How to make widgets on Xiaomi Redmi: a guide

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face a non-standard logic of the MIUI shell, which is significantly different from pure Android. If you are used to simply adding elements to the desktop, then you can expect a surprise in the system from Xiaomi. Widgets are not always available through the usual long press, and their search sometimes turns into a real quest on the menu.

Understanding how to properly activate and host these elements is essential for a user-friendly experience, allowing you to personalize the interface and quickly access important information without opening the application, and in this article, we will explore all the nuances of working with widgets on different versions of the firmware.

Differences between MIUI and standard Android

The main feature of the MIUI shell is to separate the control functions. In standard Android, a long press on the empty space of the screen causes a menu where widgets are immediately available. In Redmi and Poco smartphones, this action often only opens up wallpaper settings or switch to panel editing mode.

System developers have put widget management in a separate Add menu, which hides behind extra actions, to prevent accidental removal of items and maintain order on the desktop, and the user needs to know the specific sequence of actions to get to the desired functionality.

Also, different versions of the firmware may have different layouts, so if you have MIUI 12, you'll have one algorithm, and in MIUI 14 or HyperOS, the company might have changed the menu logic, so it's important to consider your device's software version.

⚠️ Warning: If a long tap on the screen does not cause any menu, check the launcher settings.You may have a third-party desktop installed that blocks Xiaomi's system features.

Don't be alarmed if you don't see the buttons, the interface is functional, it's just hidden, and you use swipes and specific icons to navigate, which aren't always obvious to beginners.

The basic way to add widgets through the menu

The most common method, which works on most current models, involves using the editing menu. First, unlock your smartphone and go to the main screen. You need to find a free space or just be on any of the workbars.

Make a pinch with two fingers as if you want to reduce the image, or just hold your finger on an empty part of the screen for a long time. At the bottom of the display, you'll see a toolbar. Find a button that says Widgets or an icon that looks like a square with a plus.

• 📱 Click on the “Widgets” button in the lower editing menu.
• 📂 Select a category or specific application from the list.
• ✅ Tap the right size widget to install it.
• 📍 Drag the item to a convenient place on the screen.

Once you select the size, the widget will automatically attach to the desktop, and if you have a seat, the system will suggest moving other icons or selecting another area, which is the basic algorithm that should work on Redmi Note devices and flagships.

Use of the Widget Library in New Versions

The latest updates to the HyperOS shell and the top versions of MIUI have a separate library, which is an extended catalog that collects not only system elements, but also offers from third-party developers, often accessed via a swipe to the right of the first screen or through a special application.

Inside the library, you can find weather clocks, currency rates, steps, and other useful data. Some widgets require an Internet connection to update information. others work locally and display data from the phone's memory.

To add an item from the library:

1. Open the widget library with swipe or through the menu.
2. Find the right item in the recommendation tape.
3. Press the + Add button under the preview.

And this is convenient because you can actually preview what the item will look like on the screen, and you don't take up too much space until you're sure of the choice.

Customization of appearance and size of elements

Once you have the widget installed on your desktop, it often needs to be customized, and standard sizes may not fit your icon grid, and fortunately, it allows you to resize most of the elements.

To do this, press and hold your finger on the widget you already have installed, and you'll see a context menu where you'll select Change Size, and there'll be markers around the item that you can move around and stretch or compress it vertically and horizontally.

Some widgets are fixed sized and can't be edited. It depends on the developer of the particular application. Xiaomi system elements are usually more flexible to set up.

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Use transparent widgets to create a depth effect on your desktop, which are better combined with live wallpaper and do not completely cover the background.

Display problems and their solution

Users often complain that widgets disappear after a reboot or stop updating data, due to the aggressive MIUI energy saving system.

To fix this, you need to give the widget the permissions you need. Go to Settings, then Apps, and find the app that owns the widget (for example, "Weather" or "Hours"). In Battery, select No Limits mode.

Also check the following parameters:

• 🔋 Allow auto-start for the relevant application.
• 🔒 Block the application in the menu of running tasks (locks).
• 📡 Make sure the app has access to geolocation if it’s a weather widget.

If the widget is displayed in black square, try to remove it and add it again. Sometimes resetting the launcher settings helps, but this will return the location of the icons to the factory state.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t install too many heavy widgets with a live update.This can lead to a significant decrease in smartphone autonomy and slowing down the interface.

Third-party launchers and Google widgets

If standard MIUI features don’t suit you, there’s always the option of installing a third-party launcher. Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher completely change the logic of working with the desktop, in which the addition of widgets is done in the classic way of Android.

However, installing a third-party launcher on Xiaomi has its nuances: the system may require constant confirmation of the default launcher change, and some proprietary features, such as control gestures, may not work properly.

To install Google widgets:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google → Widgets

Make sure Google services are updated to the latest version through Play Market. Older versions may not support new Material You widget formats that dynamically change color under wallpaper.

Frequently asked questions

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Properly configuring permissions and battery life is key to the stable operation of widgets on Xiaomi. Without this step, the system will constantly “kill” the upgrade processes.