How to make widgets on Xiaomi: setting up the desktop

Personalization is the first thing most users start with when they buy a new Xiaomi smartphone. The standard exterior shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS may seem familiar, but it is widgets that turn the lock screen and desktop into an informative control panel that allows you to access weather reports, currency rates, pedometer and news without having to open the corresponding applications.

In this article, we will explore not only the basic methods of installing standard elements, but also the hidden capabilities of the system. You will learn how to recreate the popular style of iOS on an Android device, where to look for quality third-party add-ons, and how to avoid typical errors when setting up. Proper use of widgets greatly accelerates interaction with the gadget.

Many owners of Redmi and Poco devices are faced with the fact that after updating the system, some elements disappear or change their appearance. Understanding the logic of how Android shells work from the Chinese manufacturer will help you always keep the interface up to date.

Basic installation of widgets through the system menu

The most obvious and reliable way to add a new element to the screen is to use the built-in system menu, which is available on all devices of the brand, regardless of the firmware version, and first you need to unlock the screen and go to the main desktop, where there are no open applications.

Make a long press on an empty area of the screen or use a characteristic gesture — bringing two fingers to the center (plugs). This action will open the editing mode of the desktop. At the bottom of the display will appear a toolbar where you want to select the Widgets, which is where the library of all available system components is stored.

Once you open the library, you'll see a list of all the apps that are installed that support the widget function. Scroll down to find the program you want, like Hours, Weather, or Calendar. Click on the category name to reveal the design options available.

• 📱 Select the “Clock” category to install analog or digital timers.
• 🌤 Go to the Weather section to see the temperature and rainfall forecast.
• 📅 Open the calendar for quick access to dates and events.
• 🎵 Add Music Player to Manage Tracks from Desktop.

⚠️ Note: Some system widgets may require permission to access geolocation. If the weather widget shows scrolls instead of temperature, check the privacy settings in the Settings menu → Annexes → Permits.

If you choose a design you like, click on it. The system will suggest placing the item in a vacant place or dragging it manually. Once installed, the widget can be scaled if the developer has intended it. To resize, press the widget again with your finger and pull at the special markers that appear along the outline.

Set up widgets in the style of iOS on Xiaomi

One of the most popular requests among users is the desire to make the interface similar to Apple products. shells MIUI and HyperOS provide ample opportunities for customization, allowing you to implement round and translucent elements, characteristic of iOS 14 and newer.

In recent firmware versions, Xiaomi has added native support for large-sized widgets that can be stretched into multiple grid cells. To activate this mode, go to table editing mode and click Add widgets in the top corner. Here you will find special sets labeled as "Large widgets."

For maximum similarity with the iPhone, it is recommended to use the standard applications Security, bootloader and Cleanup, as they have corresponding iOS-style icons in global firmware. However, if standard round widgets are not enough, you can use third-party launchers or themes.

Install a theme from Themes that has the words "iOS," "iPhone" or "Big Widgets" in its title. After you apply the theme, you'll see new forms in your widget library. Often, these themes only change the visual part, not the visual part.

Functionality of the system, which ensures stable operation.

• 🍎 Search for themes marked “iOS Style” in the official Themes store.
• 🔘 Use large-sized widgets to group information.
• 🎨 Change the wallpaper to the appropriate to emphasize the style.
• ⚙️ Turn off animations in the menu Advanced settings for greater smoothness.

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For the perfect match of iOS style, install the package of icons “iOS Icons” from the theme store and apply it separately from the main theme of the design.

Using the “Widgets” app from Xiaomi

The system application, called Widgets, can be pre-installed or downloaded through GetApps in some regions and firmware versions, and is a centralized hub that brings together the most beautiful and functional interface elements.

Unlike the standard menu, the app offers a deeper setup of colors, fonts and background transparency. Here you can find widgets for Notes, Screenshots and even quick start contacts. The application interface is intuitive and divided into logical categories.

To add an item through this app, open it and scroll through the directory. When you click on any widget, you'll see the Add to Desktop button. The system will automatically redirect you to edit mode, where you'll need to confirm the placement, which is especially useful for finding rare formats, such as quotes of the day or step counters in unusual execution.

The path to the widget settings:


Click on the widget → Select “Settings” (cogs) → Change color or transparency.

It is important to note that the app’s functionality may vary depending on the region of your Mi Account. If you don’t find widgets, try changing the region in your phone’s settings to India or Singapore, where functionality is often updated earlier.

Third-party widgets from Google Play Store

If the built-in Android features onboard Xiaomi aren’t enough, Google Play will come to the rescue, featuring thousands of apps created by independent developers that offer unique designs and features.

Some of the most popular are the KWGT Kustom Widget Maker and Overdrop apps, which allow you to create widgets from scratch or use presets that can mimic any style from cyberpunk to retro consoles. Installing such widgets requires several additional steps.

Once you download the donor app (the widget itself), it won't appear on the table automatically, you'll need to go to the system widget menu, find the name of the installed app in the list, and add it to the screen. Often, these widgets require special permissions to display data on top of other windows.

⚠️ Warning: Third-party widgets can consume more battery power than system widgets. If you notice a quick discharge, check the Battery menu to see which app is actively using energy in the background.

For aesthetic users, Material You-style widget packages that adapt to the color of your wallpaper are great.This is a native feature of Android 12 and newer, which works in conjunction with the dark theme of the system on Xiaomi smartphones.

Resolving problems with display and work

Despite the stability of MIUI, users may find themselves in a situation where widgets stop updating, disappear after a reboot or are displayed incorrectly, most often due to aggressive energy saving policies that put the background processes to sleep.

To ensure that the weather or news widget always shows up-to-date information, you must prevent the system from restricting its operation. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the desired application (for example, “Weather”) and go to AutoRun. Make sure the switch is activated.

Also worth checking permissions: the widget won't be able to show the weather if the app doesn't have geolocation access, or it won't display photos if you don't have access to the gallery. In modern versions of Android, permissions can be reset if the app hasn't been active for a long time.

• 🔋 Turn off energy savings for important widgets.
• 📍 Allow access to the location "Always" or "When using».
• 🔄 Clear the app cache if the widget is getting stuck.
• 📱 Make sure there is enough free space on the desktop.

Another common problem is the conflict of topics: If you have a third-party theme, some system widgets may become transparent or disappear, in which case a return to the standard theme of Classic or Default will help.

Optimization and Impact on Productivity

Using a large number of active widgets, especially those that constantly update content over the Internet (news, social networks, exchanges), puts a strain on the processor and modem of the smartphone. On powerful flagships Xiaomi this may be invisible, but on budget models of the Redmi or Poco M series can lead to micro-slowdowns of the interface.

HyperOS is optimized to work with widgets better than older versions of MIUI, thanks to improved memory management. However, if you notice that the phone is starting to heat up or discharge faster, do a desktop revision. Remove rarely used widgets, especially "live wallpaper" and widgets with high refresh rates.

It is recommended to leave only 3-4 really necessary widgets on the home screen, the rest can be placed on additional pages or called through the sidebar (if this feature is supported in your version of the shell), which is a balance between beauty and functionality.

Recommended number of active widgets:


Budget smartphones (up to 4 GB of RAM): 2-3 pieces.




- Medium segment (6-8 GB of RAM): 4-6 pieces.




Flagships (8+ GB of RAM): No restrictions.

Remember that widgets are not just a piece of jewelry, they are a tool. Using them correctly saves time by opening up information in a split second. Don't overload the interface, leave the air behind and enjoy the convenient management of your Xiaomi.

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Optimal performance is achieved when using no more than 5 active widgets updated over the Internet.