Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where, after another firmware update or accidental reset, the usual interface elements disappear, especially the weather widget, which for many is not just a temperature informant, but the central element of the desktop design. The absence of this component disrupts ergonomics and the usual visual style, forcing the user to look for ways to restore functionality.
Recovery widget is not a complicated process, but it requires understanding the logic of how MIUI shells and the new HyperOS work. Sometimes the problem lies in the banal disabling of the display, and in other cases, a deeper reconfiguration of system applications is required. It is important not to panic and consistently check all possible setting points to return comfort to use.
In this article, we will take a look at all the existing methods of returning the weather widget to the home screen. We will look at the standard ways to add through the menu, solve problems with system errors, as well as the nuances of working with global and Chinese versions of firmware. Careful follow the instructions will help you quickly restore the familiar look of the smartphone.
Standard method of adding a widget through the interface menu
The most obvious and frequently used way to bring weather back to the screen is to use the built-in widget menu. In modern versions of the Xiaomi shell, this section is accessed by prolonged pressing on an empty desktop area or via a swipe to the right of the first screen (if the Extended Screen feature is enabled).
The list that opens includes scrolling to the Weather or Weather section, which can range from classic temperature digital watches to minimalist icons, select a style that suits your taste, and drag it to a free desktop space. If the widget doesn't appear immediately, you may need to confirm its placement or resize the screen in the settings.
It is important to note that depending on the version of the MIUI 13, 14 or HyperOS shell, the location of menu items may vary slightly. In some cases, the standard widget may be hidden in the Systems or Tools folder. If you do not find the desired item in the general list, try searching for widgets if this feature is available in your launcher version.
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Before adding a widget, make sure that there is a free space on the desktop with a minimum of 4x2 cells, otherwise the system will not allow you to place a large weather widget.
Once the widget is installed, it may not display data immediately. This is normal, since the app takes time to sync with the server. Make sure you have an active Internet connection, and wait a few minutes. If the data does not show up, check the geolocation settings for the Weather app.
Setup of permissions and geolocation for correct operation
Often the widget disappears or malfunctions (lack of data, old temperature) because of the application's malfunctioning resolutions. Android may restrict access to geo-position for background processes for security reasons. To keep the weather widget running smoothly, you need to make sure that the app is allowed to locate the device.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find the Weather app (or Weather) in the list. Click on App Permissions. Here you select the Location option and set the value to Allow Always or Allow Only When Used. Without this, the widget may simply not display data or disappear from the screen after rebooting.
⚠️ Note: If you are using power saving mode, the system can force the weather widget to stop working to save battery power. Add the app to the exclusion list or select No Limits mode in the Battery Savings section».
It's also worth checking if Do Not Disturb mode or special profiles are enabled that may hide certain interface elements.In some use cases, such as in Sleep or Driving mode, widgets can automatically hide.
If the widget appears after you set the permissions but shows the wrong weather, check the widget settings. Click on it or the gear icon (if available) to manually select a city or enable automatic determination. Sometimes the automation fails, and manual selection of the locality solves the problem.
Solving System Weather Problems
There are times when the widget is not added because of a malfunction of the system application itself, which can occur after a failed update or conflict with other programs, in which case you need to clear the cache and data of the Weather application, this action will not delete your phone settings, but reset the parameters of the widget itself.
Follow the following steps:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 🔍 Find the Weather app in the list and click on it.
- 🗑️ Select Memory and click Clear Cache and then Clear Everything (or Reset Settings»).
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and try adding the widget again.
If the data cleanup didn’t help, it may be corrupted, in which case you can try to remove the application updates (if such an option is available in the three-dot menu in the upper right corner of the app information screen) or check for updates to the system as a whole. Often Xiaomi releases patches that correct system widget errors.
☑️ Diagnostics of the Weather app
It is worth noting that on global firmware versions, the weather app may differ from the Chinese counterpart. If you have reflashed your phone or changed your region, make sure you have a version that matches your region. mismatch versions often lead to widgets not working properly.
The impact of design theme and third-party launchers
One of the most common reasons for the weather widget to disappear is to install a third-party theme. Themes in MIUI and HyperOS often completely replace system widgets with their own. If you've recently changed theme, the standard widget may have been replaced or hidden. Try returning a standard theme to Classic or Infinity through the Themes app and see if the widget appears.
In addition, the use of third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, etc.) can conflict with native Xiaomi widgets. Some launchers do not support specific MIUI widgets or require additional permissions to display them. If you use a third-party launcher, try temporarily switching to the standard Xiaomi launcher to check if it is the problem.
Theme settings also include checking if the widget is hidden. Some themes have their own widget settings that are separate from the system ones. Go to the Themes app, go to the profile, and check the "Set up theme" or "Widgets" section if such a item is available for your current theme.
Why did the widget disappear after the theme update?
If you prefer to use third-party launchers, consider installing alternative weather widgets from Google Play, such as Google widgets or specialized apps like Today Weather, which integrate better with third-party shells.
Features of widgets in HyperOS and MIUI 14
With the release of the HyperOS shell and the upgrade to MIUI 14, Xiaomi has changed the way it looks at widgets. It has Android 12+ widgets that look different and behave different. Now there are two types of widgets on the widget menu: old MIUI widgets and new universal Android widgets. If you're looking for an old widget and you have a new one, or vice versa, you might think it's gone.
The new shells also change the desktop grid, and the weather widget is now often integrated into the lock screen or the Smart Stack section, which is swiped. Check the lock screen settings: maybe the weather widget just moved there, and the desktop shouldn't have it as the designers intended.
To activate new widgets, you may need to enable the appropriate option in the settings. Go to Settings → Desktop and look for items related to Android Widgets or Compatibility. Turning on or off these options can return the missing interface element.
| Parameter | MIUI 12/13 | MIUI 14 / HyperOS |
|---|---|---|
| Location of the menu | Swipe right or long tap | Separate widget tab |
| Type of widget | Only MIUI | MIUI + Android 12+ |
| Size adjustment | Hard grid. | Flexible resizing |
| Lock screen | Limited. | Full support for widgets |
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In HyperOS, it is important to distinguish between MIUI widgets and Android widgets – they are in different menu sections and have different functionality.
Alternative solutions and third-party applications
If you don't get a widget back with standard means or if you don't like it, you can always use alternatives. Google Play offers hundreds of weather widgets that often look prettier and are more stable than the system widgets. Popular options include Google widgets, Weather & Widget - Weawow or Overdrop.
Installing a third-party widget is simple: download the app, add a widget to the desktop through the launcher widget menu and configure it. These widgets often have more transparency settings, fonts and animations. They don't depend on Xiaomi system updates, which ensures they work even after major system updates.
But remember, third-party widgets can consume more power than optimized system solutions. If you're critical to autonomy, you'd better get a full-time widget working, but if design and information is more important, third-party solutions are great.
When using third-party widgets, be sure to give them all the necessary permissions, especially for geolocation access and background work, otherwise they may also stop updating.