How to return your calendar to Xiaomi desktop: a step-by-step guide for MIUI

Why the calendar disappeared from the desktop and how to fix it

You used to check the schedule right on Xiaomi's home screen, but suddenly the calendar widget is gone? This problem is familiar to many smartphone users on MIUI 12-15, where after a system update or reset, standard interface elements can disappear. The reasons range from accidental deletion to conflicts with the MIUI Launcher shell.

In 80% of cases, the widget is removed after:

  • 🔄 Firmware updates (especially when switching to a new version) MIUI)
  • 🧹 Clearing the launcher cache through application settings
  • 📱 Changes to theme (some themes block standard widgets)
  • 🛠️ Manual removal with a long press on the icon ("Delete from the screen")

Fortunately, you can return the calendar to the Redmi, POCO or Mi desktop in 2-5 minutes without resetting the phone to the factory settings. Below we will discuss all the current methods, including hidden MIUI functions and workarounds for older models (for example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T).

📊 What kind of Xiaomi smartphone do you have?
Redmi (Note/Pro series)
POCO (F/X/M)
Mi (11/12 episodes)
Black Shark
Other

Method 1: Add widgets through the menu (standard method)

The most obvious, but often ignored, way is to manually add a widget through the system menu, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, unless the widget has been removed from the system.

Instructions:

  1. Touch the empty space on your desktop and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds.
  2. In the menu that appears, select Widgets (icon with squares).
  3. Scroll down to the Tools or Systems section.
  4. Find the Calendar widget (may be called Calendar in English firmware).
  5. Drag it to the free screen space.

If the calendar isn't on the widget list, it's been disabled or deleted, in which case you go to Method 2.

Make sure there is a free space on the screen (at least 2×2 cells)

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Turn off the power saving mode (can block widgets)

Close all background applications (for stable operation of the launcher)-->

Method 2: Recovery through the Calendar application settings

Sometimes the widget disappears because of a malfunction in the Calendar app itself, and to return it, you need to reset the program settings or update its data.

Follow the following steps:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the "Calendar" in the list (use search if necessary).
  3. Press Warehouse and Cache → Clear the cache.
  4. Go back and select Permissions → make sure all the necessary permissions are included (especially Calendar and Warehouse).
  5. Restart your phone and try adding the widget again (see Method 1).

⚠️ Attention: Do not click Clear data in Calendar settings - this will delete all your events and reminders! → Accounts. → Xiaomi → Synchronization.

If the widget never appeared after cleaning the cache, check if the Calendar application is disabled in the system settings.

  • 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Calendar.
  • 🔄 Make sure the Disable button is not active (grey).
  • 📥 If the application is disabled, click Enable and wait for the updates to download.

Method 3: Use of alternative launchers (for MIUI 13-15)

Since MIUI 13, Xiaomi has limited the standard launcher, sometimes leading to widgets disappearing.The solution is to install a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher, which supports all system widgets.

How to do this:

  1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
  2. Set it as the default launcher (the system will prompt you to do so when you first start).
  3. Press and hold the empty space on the screen → Widgets.
  4. In the list, find the Calendar (even if it didn’t appear in the standard launcher).
  5. Drag the widget onto the screen and adjust its size.
LauncherSupport for Xiaomi widgetsAdditional functionsCons
Nova Launcher✅ Complete.Flexible customization of icons, gestures, backupPremium version for some functions
Hyperion Launcher✅ Complete.Optimized for Xiaomi, Theme SupportLess customization than Nova
POCO Launcher⚠️ Partial (depending on version) MIUI)Easy, fast, built-in garbage cleaningMaybe not show all the widgets.

Important: Once a third-party launcher is installed, standard MIUI widgets (such as weather or pedometer) may not work properly. To return them, temporarily switch back to MIUI Launcher via Settings → Home screen.

Method 4: Install a third-party calendar with a widget

If the standard Calendar widget never came out, the alternative is to use third-party apps that not only solve the display problem, but also offer advanced features (Google sync, reminders, weather).

Top.-3 substitute:

  • 📅 Google Calendar – sync with Google account, widgets of different sizes, integration with Gmail.
  • 🗓️ Business Calendar 2 - Extended widgets (month, week, agenda), color tags, tasks.
  • 🌐 DigiCal Calendar – Minimalist design, weather widgets, support for dark theme.

How to install and configure:

  1. Download the selected application from Google Play.
  2. Open it and allow access to your calendar and contacts.
  3. Return to the desktop, press and hold the empty space → Widgets.
  4. Find a widget of your calendar (e.g. Google Calendar 4×2).
  5. Drag it to the screen and adjust the data displayed (month, event list, etc.).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party calendars, disable synchronization in the standard Xiaomi Calendar app to avoid duplication of events. → Accounts. → Xiaomi → Synchronization.

💡

If you use Google Calendar, turn on the “Show the Weather” option in the widget settings – this will add a forecast right into the schedule.

Method 5: Reset the launcher settings (last chance)

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be MIUI Launcher failure, in which case it might be resetting to factory settings, which won't delete your data, but will bring back the standard layout of icons and widgets.

Step-by-step:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the launcher (or MIUI Launcher, POCO Launcher).
  3. Click Warehouse and Cache → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
  4. Confirm the action (launcher will restart automatically).
  5. After the reboot, try adding the calendar widget again.

If the reset didn't work, the last option is to upgrade MIUI to the latest version. Often bugs with widgets are fixed in new builds. You can check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

What if after the launcher drops all the icons are missing?
After cleaning up MIUI Launcher data, all application shortcuts disappear from the desktop but remain in the app menu. To return them: 1. Click on the blank screen space → Screen Settings → Screen Style. 2. Select Standard or No Applets. 3. Drag the desired apps from the menu (<button at the bottom of the screen>) back to the desktop.

Problem Solving on Older Models (MIUI 11 and below)

On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 11 and older (e.g. Redmi Note 7, Mi A2), the calendar return process may be different.

  • 🔙 The calendar widget in these versions is called Calendar (old) or Calendar (Legacy).
  • 🔄 After updating to MIUI 12+ Old widget may disappear forever – you need to use third-party apps.
  • 📌 On some models (e.g. Mi 8 Lite), the widget is blocked by the theme. Try changing the theme to the standard one in Settings. → Theme.

For Android One devices (such as the Mi A3), the standard calendar widget from Xiaomi is not available initially, instead using Google Calendar, which you need to install separately from the Play Market.

If your smartphone is older than 2019 and doesn’t receive updates, consider alternative launchers or third-party calendars – these are the only reliable ways to get the functionality back.

💡

On devices with MIUI 11 and below, the standard calendar widget may not sync with your Google account, but you may need to use third-party apps or manually export events.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the calendar widget on Xiaomi

🔍 Why After Updating MIUI The calendar widget is small and does not scale?
This is a well-known MIUI 14-15 problem, where some widgets are fixed at 2×2. Solutions: Try resizing the widget by holding its edges (sometimes works after a reboot). Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) where there are no scaling restrictions. Use the Google Calendar widget - it supports flexible sizing.
⚙️ How to return the calendar widget if it disappeared after changing the topic?
Some of the themes in MIUI block the standard widgets. To return the calendar: Go to Settings → Theme. Select a standard theme (Default or MIUI). Reboot your phone. Try adding the widget again (see Method 1). If the problem persists, clear the launcher cache (see Method 5).
📱 Can I transfer the calendar widget to the lock screen?
No, MIUI doesn't officially allow you to add widgets to the lock screen, but you can: Use Always On Display (on supported models) to display date and time. Install a third-party app like Lock Screen Widget (requires root rights on new versions of MIUI). Set up notifications about upcoming events in Settings → Notifications → Calendar.
🔄 The calendar widget doesn't update automatically?
The problem is usually with background optimization. To fix: Open Settings → Apps → Calendar → Battery. Select Unlimited. Enable Autostart and Background Activity. Reboot your phone. If you use a third-party calendar (like Google), check the sync in Settings → Accounts → Google.
🚫 When you add a widget, you get the error "Widget is not supported?
This error is typical for: custom firmware devices (like LineageOS); Smartphones that disabled system applications via ADB. Regionally restricted models (like Chinese versions of Mi for the domestic market); Solutions: Install a third-party calendar with a widget; Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings → System Update; If a custom firmware phone, reflash it to the official Global ROM.