Xiaomi’s MIUI mobile operating system provides users with a wide range of personalization capabilities. One of the key features that enhances smartphone usability is the ability to add widgets to the home screen. These small apps allow users to access important information instantly without opening the main programs.
Creating a widget on a Xiaomi device is a process that can vary depending on the version of the operating system and the shell installed. In the new versions of Android and HyperOS, the algorithm of actions has undergone some changes compared to the classic MIUI. Understanding these differences will help to avoid confusion and quickly customize the desktop to your needs.
In this article, we will discuss how to make a widget on Xiaomi, what tools you will need and how to customize their appearance. You will learn about standard system tools, as well as third-party solutions that expand the functionality of the device. Competent widget configuration turns the lock screen and desktop into a powerful information center.
Preparation of the system and workspace
Before you start adding elements to the screen, you need to make sure that the interface is ready for changes. In most cases, Xiaomi allows you to freely move icons and widgets, but sometimes this requires you to activate certain editing modes.
To start, unlock your smartphone and go to the home screen. If you use a classic MIUI, make sure that editing mode is not blocked by system restrictions. In some cases, especially on corporate firmware, the administrator can limit changing the structure of the desktop.
⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party launcher instead of the standard Xiaomi interface, the procedure for adding widgets may be different. MIUI.
Cleaning the desktop of unnecessary icons will help to better visualize the location of future widgets. Free space is necessary not only for placement, but also for easy sizing. Xiaomi's standard grid is usually 4x6 or 5x6 cells, and widgets occupy a certain number of these cells.
It is important to know that widgets consume RAM, so it is not recommended to place more than 3-4 heavy widgets with a live update on one screen.
Adding standard widgets through the editing menu
The easiest way to add a widget is to use the built-in desktop editing menu, which works on all current versions of MIUI and HyperOS. It does not require additional software installation and provides maximum compatibility with system functions.
You need to go to editing mode first, and depending on the version of the shell, this is done in one of the following ways:
- 📱 Make a long tap (tap and hold) on an empty desktop space.
- 📱 Pinch with two fingers (bending fingers together) on the main screen.
- 📱 Click on a special “Edit” button or gear icon if it is displayed in the interface.
When you activate the edit mode, you'll see a toolbar at the bottom of the screen, and you'll be interested in "Widgets" or "Add" items. In newer versions of HyperOS, the interface can be combined with a widget library that can be swiped to the right, and if you click on the corresponding button, you'll see a list of all available system components.
☑️ Pre-addition verification
Select the desired widget from the list. The system will offer several size options for the same application. For example, the weather widget can be compact (1x1) or extended with a forecast (4x2). Choose the appropriate option and drag it to the free area of the screen.
Setting the dimensions and display parameters
Once you have a widget on your desktop, it often needs to be customized. Xiaomi's standard widgets have flexible settings that allow you to change the color scheme, font or display data, which makes the interface truly personalized.
To set up, click on the added widget. If it supports editing, a pop-up menu with a "Tune" button or gear will appear. In the window that opens, you can change:
- 🎨 Color theme (light, dark or automatic).
- 📍 City or location for weather widgets and maps.
- 📅 Data Update Period (for example, for a news widget).
Changing the size of the widget is also an important part of the setup: Press the widget with your finger before the vibration appears, then release and pull at special markers at the boundaries. Xiaomi grid allows you to stretch widgets both vertically and horizontally if the app supports different formats.
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Use widgets with a transparent background to blend harmoniously into your wallpaper, which creates a depth effect and makes the interface cleaner.
Some widgets, like Notes or Calendar, allow you to select a specific task list or calendar to display, which is especially convenient for organizing workflow, you can only display your shopping list or only work meetings on the home screen by filtering out the extra ones.
Use of the widget library in HyperOS and MIUI 14
With the release of MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS, Xiaomi has introduced an updated widget library similar to that used in iOS, which allows widgets to be more interactive and informative, accessed by swipe to the right of the first screen.
This section of the screen contains Capsules or Smart Widgets, which differ from the classic ones in that they can display dynamic content without having to open an application. To add such a widget to the home screen, click on the + icon in the corner of the library or pinch an existing widget in the library and drag it to the desktop.
The system offers category searches for widgets, which you can sort by application or by type of information (finance, sports, health), which makes navigation easier if you have a lot of programs that support widgets.
The new library is a feature of widget grouping, you can create a widget folder to keep your desktop from cluttering, but remember that deep nesting reduces usability, and quick access to information is the main purpose of widgets.
Working with third-party widgets and applications
Xiaomi’s standard widget suite may be limited to advanced users. Fortunately, the Android platform allows you to install widgets from third-party sources, such as Google Play, which opens up thousands of additional features from cryptocurrency monitoring to smart home management.
To install a third-party widget, you first need to download and install the corresponding application. Once installed, the addition process is similar to working with standard widgets:
1. Go to the desktop editing mode.
2. Select "Widgets" item.
3. Find the installed application in the list.
4. Drag the widget onto the screen.
Popular custom widget applications include KWGT, Widgetsmith, and Overdrop. They let you create widgets from scratch, choosing every design element: fonts, shapes, background images, and animations. This gives you complete creative freedom, but takes time to customize.
Compatibility of third-party widgets
When using third-party solutions, it is important to pay attention to permissions. The widget may need access to geolocation, contacts or a calendar to display data. Xiaomi strictly controls access to data, so when you first run the widget, the system will ask for the necessary permissions.
Optimization and elimination
Even after installation is correct, widgets can not work properly. Frequent problems include the lack of data updates, black background or sudden disappearance of the widget from the screen. These issues are often related to Xiaomi's power saving settings.
MIUI is known for aggressive battery optimization, which can kill widget processes. To avoid this, you need to configure the app associated with the widget. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the desired application and select Battery. Set No Limits mode.
Below is a table of common problems and ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The widget is not updated | Saving energy | Allow auto-start and background activities |
| Black square instead of widget | Rendering error | Reboot the device or change the subject |
| The widget disappeared from the screen. | Launcher failure | Clear the cache of the System Launcher application |
| Widget covers the icons | Wrong size of the grid | Change the size of the widget or screen grid |
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For the stable operation of widgets, it is critical to configure exceptions in the MIUI energy saving system, otherwise the system will forcibly close their process.
Also worth mentioning is the impact of the themes: If you use a third-party theme from the Themes store, it can change the look of standard widgets or hide them. In case of conflicts, try switching to a standard Xiaomi theme to see if the problem goes away.