Personalizing a smartphone’s interface is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to improve the efficiency of daily use of a device. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices often face the need to quickly access the weather, currency rates or news without running an application. The MIUI’s regular shell offers a wide range of tools to implement interactive elements directly to the desktop.
The process of adding widgets can vary depending on the version of the operating system and the model of the gadget. In newer versions of firmware, such as MIUI 14 or HyperOS, the algorithm of actions has become more intuitive, but retains some hidden menus. Understanding the logic of the launcher will allow you to create unique compositions that display exactly the information that is important to you.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available ways to install widgets, including standard methods and hidden system features, and learn not only to add items, but also to customize their size, style and behavior, which will turn your Xiaomi Redmi into a truly smart data management tool.
Basic method of adding widgets through the menu
The most common and easy way to install interactive elements is available to all users without exception. First, unlock the screen and go to the main desktop. Find a free space where you plan to place a new object, and swipe to the right, or just touch the screen with two fingers to call the edit menu.
When you open the screen control menu, you'll see a toolbar at the bottom of the display, and you'll be interested in a button that says "Widgets" or an icon that says "Widgets," and you'll click on it and you'll be in a gallery of all the available system elements that you can integrate into the interface, and you'll find clocks, calendars, weather indicators, and application shortcuts.
Google's Hidden Widgets
Choose the item from the list. The system will offer you several options for size and design. For example, a weather widget can be presented as a compact row or a large panel with a forecast for the week. Once you select the design, the item will appear on the desktop, and you can drag it to any convenient place.
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The standard widget menu is called by double tap over the free area of the screen or swipe to the right on an empty page.
Use of MiUI widgets and third-party applications
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers unique widgets designed specifically for the MIUI shell. They are deep-designed and often have animated elements that bring the desktop to life. To access the extended suite, you often need to log into your Mi Account account and go to the “Get more widgets” section at the bottom of the menu.
However, the standard set may seem limited to advanced users, in which case third-party launcher apps or specialized utilities from Google Play come to the rescue. KWGT, And these widgets, which allow you to create objects of any shape or content, require you to download additional widgets. APK-file-up.
- 📱 Thematic packages: Download entire sets of icons and widgets in a single style through the Themes app».
- ⚙️ Customization: Change the transparency, fonts and colors of standard elements MIUI.
- 🌐 Online content: News and sports widgets updated in real time via the Internet.
When installing third-party widgets, it's important to pay attention to the permissions they request.Some elements require access to geolocation for weather or contacts for call widgets. Make sure the download source is reliable so as not to compromise your device's security.
Set up widgets on the lock screen
The lock screen in Redmi devices is not just a protection against accidental clicks, but also an information panel. Starting with certain versions of the firmware, users have the ability to place widgets directly on the lock screen, which allows you to see important information without unlocking the smartphone.
To activate this feature, go to the system settings. You will need the "Always on screen and lock" section or just "Screen lock." Depending on the version of MIUI, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.
⚠️ Warning: Placing too many active widgets on the lock screen can lead to accelerated battery discharge, as the screen will be turned on more often to update data.
You can choose from the settings menu what data will be displayed. There is usually room for one large or two small widgets. Often users choose a pedometer, weather or quick access to the calendar. After choosing, save the changes, and the next time you turn on the screen, the information will be available instantly.
☑️ Checking the lock screen settings
Comparison of widget types in different versions of MIUI
The interface and available features of widgets have changed significantly with the release of new versions of the operating system. If you move from an old device to a new Xiaomi, you will notice differences in approaches to organizing space. Understanding these differences will help you learn the new gadget faster.
In earlier versions of the shell, widgets were embedded in the application menu and occupied a separate grid cell. In more modern implementations, such as MIUI 12.5 and later, they are taken into a separate space to the left of the first desktop or integrated into folders, which allows you to create a cleaner and more minimalist design.
| MIUI version | Location of the menu | Grid size | Animation. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 10-11 | Inside the app folders | Fixed 4x6 | Minimum |
| MIUI 12-13 | Separate tab on the left | Flexible (up to 8 columns) | Smooth, with shadows |
| MIUI 14 / HyperOS | Swipe down or right | Adaptive | High, interactive. |
Owners of HyperOS devices should be looking at new grouping capabilities, and widgets can now be stacked into stacks that take up the space of a single element, but allow them to cycle information, a revolutionary change for those who like to have lots of data on one screen.
Size and positioning of elements management
Properly positioning widgets is key to a user-friendly interface. Not all items can be moved or sized freely. Standard Android widgets often have a fixed grid, whereas native Xiaomi elements are more flexible. To resize, click on the widget and hold your finger until the edit menu appears.
In the menu that appears, select the option "Resize" and you'll see a slider frame that you can stretch or narrow the object by moving, and note that some widgets have minimal and maximum limitations, and for example, you can't make the music widget too small, otherwise the text will become unreadable.
Settings → Screen → Desktop gridIf the widget doesn't fit in or jumps, you may have a desktop grid that's too large, so try changing the number of speakers in your screen settings to a larger value, which gives you more freedom to accommodate the smaller elements and allows you to create a dense, computer-generated layout without empty spaces.
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Use transparent watch widgets to overlay them on top of the wallpaper, creating the effect of depth and unique design.
Solution: Widgets don’t work or disappear
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where installed widgets stop updating or completely disappear from the desktop after a reboot. This is a common problem associated with aggressive battery optimization in the MIUI system.
To fix this, you need to configure autoruns and permissions for a specific widget or source app. Go to the battery settings and find the list of apps. Make sure that weather widgets, news or watches are allowed to work in the background and there is no “No Limits” restriction.
⚠️ Note: If the widget disappeared after the system update, try to delete it and add it again. Old configuration files may not be compatible with the new firmware version.
It’s also worth checking if Saving Energy is on all the time, with many visuals and background updates being forced off in this mode, and switching to Performance or Balanced mode often solves the problem with live widgets.