Xiaomi and Redmi are no longer just callers, but they are the main information centers for their owners. We are used to looking at the lock screen or desktop immediately shows the current weather, the exact time and schedule for the day. However, after another update to the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, many users face an unpleasant surprise: the usual widgets disappear, and the screen looks empty and uninformative.
When a weather widget is lost, it is often puzzling, especially for those who are not used to digging deep into Android settings. The reasons can range from accidentally removing the widget to resetting the system after updating or conflicting versions of the Weather app. It is important to understand that newer versions of the MIUI shell have redesigned the widgets’ algorithms and old installation methods may not work.
In this article, we will look at how to get your time and weather data back on the home screen of your smartphone, and we will look at both the standard methods of adding widgets through the menu, as well as the more complex cases associated with setting up system applications and allowing auto-start. Recovery of screen functionality is a process that is accessible to every user, if you know the right procedure.
Why Xiaomi widgets disappeared after the update
A common reason widgets disappear is a routine software update. Xiaomi regularly releases security patches and new versions of MIUI that can change the structure of the desktop. In the process of migrating data, old widgets sometimes do not automatically migrate, especially if the widget code itself or the way it interacts with the system has changed.
Another reason could be a crash in the system application "Security" or "Weather": If the weather application was forced to stop the energy saving system or removed from memory, the widget will stop updating and may simply disappear from the screen. System restrictions on the background of applications in China and global versions of firmware work differently, which also affects stability.
Sometimes the problem is with third-party launchers, if you installed an alternate desktop or design themes, they could take over widget control. Once the theme is reset or the launcher is removed, standard MIUI widgets may stop showing correctly, requiring manual re-activation.
⚠️ Warning: If the widget is missing immediately after installing a new theme, try first returning a standard theme in the Themes app before performing complex system settings.
Weather widgets require constant access to geolocation and the Internet, and if the privacy settings limited access rights for system applications, the widget will not be able to receive data and may be hidden by the system.
Adding a time and weather widget through the widget menu
The easiest and most obvious way to get the information back on the screen is to use the built-in widget menu. In the latest versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, the interface has been updated, and now widgets are divided into categories. To start, you need to unlock your smartphone and go to the main screen.
Put two fingers on the screen (put your fingers together) or just press the empty area on your desktop. In the bottom menu that appears, select Widgets. You will see a library of all available app-sorted widgets. Find the Weather or Clock app in the list.
Within the category, you'll see different design options: digital, analog, weather, calendar. Choose a style you like and click on it. The widget will automatically add to your desktop. You can then move it to the right place by squeezing and pulling it.
- 📱 The standard widget shows the time, date and current temperature in a compact format.
- 🌤️ Extended widget includes a forecast for several days and detail by the clock.
- ⏰ The second hand watch is convenient for timing, but consumes more energy.
- 🗓️ Combined widget combines calendar, time and weather data in one block.
If the widget is added but does not display data, check the network connection. The widget should update at least once to show the current information. In some cases, it takes several seconds for initial synchronization with weather servers.
Set up the system application Weather
The correct operation of the widget depends on the settings of the parent app. If the Weather app does not work correctly, the widget will not be able to update the data. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications and find in the list of "Weather".
You need to check a few critical settings in the app menu, and first, make sure that the location permission is set to Always or When in use. Without that, the widget won't be able to automatically identify your city.
Second, check your autorun settings. In the MIUI shell, an aggressive power saving system often blocks the background of applications. Find Autostart and activate it for the Weather app, which will allow the widget to update even after the phone has restarted.
☑️ Checklist for Weather App Settings
Also worth paying attention to is the Battery Savings option: Set the value "No Limits." If you select "Save Charge", the system will periodically "kill" the widget update process, which will cause it to show yesterday's weather or disappear altogether.
| Setup parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the widget |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Included. | Starting the widget after restarting |
| Access to location | Always / When used | Automatic definition of the city |
| Working in the background | Permitted. | Regular updates of data |
| Mobile data | Permitted. | Upgrade without Wi-Fi |
After making all the changes, it is recommended to completely close the weather application through the menu of running tasks and open it again to apply the settings. Then go back to the desktop and check the relevance of the data.
Solving problems with widgets on Android 12, 13 and 14
With the release of new versions of Android (12, 13, 14), Google has changed the rules for how widgets interact with the system, including stricter privacy controls and changes to the widget API, which can manifest itself in Xiaomi smartphones as standard widgets no longer scale or appear on the grid.
One common problem is that old widgets are incompatible with the new desktop grid. If you’re trying to add a widget but it doesn’t fit or gets distorted, try resizing the grid. To do this, press the blank space on the screen, select Settings, and change the number of rows and columns (e.g., from 5x6 to 6x7).
Android 13 and later also changed the mechanism of caching widgets. If the time widget shows the wrong time or does not change the numbers, it may be overflowing the launcher cache. Clearing the cache of the System Launcher application often solves the problem, but keep in mind that this can reset the location of the icons.
How to clear the launcher cache without losing data?
Another feature of the new versions is the separation of widgets and widgets based on Android. The widget menu now has two tabs: one for MIUI widgets, another for standard Android widgets. Try adding a widget from another tab if the standard one doesn't work.
Use of third-party widgets and Google widgets
If Xiaomi’s standard tools don’t meet your needs or are not working smoothly, you can always turn to Google widgets or third-party developers. Google widgets are often more stable as they are native to the operating system.
To add a Google widget, look for Google widgets, and you'll find classic watches, weather, and search bars that are minimal and highly accurate because they use Google services directly, bypassing some of the MIUI add-ons.
Third-party apps like Weather & Widget, Overcast or HD Widgets offer incredible flexibility in customization. You can create a widget that shows not only the weather, but also the exchange rate, the phases of the moon or the quotes of the day.
- 🎨 Customization: the ability to change fonts, colors and background images.
- 📊 Detailing: displaying more parameters (humidity, pressure, wind).
- ⚡ Resources: increased battery consumption compared to standard widgets.
- 🛠️ Compatibility: may require additional work permits.
⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party widgets from the Play Market, carefully read the permissions requested. Don't trust access to contacts or microphone to a simple weather widget.
To install a third-party widget, download the app, launch it, customize the look according to the instructions inside the app, and then add the widget to your desktop via the standard Android widget menu.
Resetting desktop settings and restoring the system
If none of the above methods worked, and the time and weather widget stubbornly refuses to appear on the screen, there may have been a deep glitch in the desktop configuration, in which case resetting the launcher settings will help.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. Find System Launcher (may be called Miui Home or POCO Launcher). Click on Delete Data or Clear → All Data.
It's important to know that resetting the launcher data will bring the icons and widgets back to factory status. All the folders and widgets you've placed manually will be removed from your desktop, but the apps will remain on your phone, and then the phone will suggest reconfiguring the desktop, so you can add a weather widget from scratch.
💡
Before resetting the launcher, take a screenshot of the desktop to remember where the applications were standing and quickly restore the familiar structure.
In extreme cases, if the problem is systemic and is observed after a firmware update, a complete reset of the phone settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting) can help. This is a radical measure that requires prior backup of all data.