Customization is the first step that makes a new smartphone truly yours. Xiaomi Redmi’s lineup of devices offer a wide range of options for changing the look, but the basic elements often remain hidden or customized by default. Installing a watch widget on the home screen is not just an aesthetic choice, but also a way to quickly access important information such as the date, weather or phase of the moon.
Many users mistakenly believe that widgets are only available after installing third-party launchers or complex programs. In fact, the MIUI operating system or its more recent version of HyperOS already contains powerful built-in design tools. Properly configuring the home screen improves the efficiency of the gadget and eliminates the need to unlock the device every time just to watch the time.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the process of adding widgets, look at the design styles available, and solve the typical problems faced by owners of Chinese and global firmware versions, learn how to manage the size of elements and understand why some widgets can disappear after a reboot.
You should start by unlocking the screen and going to the main desktop. Unlike the application menu, where the shortcuts are located, this is where the information blocks are located. The standard procedure for adding any element in the Xiaomi shell is the same for most models, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or the flagship Xiaomi 13.
To call the edit menu, you need to do a long press of your finger in the free space of the screen, where there are no application icons. An alternative way that is often overlooked is to bring two fingers together on the screen, as if you zoom in on a photo, and then you open the preview mode of all desktops, and then you will see a toolbar at the bottom.
On the bottom panel, you'll find an icon that says "Widgets" or an icon that looks like a square with a plus. In the newer versions of HyperOS, the design of this menu has been redesigned: widgets are now divided into categories, and a separate block is allocated for the watch. If you have an older version of MIUI, the list will be presented as a solid tape or grid.
⚠️ Note: Some Chinese firmware versions may have a standard set of widgets that differ from the global ones. If you don't find a familiar watch, you may need to change the region in your settings or install the Themes app».
When you select the Watch category, you will see the available design options, which offer both classic dials and complex weather and calendar compilations, and the choice of the specific type of widget depends on your preferences and free space on the screen.
Once you select the desired design, the widget will appear on the screen in editing mode. It can be moved by swiping your finger over the free area, or resize. Not all widgets support zooming, but most standard watches from Xiaomi allow you to stretch them vertically or horizontally.
To resize, you need to pull on special markers located along the contour of the widget (usually dots or dotted frames). Stretching the widget often opens up additional functions: for example, small watches show only the time, and large ones also show the date, day of the week and current temperature, which saves space if you need only one feature.
It's important to consider the desktop grid. The standard grid in MIUI is usually 5x6 or 6x6 icons. If the watch widget takes up too much space, it can displace important application shortcuts. The optimal is to place the watch in the top third of the screen so that it can be seen immediately after the lock is removed, but does not interfere with one-handed control.
☑️ Verification of widget placement
Modern Redmi smartphones offer not just a static picture, but full-fledged interactive elements. Some watch widgets allow you to switch styles directly on the desktop without entering the deep settings menu, just click on the settings button that appears when you select the widget, or swipe on the element itself.
In the style menu, you can change the color of the dial to harmonize with the wallpaper installed. You can also adjust the time format: 12-hour or 24-hour. This is a global setting that applies to all system clocks, including the lock screen and status bar. To move to these parameters, you often need to click on the gear in the corner of the widget.
Weather widgets require permission to access geolocation. If the clock shows the wrong time or weather, check the permission settings for the Weather or Security app, which is often used by Xiaomi system widgets.
💡
Use dark watch widgets if you have Always On Display enabled or installed AMOLED-Wallpaper - this significantly saves battery power.
If a standard set of widgets seems boring to you, the MIUI shell allows you to download thousands of new designs through the Themes app. It's the official content store where you can find cyberpunk, retro, anime or minimalist watches, and downloading these widgets is secure and does not require root rights.
To install a third-party design, open the Themes app, go to the profile (human icon) and select the "Widgets" section, where you can sort items by popularity or novelty. Once downloaded, the widget will automatically appear in the add-on menu on the desktop.
Third-party developers also create alternative widgets that are often more flexible, such as Overdrop, KWGT or Google Watches, which integrate into the system and display in a shared list of widgets, and which extend customization to allow for lunar phases, world time, or countdown timers.
| Type of widget | Source | Requirements | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| System clock | MIUI / HyperOS | No. | Minimum |
| Weather watch | Weather appendix | GPS, Internet | Average. |
| Third-party (Google) | Google Play | Account | Low. |
| Castomic (KWGT) | Third-party software | Permits over windows | High. |
One of the frequent problems of Xiaomi users is the disappearance of widgets after a device restart or system update. This is due to the aggressive operation of the MIUI memory optimization mechanism.
To secure the widget and prevent it from disappearing, go to the battery settings. Find the app responsible for the widget (often Clock, Weather, or Themes) and select Autostart. It is also recommended that you select No Limits mode in the power saving settings for this app, which will prevent the system from forcibly shutting down the widget process.
⚠️ Note: If the watch widget shows a black field instead of numbers, try changing the desktop wallpaper.Some transparent widgets conflict with certain types of live wallpaper.
Another common problem is that the widget doesn't update time or show yesterday's data, and in this case, cleaning the source app's cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find "Clock" or "Weather," select "Clean" and then "Clear the cache" and the data will not be affected.
Why can't the widget be added?
Owners of devices with a narrow screen or camera notch sometimes find that the watch widget overlaps important interface elements or bangs. In such cases, changing the size of the widget or shifting it lower helps, in some cases, the problem solves the problem of disabling the option “Extended screen” in the display settings, which will add black fields on the sides.
Remember that widgets are not only beautiful, but also functional. A properly tuned screen with clocks, calendars and weather turns your smartphone into a personal information center. Experiment with sizes and styles to find the perfect balance between aesthetics and usability of your Redmi.
💡
Securing the widget in memory through the autorun settings is a critical step for Xiaomi owners to ensure that the clock doesn’t go missing after the reboot.