Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where the usual memory cleaning widget disappears from the desktop or ceases to display correctly. This can happen after updating the MIUI or HyperOS firmware, resetting the settings or accidentally removing the system component. The lack of quick access to garbage cleaning causes discomfort, as freeing RAM becomes less convenient.
Recovery is a process that doesn't require complex software or root access rights, and most of the time, it's solved by setting the interface or re-activating the system widget. It's important to understand that the shell interface can hide elements to optimize visual style, but the technical feasibility of using them is still there.
In this guide, we will go into detail all the ways to return the cleaning icon to the screen. We will look at standard configuration methods, working with system security applications and solving specific problems that are characteristic of new versions of the operating system.
Diagnostics of the problem: why the widget disappeared
Before we take action, we need to understand why the control disappears, most often it is a matter of updating the Android operating system or the manufacturer’s proprietary shell, and engineers can change the logic of system widgets, making them hidden by default or moving them to other menu sections.
Another common cause is a failure of the launcher, the program responsible for displaying desktop and icons. If the launcher is not working correctly, it may stop displaying certain elements of the interface, and the user may accidentally delete the widget, mistaking it for a third-party application, or change the theme of the design that does not support standard MIUI elements.
⚠️ Warning: If you've recently installed third-party themes from Themes store, try returning a standard theme.Third-party designs often don't have the code to display the memory clear widget.
It's also worth checking if the Security system component has been disabled, which is the core of the cleaning system and antivirus protection, if it's been frozen or removed through a security system. ADB-commands, the widget will not appear until the functionality is restored.
Restore through the desktop widget menu
The easiest and safest way to bring back the cleanup is to use the regular widget menu, which works on most current firmware versions, including MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS. The algorithm may vary slightly depending on the version, but the overall logic remains the same.
To start, unlock your smartphone and go to the home screen. Push two fingers across the screen (put your fingers together) or press an empty area on your desktop. This action will open the editing mode. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a few tabs, which you'll need to select "Widgets."
In the list that opens, look for a tool section that's related to the system, which can be called Tools, Systems, or just the Xiaomi logo. Inside this directory, look for an item called Cleanup, Security, or a broom icon. Click on it and drag it to a free desktop space.
- 📱 On the old versions. MIUI The widget can be called “Acceleration” or have a rocket icon.
- 🔍 If the widget is not listed, use the search bar at the top of the widget menu and type the word “Clean up».
- ⚙️ In some cases, the cleaning widget is built into the larger Tools widget, which you need to add separately.
Once you have the item on the screen, try clicking on it, and if you open a memory cleanup menu with a "Clean" or "Speed" button, it's a success, and you can now release the device's RAM in one touch.
Setting up the "Security" application
The centerpiece of the optimization system is the Security app, which is responsible for scanning viruses, cleaning garbage files, and managing permissions, and if the widget doesn't work, the problem may lie in the settings of the app itself.
Open the Security app through the menu of all apps (usually a green icon with a shield). In the upper right corner, click on the gear icon to enter the settings. Here we are interested in the section related to displaying widgets or shortcuts. In some versions of the firmware, there is a separate item called "Cleaning Shortcut" or "Floating button".
Activate the switch in front of the point that allows the widget to be displayed on the desktop, and you can also set automatic cleaning options in this menu, for example, you can set a threshold for free memory, when the system will ask you to start the optimization process.
☑️ Checking security settings
If you have a Memory Cleanup or Extended Cleanup option in your app settings, make sure it is not blocked. Sometimes after major updates, privacy settings become more stringent and the system needs to re-authorize other windows to manage or access the file system to work properly.
Work with system launcher
A launcher is the shell that paints your desktop. Xiaomi smartphones use a system launcher that is deeply integrated with MIUI. Failures in its cache or data can cause widgets to disappear. Clearing the launcher data is an effective method of solving the problem, but it requires caution.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find System Launcher in the list. Click on it and select Clear Data. It is important to choose Clear Data, not just Clear Cache, because we need to reset the desktop configuration.
⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up the system launcher data will return the icons and widgets on the desktop to factory status. All folders and widgets you created manually will be deleted, they will have to be re-arranged.
Once you reset, the phone may blink for a second and you will be on a standard desktop. Now repeat the procedure of adding a widget through the menu (screen pinch), as described in the second section. Often after the launcher is reset, all system widgets, including cleaning, become available for installation again.
If the standard launcher is unstable, alternatives may be considered, but this is not recommended for the cleanup function.Third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher) do not have access to the MIUI system clearing widget, so the button will not work.For full use of optimization features, Xiaomi is better to stay on the native launcher.
Comparison of recovery methods
There are different ways to solve a problem, and there are different risks and effectiveness, and so you can choose the best option, we've prepared a comparison table of methods.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addition via widget menu | Low. | No. | Tall. |
| Setting up the Security Application | Low. | No. | Medium |
| Launcher data reset | Medium | Resetting the location of icons | Very high. |
| Replacement of the topic with standard | Low. | No. | Depends on the topic. |
As you can see from the table, the safest method is to add widgets through the menu, but if this method did not work, the launcher reset gives almost guaranteed results, requiring only the time to re-configure the appearance of the screen.
What if the widget is added but does not clear the memory?
Specifics of work in HyperOS and new versions of MIUI
With the release of the HyperOS shell and later versions of MIUI 14, Xiaomi has begun to implement a minimalist policy, the cleaning widget can be hidden deeper or replaced with automatic scripts, and the new systems focus on intelligent memory management, which operates in the background without user intervention.
In HyperOS, the cleaning widget is often integrated into the widget bar to the left of the first screen (called the Negative First Screen or Google Discover). To add it there, swipe to the right of the home screen, scroll down to the Edit button, and add the Cleanup or Memory widget to the top of the list.
The new versions also include Memory Extension, which uses a portion of the storage as RAM, which can affect the logic of the cleaning button, which can now not only shut down processes, but also control virtual memory. If you don't see the classic broom, look for a widget called Optimization.
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Use a sidebar. With newer versions of MIUI and HyperOS, you can add a Cleanup or Security app to the sidebar, which will allow you to swipe the edge of the screen in any application, which is even more convenient than a desktop widget.
Alternative methods of rapid cleaning
If you can't get the classic widget back, or it doesn't work for you, there are other effective ways to free up memory. Android and MIUI offer a few built-in tools that work just as well as the desktop widget.
The first way is to use the notification bar. Swipe from top to bottom to open the "Stork." In the second level of the control panel (swipe down again or the expansion button), often there is a "Clean" button or a broom icon. If there is none, click on the edit icon of the panel (usually a pencil or three dots) and drag the clean button to the active zone.
The second way is to set up the help button (Quick Ball), which is a floating button on the screen, similar to AssistiveTouch on iOS. Settings → Additional settings → Floating button.
Turn on this feature and add the "Memory Cleanup" action to the menu. Now, in one click, through the floating button, you can clear RAM.
- 🚀 The floating button is always available, on top of any apps and games.
- 🛠 Set up a double-press button to start cleaning instantly.
- 📉 This helps to free up memory in games when a desktop widget is not available.
The third option is automation, and in the Security app or the standard Scripts app (if available in your area), you can set up automatic cleaning when you reach a certain memory filling level, eliminating the need to manually return widgets to the screen.
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Using a floating button or notification bar is often more effective than a desktop widget, as these tools are available at any time you use your smartphone, not just on the home screen.