How to restore widgets on Xiaomi smartphones: from simple ways to radical solutions

Xiaomi widgets are not just desktop decoration, but a tool for quick access to important information: weather, calendar, smart home management or health statistics. But what if they suddenly disappeared? The reasons can vary from accidental removal to failure after the MIUI update. In this article, we will discuss all working methods of recovery, from basic to those that require a little more effort.

It’s important to understand that the algorithm of actions depends on the firmware version and the model of the smartphone. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, the path to settings may be different from the POCO X5 with HyperOS. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will be suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices in recent years.

If the widgets are gone after the system update, don't panic. 90% of the time, the problem is solved without a factory reset, start with the first method and move on to the next one if the previous one didn't work.

1. Check the visibility of widgets in the launcher settings

Most widgets don't disappear physically, but are simply hidden because of changes in the shell settings, which can happen after a MIUI update or a random tap. Here's how to bring them back:

1. Long press on the free desktop space → select Widgets (or Widgets in English firmware).
2. If the list is empty, tap the icon. ⚙ Settings in the upper right corner.
3. Make sure the Show Widgets switch is on (should be blue).
4. Check the Hidden Widgets tab – perhaps the desired item got there by mistake.

On some models (e.g. POCO F5), the path may look different: Settings → Desktop → Widgets. If you can’t find this section, try searching by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

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On Xiaomi with HyperOS, widgets can be grouped into categories (e.g. System, Third Party). Check all the tabs in the widget menu.

2.Reboot of MIUI launcher

The launcher sometimes crashes, which stops the widgets or icons from being displayed, and restarting the launcher often solves the problem without losing data:

• 📱 Method 1: Open the Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In search, enter Launcher (or Launcher in English firmware).
• 🔄 Click Stop, then Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
• 📲 Method 2 (fast): Press and hold the Home button (or swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen), then select Relaunch.

After restarting the launcher, the widgets should appear within 10-20 seconds. If that doesn't happen, move on to the next method. Note: cleaning the cache doesn't remove your desktop settings, but it can reset the order of the icons.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 12.5 and older) after cleaning the launcher cache, the Google folder on the desktop may disappear.

Recovery through Safe Mode

If the widgets disappeared after installing a new app or update, the problem may lie in a conflict of programs.

• 🔘 Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
• 🛡️ Press and hold Disconnect Power (or Turn Off) until a request to go to Safe Mode appears.
• 📱 Confirm the action. The smartphone will reboot with the words Safe Mode at the bottom of the screen.

This mode only runs system applications. Check if widgets are available. If so, a problem in one of the installed applications. Remove recently added programs (especially launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher).

To get out of Safe Mode, just restart your smartphone.

4.Resetting launcher settings to factory

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting your launcher settings, which will return the standard desktop look, but won’t affect your data (photos, contacts, messages).

Take screenshots of the current icon location |Remember which widgets have been installed |Close all open apps |Plug in charger (recommended)

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1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher.
2. Select Warehouse → Delete data (or Reset on some firmware).
3. Confirm action. The phone will reboot automatically.
4. After the reboot, set up the desktop again, adding the desired widgets.

On Xiaomi with HyperOS, the path may be different: Settings → Desktop → Additional → Reset. After reset, check the Remote folder in the widget menu — sometimes they get there.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi 9, POCO M3) Launcher reset also removes the settings of the always-on display (AOD). They're going to have to be reconfigured.

5. Reinstallation of system widgets through ADB

If the widgets are missing after updating MIUI or rooting, you may need to reinstall them, for this you will need a computer and ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

First, turn on USB debugging:

1. Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate developer mode).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Turn on USB debugging and confirm the permission.

Now connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home


adb shell cmd overlay refresh

Then restart your smartphone. The widgets should appear in the add-on menu. If not, try the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.weather2

com.miui.weather2

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ADB-If the phone is not detected in adb devices, check the drivers and cable.

6. Radical methods: reset to factory settings

If none of these things work, the last option is hard reset, which will delete all the data from the phone, so first of all, you can do this.

• 📲 Make a backup copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• 🔐 Remember your Mi Account – it will be required after the reset.
• 📧 Keep the important ones. SMS and call logs (for example, through Google Drive).

Instructions for discharge:

1. Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Delete all data.
2. Enter the password from your Mi Account (if requested).
3. Confirm action. The phone will restart and start the cleaning process (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🔧 Set your phone up as new (or restore it from the backup).
• 📥 Install the latest updates MIUI.
• 🖼️ Add widgets again through a long press on the desktop.

On Xiaomi smartphones with MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi) 10A or POCO C40) After the reset, you may need to re-activate Google Play services. → Google → Restore.

Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi