Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which run on MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, offer many ways to personalize the interface. One of the most sought-after elements for users is quick access to weather data without having to unlock the device or run individual applications, which allows you to instantly assess temperature, rainfall and wind strength just by looking at a display.
The setup process can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific model of the gadget. Users often find that standard settings are hidden in non-obvious places of the menu or require the activation of additional services. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods to display weather information on the home screen, lock screen and even on the turned-off display.
For starters, the default data source for Xiaomi devices is the Weather app, which is responsible for synchronizing with servers and transferring current metrics to system widgets. Without this component, displaying data on desktops or in Always On Display mode will not be possible.
Basic setting of the weather widget on the desktop
The easiest and most common way to access the weather data is to place the widget on the home screen, and you need to do a long tap on the free area of the desktop until the edit menu appears, and at the bottom of the screen, the Widget button will appear, which, when you click on, opens the library of available interface elements.
The listing that opens includes the Weather app, which offers a range of design options, from minimalist bars with temperature to large panels with a weekly forecast, which drags the widget to the free space of the desktop grid, and then stretches it or squeezes it by pulling corner markers, if the widget model you choose supports the resizing.
It is important to note that the widget needs permission to access geolocation to display data correctly. If a dash or error message is displayed instead of a temperature, check the permission settings in Settings → Apps → Weather → Permissions. Make sure that access to the location is set to Always or When using the application, otherwise automatic data updates may not work.
Some users prefer to use third-party launchers such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher for more flexible customization. In this case, standard MIUI widgets can also be accessed through the launcher widget menu, however, their behavior may differ from the system. Often, third-party shells require additional adjustment of permissions for background work.
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If the widget doesn't update, try changing the city in the Weather app settings to any other one, and then return yours. This will force you to sync with the server.
Always on Display (AOD) with the weather
The Always On Display technology, or Always On screen, allows key information, including time, date and weather, to be displayed even when the smartphone display is formally off. AMOLED-To activate, you need to go to the Settings menu. → Wallpaper and personalization → Always on screen.
Inside the AOD settings menu, there's a wide variety of styles, some of which include a compact weather indicator next to the watch, select a style that supports weather data display, and click Apply. It's important to note that this mode can increase battery consumption continuously, although AMOLED minimizes power consumption by lighting only the pixels you need.
To save energy, the system offers flexible scenarios: You can set the AOD display only at certain times, such as 8:00 to 23:00, or activate the "Show 10 seconds after touch" function. There is also an option to smartly turn off when the screen goes out if the smartphone is in your pocket or bag, which prevents accidental switching on.
⚠️ Warning: Always On Display will not work if the battery settings are "Ultra-Saving" or "Super-Energy Saving" modes, and in these modes, the system disables all background processes to maximize autonomy.
It is worth mentioning that some global firmware versions may have a limited AOD style set compared to the Chinese versions, and you can use Themes, where additional design packages created by independent designers are available for download under Profile → AOD.
Why does AOD not work on some models?
Displaying the weather on the lock screen
The lock screen is the first interface the user interacts with. In the MIUI and HyperOS shells, there are two main types of displaying information on a locked screen: the standard Lock Screen and Glance mode (or Wallpaper Carousel). The standard lock screen usually displays the time and date, and the weather widget can be added through editing.
To add a widget to the standard lock screen, unlock your phone, go to Settings → Wallpaper and personalization → Lock screen. There may be an option to add widgets here, however, the functionality is highly dependent on the Android version. In newer versions of Android 14/15, widgets on the lock screen are added via swipe down the locked screen and click on the + or Edit button.
Glance mode offers an alternative approach, constantly changing the wallpaper and displaying the news feed along with the weather at the bottom of the screen. To manage this mode, you use a separate Glance app or settings in the Wallpaper and personalization menu. In Glance settings, you can choose to display a weather widget that will automatically update when you change the image.
- 🌤️ The standard widget shows the current temperature and a brief forecast.
- 🔄 Glance mode integrates weather into the news feed of replaceable wallpaper.
- ⚙️ Deep Customization is available through the Themes app and third-party launchers.
- 🔒 For widgets on a locked screen requires a stable Internet connection.
☑️ Checking the lock screen settings
Use of widgets in the notification curtain
The control center (curtain) in Xiaomi also allows you to display useful information, although the standard means of weather widgets are rarely added there. However, since MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS, it became possible to add widgets to the section "My widgets" in the curtain, you need to unlock the phone, lower the notification curtain completely and press three dots or the edit button in the upper corner.
In the control center editing mode, you can find the widget section, and if you don't have a standard weather widget, you can add it through the widget add menu, which is available when you press the empty area long enough in the curtain editing mode, and this allows you to see the temperature without opening the main screen, which is especially convenient in winter or during rain.
An alternative is to use third-party apps from the Google Play Store that specialize in customizing the notification curtain.Programs such as Material You Quick Switch or analogues can embed their own weather widgets into the top panel, overlapping the standard system interface.
| Display method | Required version of OS | Impact on the battery | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| A widget on the desktop | Any (MIUI/HyperOS) | Low. | Low. |
| Always On Display (AOD) | AMOLED screens | Medium/High | Medium |
| Lock screen | Android 14+ | Low. | Low. |
| Third-party launchers | Anybody. | Depends on the launcher. | Tall. |
Solving problems with updating widgets
A common problem for users is when the widget stops updating, showing yesterday's weather or dashboards. First of all, you need to check the energy saving settings for the Weather application. The system can aggressively "kill" background processes to save charge. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Weather → Battery and select No restrictions.
The second important aspect is network access rights. Make sure the app is allowed to use mobile data and Wi-Fi. Sometimes it helps to clean the app's cache: Settings → Apps → Weather → Memory → Clear cache. Don't confuse it with Clear all data, as this will reset your city and widget settings.
⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party weather app (such as Today Weather or Weather & Widget), the standard widget MIUI You'll need to install the widget of the exact application you're using as your primary application.
It's also worth checking the geolocation accuracy, if you're in the low signal zone. GPS use VPN-A service that determines the location in another country, the widget can show the weather for the virtual location of the server. VPN or add the desired city manually to the application settings.
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The main reason for a widget that doesn't work is aggressive battery optimization, and setting "No Limits" to the Weather app solves the problem 90 percent of the time.
Third-party applications and interface customization
If Xiaomi’s standard features aren’t enough, Google Play offers a variety of alternatives: Apps like Overdrop, Weather & Widget, or Transparent Clock & Weather provide hundreds of design options that can dramatically change the desktop look, and support transparent backgrounds, animations, and detailed graphics.
When installing a third-party widget, the algorithm is similar to the system: long-term desktop clicks, selecting a widget from a list, finding the name of the installed application and posting on the screen. Many of these applications require buying a premium version to access all the features, but the basic functionality is usually available for free.
For advanced users, widget installation is available through KWGT Kustom Widget Maker. It is a powerful tool that allows you to create a weather widget from scratch, draw any design and adjust any display parameters. However, working with KWGT takes time and understanding the logic of how layers and variables work.
- 🎨 Overdrop – beautiful minimalist widgets with themes support.
- 📊 Weather & Widget is a huge library of free designs from the community.
- ⚙️ KWGT — Professional tool for creating widgets of any complexity.
- 🌦️ Today Weather – great widgets and one of the best forecast sources.