How to put a weather widget on the screen Xiaomi: 3 working ways

Xiaomi’s weather widget isn’t just a decoration, it’s a useful tool to quickly access current forecasts, so you can see temperature, humidity, and even the likelihood of rainfall without opening a separate app, but many users have difficulty adding a widget: it’s not on the list, it refuses to update, or it disappears after a reboot.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to install a weather widget on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from standard solutions to custom firmware workarounds, how to set up data display for your city, why the widget might not work, and what to do if it suddenly disappears, and we’ll also share life hacks to optimize battery consumption when using weather widgets.

1. Standard method: Add widgets through the menu

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and other devices based on MIUI 12-14. The main condition is that the phone must have a standard Weather app installed (usually it is pre-installed).

To add a widget:

  • πŸ“± Unlock the screen and make a long press on any free place of the main screen.
  • πŸ”§ In the menu that appears, select Widgets (or Widgets on English firmware).
  • ☁️ Scroll down to the Weather section (may be called Weather or Mi Weather).
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Select the size of the widget (the options are usually available). 2Γ—1, 4Γ—1 or 4Γ—2) And drag it on the screen.

If there is no Weather item in the widget list, this could mean:

  • ❌ Weather App Removed or Disabled (check in Settings) β†’ Annexes).
  • ❌ You have custom firmware installed without standard Xiaomi services.
  • ❌ The region of the phone is configured for a country where weather service is not supported (e.g. some African regions).

Check the availability of the Weather app in the menu

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make sure that geodata (GPS) is enabled

Connect to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)-->

2. Alternative method: through the settings of the Weather application

If the widget doesn’t appear in the general list, try adding it directly from the Weather app, a method that often works on devices with MIUI 13/14, where the widget interface has been redesigned.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Weather app (the sun and cloud icon).
  2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
  3. Scroll down to the Weather Widget section and click Add to the home screen.
  4. Select the size and location of the widget.

If there is no Add button to the main screen, it means:

  • πŸ”„ Your version of the app is outdated (update via Google Play or App Store).
  • 🌍 The region does not support widgets in your phone settings (try changing the country to Russia, China or India).
  • πŸ“΅ You have geodata or background activity disabled for the Weather app.

πŸ’‘

If the weather widget doesn't update, try manually updating the data in the Weather app by pulling the screen down, and then the changes will affect the widget.

3. Solution for custom firmware and missing application

If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or crDroid), Xiaomi’s standard Weather app may not be available.

Method 1: Install the original Mi Weather app

  • πŸ“₯ Download. APK-Weather application file from a verified source (e.g. APKMirror).
  • πŸ”§ Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources in Settings β†’ Security.
  • πŸ”„ Restart your phone and try adding the widget in the standard way.

Method 2: Use third-party widgets

If the original app doesn’t want to work, install an alternative:

  • 🌀️ AccuWeather – accurate forecast with beautiful widgets.
  • β˜€οΈ Weather & Clock Widget – flexible look.
  • πŸŒͺ️ Yahoo Weather is a minimalist design with photos from Flickr.
How to check the compatibility of a third-party widget?
Before installing, check in the app description on Google Play if it supports your Android version and screen resolution. Some widgets may not display correctly on devices with a resolution higher than Full. HD (For example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra with 2K-display).

Warning: Third-party widgets may consume more battery as they require constant access to geodata and the Internet. To reduce consumption, limit background activity in the application settings.

4. Configure the display and update of data

Once you add a widget, you need to set it up correctly so that it shows you the right information for your location.

ParameterWhere to set upRecommended value
City by defaultWeather App β†’ Settings β†’ LocationYour current city (or nearest major city)
Frequency of updateSettings β†’ Accounts and synchronization β†’ WeatherEvery 3-6 hours (for battery saving)
Units of measurementWeather app β†’ Settings β†’ UnitsΒ°C (degrees Celsius) and mm Hg (pressure)
Display on a closed screenSettings β†’ Lock screen β†’ WidgetsOn (if you need to see the weather without unlocking)

If the widget does not update the data, follow the following steps:

  1. Check your internet connection (widget requires network access).
  2. Update the data manually in the Weather app.
  3. Restart the application through Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Weather β†’ Forced Stop.
  4. Clear the app cache in the same settings.

Every day.

1-2 times a week

Just before the trip.

Never use.-->

5 Why the Weather Widget May Disappear and How to Get It Back

Sometimes the widget disappears from the screen.

  • πŸ”„ Update MIUI: After major system updates, widgets may be reset. Check the list of widgets again - it may now be in a different category (e.g., "Systems").
  • 🧹 Launcher cleanup: If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), its cache could have reset widgets.Reboot phone.
  • 🚫 Background Limitation: In Battery Settings (Settings) β†’ Battery β†’ Optimization) background activity for the Weather app can be disabled.
  • πŸ“ Change of location: If you move to another city, the widget may "hang" on old data.

To return the widget:

  1. Remove the remnants from the screen (if any).
  2. Reboot the phone.
  3. Add the widget again through the widget menu.
  4. If it doesn’t help, reinstall the weather app.

πŸ’‘

If the widget disappears after each reboot, the problem may be the damaged launcher cache. Try resetting it in the application menu.

6. Optimization of battery consumption when using the widget

The weather widget is constantly updating data, which can affect the time of operation of the phone, to reduce consumption:

  • ⚑ Reduce the refresh rate in the app settings (e.g., once every 6 hours instead of every hour).
  • πŸ“΄ Turn off background update for the Weather app in Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Optimizing the battery.
  • πŸ“ Use manual city input instead of automatic city definition GPS.
  • πŸ”Œ Turn on the Adaptive Battery in Power Settings – it will limit background activity for underutilized applications.

Battery consumption comparison (test on Xiaomi 12 Pro):

Update mode24-hour costAccuracy of data
Every hour.~3–5%Maximum
Every 3 hours.~1–2%Tall.
Every 6 hours.~0,5–1%Medium (may not keep up with sudden changes)
Only manually.~0,1%Low (data is becoming obsolete)

If you want maximum accuracy (for example, for planning trips), leave frequent updates. If you need a widget to check the box, you need to update every 6-12 hours.

7. Additional chips: weather widget on lock screen

On some Xiaomi devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13T, Redmi K60) you can display weather information directly to the lock screen.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Lock screen.
  2. Select Widgets (or Additional Information).
  3. Activate the switch near the weather.
  4. Customize the displayed data (temperature, humidity, wind, etc.).

Please note:

  • πŸ”’ On some firmware, this feature is only available when using a standard launcher. MIUI (Nova Launcher or Action Launcher).

πŸ’‘

If the widget on the lock screen is not updated, try to disable the function "Saving traffic" in the settings SIM-maps or wifi.

Frequently asked questions

❓ Weather widget shows the wrong city?
Open the Weather app, click on the current city at the top of the screen and select the one you want from the list or enter manually. If the problem persists, check the geolocation settings in Settings β†’ Privacy β†’ Permissions β†’ Geodata.
❓ Can I change the design of the standard widget?
In the standard MIUI widget, you can only change the size (2Γ—1, 4Γ—1, 4Γ—2). To customize the appearance (colors, fonts, icons), you will need to install a third-party application, such as Transparent Clock & Weather or Zoom Weather.
❓ Weather widget disappears after update MIUI. What do you do?
This is a known problem with some versions of MIUI 13/14. Try: Remove the widget from the screen. Clear the launcher cache in Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Launcher β†’ Storage β†’ Clean the cache. Add the widget again. If it doesn't help, wait for the next system update (usually bugs with widgets are fixed in 1-2 weeks).
❓ How to turn off the weather widget on the always-on screen (AOD)?
Go to Settings β†’ Lock screen β†’ Always-on display β†’ Settings and turn off the Weather option. On some models (such as Xiaomi 14), this option may be in Settings β†’ Display β†’ Always-on display.
❓ Does Xiaomi weather widget support displaying allergens or UV-index?
Standard widget MIUI It only shows basic information (temperature, humidity, wind). UV-Install third-party applications such as Weather Underground or AirVisual.