How to add a widget with photos on Xiaomi: 3 ways + tips for setting up

Photo widgets on Xiaomi smartphones are not just a desktop decoration, but a convenient way to always keep your favorite photos at hand without opening the gallery. With the release of MIUI 14/15 and the new HyperOS firmware, widgets have expanded significantly, but not all users know how to use them most effectively. In this article, we will discuss not only standard ways to add photo widgets, but also alternative methods using third-party applications that offer more opportunities for customization.

Xiaomi’s feature is that it often changes the configuration of the device depending on the shell version, so the instructions that are relevant to MIUI 12 may not work on HyperOS. We took these nuances into account and prepared a universal guide that will suit most of the brand’s modern devices, from the Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Method 1: Standard widget "Photo" in MIUI/HyperOS

The easiest method is to use the built-in widget from Xiaomi, which is available by default, and it supports automatic updating of photos from selected albums and allows you to adjust the frequency of image changes, but it has limitations: fixed sizes (usually 4×2 or 4×4 cells) and no advanced effects like blur or bezels.

To add it:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop with your finger.
2. In the menu that appears, select Widgets.
3. Scroll through the list to the Photos section (or Gallery in some versions).
4. Drag the widget onto the screen and select the album to display.

If the widget doesn’t appear in the list, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI/HyperOS — on old firmware (below) MIUI 12.5) This widget may not be available.
• 🔄 Update the Gallery app – sometimes widget functionality is added through updates to Google Play.
• 📂 Having photos in the album – if the folder is empty, the widget may not display the content.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) After upgrading to HyperOS, the standard Photo widget may disappear. In this case, use Method 3 with the Google Photos app.

Method 2: Widget via Google Photos app

Google Photos offers more flexible widget settings than the standard Xiaomi gallery. Here you can choose not only the album, but also specific photos, adjust the refresh interval (from 10 minutes to 1 day) and even apply filters before display.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install Google Photos from Google Play (if not already installed).
2. Open the application and allow access to media files.
3. Return to your desktop, hold your finger in a free space → Widgets → find Google Photos.
4. Select a size (the options are 2×2 to 4×4) and drag to the screen.
5. Click on the widget to customize the album, refresh rate, and effects.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 Automatic Cloud Sync – Photos won’t be lost when changing phones.
• 🎨 Filters and correction – you can apply the effects directly in the widget.
• 📅 Smart albums – for example, displaying only “Favorites” or snaps with specific people (if facial recognition is enabled).

💡

If the Google Photos widget doesn’t update photos, check your battery saving settings: go to Settings → Apps → Google Photos → Battery and turn off the Battery Optimization option.

Method 3: Third-party applications for customization

If the built-in solutions are not suitable for functionality, you can use third-party applications. They allow you to create widgets with animations, slideshows, custom forms and even interactive elements (for example, scrolling photos with a swipe).-3 Apps that are tested for compatibility with Xiaomi:

Photo Widget: Simple (link)

• 🖼️ Support for multiple photos in one widget (slideshow).
• 🎭 Setting up transparency and framework.
• ⚡ Lightweight (does not load the system).

2. Widgetsmith (link)

• 📱 Creating widgets of any size (including non-standard ones, for example) 3×1).
• 🔄 Automatic updates on schedule.
• 🎨 Templates with date, time and weather over the photos.

3. KWGT Kustom Widget Maker (link)

• 🛠️ Full customization (you can create a widget from scratch).
• 📊 Variable support (e.g., random photo from an album with each update).
• 💡 It takes time to learn, but gives you maximum flexibility.

Example of settings in KWGT:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Click + → Choose Create a new widget.
3. In the editor, add an Image element and specify the path to the photo (e.g. /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera/photo.jpg).
4. Customize the size, position and effects.
5. Save the widget and add it to your desktop through the standard widget menu.

⚠️ Attention: When in use KWGT or similar applications, widgets may disappear after restarting if the "Start at System Start" option is not enabled. To fix this, go to Settings → Annexes → KWGT → Autostart and Allow Background Activity.

How to change the size and position of the widget

Even after adding the widget, you can customize it to your needs, and MIUI/HyperOS supports resizing (if the widget allows it) and fine-tuning your position. Here's how to do it:

Resize:

1. Press and hold the widget.
2. There will be white dots along the edges - pull over them to stretch or narrow the widget.
3. Some widgets (like Google Photos) support multiple fixed sizes, in which case stretching will prompt you to choose from the available options.

Precise positioning:

• 📍 Enable Free Host Mode: Hold the widget → press Change the size → Drag it anywhere on the screen (including the edges).
• 🔒 To lock the widget and avoid accidental movement, go to Settings → Desktop → Lock the layout.

On devices with HyperOS, when holding the widget, an additional option “Layer” appears, which allows you to superimpose widgets on each other (for example, a photo on top of the weather widget).

Select photos (preferably the same resolution)| Check the version of MIUI/HyperOS| Install the desired applications (Google Photos, KWGT, etc.) | Disable battery optimization for widgets | Make a backup of the desktop (in case of a crash)

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Solving widget problems

Sometimes photo widgets stop working, don't update, show a black screen, or disappear after a reboot, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If the widget is not added at all, check:

• 📵 Power saving mode – some widgets are blocked when the battery ultra mode is activated.
• 🔒 App permissions – Gallery or Google Photos must have access to storage.
• 📱 The launcher version - on some firmware (for example, MIUI For global version, widgets may not be available. Try changing the launcher to Nova Launcher.

💡

If the widget stopped working after the MIUI/HyperOS update, try resetting the launcher settings: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher and click Reset.

Additional features: animation and interactivity

Standard Xiaomi widgets are static, but with the help of third-party tools you can add dynamics.

1.Slideshow in widget

Applications like Photo Widget: Simple or Slideshow Widget allow you to set up automatic photo changes at a set interval (from 5 seconds to an hour). To save battery, set a minimum of 30 seconds interval.

Interactive elements

In KWGT, you can create a widget that responds to touch, such as:

• 👆 Swipe up/down for scrolling photos.
• 🔘 Click to open a gallery or a particular album.
• ⏹️ Pause/playback of slideshow.

3. Overlay of information

With Widgetsmith or UCCW, you can add the following over the photo:

• ⏰ Time and date.
• 🌡️ Weather (data from AccuWeather or OpenWeatherMap).
• 📊 Battery level of charge.

Example of code for KWGT (time display over the photo):

$#SCALE#$// Scaling up


$if(gv(photo_path)!="," si(image, gv(photo_path)), si(image, "default.jpg"))$/// Upload photo




$#POS#$// Positioning




$df(HH:mm)$// Time

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets with photos on Xiaomi