How to install a widget on Xiaomi: all the ways to MIUI 14 and 15

Widgets on Xiaomi smartphones are not just a decorating desktop, but a powerful tool for quick access to information. Home screen weather, single tap smart home control, reminder calendar, or player with favorite tracks all save time and make phone interactions more convenient. However, not all users know how to add and customize widgets correctly, especially after upgrading to a new location. MIUI 14/15, where the interface has undergone changes.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install widgets on Xiaomi, including system solutions and third-party applications, you will learn how to add a widget to the home screen, notification panel or lock screen, and what to do if the widget does not appear or does not work correctly. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions. MIUI Smartphone models – from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 14.

Preparation: What widgets are available on Xiaomi

Before installing widgets, it’s important to understand what options are available on your device. Xiaomi offers three types of widgets:

• 📱 System widgets - built-in MIUI (weather, clock, calendar, power management, etc. They don't need to be downloaded separately.
• 📲 App widgets – provided by installed programs (e.g. Google Weather, Spotify, Yandex Music).
• 🛠️ Third-party widgets – installed through the Play Market (for example, KWGT, UCCW, Zoom requires additional settings.

To check which widgets are already available on your smartphone, make a long tap on the free desktop space and select the widgets. This will show all the supported elements. If the desired widget is not available, you will have to install it separately.

Note: on Xiaomi with a shell MIUI For Android One (such as Mi) A3) The process of adding widgets may be different, as it uses pure Android, in which case the instructions are closer to the standard ones for Google Pixel or Samsung.

Method 1: Adding a widget to the main screen

The easiest and most common way to do this is to place a widget right on your desktop.

1. Press and hold your finger in the free seat of the home screen (not on the icon!).
2. In the menu that appears, select Widgets (on some versions) MIUI This item may be called Elements or Add a widget).
3. Scroll down or up the list of available widgets, grouped by app (e.g. Weather, Watch, Google) for convenience.
4. Click on the widget you want and hold it to drag it to the screen. Release your finger when the placement frame appears.
5. If necessary, change the size of the widget by pulling the corner markers.

If the widget is not added or the widget menu is not opened, check:

• 🔄 Is the child mode or guest mode activated (they limit the functionality).
• 📱 Is there enough free space on the screen (some widgets require) 2×2 or 4×2 cell).
• 🔧 Are the widgets disabled in the launcher settings (more on this below).

On Xiaomi MIUI 15 Smart widgets are available to automatically adjust to your habits, for example, the Weather widget can show not only temperature, but also clothing recommendations, and the Calendar widget can remind you of upcoming events based on your schedule.

Method 2: Widgets in the notification panel (curtain)

Not everyone knows, but in MIUI You can add widgets not only to the desktop, but also to the notification panel (curtain), which is convenient for quick access to frequently used functions, such as managing a smart home or player.

Instructions:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification curtain.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Settings (or edit) in the upper right corner.
3. In the Quick Settings section, find the Widgets tab (may be called Additional or Tiles).
4. Drag the widget to the active area (usually the bottom of the screen).
5. Click Ready to save the changes.

Widgets can be placed in the curtain:

• 🎵 Music player (playback control without opening the application).
• 💡 Smart home (quickly turn on/off Mi Home devices).
• 📡 Mobile data (switching between mobile data) SIM-map).
• 🔋 Power mode (switching between balanced and productive modes).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12) have a 4-5 widget limit. If the item is not listed, check if it is hidden in the settings of the app to which the widget belongs.

Method 3: Installation of third-party widgets (KWGT, UCCW etc.)

If built-in widgets aren't enough, you can install third-party widgets through the Play Market.

• 🎨 KWGT Kustom Widget Maker – allows you to create widgets from scratch or use ready-made themes.
• 🛠️ UCCW (Ultimate Custom Clock Widget – specializes in watches and weather.
• 📊 Zoom – Widgets for quick access to contacts and applications.
• 🏠 Mi Home Widget – Extended widgets for managing a smart home.

Let's look at the installation by example. KWGT:

1. Download and install. KWGT Play Market.
2. Open the app and select your favorite widget from the library (or create your own).
3. Click Install - the widget will appear in the list of system.
4. Add it to the desktop in the standard way (see Method 1).
5. If necessary, customize the appearance by clicking on the widget and selecting Edit.

For KWGT And similar applications require permission to display over other windows:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → KWGT.
2. Select Additional Permissions and activate Display on top of other apps.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

Method 4: Widgets on the lock screen

Xiaomi can even place widgets on the lock screen, which is convenient for fast weather viewing, notifications or music control without unlocking the phone, but the functionality is limited for security reasons.

How do I add:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select Lock Screen Widgets (or Additional Information on Older Versions) MIUI).
3. Activate the switch next to the desired widget (for example, Weather or Calendar).
4. Customize the display: some widgets allow you to choose a style (minimalistic, detailed, etc.).

Limitations:

• 🔒 Widgets on the lock screen do not support interactivity (you can not press the player buttons or open the application without unlocking).
• 📵 Not all widgets are available for hosting (for example, Google or third-party launchers widgets may not be displayed).
• 🔐 On some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra) widgets on lock are disabled by default due to increased security requirements.

⚠️ Note: If you use Smart Lock or other location-based unlocking features, the widgets on the lock screen may display sensitive information (such as the content of notifications.

Problem Solving: The widget is not added or does not work

Sometimes widgets don't fit or don't work properly, so let's look at the typical problems and the ways that we can solve them.

Problem 1: The widget is not displayed in the list

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📥 The app is not installed – some widgets require a primary application (for example, the Spotify widget will not appear without the installed player).
• 🔄 Launcher Cash – Clear the System Launcher Cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher.
• 📵 Limitations MIUI — Google's widgets are hidden on some firmware (especially Chinese ones). Try changing the region in the settings.

Problem 2: Widget added but not updated

Most often, this is for weather widgets or currency rates.

• 🌍 Geolocation – Enable location access for the widget application.
• 📶 Internet – Weather widgets require a connection to the network.
• ⚙️ Background activity - in Settings → Annexes → Application management allow auto-start and work in the background.

Problem 3: The widget disappeared after the update MIUI

After major updates (e.g., with the MIUI 14 by 15) widgets can be dropped. Recovering them will help:

• 🔄 Phone reboot.
• 📲 Re-addition of the widget to the desktop.
• 🔧 Resetting the launcher settings (in Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Storage press Reset).

💡

If the weather widget shows incorrect data, try manually specifying the city in the settings of the Xiaomi Weather app.Automatic determination sometimes fails due to geolocation limitations.

Additional settings and customization

Xiaomi widgets can be added, but also deeply customized. Let's take a few useful features:

Changes in size and transparency

Many widgets support dynamic resizing:

1. Press and hold the widget on the desktop.
2. There will be white dots in the corners - pull them to change the size.
3. For some widgets (e.g, KWGT) Transparency setting is available - click on the widget and select Edit.

Hiding widgets from outsiders

If you want to hide sensitive information (such as a messaging widget), use the Second Space or Kids Mode feature:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Create a second profile and set up widgets on it that will only be visible to you.
3. Switch between swipe spaces on the lock screen (you need to enable in the settings).

Automatic change of widgets over time

With apps like Tasker or MacroDroid, you can set up automatic widget swapping, for example:

• 🌞 In the morning - a widget with weather and calendar.
• 🌙 In the evening - the widget of the player and control of the smart home.
• 🏋️ In the gym - a widget with a pulse and a pedometer.

For this:

1. Install Tasker and plugin KWGT Tasker Plugin.
2. Create a task with a time condition.
3. Add the action Display widget and select the desired one.

💡

On Xiaomi MIUI 15 widgets can be grouped into folders on the desktop, and to do this, drag and drop one widget onto another, and they will be combined into a common folder that you can rename.

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi