How to download and install new widgets on Xiaomi: all ways of 2026

Xiaomi widgets transform the home screen, making it not only more beautiful, but also more functional. They can quickly check the weather, manage a smart home, monitor health or even run your favorite games — all without opening apps. However, the standard set of widgets in MIUI is often limited, and new versions appear irregularly. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to download and install fresh widgets on Redmi, Poco, Black Shark and other Xiaomi devices — from official methods to third-party solutions.

It’s important to understand that the installation process depends on the MIUI version (especially for MIUI 14/15), the smartphone model and even the firmware region. For example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Poco F5 with global firmware, some widgets can be blocked, whereas on the Chinese version the same elements are available without restrictions. We will take all these nuances into account so that you can customize your smartphone as efficiently as possible.

1. Official widgets in MIUI: where to look and how to update

Let's start with the simplest of them: the built-in widgets that Xiaomi offers out of the box, which are updated with the system, but not everyone knows where to find them and how to add them to the home screen.

To open the list of available widgets, make a long tap on the free space of the home screen, then select Widgets (or Widgets in the English version). Here you will see all the installed elements grouped by application. For example, Weather, Calendar or Notes widgets are usually available by default. To add the widget to the screen, press its icon and drag it to the desired place.

• 🔄 Updating widgets through MIUI: Some items (such as weather or currency rates) are updated automatically when connected to the Internet. Others (such as Mi Fit) may need to be manually updated through the app itself.
• 📱 Restrictions on models: on budget smartphones (Redmi) 10A, Poco M5) Some widgets may be missing due to hardware limitations, such as heart rate widgets requiring a sensor. PPG.
• 🌍 Regional differences: in Chinese firmware (CN ROM) More widgets are available than in the global (Global) ROM). For example, the Mi Pay widget is only available in the Chinese version.

If you don’t see the widget you want, check if your firmware is up to date. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Sometimes new widgets appear after major MIUI updates (e.g., when you switch from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14).

2.Install widgets via Mi App Store and Google Play

If built-in widgets aren't enough, you can download additional ones from official stores. Xiaomi offers two main sources: Mi App Store (for Chinese firmware) and Google Play (for global versions).

There are many apps on Google Play that add new widgets, such as:

• 🌦️ Transparent Clock & Weather – Stylish Weather Widgets with Transparency Customization.
• 📊 Another Widget – Minimalist widgets for calendar, weather and system information.
• 🎵 Musicolet – widget for music management with gesture support.

To install the widget from Google Play:

1. Open Google Play and find the app you want (like Another Widget).
2. Set it up and open it.
3. Follow the instructions inside the app to add the widget to the home screen.

The Mi App Store is available for Chinese firmware users (CN ROM), and you can find exclusive widgets for Mi Home or Xiaomi Community, but it is worth remembering that many apps in the Mi App Store are in Chinese, and they may require a Xiaomi account with a Chinese phone number attached to them.

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If the widget doesn’t show up after installation, try restarting your smartphone or clearing the launcher cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher.

3. Third-party launchers: how to get widgets from other manufacturers

If you lack the flexibility of the standard MIUI launcher, you can install an alternative. Popular launchers such as Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Lawnchair support widgets from third-party developers and offer advanced settings.

For example, in Nova Launcher you can:

• 🔧 Customize the size and transparency of widgets.
• 📂 Group widgets into folders on the main screen.
• 🎨 Apply design themes, including icons and widget styles.

To install the widget via Nova Launcher:

1. Download and install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it as the default launcher in the system settings.
3. Long tap on the home screen → Widgets → select the right one and add it.

Some launchers, such as Microsoft Launcher, offer custom widgets integrated with Microsoft services (such as To-Do or Outlook), which is convenient for users who are actively using the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Widgets via APK: Risks and Opportunities

Sometimes new widgets appear as separate.apk files that can be downloaded from forums (e.g. XDA Developers or 4PDA), a method that is suitable for power users as it requires manual installation and can carry security risks.

Advantages of installation via APK:

• ⚡ Access to exclusive widgets that have not yet appeared in official stores.
• 🛠️ The ability to test beta versions of widgets (for example, for Google Discover or Mi). AI).

How to install the widget from APK:

1. Download the.apk file from a trusted source (e.g., APKMirror).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Install the APK and add the widget through the widget menu.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources can lead to data leakage or virus infection (MD5 or SHA-1) and other users' reviews before installation.

Some widgets require additional permissions, such as accessing special features or overlaying other applications, and be careful when issuing such permissions, as they can be used to display ads or collect data.

5.Widgets for the smart home and ecosystem Xiaomi

If you use Xiaomi devices for smart homes (for example, Mi Home, Mi Band, Roborock), then special widgets will help you control them directly from the home screen.

To add the Mi Home widget:

1. Install the Mi Home app and log in.
2. Connect smart devices to your account.
3. Add the widget through the widget menu (as described in the first section).

Mi Fit or Roborock widgets may require additional customization within the app itself, for example, Mi Fit requires you to allow data to be displayed on the home screen in Settings → Widgets.

6. Creating your own widgets: tools and capabilities

If you don't find the right widget, you can create it yourself with special apps, which is especially true for users who want to see unique data on the home screen, such as battery graphs or game statistics.

Popular tools for creating widgets:

• 📱 KWGT (Kustom Widget Maker – advanced designer with support for animation and scripts.
• 🎨 UCCW (Ultimate Custom Clock Widget – a simple editor for creating watch and weather widgets.
• 📊 Tasker + AutoTools – to create interactive widgets with triggers (for example, enable the “Do Not Disturb” mode on a schedule).

Example of creating a widget in KWGT:

1. Install KWGT and KWGT Pro Key (to unlock all features).
2. Choose a template or create a widget from scratch in the editor.
3. Add elements (text, images, graphics) and adjust their appearance.
4. Save the widget and add it to the main screen.

With Tasker, you can create a widget that will:

• 🔋 Show the exact time of the smartphone’s autonomous operation.
• 📶 Show the speed of the Internet connection in real time.
• 🎮 Start the game mode when you press the widget.

⚠️ Note: Creating complex widgets in KWGT Tasker requires knowledge of the basics JSON And the logic of the triggers, and it's recommended that novice users start with ready-made templates from the community.

7. Solving widget problems on Xiaomi

Sometimes widgets can work incorrectly: not updated, disappear after a reboot or not fully displayed. Let's take a look at the most common problems and their solutions.

If the widget stopped working after the MIUI update, try the following steps:

1. Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.
2. Remove and install the widget again.
3. Check if the Antivirus or MIUI Security is blocking the application.

Google-related widgets (like Google Assistant or Google Calendar) may require the installation of the latest version of Google Play Services. download it from Google Play or the official APKMirror website.

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If the widget stopped working after resetting, try reinstalling the app it belongs to, often solving the missing data problem.

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi