How to add a note to the Xiaomi desktop: all the ways from widgets to third-party applications

Have you ever forgotten important information because you've written it down in notes but couldn't find it quickly? Xiaomi's MIUI-based smartphones offer several ways to take notes straight to the desktop, from standard widgets to hidden launcher features, but not everyone knows how to do it correctly, especially when it comes to newer versions of the shell (MIUI 14/15) or models like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to add notes to the home screen, including the little-known POCO Launcher tricks and circumventing restrictions on some firmware, how to fix both standard notes from the Notes and entries from Google Keep, ColorNote, or even text files, and why the widget sometimes disappears after an update and how to fix it.

1. Standard Notes widget in MIUI: step-by-step instruction

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Notes widget, which is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12 shell and later.

1. Unlock the screen and go to the main desktop (where the app icons are located).
2. Make a long tap on the empty screen → at the bottom of the menu will appear.
3. Select the item Widgets (icon with squares).
4. Scroll down to the Tools section and find the Notes widget** (usually called Notes or Notes).
5. Press the widget and drag it to a free space on the desktop.
6. Select the size of the widget (e.g., 2×2 or 4×1) and click Ready.

Once added, the widget will display the last note created to change it:

• 📝 Press the widget. → The appendix will open Notes.
• 🔍 Choose the right note or create a new one (+ lower-right).
• 🔄 Return to desktop – the widget will update automatically (sometimes you need to restart the launcher).

The Notes widget is installed (check in the list of widgets)

There is free space on the desktop (minimum 2×2 cells)

The “Notes” app is updated to the latest version

Disabled restrictions for widgets in the launcher settings-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi) K60) The widget may not appear if you are using an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher). MIUI Launcher or install widget through a third-party app (more on this below).

2. Alternative widgets for notes: Google Keep, ColorNote and others

If the built-in Notes widget doesn't suit you (for example, due to limited functionality or bugs), you can use third-party apps.

🔹 How do you choose the best app? If you want a simple text note, Simplenote or ColorNote is the best thing to do with multimedia (photo, audio) than Google Keep. If you're using the Microsoft ecosystem, OneNote is the best thing to do.

Standard “Notes” from Xiaomi

Google Keep

ColorNote

OneNote

Other (write in the comments)-->

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with a shell MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO F5) Some widgets may not be updated in real time. To fix this, go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → [name] → Battery → No restrictions.

3. Hidden MIUI function: pinning a note as "Application shortcut"

Few people know, but MIUI 14/15 can pin a specific note to your desktop as a separate shortcut that will open it directly, which is handy if you need a quick link to a frequently used record (such as a shopping list or a duty schedule).

Instructions:

1. Open the Notes app and select the desired note.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Share.
3. In the list of options, select Add to the home screen (or Create a shortcut).
4. Confirm the action – an icon with the name of the notes will appear on the desktop.

📌 Features of the method:

• 🔗 The label leads directly to the note, not the entire list.
• 📱 It only works for the built-in Notes app (not suitable for Google Keep, etc.).
• 🔄 If the note is deleted, the label will become non-working (when pressed, an error will appear).

💡

If the shortcut doesn’t appear in the Share menu, update the Notes app via Play Market or clear its cache in the settings.

4. Manually create a note through a text file (for advanced)

If you want to stick a text file (like.txt or.md) to your desktop, it can be a workaround, which is suitable for users who work with code, configuration files, or just want to have quick access to text without unnecessary applications.

Algorithm of action:

1. Create a text file on your computer or directly on your smartphone (for example, via ES Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Place the file in the /Internal Storage/Download folder or any other convenient directory.
3. Install QuickShortcutMaker (or similar, for example, Activity Launcher) from Play Market.
4. Open QuickShortcutMaker, find an application to open text files (for example, Text or Editor) in the list.

⚠️ Note: This method requires permission to access files. If you move or rename the file after creating a shortcut, the link becomes a bit. Also note that some text editors (for example, embedded text in the text) MIUI) They may not support the creation of labels.

5. Problems and Solutions: Why the Notes Widget Doesn't Work

Sometimes the added widget stops updating, disappears after a reboot, or doesn't display a current note, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

🔧 Additional tip: If the widget continues to glittle, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or POCO Launcher).
3. Press Memory. → Clear the data.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

After that, all widgets and icons will return to the standard look, but the note issue should go away.

💡

If none of the methods worked, try rolling back the Notes app update via APKMirror or wait for the next MIUI update.

Note widgets on the lock screen (only for MIUI 14+)

The latest versions of MIUI 14 and 15 have the ability to add widgets not only to the desktop, but also to the lock screen, which is convenient if you need to quickly browse notes without unlocking your phone.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select the lock screen widgets.
3. Activate the slider Show widgets.
4. Click Add widget and select Notes (or another note-taking app).
5. Configure the display: you can select a specific note or show the last.

🔐 Limitations:

• 🔒 The lock screen only displays text (no images or formatting).
• 📱 The widget only works on devices with AMOLED-screens (on Xiaomi Redmi) 10A s IPS it may not be displayed).
• 🔄 For security, the widget is hidden 5 seconds after the last interaction.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a pattern lock or PIN-code, the widget on the lock screen can show only part of the text (first 2-3 To see the entire note, you'll need to unlock the device.

7 Automation: How to make the note update itself

If you want a note on your desktop to update automatically (like showing current currency rates or a daily schedule), you can use Tasker or MacroDroid, which allows you to create automatic tasks, including updating text in widgets.

Example of settings in MacroDroid:

1. Install MacroDroid from Play Market.
2. Create a new macro command (+ in the lower right corner).
3. Select a Time/Date as the trigger (e.g., Every day at 8:00).
4. Add the action Widget → Update the widget and specify the widget Notes.
5. Save the macro and activate it.

🤖 Additional Ideas for Automation:

• 📅 Sync Notes with Google Calendar (to show events for the day).
• 💰 Automatic exchange rate updates through API (For example, from the CBR website).
• 📊 Output data from smartphone sensors (for example, the number of steps from Mi Fit).

For advanced users, if you know how to work with ADB, you can write a script that will update the text file of the note on a schedule.

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.NOTES_UPDATE -e note_id 123 -e text "New note text"

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Notes on Xiaomi Desktop