How to put a widget Xiaomi: instructions for MIUI 14 and MIUI 15

Widgets on Xiaomi smartphones are not just desktop decoration, but a powerful tool for quick access to information. Home screen weather, meeting calendar, smart home management or even mini-player music all save time and make interaction with the phone more convenient. However, many users have difficulty adding widgets: where to look for them in MIUI 14/15, why they don’t appear, or how to resize them?

In this article, we will look at all the ways to install widgets on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi models, including hidden shell features, focus on common errors (for example, when the widget “does not stretch” or disappears after an update) and offer solutions for each of them, and at the end, a selection of the most useful widgets that are worth trying in 2026.

Preparation: Check the MIUI version and compatibility

Before adding widgets, make sure your device supports this feature. In older versions of MIUI (up to 12.5), the widget interface was limited, and in MIUI 14/15 it was significantly expanded.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version line (e.g. MIUI Global 15.0.4).
3. If the version is below MIUI 12.5, update the system through Settings → Software Update.

It is also important to note that some widgets may not work on the POCO-devices with custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience), in this case, you will need to flash on the official MIUI.

If after the update widgets still do not appear, check the launcher settings:

• 🔧 Hold an empty space on the desktop → Select Screen Settings.
• 📱 Make sure to turn on Show widgets (in some regional versions it may be disabled by default).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes it helps to “exhibit” hidden widgets.

Method 1: Add widgets through the desktop menu

This is the simplest and most versatile method that works on all Xiaomi models with MIUI 12.5+.

1. Long press on the empty desktop space (not on the icon!).
2. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a tabbed panel. Select Widgets.
3. Scroll through the list of available widgets left/right, showing both system (weather, hours) and installed app widgets (e.g. Google Keep or Spotify).
4. Hold the widget you want and drag it to your desktop. Release your finger when the placement frame appears.

If the widget doesn’t drag over, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone (sometimes helps with launcher glitches).
• 📱 Remove unnecessary icons from your desktop – there may be a lack of space.
• 🔧 Update the app you’re trying to add (via Google Play).

Important! Some models (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) can scale widgets.

1. Add the widget to the screen.
2. Then, pull it down (the blue line will be drawn).
3. Stretching or compressing to the desired size.

Method 2: Widgets through application settings

Not all widgets are available through the desktop menu. Some apps (e.g. Google, Yandex, Samsung Health) hide their widgets in their own settings to find them:

1. Open the app you want to add.
2. Go to its settings (usually through the icon) ⚙️ swipe right).
3. Find the Widgets or Home Screen Settings section.
4. Activate the desired widget - it will appear in the general list of MIUI widgets.

Example for Google:

• 🔍 Open the Google app.
• 📱 Slip on the avatar in the upper right corner → Settings → General. → Widgets.
• 🔧 Turn on the switch next to the search widget.

After that, the Google search widget will appear in the general list and it can be added to the desktop in the standard way.

Method 3: Hidden MIUI widgets (weather, steps, smart home)

MIUI contains a few hidden widgets that are not displayed in the main menu, and can be activated through system settings:

An animation weather widget (such as rain or snow on the screen) requires:

• 🌍 Active Internet connection (data downloaded from Xiaomi servers).
• 📍 Enabled geolocation in phone settings.
• 🔄 Updated Weather app (via App Store).

On the POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra models, the weather widget supports dynamic wallpaper – the screen background will change depending on the time of day and weather conditions.

Problem Solving: The widget is not added or is lost

If the widget doesn’t install or disappears after a reboot, try the following steps:

⚠️ Attention! On some firmware (e.g, EU ROM) Widgets can be blocked due to security policy, in which case resetting the launcher settings will help: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher and select Clear Data. This will remove all icons and widgets from the desktop!

Frequent mistakes and decisions:

• 🚫 Widget does not drag and drop: check if the mode is not on Easy mode (Settings) → It's turning off the widgets.
• 🔄 The widget disappears after the update: delete it and add it again. If it doesn't work, clear the launcher cache.
• 📵 The widget does not update data: check the permissions of the application (Settings) → Annexes → Permits. For example, the Weather widget requires location access.
• 🔋 Widget brakes: turn off animations in Settings → Additionally. → Animation of the system.

If the problem persists, try using an alternative launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher from Google Play.
2. Long press on the desktop → Widgets.
3. Select the widget you want and add it.These launchers often support more options than a standard MIUI Launcher.

💡

If the Google Search widget doesn’t work, try removing Google App updates through Settings → Apps → Google → Three Dots → Remove updates.

Best widgets for Xiaomi in 2026

We tested dozens of widgets and selected the most useful for everyday use:

For minimalist fans, Another Widget allows you to customize transparency, fonts and even add animation when you click. And if you want maximum functionality, look for Chronus (a widget with weather, calendar, tasks and system information in one block).

💡

Widgets from third-party developers (such as KWGT) require additional permissions. After installation, be sure to provide access to the Overlay over other applications in the security settings.

How to remove or change the widget

If the widget is no longer needed or takes up too much space, it can be easily removed or modified:

Removal:

1. Press the widget on your desktop.
2. Drag it up the screen to the Remove (or Remove) label.
3. Let go of your finger.

Resize:

• Hold the widget. → And then there's a blue frame.
• Pull around corners or sides to stretch/narrow.
• Some widgets (like Weather) have additional settings available – tap on it to open the menu.

Personalization:

• 🎨 For the widgets of Another Widget or KWGT Use their own settings (tap on the widget) → Edit).
• 🔧 V MIUI 15 Dynamic Colors is available, and the widget will adjust to the wallpaper. → Registration → Colors of the system.

⚠️ Attention! Some widgets (like Google Assistant) can't be resized, they're fixed in size. Trying to stretch them will lead to an error.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions