How to Set Up News on Xiaomi Lock Screen: All Ways and Problem Solutions

The smartphone lock screen is the first thing you see when you wake up a device. Xiaomi offers users the ability to personalize that screen by adding weather widgets, notifications and even a news feed. MIUI, And activating it might raise questions for beginners.

Many owners of Redmi, Poco or Mi do not even realize that their smartphone can show current news directly on a locked screen, this feature not only saves time (you do not need to open the browser), but also allows you to keep abreast of events just by looking at the phone. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to include news, nuances for different versions. MIUI, We also solve typical problems that may arise.

It’s important to understand that the news feed on the lock screen is not just a decoration, but a full-fledged tool. Depending on the region and device model, Xiaomi cooperates with different news aggregators (for example, Google News, Yandex.Zen or local sources), which means that the content will be tailored to your interests if you set up the system correctly.

πŸ“Š Which news aggregator do you prefer?
Google News
Yandex. Zen.
Local sources
I don't use it.
Other

Why news doesn’t show up on the default lock screen

If you just bought a Xiaomi smartphone or upgraded MIUI, There's a good chance that the news feed will be turned off:

First, Xiaomi has a minimalist policy in basic settings, which means that the user should activate the features they really need, which reduces the system load and saves battery life.

Second, some regions (e.g. Europe) have strict data protection regulations (GDPR). By default, Xiaomi can block automatic news downloads to avoid violating local laws, in which case manual consent to data processing will be required.

Finally, on budget models (e.g. Redmi). 9A POCO C31) The news function may be limited by hardware, but even on these devices, it can often be enabled through workarounds, which we'll talk about later.

⚠️ Note: On custom firmware devices (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the standard Xiaomi news feed will not work, in which case you will need to install third-party widgets through Nova Launcher or similar applications.

Method 1: Enable through standard MIUI settings

This is the simplest and most versatile method that works on most Xiaomi devices. MIUI 12 The instructions are suitable for Redmi Note models. 10/11/12, Poco X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13 other modern smartphones of the brand.

To activate news, follow the following steps:

  1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
  2. Go to Lock Screen (or Lock and Password on some versions).
  3. Click on the lock screen style.
  4. Choose any style that mentions β€œnews” or β€œtape” (usually styles) MIUI or Fresh).
  5. After applying the style, go back and find the Lock screen Settings option. β†’ Newsfeed.
  6. Activate the switch and confirm access to your location (if required).

If the News Feed item is not on the menu, it may mean that your version is not on the menu. MIUI It doesn't support the function directly. In this case, move on to the next method.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi

Enable geolocation for accurate news selection

Clear the cache of the application "Block screen" in the settings-->

Method 2: Activate through the application "Block screen"

On some devices (especially Poco and older Redmi), the news settings are put into a separate system app to find it:

Open All Apps and find an icon called Lock Screen (or Lock Screen in English firmware). If it's not available, try searching for the name by settings.

Inside the appendix:

  1. Go to the News or Content tab.
  2. Turn on the slider Show the news.
  3. Choose news sources (e.g. Google, Yandex, or local publications).
  4. Set up the refresh rate (every hour is recommended for relevance).

If the app is missing, it could mean it was disabled in the settings to return it:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System.
  3. Find the lock screen and turn it on.

πŸ’‘

If after activation, the news does not appear, try resetting the settings of the application "Block screen" in the Settings menu. β†’ Annexes β†’ Lock screen β†’ Warehouse β†’ Drop it.

Method 3: Using Google Discover (for global firmware)

On devices with global firmware (for example, Mi 11 Global or Poco) F3 Global) Google Discover can be used instead of the standard Xiaomi tape. MIUI Offers personalized news based on your Google activity.

To enable Google Discover on the lock screen:

  1. Make sure your device has Google App installed (usually preinstalled).
  2. Open Settings β†’ Lock screen β†’ Lock screen style.
  3. Choose Google or Discover Style (if available).
  4. Confirm access to your Google account.

If Google Style is not listed, it could mean:

  • πŸ“± You have Chinese firmware installed (without Google services).
  • πŸ”„ Google App Update Required Through Play Market.
  • 🌍 Your Mi Account Region does not support this feature.

Important: On Chinese firmware (for example, on Xiaomi) 12S Ultra for the domestic market) Google Discover won't work. VPN Or reflash the device to the global version.

Set up sources and personalize the news feed

Once you activate the news on the lock screen, you can customize it to your preferences, which will filter out unnecessary content and only get relevant information.

For the standard Xiaomi tape:

  1. Swipe left on the lock screen to open the tape.
  2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
  3. In the Interests section, mark the topics that interest you (e.g. Technology, Sports, Finance).
  4. In Sources, select trusted publications or disable unreliable ones.

For Google Discover:

  1. Open the Google App and go to Settings β†’ General. β†’ Discover.
  2. Turn on the option to Show on the lock screen.
  3. In your interests section, add or remove topics.
  4. Turn off Personalized Ads if you do not want to see ads.
ParameterXiaomi tapeGoogle Discover
Personalization by interestβœ… Yes (manual tuning)βœ… Yes (automatic). + hand-held)
Support for local sourcesβœ… Yes (depends on the region)❌ No, only global)
Frequency of updateEvery hour by handAutomatically (several times a day)
Advertising in tapeMinimumYes (can be turned off)
Working without the Internet❌ No.❌ No.

⚠️ Note: If after setting up the news feed shows irrelevant content (for example, news from another region), check the geolocation settings in Settings β†’ Confidentiality β†’ Permits β†’ Geodata. Make sure that the lock screen application has permission enabled.

Problem Solving: News doesn’t appear or update

Even when you set up the news feed correctly, let's look at the typical problems and the ways to solve them.

Problem 1: News is not loaded at all.

  • πŸ”Œ Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
  • πŸ“± Reset the device.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Clear the cache of the application Lock screen in the settings.
  • πŸ”„ Update. MIUI last-minute.

Problem 2: News is rarely updated or shows outdated data.

  • ⏳ In the feed settings, set the refresh rate Every hour.
  • πŸ“‘ Check if background traffic is limited for the Lock Screen app.
  • 🌐 If you use Google Discover, update the Google App.

Problem 3: The tape shows news in a foreign language.

  • 🌍 Check the system language in Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ Language and input.
  • πŸ“ Make sure your Mi Account region matches your country.
  • πŸ”„ Reset the news feed settings to standard.
What to do if news disappears after update MIUI?
After major updates (e.g., with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) lock screen settings may be reset. In this case: 1. Go to Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Lock screen. 2. Press Warehouse. β†’ Clear the data (this will reset all the settings of the tape). 3. Go back to the lock screen settings and turn on the news. If the problem persists, try changing the lock screen style to another, and then return it back.

Alternative methods: third-party widgets and applications

If you don’t like Xiaomi’s standard news feed (for example, due to limited source selection or slow updates), you can use third-party solutions.

1. Microsoft Start application (formerly Microsoft Start) MSN News)

  • πŸ“± Install an application from the Play Market.
  • πŸ”§ In the settings, select the Widget for the lock screen.
  • βœ… Supports personalization and multiple sources.

2. Flipboard or SmartNews

  • πŸ“° These apps allow you to create your own news feeds.
  • πŸ”„ Updated more often than the standard Xiaomi tape.
  • ⚠️ Additional permissions are required to display on the lock.

3. widgets via Nova Launcher or KWGT

  • 🎨 Allows you to fully customize the appearance of the tape.
  • πŸ› οΈ Requires manual tuning and knowledge of working with widgets.
  • πŸ“² Suitable for advanced users.

To install a third-party widget on the lock screen:

  1. Install the selected application (e.g. Microsoft Start).
  2. Open Settings β†’ Lock screen β†’ Widgets.
  3. Add the app widget to the list of allowed.
  4. Set up the display through the menu of the app itself.

πŸ’‘

The news app side may consume more battery than a standard Xiaomi tape.Switch off background activity in the battery settings if you notice a quick discharge.

FAQ: Frequent questions about news on Xiaomi lock screen

Can I turn off the advertisements in the news feed?
There's almost no advertising in Xiaomi's standard feed, but it can appear on Google Discover. To reduce the amount: Open the Google App β†’ Settings β†’ General. β†’ Discover. Turn off Personalized Ads. In your interests, delete topics that may be related to ads (such as shopping). If ads continue to appear, try using third-party apps like Microsoft Start, where you can turn them off completely.
Why isn’t news on all lock screen styles?
Not all styles in MIUI It supports news display, and it's usually only available in styles. MIUI, Fresh or Google. Styles like Watches, Minimalism or Photos are designed to be visually customized and don't have a built-in tape. If you want beautiful style and news, choose the following. MIUI and manually adjust the background image in Settings β†’ Lock screen β†’ von.
How to reset the settings of the news feed to standard?
If the newsfeed has started showing irrelevant content or is not working properly, reset: Go to Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ App management. Find the lock screen and open its settings. Press Storage. β†’ Clear the data. Confirm the action and restart the device. After that, the news feed will return to the factory settings, and you will need to re-select interests and sources.
Can I add my own? RSS-News Feeds on the Lock Screen?
Unfortunately, the standard Xiaomi tape does not support the addition of the RSS. However, you can use third-party apps like Feedly or Inoreader that can: Collect news from the following sites: RSS-Display on the lock screen via widgets, sync between devices. RSS-tapes, and then configure its lock screen widget via Nova Launcher or similar launchers.
Why did the news disappear after the change of region?
Xiaomi News Feed is tied to your Mi Account region. When you change country settings (e.g. from Russia to Turkey), news sources may change or disappear altogether. β†’ Mi Account β†’ Personal data: If the region is incorrect, change it (may require confirmation of the SMS). Restart the device and wait for the news sync (may take up to 24 hours).If the problem is not solved, try resetting the feed settings (see previous question).