Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where, after a system update or accidental reset, the usual widget tape disappears. This is the space to the left of the home screen that contains news briefing, weather, music and quick actions. The absence of this element can be disorienting to the user who is accustomed to a certain algorithm for working with the interface.
Most of the time, the problem is solved by simply activating the function in the desktop settings. However, in new versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells, developers periodically change the location of the switches or the logic of the system launchers. Sometimes the disappearance of widgets is the result of installing third-party software or conflicting versions.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to restore the widget tape, you will learn how to configure the display of widgets in a standard launcher, what parameters affect their operation and what to do if standard methods do not help return functionality.
Configure the display of widgets in a standard launcher
The first thing to check is the launcher's basic settings: In Xiaomi shells, a separate switch is responsible for displaying the widget tape, which may have been accidentally deactivated, and you will need to go to the device's settings menu to access it.
Open your smartphone settings and search for Desktop. In some firmware versions, this item may be inside the Additional menu or be placed in a separate System Apps category. Look for an option called "Widget Tape" or "Google Discover."
Activate the switch opposite the right point. If you use Google services, the tape may be called Google Discover. If you need native MIUI tape, make sure that this is the source of content. Once turned on, try swiping to the right of the main screen.
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If the gray switch is not pressed, check if you have a third-party launcher application installed. System settings only work with the standard interface.
It’s worth noting that, depending on the firmware region (Global, China, EEA), item names may vary slightly, and global versions often default on Google integration, while Chinese versions have Xiaomi’s own services, which is important to consider when looking for the right option.
Differences between MIUI and HyperOS in widget management
With the release of the new HyperOS operating system, Xiaomi redesigned many interface elements, and widget management was also affected, and unlike the classic MIUI, where the tape was a separate slide, the new system has become more flexible.
With HyperOS, widgets can be added directly to desktops, creating complex compositions. The tape on the left has also undergone changes, becoming more integrated with smart home and personal recommendations. The mechanism of inclusion remained similar, but the visual design of the settings menu has changed.
Users who have switched from MIUI 14 to HyperOS may notice that the old widgets are no longer displayed correctly, due to an update to the interface framework, in which case it is recommended to re-add the necessary widgets through the desktop editing menu.
What has changed in widget architecture?
It's important to understand that switching to a new OS isn't just about changing icons. Deep code reworking affects how the system manages memory for widgets. If you have HyperOS installed, make sure all system components are updated through Settings → About your phone.
Fixing problems with Google Discover and News Feed
Often, the “widget tape” is what users mean by the Google Discover news feed, and if it stops working or displaying content, the problem may lie in the account settings or the cache of Google apps.
To start, check your Internet connection. The news feed requires a stable network connection to download current information. Then go to Settings → Apps → All apps and find the Google app.
From the app menu, select Memory and click Clear Cache.Don't confuse it with data cleanup, although in some cases, a complete reset of the Google app also helps solve the tape display problem.
If you use a Google Limited Account or corporate profile, access to Discover may be blocked by the organization’s administrator. In your personal accounts, check if Digital Wellbeing is enabled, which may limit your time of use or access to news.
Resetting launcher settings and data cleanup
When simple switches don't work, you have to resort to more radical measures: resetting the launcher settings will return the desktop to a factory state, which will delete all the folders you've created, change the order of the icons, and restore the standard widgets.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find the Desktop (or Launcher) app in the list. Click on it and select Clear, then All Data.
☑️ Checklist before launcher reset
After this operation, the phone can restart or simply update the desktop, you will see the standard app grid, and the widget tape should appear on the left if it is activated in the default system.
⚠️ Warning: Launcher data reset will delete all folders you created on your desktop and reset the order of the icons. Take screenshots in advance to quickly restore the familiar structure.
This method also helps to eliminate software errors that cause "freezes" when scrolling through screens. If the launcher worked unstable, cleaning the data often returns to its previous speed.
Verification of system and component updates
Widgets often run in an unstable way because of bugs in the current firmware version. Xiaomi developers regularly release patches that fix interface errors. Checking for updates is a must-do step in diagnostics.
Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI/HyperOS. If a new update is available, the system will prompt you to download it. It is recommended to install updates only when the battery is charged and connected to Wi-Fi.
Also, check for updates to system components: In the Security menu or through the System Services Components app, you can find and update critical modules that are responsible for the operation of the interface.
| Component | Function | Where to update |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| MIUI/HyperOS | Main shell | Settings → About phone |
| Google Play Services | Google | Play Market |
| System Launcher | Desktop | Settings → Applications |
| Weather widget | Meteorological display | Through the Weather widget or app |
Sometimes, the update has already arrived on your device but has not been installed due to space shortage or download error, so you can try to clear the updater cache through the Recovery Mode menu, but this requires more knowledge.
Use of third-party launchers for extended widgets
If Xiaomi’s standard tools don’t suit you or don’t work properly, you can always turn to third-party solutions. The Play Market store offers many launchers that completely replace the standard interface.
Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher offer flexible widget feed settings, where you can set up separate panels for news, weather or tasks without being tied to the left swipe.
To install a third-party launcher, download the application, launch it, and follow the instructions on the screen. Android will suggest you choose the default launcher. Choose a new one and click Always.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, some Xiaomi system features, such as control gestures or specific widgets MIUI, They may work incorrectly or may not be available.
Using an alternative launcher is a great way to customize your device, but remember that they can consume more battery life than an optimized system launcher.
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Third-party launchers give you maximum flexibility, but can deprive you of some of the integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem, such as smart home widgets or deep battery optimization.