perfect for weak devices. 9A, Redmi 8A).
• 🔧 Smart Launcher 6 – automatically sorts apps and offers smart widgets (such as contacts or recent files).

Instructions for installation and configuration on the example of Nova Launcher:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play and install it as the default launcher (the system will prompt you to do so when you first start).
2. To add a widget, make a long press on the desktop → Widgets.
3. In Nova Launcher, widgets are grouped by app. For example, to add a Google Weather widget, search the Google section and select the desired size (4×2, 4×1 etc.).
4. To customize the appearance, go to the launcher settings (long press). → Settings) and open the View and Feelings section. Here you can change: Icon and widget sizes Style of folders Animation of transitions

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) When using third-party launchers, you may experience bugs that display notifications. To fix this, turn off battery optimization for the launcher: Settings → Annexes → [The name of the launcher] → Battery → No restrictions.

Download APK Launcher from the official website (not from third-party sources)

Disable battery optimization for launcher

Backup of current widgets (screenshots)

Check compatibility with the Android version (MIUI 15 requires Android 13+)

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5. Creation of customized widgets with KWGT and Widgetsmith

If you don't have enough standard widgets, you can create unique ones with specialized applications — KWGT (Kustom Widget Maker) and Widgetsmith. They allow designing widgets from scratch or using pre-made templates from the community.

KWGT — More powerful tool for experienced users that supports JSON-import/export, animations and integration with Tasker.widgetsmith is easier to use and offers ready-made styles (e.g. iOS-style widgets).

Instructions for creating a widget in KWGT:

1. Install. KWGT and KLWP (for live wallpaper) from Google Play. Open the app.
2. Press. + in the lower right corner to create a new widget. Select a size (e.g, 4×2).
3. In the editor, add elements: Text to display time, date or sensor information; Image to display icons or backgrounds; Shape to separate widget zones; Progress bar to display battery power or memory usage.

For dynamic data (such as weather), use formulas, such as to derive temperature:

$wi(temp, true, c)$°C

Here wi() is a function of weather, c is a format in Celsius.

Save the widget and add it to your desktop via the widget menu (as described in the previous sections).

For Widgetsmith, the process is simpler:

1. Open the app and select the size of the widget (such as Small or Medium).
2. Select the type of widget: Date, Weather, Battery, etc.
3. Set up style: font, color, background. Widgetsmith has ready-made themes (for example, Minimalism or Neon).
4. Click Save and add a widget to your desktop.

If you have any problems, try using the weather widget from Google:

1. Install the Google app (if removed).
2. Add the Google Weather widget to your desktop (size) 4×2).
3. Customize the information displayed: click on the widget → The gear settings. → Select data (precipitation, wind, index) UV).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi devices with MIUI For a global market (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Global), the weather widget can use data from AccuWeather, which is sometimes blocked in some regions (e.g. Russia).In this case, switch to Yandex Weather or turn off geolocation for the system Weather app.

7. Widgets for game mode and performance

On the Redmi smartphones of the K series (Redmi) K60, K50 Gaming and some Note models (Redmi Note 12 Turbo) have special widgets for performance monitoring:

• 📊 Downloading CPU/GPU real-time
• 🔋 Processor and battery temperature
• 🖥️ Use of RAM
• 🎮 Activation of Game Turbo mode

To add these widgets:

1. Make sure your device has Game Turbo installed. If it's not available, download it from the Mi App Store.
2. Add the widget through the standard menu (long press). → Look for Game Turbo or Security (for system monitoring).
3. Temperature widgets may need to enable the display of technical information in the developer settings: → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging → Show loading CPU

On the Redmi. K60 The Pro and other flagship models are available with a Performance Monitor widget that shows the performance of the:

• Clock speed of the processor
• Loading of nuclei CPU (singly)
• Read/write speed of the drive

💡 Useful tip: If the monitoring widget doesn’t update data, add the Security app (or Game Turbo) to the battery optimization exceptions: → Annexes → Security → Battery → No restrictions.

8.Alternative ways: widgets via Tasker and Automate

For advanced users who need unique automation widgets, Tasker and Automate are the right apps to create widgets that can perform everything from enabling Do Not Disturb mode to sending. SMS scheduled.

An example of creating a widget for quick switching Wi-Fi/Bluetooth via Tasker:

1. Install Tasker and Tasker Widget plugin.
2. Create a new task (Tasks) → +) and add action: Net → WiFi → Set → On/off.
3. Return to the Tasker home screen and create a widget: Widgets → Add a widget 1×1 → Select the task created.
4. Add a widget to your desktop, and you'll now turn Wi-Fi on/off when you press it.

In Automate, the process is even simpler:

1. Create a new flow (new flow).
2. Add the Interface block → Create widget.
3. Set up the action (e.g. Device) → Set Bluetooth).
4. Save the flow and add the widget to the desktop.

⚠️ Note: Widgets created through Tasker or Automate may not work after the device is restarted if background activity is turned off for these applications. To fix this, add them to exceptions: Settings → Annexes → [Tasker/Automate] → Battery → No restrictions.

💡

Widgets through Tasker/Automate They require more resources than standard devices. 9A, Redmi 10A) This can lead to increased battery consumption.

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi Redmi