Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which run on the shells of MIUI or the new HyperOS, offer users a huge range of options for customizing the interface. One of the most popular features is the creation and placement of widgets — mini-applications that display information directly to the desktop without having to open the main application. This can be a clock, calendar, currency rate, weather or even a step counter. Understanding how to make a widget on Xiaomi allows you to turn a standard screen into a personalized information center.
Unlike standard Android, the firmware from the Chinese manufacturer has its own peculiarities in the organization of the workspace. There are several types of widgets: system, application widgets and special widgets "double tap" or "smart home". Users often confuse the ways of adding them, as algorithms can vary depending on the version of the operating system. In this article, we will analyze all available methods, from classic to hidden functions, available only in new versions of the software.
Before you start to set up in detail, it is worth noting that for the full operation of some elements, you may need a Mi Account and a stable Internet connection. Also, the functionality may differ slightly on different models, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or the flagship Xiaomi 14. The system interface is constantly updated, so the old methods can stop working, giving way to new solutions from developers.
The main ways to add widgets to the desktop
The easiest and most obvious way to place a widget on the screen is to use the standard system menu, which requires unlocking the device and going to the main screen. There are two main methods of calling the widget menu, which depend on the gesture settings or the presence of physical navigation buttons. In most cases, just swipe to the right of the left edge of the screen or pinch two fingers over the free area of the desktop.
When you open the editing menu, you'll see the "Widgets" button or the corresponding tab at the bottom of the display, and clicking on it, the system will offer a list of all available items, sorted by category or application, and you can find standard watches, calendars, contact shortcuts, and tools for quickly adjusting the phone's settings. Selecting a particular item places it on the free space of the desktop grid.
It is important to consider that some widgets require a certain amount of free space. If there are not enough cells on the screen, the system will prompt you to move other icons or automatically move the widget to the next free desktop. To remove the item, you just need to pinch it and drag it to the basket or select “Delete” in the context menu.
It is important to remember that on different versions MIUI The menu layout may vary. In new versions of HyperOS, developers have focused on the visual component, adding the ability to preview the widget before installing it. The design of the elements has become more adaptive, adapting to the color range of wallpapers, if the appropriate function is included in the theme of design.
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Use the “Preview” feature in the widget menu to see how the item will look against the background of your current wallpaper before adding it to your desktop.
Use of double touch widgets (Double Tap)
One of the unique features of Xiaomi's shell is the ability to create dual-tape widgets. It's not just a static picture, but an active zone that, when you press it twice in a row, does a certain action, which can be running an application, turning on a flashlight, opening a camera or going to Do Not Disturb mode, and you can create this element through the standard widget menu by selecting the Tools or System category.
To set up the dual tap widget, you first add it to your desktop and then click on it once to log into the configuration menu. Here, the user selects the action to be performed with double tap. The options available include running up to 10 different apps or system functions. This is a great way to quickly access frequently used services without cluttering the screen with unnecessary icons.
It is also possible to create smart widgets that change their state or appearance depending on the time of day or location, such as in the morning, such a widget can show the weather and calendar, and in the evening switch to control the smart home or music, automating processes through such elements significantly speeds up interaction with the smartphone.
⚠️ Warning: Double tap widgets may conflict with screen sensitivity settings. If double tap doesn't work, try increasing the touch speed in the special features settings or reducing sensitivity if you have a safety glass on.
For minimalist widgets, dual tap widgets are the perfect solution, which allows you to hide functionality under a beautiful icon or text, keeping the interface clean, but it is worth remembering that too many active widgets can consume additional CPU resources, although to a lesser extent than constantly running background applications.
☑️ Setting up the double tap widget
Set up widgets on the lock screen
The lock screen in MIUI and HyperOS also supports widgets, which allows you to get important information without unlocking the phone completely. To access the settings, you need to go to Settings → Lock screen or pinch the free space on the lock screen (if the software version allows), Here you can add weather widgets, pedometer, voice recorder or notes.
The process of adding is similar to setting up a desktop: you pick the item from a list and place it in an accessible area. Some widgets, such as a music player or voice recorder, can be active immediately after the screen is turned on, which is especially convenient for athletes or people who often use a smartphone to record ideas on the go.
Importantly, there are fewer widgets available on the lock screen than on the desktop.The system limits the number of elements to avoid overloading the interface and providing quick access to the camera and phone. The functionality can be extended by installing third-party design themes, which often offer their own unique lock screen widgets.
| Type of widget | Location | Interactivity | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clock and Date | Desktop/Blocking | Low. | Minimum |
| Weather. | Desktop/Blocking | Medium (update) | Average. |
| Double tap. | Desktop | High (start) | Low. |
| Stepper | Blocking/Desktop | Medium | Average. |
Users often wonder why some widgets don't appear on the lock screen. The answer lies in the system's security and energy saving policy. Android limits the activity of processes on the locked screen to prevent accidental taps and save charge. So complex widgets with frequent data updates here may not work correctly.
Widgets in the notification curtain and sidebar
Special attention should be paid to widgets located in the notification curtain and sidebar. In MIUI there is a special section of widgets that is called by swipe down the center of the screen (depending on the control settings), You can place Wi-Fi switches, Bluetooth, flashlight, as well as shortcuts for quick payment or screen recording.
The sidebar (or "floating windows") is another place to put useful tools. By activating this feature in settings (Settings → Additional → Sidebar), you will access a list of apps and widgets at any time just by swiping your finger from the edge of the screen, which allows you to quickly open a calculator, voice recorder or screenshot on top of any other application.
To add a widget to the sidebar, you need to open the panel itself, click on the settings icon (cog) and select Edit. You can drag and drop items by adding and removing the extras. The flexibility of this setup allows you to create your own set of tools, available in one touch.
⚠️ Note: When adding a large number of widgets to the sidebar or curtain, make sure they don’t overlay important interface elements in horizontal mode, especially if you’re watching videos or playing games frequently.
The use of the sidebar is especially important for owners of Xiaomi tablets or smartphones with large screens. On such devices, multitasking plays a key role, and fast access to widgets without folding the current application significantly increases productivity.
Hidden widgets of the engineering menu
Third-party applications to expand functionality
If a standard set of widgets isn't enough, the Google Play store offers thousands of alternatives. Popular launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher completely replace the standard desktop and provide their own widget sets with unique design and functionality. However, by installing a third-party launcher, you may lose some of the native MIUI chips, such as gestures or deep integration with the system.
A safer way to do this is to use third-party widgets that work on top of a standard shell. Apps like KWGT Kustom Widget Maker let you create widgets of any complexity and design from scratch. You can draw your dial, add weather data, moon phases, or cryptocurrency quotes using a powerful editor.
KWGT takes time to learn, but it's worth it. You can make a widget that no one else has, perfect for your theme, and there are pre-built KWGT widget packs that you can download separately and just install on your phone.
Another option is service-specific widgets, such as those from Google (Assistant, Calendar, Tasks) or social media widgets (Telegram, WhatsApp), which are often updated and provide more relevant information than standard system counterparts, and these widgets are integrated automatically after the app is installed.
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Third-party widgets (KWGT, UCCW) give you maximum design freedom, but can consume more power and require additional permissions to work.
Optimizing and Resolving Widget Problems
Sometimes widgets can stop updating, disappear from the screen or work incorrectly, most often due to aggressive energy saving systems. MIUI, It kills background processes to save charge. To keep the widget running, you need to add the appropriate app to the battery exception list. → Battery → Power management applications and select “No restrictions” for the desired widget.
Problems can also arise when there is a lack of RAM: if there are too many heavy widgets on the desktop (especially those that are updated in real time, like live wallpaper or news feeds), the system may start to slow down, in which case it is recommended to leave only the most necessary elements or replace them with lighter static counterparts.
If the widget is missing after a system update, try clearing the launcher cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → System Launcher → Memory → Clear the cache. This action will not delete your settings, but can restore the display of interface elements. In extreme cases, resetting desktop settings helps, but it will return the icons to factory status.
In conclusion, widgets are a powerful personalization tool that makes using Xiaomi more convenient and enjoyable: Experiment with different types, sizes, and sources of widgets to find the perfect configuration for your use case.