How to install a widget on the main screen Xiaomi: the full guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which run on the shells of MIUI or the new HyperOS, provide users with extensive options for personalizing the interface. One of the most effective ways to make using a gadget more convenient is to correctly place widgets on the desktop. These miniature applications allow you to get important information without opening the programs themselves, which significantly saves time and increases productivity with the device.

The process of adding design elements can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the modification of the proprietary launcher. Owners of Redmi Note, Xiaomi Mi or POCO models may encounter different algorithms of actions, especially after major firmware updates. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for installing, configuring and eliminating typical errors so that you can fully adapt the interface to your needs.

Preparation of the working space before installation

Before you start decorating the interface, you need to make sure that the system is ready to make changes. Often users try to add an item to a crowded screen, which leads to unpredictable behavior of the icons or the inability to complete the action. Make room by removing unnecessary shortcuts or moving them to folders so that the new object stands up smoothly and does not violate the overall composition.

It’s also worth checking if the element movement feature is enabled, as in some power saving or Pocket Mode modes, desktop editing may be blocked. Make sure you’re on the home screen, not inside a particular app or settings menu, as the context menu will be different here.

⚠️ Warning: If you have Simple Mode (large icons for older people) enabled, the standard widget menu may be hidden or restricted. Switch to Classic Mode via screen settings for full access.

An important aspect is allowing applications to display data over other windows. Without this system resolution, some interactive widgets, such as music players or voice recorders, may not display correctly or update in real time.

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Before mass installation of widgets, take a screenshot of the current location of the icons, which will help to quickly restore the usual structure if new elements disrupt the ergonomics of use.

Classic method of adding through long press

The most common and versatile way that works on most versions of MIUI and HyperOS is to use the desktop context menu, a method that is familiar to Android users and doesn't require going into deep system settings. Just a few simple taps to open the editing menu.

Find a free space on any of the desktop sheets that don't have app icons. Press that area with your finger and hold the touch for 1-2 seconds. The screen will shrink slightly, and a toolbar with different control options will appear at the bottom or top.

• 📱 Add widgets – opens a complete library of available items.
• 📁 Add a folder – creates a new empty folder for grouping applications.
• 🖼️ Wallpaper - allows you to quickly change the background image.
• ⚙️ Settings - transition to the desktop design menu.

Once you select the add-on, you will open a gallery of all available widgets, sorted by alphabet or frequency of use, and you will find both system elements (clock, weather, calendar) and widgets of installed third-party applications, if the developers have provided such a feature.

Select the desired item from the list. The system will offer several sizes (1x1, 2x1, 4x2, etc.), and you will need to choose the appropriate format. Once selected, the widget will automatically move to the desktop, where it can be moved to any convenient place.

Alternative method through the application menu

Newer versions of the HyperOS shell and recent MIUI 14 updates have a faster way to access widgets that doesn’t require freeing up screen space in advance, a method that’s especially handy when you know exactly which widget you want to install and want to quickly find it among dozens of others.

Swipe to the right of the first screen to open the “Left Bar” (often referred to as Google Discover or App Vault), or simply pinch with two fingers from the center of the screen to go into editing mode. In some launcher configurations, it is easy enough to open the menu of all applications and switch to the “Widgets” tab at the top of the screen.

If you're searching by system, start typing the name of the app you want to use. In the search results, under the app's icon, you often see the "Widgets" button, and clicking on it will immediately take you to the size and style menu for the app.

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi models with heavy customization, the All Apps menu may be hidden.If swipe up doesn't open the list of programs, check desktop settings and turn on the app menu display.

This approach allows you to instantly evaluate which widgets are available for a particular application, without having to scroll through a long general list.This is especially true for users who actively use widgets from third-party developers, such as weather widgets, currency rates or habit trackers.

Setting the size and appearance of widgets

Once an item is on screen, it often needs to be adapted to the interface design, the standard size may not fit into your grid or overlap important icons, and fortunately, the system allows you to flexibly manage the dimensions and visual style of most widgets.

To resize, tap the widget and hold your finger until it's framed. There will be markers around you (dots or lines) that you can drag and drop and stretch or compress the object vertically and horizontally. Some widgets have fixed change steps, others allow you to change the size smoothly.

Many modern widgets from Xiaomi and third-party developers support a change in style. Double tapping the widget or clicking on a special “Tune” button (often looks like a gear or slider) opens a menu where you can:

• 🎨 Change color – adapt to the theme of the system design.
• 🔄 Change transparency – make the background semi-transparent.
• 📐 Select a layout – switch between digital and analog watches, list or grid.
• 🔤 Change the font – if the widget displays text.

Remember that too many heavy live-animated widgets can have a negative impact on the device’s autonomy. If you notice accelerated battery drain, try replacing animated widgets with static versions or reducing the frequency of their updates.

Work with widgets in HyperOS and MIUI 14

The release of HyperOS marks a significant step in the evolution of Xiaomi’s interfaces, where widgets have taken on new life: they are more interactive, have a single library and the ability to group, and unlike the older versions, where widgets were just “pictures”, they are now closer to full-fledged mini-apps.

HyperOS has the ability to create folders-widgets or use widgets inside application folders, which saves space by placing, for example, a calendar widget directly inside the Office folder, and this is accomplished through prolonged clicking on the folder and the corresponding display mode.

Also worth noting is improved integration with the smart home ecosystem: Mi Home device management widgets now allow you to execute complex scenarios (like “I’m at home” or “Night”) with a single touch directly from your desktop, without having to open an app.

Users switching to HyperOS are encouraged to reassemble the desktop, as older widgets may not display correctly or look visually alien against the background of new icons.

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HyperOS makes widgets interactive controls, allowing you to perform actions (track switching, lighting on) without opening applications.

Elimination: Widgets don’t work or disappear

Despite the stability of the system, users may experience situations where widgets stop updating, disappear after a reboot or display incorrect data. Most often, the problem lies in the aggressive power saving system Xiaomi, which “sleeps” background processes to save charge.

To fix this, you need to find the app that owns the widget in the settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the right one (like “Weather” or “Calendar”) and select “Energy Saving” mode, set “No Limits” mode, which will prevent the system from forcibly shutting down the widget process.

Another common reason is a lack of RAM: If a device has many heavy widgets installed, the system can automatically unload them from memory, in which case it helps to clear the RAM or avoid using live wallpaper in conjunction with widgets.

⚠️ Warning: If the widget displays a No Data error or a black screen, try removing it and adding it again. Often this resets the widget cache and restores the connection to the source application.

In rare cases, the problem may be a third-party launcher.If you're using a Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, make sure they have all the necessary permissions to display over other windows and access storage.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions