How to find and configure the widget tape on Xiaomi smartphones: the full guide

The widget tape on Xiaomi smartphones is a convenient tool for quick access to information: weather, calendar, notes or smart home management. MIUI or reset settings, many users face a problem: the widget panel suddenly disappears or ceases to appear on the home screen. In this article, we will understand where to look for a tape of widgets on different versions of the firmware, how to return it if it is missing, and what settings are responsible for its display.

Feature of the interface MIUI The problem is that the manufacturer regularly changes the layout of the controls. MIUI 12, may not work on MIUI 15.We will take into account all the nuances and provide current instructions for modern models – from the Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

If you didn't find the widget tape the first time, don't worry. 90 percent of the time, it's either by turning on one setting or resetting the home screen, and the key is knowing where to look.

What is a widget tape on Xiaomi and why you need it

A widget tape (or widget bar) is a vertical bar that appears when swiped to the left of the home screen, and contains mini-programs for quick access to frequently used functions:

• 🌤️ Weather – forecast for the day / week without opening the application
• 📅 Calendar - upcoming events and reminders
• 📝 Notes - Quick access to records
• 🏠 Smart home – management of Mi Home devices
• 🎵 Music - player with the latest tracks

On the new versions MIUI 14/15 The widget tape has become more flexible, and you can adjust it by adding or removing elements, but some users prefer to turn off this feature so as not to load RAM. If the panel is missing, it is likely simply hidden in the launcher settings, rather than deleted.

It's important to understand that the widget tape and the widgets on the desktop are different things, the first one swipes to the left, and the second one can be placed right on the screens among the app icons.

Where is the widget tape on different versions MIUI

The location of the widget panel depends on the firmware version. Let's consider the main options:

MIUI 12 and older (until 2021)

On older versions, the widget tape was built into the default launcher and swiped to the left of the home screen, and if it disappeared, it was enough:

1. Clutching an empty space on the desktop
2. Select Home Screen Settings
3. Activate the option to Show the widget tape

MIUI 13–14 (2022–2023)

So here, the manufacturer started experimenting with the interface, and the widget tape became optional, and it could be turned off by default, to get it back.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Home screen
• 🔍 Find the section of the Widget Ribbon (may be called the Widget Panel)
• 🔄 Turn on the slider Show the tape

If there is no item, then on your Xiaomi model, the widget tape is removed at the firmware level (relevant for some regions).

MIUI 15 (HyperOS, 2026)

In the new HyperOS shell, the widget tape has undergone major changes, now called Mini Programs and integrated with the Xiaomi Smart Hub system.

1. Swipe to the left of the main screen
2. If the panel does not appear, go to Settings → Home screen → Mini-programmes
3. Activate the option to Show on the main screen

On some devices (such as the Xiaomi 14), the widget tape now swipes down from the top of the screen – this is part of the new gesture control.

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After updating before MIUI 15 Widget tape is gone, try resetting the launcher settings: pinch the empty space on the desktop → Reset. It'll bring back the standard look of the home screen.

Step-by-step: how to turn on the tape widgets

If the widget bar is hidden, follow this instruction.It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO on MIUI 13–15.

Step 1. Check the settings of the home screen

• 📱 Hold your finger on an empty space on your desk.
• 🔧 Slip on the Settings icon (cog in the bottom menu)
• 🔍 Find the section of the widget tape or Mini-programs
• 🔄 Turn on the slider if it's off.

Step 2: Update the launcher (if no option is available)

On some firmware, the widget tape may be blocked due to an outdated version of the launcher.

1. Open the Google Play Store
2. Find the app MIUI Launcher (or) POCO Launcher for devices POCO)
3. Update it to the latest version
4. Reboot your smartphone

Step 3. Reset the launcher settings

If the widget tape never appeared:

1. Hold an empty space on the desktop
2. Select Home Screen Settings
3. Scroll down and tap Reset Settings
4. Confirm the action.

✅ Update. MIUI Launcher in Play Market

✅ Resetting the home screen settings

✅ Check the availability of the option in Settings → Home screen

✅ Rebooted smartphone-->

What to do if the widget tape does not appear

If you have completed all the steps but the widget bar is still missing, the problem may be due to one of the following factors:

• 🔄 Regional restrictions – some firmware for India or China has widget tape disabled
• 📱 Modified firmware - custom assemblies MIUI can remove this element
• 🔧 System error - Reset to factory settings required
• 🛠️ Hardware restrictions on budget models (e.g. Redmi) A2) widget tape may not be available

Solution for regional firmware:

If your smartphone is purchased abroad (for example, the Indian version of the Redmi Note 11), the widget tape can be blocked.

1. Install global firmware via Fastboot or Recovery
2. Use an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) that supports widgets

Solution for custom firmware:

If you use an informal firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), Xiaomi widget tape will not be available.

• Install widgets via Google App (for weather, calendar)
• Use third-party widgets from the Play Market (e.g. Widgetsmith)

How to set up a widget tape for yourself

When the widget panel finally came out, it could be customized.

• 🔄 Change the order of widgets – pinch the widget and drag it to the right place
• ➕ Add new widgets - tap Edit → select from the list
• ❌ Remove unnecessary ones – swipe the widget up or click Remove
• 🎨 Change size – some widgets support stretching

Add widgets from third-party applications:

Not all widgets are available by default, for example, to add a Google Keep or Spotify widget:

1. Open the widget tape.
2. Tap Edit (pencil icon)
3. Scroll down and select Add a widget.
4. In the list, find the desired application and select the size of the widget.

Weather and location settings:

The weather widget takes data from the Mi Weather app, if the information is displayed incorrectly:

• Open the Weather app
• Update location manually
• Enable Autodetermination in the App Settings

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Nana MIUI 15 (HyperOS) Widget tape is tightly integrated with the smart home system. If you use Mi Home devices, their management will be available directly in the widget bar without a separate application.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you use the widget tape, you often have some common problems, and we'll look at some of the most common ones.

1.The widget tape opens but is empty

That means no widgets are added.

• Tapnite Edit → Add a widget
• Choose at least one element (such as weather)

2. widgets are not updated

If the weather or calendar shows outdated data:

• Check your internet connection
• Update the app to which the widget belongs (e.g. Mi Weather)
• Reboot your smartphone

3. The widget tape is slowing down

This may be related to:

• 📱 With a lot of widgets, leave only the necessary ones.
• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI — firmware update
• 🧹 Cluttered memory - clear the cache in Settings → Annexes

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If the widget tape started to brake after adding a new element, try to remove it. Some third-party widgets (for example, from banking applications) may conflict with the new element. MIUI.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with POCO Launcher (e.g, POCO X5) The widget tape may work differently. To turn it on, go to Launcher Settings. → Widgets and activate the option Show the widget panel.

Alternative ways to use widgets on Xiaomi

If the standard widget tape doesn’t suit you, there are a few alternatives:

1. Desktop widgets

You can place widgets directly on the main screen:

• Hold an empty space on the desktop
• Select the Widgets
• Drag the desired element on the screen

2. Third-party launchers

Apps like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher offer advanced widget options:

• 🔄 Flexible sizing adjustment
• 🎨 Themes and styles
• ⚡ Speed (especially for weak devices)

3. widgets via Google

If you use Google services, you can add their widgets:

• 🌤️ Weather widget from Google App
• 📅 Calendar widget from Google Calendar
• 📊 Google Fit Widget to Track Activity

To do this, clamping an empty space on the desktop → Widgets → Find widgets from Google.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (especially those with firmware for China), Google widgets may not work without first installing Google Play Services.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions