How to display the lock button on the Xiaomi desktop: 4 working methods (MIUI 12-14)

Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They often have a problem: you have to press the physical power button or wait for timeouts to lock the screen, and this is especially annoying when the power button starts to jam or fails. MIUI There are hidden and non-obvious ways to bring a virtual lock button directly to the desktop – without root rights and complex manipulations.

Many users are unaware that screen lock functionality can be duplicated through widgets, gestures, or even third-party applications with minimal system risks. In this article, we will examine 4 proven methods (including a little-known trick with Special Options Settings), compare their pros and cons, and show how to get around typical errors. Importantly, on models with MIUI 14 and later, the standard “Block” widget may not be available – there is a separate solution for them.

If you are using a smartphone with AMOLED-A virtual lock button will help reduce display activity time and save battery life. POCO X3 Pro is also a way to extend the life of a physical switch.

═══

Standard Screen Lock widget (MIUI 12–13)

The easiest way is to use the built-in widget from Xiaomi.It is available on most devices with MIUI 12 and MIUI 13, but is often hidden in the depths of the menu.

To find him:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop with your finger.
2. At the bottom of the screen, tap the "Widgets" tab.
3. Scroll down to the "Utilities" or "Systems" section.
4. Find the screen lock widget (locked icon) and drag it to the desktop.

If the widget is missing, check:

• 🔍 Version MIUI: on certain firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for global version) it can be removed. Update the system through Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI.
• 📱 Firmware region: on Chinese versions (China) ROM) The widget is sometimes missing. Solution - changing region through Settings → Additionally. → Region (risky!).
• 🛠️ Custom themes: Some of the themes (Mi Themes) may hide system widgets.

⚠️ Attention: POCO F3, Xiaomi 11T Pro and other models with MIUI 14 The Lock widget can be called Screen Lock or Quick Lock. If you don't find it, move on to the next method.

💡

If the widget doesn't show up, try resetting your desktop settings: Go to Settings → Desktop → Reset the layout. This will bring back all standard elements, including hidden widgets.

═══

2. Lock button via "Special features" (works on all MIUI)

This is a universal technique that works even on MIUI 14 and new firmware, and we will use the special feature Gestures, which allows you to add a floating button with quick actions, including locking the screen.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Gestures of special features.
2. Activate the special feature gesture switch, and you'll see a floating circle on the screen.
3. Slip on the mug and select “Settings” → “Actions”.
4. In the list, find “Screen Lock” and add it to your favorites (or assign it to a single/double tap).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 It works on all versions. MIUI, including recent updates.
• 🎯 The floating button – it can be moved around the screen and called from any application.
• 🔧 You can add additional actions: screenshot, return back, launch Google Assistant.

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 The button takes up space on the screen (you can reduce its size in the gesture settings).
• 🔒 On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) locking through this method requires unlocking by fingerprint or PIN-code.

═══

Widget from a third-party application (for MIUI 14 and later)

If standard methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, and one of the most reliable is QuickShortcutMaker (available on Google Play), which allows you to create a shortcut for any system function, including screen locking.

Step-by-step:

1. Install QuickShortcutMaker from Google Play.
2. Launch the application and enter “lock” in the search bar.
3. In the results, find the “Screen Lock” (or “Screen Lock”) item and tap it.
4. Select “Create a shortcut” and confirm the addition to the desktop.

Warnings:

• 🛡️ The app requests access to special features, which is necessary for the job.
• 🔄 On some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO F4 GT) The shortcut may not work the first time – restart your phone.

Alternative annexes:

⚠️ Note: When using third-party screen locking apps, Xiaomi may display a warning “Suspicious activity detected.” This is normal – just confirm the action. If the alert appears too often, add the app to exceptions via Settings → Annexes → Permits → Special access.

Standard MIUI widget

Special opportunity gesture

The App (QuickShortcutMaker, etc.)

Physical power button

Another option-->

═══

4. Blocking through gestures or double touch (hidden function)

Few people know, but Xiaomi has a hidden Double-Tap to Lock feature that allows you to double-tape the screen over an empty desktop area, which is disabled by default, but it can be activated through gesture settings or configuration editor.

Method 1: Through gesture settings (MIUI 12–13)

1. Go to Settings → Desktop → Additional settings.
2. Find the “Double touch to lock” item and activate it.
3. Test: Double tap on the empty space on the desktop should lock the screen.

Method 2: Activity Launcher (for MIUI 14)

1. Install Activity Launcher.
2. Open the app and find “MIUI Settings” (or com.miui.home.settings).
3. In the activation list, find GestureSettings and run it.
4. Turn on "Double touch to lock."

Limitations of the method:

• 🔘 It only works on the desktop – in applications, double tap will not work.
• 📵 On some models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X4 Pro) the function may conflict with navigation gestures.

Double tap is performed quickly (interval < 0.5 seconds)

There are no open apps or keyboards on the screen.

Function activated in gesture settings

The phone is not in energy saving mode.-->

═══

5. Problem Solving: Why the Lock Button Doesn't Work

If none of the methods worked, check the following points:

Common errors and ways to correct them:

If the problem persists, try resetting your desktop settings:

1. Go to Settings. → Desktop.
2. Select "Reset the layout."
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: On devices with unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), standard locking methods may not work. In this case, use applications like Lock Now or Screen Off and Lock from Google Play.

═══

6. Comparison of methods: which to choose

To help determine, we have compiled a comparative table of all ways:

Selection recommendations:

• 📱 For MIUI 12–13: Try the standard widget first, if it isn’t there – use special features.
• 🆕 For MIUI 14 and newer: the best option is a gesture of special features or QuickShortcutMaker.
• 🔧 If you want maximum customization (for example, triple tap lock), install Nova Launcher and adjust gestures.

💡

On Always-On Display devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K50 Ultra), the virtual lock button may conflict with the proximity sensor, in which case, turn off the “Rise to Wake” function in the screen settings.

═══

FAQ: Frequent questions