Why Xiaomi Redmi users choose Yandex widget – and how to install it correctly
Yandex’s search widget on the Xiaomi Redmi home screen is not just a convenience, but a time-saving tool. Unlike standard Google search, Yandex offers more relevant results for Russian-language queries, integration with Yandex.Maps, Weather and even Yandex.Money. However, many users face a problem: after installing the Yandex app, the widget does not appear in the list of available or is displayed incorrectly.
The reason lies in the features of the MIUI shell, which by default limits the addition of third-party widgets. In this article, we will discuss three proven ways to install the Yandex search widget on the home screen of Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/11 and other models running on MIUI 12, 13 or 14.
Important: the instructions are valid for Yandex versions 23.8.0 and later, as well as for MIUI Global/EEA/Russia. If you have outdated firmware, some steps may differ - we will warn you about this separately.
Method 1: Installation through the standard menu of MIUI widgets
This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi Redmi devices without any additional manipulations, suitable for users who already have the Yandex app installed (if not, download it from Google Play or AppGallery).
Algorithm of action:
- 📱 Long pressing in the free place of the main screen → select Widgets.
- 🔍 Scroll down to Yandex (if not, see note below).
- 🖼️ Select the size of the widget (options available) 4×1, 4×2 or 5×2).
- 📲 Drag the widget to the main screen and confirm the placement.
If the widget does not appear in the list, the reasons may be as follows:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| No Yandex section. | The application is not updated or installed from an official source | Update Yandex to the latest version or reinstall from Google Play |
| Widget gray and inactive | No Internet connection or blocking of background activity | Check the network connection and permissions for Yandex in Settings → Applications |
| The widget disappears after the reboot | MIUI optimization kills Yandex process | Add Yandex to auto-cleaning exceptions (see "Optimization" section). |
What if the Yandex section is not in the widget menu?
1. Make sure you have the official version of Yandex installed (not modified). Check Settings → Applications → Yandex → Version.
2.Reboot the device – sometimes MIUI doesn’t update the widget list without restarting.
3. If you use MIUI China, the widget may be blocked. Try changing region to Russia in your phone settings (see "Additional settings").
Method 2: Adding via Yandex.Luncher (for advanced users)
If the standard method didn't work, the alternative is to use Yandex.Luncher, which is suitable for those who are willing to switch from the standard MIUI shell to an alternative one.
- 🔄 Full integration with Yandex services (mail, maps, weather).
- 🎨 Flexible configuration of the widget appearance (size, transparency, color scheme).
- 🚀 Quick access to Yandex.Alice directly from the main screen.
Installation instructions:
- Download Yandex.Luncher from Google Play.
- Launch the application and follow the customization wizard (allow all permissions requested).
- In the launcher menu, select Widgets → Search for Yandex and add it to the screen.
- Customize the appearance: for this long press on the widget → Change the size / style.
☑️ Preparation for the installation of Yandex.Luncher
0
Download Yandex.Luncher from official source | Backup of current MIUI settings (via Settings → About Phone → Backup) | Disable battery optimization for launcher | Provide all permissions (storage, phone, location)
⚠️ Note: After installing Yandex.Luncher, some functions MIUI (For example, navigation gestures or themes may work differently. To return a standard launcher, go to Settings. → Annexes → By default. → Launcher and select MIUI Launcher.
Method 3: Manually create a search shortcut (if the widget is not available)
If the first two methods didn't work, you can create a shortcut for quick manual search, which doesn't give you a full widget, but it allows you to open a Yandex search in one tap.
Step-by-step:
- Open the Yandex application and execute any search query.
- Press three points (⋮) top-right → Add to the main screen.
- Confirm the shortcut. It will appear on the desktop with the magnifying glass icon.
- (Optional) Rename the shortcut: long press → Rename → type, for example, "Search Yandex".
Cons of this method:
- ❌ No weather or news preview (as in a full widget).
- ❌ When clicked, the browser opens, not the search bar directly.
💡
If the shortcut is not created, try to clear the cache of the Yandex application in Settings → Applications → Yandex → Storage → Clear the cache.
Optimizing the widget: how to avoid errors and lags
Even after successful installation, Yandex widgets can run unstablely, slowing down, not updating the weather, or disappearing after a reboot, due to aggressive MIUI optimization that limits the background activity of applications.
Step 1. Turn off battery optimization for Yandex:
- Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Power Management.
- Find Yandex in the list and select Without restrictions.
- Activate the AutoRun option for Yandex.
Step 2. Allow background activity:
- 🔄 B Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Permits to turn on:
Step 3: Clear the system cache (if the widget is glitching):
Settings → About phone → Memory → Cleaning → Cash system💡
After changing the optimization settings, restart the phone – this will apply the changes and prevent the widget from crashing.
Additional settings: region change and interface language
If you use MIUI Global or EEA, some of Yandex’s features may be limited to unlock the full functionality:
Change of region to Russia:
- Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Region.
- Select Russia (if it is not on the list, download the Mi Region Changer app).
- Reset the device.
Configuring the Yandex interface language:
- Open the Yandex application → Settings → Language.
- Choose English (if necessary) or Russian for the interface.
- For search prompts, activate the option to Show hints in Russian.
⚠️ Note: Change of region may affect the performance of some system applications (e.g. Mi Pay or Mi Video).If there are problems after the change, return the previous region and use the system. VPN jingle.
Solving common problems
Even after installing it correctly, Xiaomi Redmi users face common errors.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Widget doesn't update weather | No access to geolocation or the Internet | Check the permissions for Yandex and turn on the exact location |
| Search bar is blank | Cache failure or an outdated version of the application | Clean up Yandex cache and update it in Google Play |
| Widget disappears after MIUI update | Resetting launcher settings | Remove the widget and add it again (see Method 1) |
| Voice search is not working. | No access to the microphone. | Allow access to Settings → Applications → Yandex → Permissions → Microphone |
If neither of these methods worked, try alternative launchers (like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher) that support Yandex widgets without restrictions.