How to Create a Task Shortcut on Xiaomi Desktop: 3 Workstyles

Tired of constantly opening the app menu to check the to-do list or reminders? Task shortcut on the Xiaomi desktop solves this problem - all important things are always at hand. In this article, we will discuss how to add a task widget to the home screen of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12-14 shells and the new HyperOS.

Spoiler: the procedure takes less than 2 minutes, does not require root rights and works even on budget models like Redmi 10A or POCO M5. And if the standard widget does not suit, we will show you how to install an alternative through Google Keep or Microsoft To-Do.

Important: HyperOS (MIUI 15+) has the task widget moved to Tools, so the instruction for the new firmware is slightly different. We covered both options.

Why you need a task shortcut on the desktop

According to Counterpoint Research, 68 percent of smartphone users forget their scheduled tasks because they don’t have visual reminders, and the task widget on the home screen solves this problem:

• ⏰ Instant access to the to-do list without opening applications
• 📌 Visual reminders — tasks are always in sight, like stickers on a refrigerator
• ✅ Easy to control: mark completed items directly from the desktop
• 🔄 Sync with Google Account or Mi Account (depending on widget)

For example, if you use Xiaomi Notes, the widget will sync between devices via Mi Cloud, and the Google Tasks widget will automatically pull up tasks from Gmail or Google Calendar.

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS smartphones (such as the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+), the standard task widget may conflict with the weather widget. If tasks disappear after adding, try alternative methods from Section 3.

Method 1: Standard task widget in MIUI/HyperOS

It’s the easiest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 shell and newer.Suitable for models from Redmi 9A to Xiaomi 13 Ultra flagships.

Instructions:

1. Press and hold the empty space on your desktop (not on the icon!).
2. In the menu that appears, select Widgets (on HyperOS - Tools).
3. Scroll down to the Notes or Tasks section (the name depends on the firmware version).
4. Select the Task List widget (usually a 4×2 or 4×1) option.
5. Drag the widget to a free space on the desktop.

If the widget is not displayed in the list:

On HyperOS, the path to widgets has changed:

Long press on the desktop → Tools → Useful tools → Tasks

Method 2: Google Tasks widget (for users of Google services)

If you’re actively using Gmail, Google Calendar or Google Keep, the Google Tasks widget is the best solution, syncs to all devices via Google Account and supports voice input.

How do I add:

1. Install Google Tasks from the Play Market (if not installed).
2. Open the app and log in to your Google Account.
3. Return to the desktop, make a long press in a free place.
4. Select Widgets → find Tasks in the list.
5. Select the size of the widget (recommended 4×2 for convenience).
6. Drag the widget to the desktop and select a list of tasks to display.

The advantages of Google Tasks:

• 🔄 Automatic sync with Gmail (tasks from emails can be added directly to the widget)
• 🎤 Voice Task Entering via Google Assistant
• 📅 Integration with Google Calendar (deadlines are displayed in the calendar)
• 🌐 Cross-platform (access from PC via tasks.google.com)

⚠️ Warning: On some Xiaomi models (e.g., POCO X3 Pro), the Google Tasks widget may not update in the background. To fix this, add the app to the AutoRun list (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Tasks → AutoRun).

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If the Google Tasks widget isn’t updated, try disabling battery optimization for the app: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All apps → Tasks → Not Optimizing

Method 3: Alternative applications for tasks (Microsoft To-Do, TickTick, etc.)

If standard solutions don’t work, consider third-party applications with advanced features, such as Microsoft To-Do supports subtasks and repetitive reminders, and TickTick can block time to complete Tomato tasks.

Comparison of popular applications:

How to add a widget from a third-party application:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and create at least one task (otherwise the widget will be empty).
3. Return to the desktop, make a long press → Widgets.
4. Find the widget of the desired application (usually at the end of the list).
5. Select a size and drag it to the screen.

Task widget configuration: size, transparency, update

Adding a widget is half the job, and in order for it to be really user-friendly, you have to set it up correctly.

• 📏 Size: Optimal -- 4×2 (shows 5-7 no scrolling tasks). On HyperOS, you can stretch the widget with your fingers once added.
• 🎨 Transparency: In the launcher settings (Settings → Desktop → Launcher settings), you can make the widget background semi-transparent.
• 🔄 Update frequency: By default, the widget updates every 30 minutes. To change this:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Widget Application Name] → Battery → Background Activity → Without Limitations

HyperOS has a feature called Smart Widgets, which automatically resizes based on the number of tasks you have to do.

Long press on widget → Change the size → Include “Adaptive size”

If the widget has stopped updating:

Problem Solving: The widget is not added or disappears

Sometimes users find that the task widget doesn't appear in the list or disappears after a reboot. Here are the most common reasons and solutions:

If nothing helps, try resetting the launcher settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear data

⚠️ Warning: After the launcher is reset, all shortcuts and folders on the desktop will disappear. Take screenshots of the icons' location in advance or use the backup function (Settings → About Phone → Backup).

Bonus: voice control of tasks

Modern Xiaomi smartphones support voice-added tasks through Google Assistant or Xiao AI. This is convenient when hands are busy or you need to quickly write down an idea.

How to add a task with a voice:

• 🎤 Through Google Assistant:

1 Say "OK, Google" or hold the button home.


2 Say, "Add the task: Buy milk from the store."




3.Clarify the deadline: "Tomorrow at 18:00."




4.The task will be automatically added to Google Tasks.

• 🤖 Through Xiao AI (for Chinese firmware):

1. Hold the power button to call Xiao AI.


2 Say in Chinese or English: "Add a task: Call mom at 7 PM."




3. the task will appear in the standard "Notes".

To make voice tasks appear in the widget, make sure that:

• The widget is tied to the same account as the voice assistant.
• The Assistant settings include task synchronization (Google Settings → Google Services → Search, Assistant and Voice → Assistant Settings → Services → Tasks).

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Voice task input works only when you are actively connected to the Internet, since speech processing takes place on Google or Xiaomi servers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about task widgets on Xiaomi