Xiaomi widgets: how to create, configure and manage them in MIUI

Widgets on Xiaomi smartphones are mini-programs that display useful information directly on the home screen: weather, calendar, quick settings or data from applications. Unlike classic shortcuts, they are updated in real time and save time — you do not need to open the application to see the actual data. However, many MIUI users face problems: widgets disappear after the update, do not display correctly or simply can not be added. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to work with widgets on Redmi, POCO and other devices running MIUI Xiaomi 14/15.

It is important to understand that the functionality of widgets depends on the firmware version and smartphone model. For example, flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra have advanced widgets with animation, and on the budget Redmi 12C their choice is limited. We will look at the universal methods that work on most devices, and also reveal the hidden capabilities of MIUI to customize widgets through ADB- command (for advanced users).

Types of widgets on Xiaomi: what are and why you need

In MIUI, widgets are divided into three main categories, each of which solves its own problems, and knowing these types will help you choose the best option for your needs.

• 📱 System widgets: built into firmware and display basic information — weather (Mi Weather), calendar, clock, smart home management (Mi Home) — can not be removed, but can be disabled.
• 📊 Application widgets: created by third-party programs (e.g. Google Weather, Spotify, Telegram) and depending on developer support.
• 🛠️ Castom widgets: created through special applications like KWGT or UCCW, allowing you to completely change the design and functionality, but require customization skills.

The most useful widgets for most users are weather and fast action widgets. For example, the Mi Weather widget shows not only temperature, but also UV index, rainfall probability and even clothing recommendations. And the Quick Tools widget allows one tap to turn on a flashlight, start the camera or activate Do Not Disturb mode.

Note that on MIUI devices for POCO (e.g., POCO F5), some widgets may be missing due to lightweight firmware, in which case they can be installed via GetApps or third-party stores.

How to add a widget to Xiaomi’s home screen

The process of adding a widget to Xiaomi is intuitive, but has nuances depending on the version of MIUI. Consider the universal method that works on most devices:

1. Press and hold your finger on the empty seat of the main screen (not on the icon!).
2. At the bottom of the screen will appear menu – select Widgets (or Widgets in English firmware).
3. Scroll through the list of available widgets. To see all the options from a particular application, tap on its name (for example, Calendar).
4. Select the widget you want and drag it to the home screen. Some widgets (like weather) allow you to choose a size of 4×1, 4×2, etc.

If the widget doesn’t appear in the list, check:

• 🔄 Is the application to which the widget relates updated (e.g. Mi Fit for pedometer widgets).
• 📱 Does your smartphone model support this type of widget (Redmi A2 is limited in choice).
• 🔧 Whether widgets are disabled in the launcher settings: go to Settings → Home Screen → Widgets and turn on the option to Show widgets.

On some devices (for example, Xiaomi 13T) widgets can be added not only to the main screen, but also to the lock screen.

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select the lock screen widgets.
3. Activate the desired widget (only system ones are available: weather, calendar, pedometer).

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If the weather widget is not updated, remove it, clear the Mi Weather app data in the settings, and add the widget again.

Customization and customization of widgets

Adding a widget is half the job, and in order for it to be really useful, you have to customize it to your needs, and the customization options depend on the type of widget you have.

For advanced customization, you can use the KWGT Kustom Widget Maker app (available on Google Play), which lets you create widgets from scratch or download pre-made templates from the community, for example, you can make a widget that shows:

• 📊 Real-time battery usage statistics.
• 🎵 The current track from Spotify with the album cover.
• 📈 Load schedule CPU/RAM.

To install a custom widget through KWGT:

1. Download and install KWGT from Google Play.
2. Choose your favorite template in the Discover section or create your own.
3. Add the KWGT widget to the home screen (as described above).
4. When you first start, provide all the necessary permissions (access to notifications, geolocation, etc.).

Why widgets don’t work: common problems and solutions

Xiaomi widgets may stop updating or disappear for several reasons, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Warning: If the widgets are gone after the MIUI update, don't rush to reset. First check if the launcher's Light Mode is turned off. It automatically hides all the widgets to save resources.

• 🔄 The widget doesn't update: Clear the app cache that the widget belongs to (e.g. Mi Weather). If the problem persists, check the permissions: Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autorun (should be enabled).
• 📵 The widget disappeared after the reboot: This is typical of custom widgets (KWGT). Set the Start When Boot option in the application settings and add it to the battery optimization exceptions.
• 🔋 The widget doesn't appear in the list: Make sure the app providing the widget is installed in the main memory, not on the SD- card. Some widgets (e.g. from Google) don't work when installed on an external drive.
• 🛠️ The widget "resets" after the MIUI update: This is a known problem MIUI 14/15. The solution is to remove the widget, update the app through GetApps, and then add it again.

If the weather widget shows incorrect data, try:

1. Open the Mi Weather app and manually update the data (swipe down).
2. Check geolocation settings: Settings → Privacy → Permissions → Geodata (should be Always for Mi Weather).
3. Change the data source: In the Mi Weather settings, select another provider (e.g. AccuWeather instead of Mi Weather).

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Geolocation-related widgets (weather, pedometer) require constant access to location, and if power saving mode is on, they may stop updating.

How to remove or hide the widget from Xiaomi

Removing the widget from Xiaomi's home screen takes a few seconds, but there are nuances: If you just drag the widget into the cart (like an app icon), it can stay in the system and take up resources.

1. Press and hold the widget you want to remove.
2. At the top of the screen will appear the icon Delete (or Remove) – drag the widget there.
3. Confirm the action if a request appears.

For system widgets (such as weather), the removal is temporary – they will remain on the list of available and can be added again.

1. Go to Settings → Main screen → Widgets.
2. Find the widget you want and turn off the switch next to its name.

If the widget is not removed in the standard way (for example, it is got stuck or damaged), use Safe Start mode:

1. Press the power button and select Reboot in Safe Mode.
2. After the reboot, remove the widget as usual.
3. Restart the device in normal mode.

⚠️ Warning: On some devices (Redmi Note 12 and later), widgets added via KWGT may not be removed in the standard way. In this case, uninstall KWGT yourself, and then install it again.

Hidden Widgets in MIUI: What Few Can Do

Most Xiaomi users use widgets to a minimum, unaware of their hidden features. Here are a few tips that will take your experience to the next level:

• 🔍 Widget search: MIUI 15 now has the ability to search for widgets by name. Just scroll down the widget list and type in the search bar.
• 📱 Second screen widgets: On dual screen devices (e.g., Xiaomi Mix Fold 3), you can add different widgets to both internal and external displays.
• 🔄 Auto-update on schedule: For weather widgets and calendars, you can adjust the refresh rate. For example, to save battery, install an update every 2 hours instead of the standard 30 minutes.
• 🎨 Widget Transparency: Themes can download styles that make widgets semi-transparent or fully transparent.

One of the most useful hidden features is the quick note widgets, which let you create stickers right on the home screen without opening the Notes app.

1. Add the Notes widget to the home screen (size 4×2 or larger).
2. Slip it and select a new note.
3. Write the text – it will be saved automatically.
4. To change the color or font, keep your finger on a note and select Change Style.

For users who want even more control, there’s a way to resize widgets via ADB (requires a computer and debugging bridge):

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1


adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings




adb shell wm density 420 Changes DPI, affecting the size of widgets

Once you've done these commands, restart the device. The widgets will get bigger, but note that this may affect the display of other interface elements.

Best widgets for Xiaomi: top-5must-have

Among the thousands of widgets on Google Play and GetApps, it’s easy to get lost. We’ve selected the 5 most useful widgets that work consistently on Xiaomi and solve real-world problems:

For POCO users, the POCO Launcher Widgets widget is particularly useful, which adds unique interface elements that are not present in the standard MIUI. For example, the App Drawer Toggle widget allows one tap to hide or show a list of all applications.

If you use Xiaomi for work, look for the Microsoft Outlook widget, which syncs with corporate email and shows upcoming appointments, unread emails and tasks right on the home screen.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi