How to install a widget on Android smartphone Xiaomi: all ways and life hacks

Why do Xiaomi widgets work differently than other Android devices?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones have historically taken a non-standard approach to desktop organization. Unlike “pure” Android, where widgets are added with a long tap to free space, the algorithm is different — and this confuses many users, especially those who have switched from Samsung devices, Google Pixel or even earlier versions of MIUI.

The main problem is that the lack of a classic widget menu in the latest versions of MIUI (starting with 12.5) instead integrates the functionality into theme settings or hidden behind gestures. Xiaomi also actively promotes its own solutions - for example, weather, calendar and smart home widgets from the Mi Home ecosystem - which creates the illusion of limited choice.

In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways to install widgets on Xiaomi in 2026, including standard tools MIUI, workarounds for third-party launchers, and solving common bugs (for example, when the widget doesn’t show up or disappears after a reboot). We will pay special attention to the models on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS, where the logic of the work has changed dramatically.

Method 1: Standard installation through theme settings

This is the basic method that works on most Xiaomi devices (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and the algorithm is versatile, but may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, and the main thing is not to confuse widgets with “mini-programs” (which open with a swipe to the left on the home screen).

Instructions:

1. Long press on the free desktop space → select Widgets (or Add widget).
2. In the menu that opens, scroll down the list – all installed widgets (both system and third-party applications) are displayed here.
3. Slip on the widget and hold it to drag it to the desktop. Some widgets (like weather) require pre-setting, and after adding, a window with the choice of city will appear.
4. To change the size of the widgets (if supported), long press it → a frame with markers that can be stretched will appear.

⚠️ Warning: On MIUI 15 and HyperOS, the Widgets may be hidden behind the More (three dots) button in the desktop editing menu. If the widget doesn't appear in the list, check if the widget supports the app at all — some developers are disabling this feature for MIUI due to shell limitations.

Make sure the app supports widgets (see Google Play)

Update MIUI to the latest version (in Settings → About Phone)

Free up space on the desktop (widgets are not put on filled screens)

Reboot your phone if the widgets have not previously been displayed-->

Method 2: Widgets through launchers from third-party developers

If standard MIUI functionality doesn't suit you (e.g., there's no widget or it doesn't work properly), alternative launchers can be used, especially for POCO and Redmi owners, where the shell is often "cut off."

• 📱 Nova Launcher supports all Android widgets, including those that don’t appear in MIUI, allowing you to customize transparency, scale and even gestures for widgets.
• 🎨 Action Launcher – has a built-in widget gallery with preview and easy search.
• ⚡ Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher optimized for MIUI (not in conflict with system services).
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher — integrates with the Windows ecosystem, offers widgets for Office, OneDrive and other services.

How to install the widget through Nova Launcher:

1. Download and install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (at the first start, an offer will appear).
3. Long-click on desktop → Widgets → choose the right one from the full list (including those that were not shown in MIUI).
4. For fine-tuning widgets, go to Settings Nova → Widgets, where you can change the grid, indentations and animation.

Standard MIUI

Nova Launcher

Action Launcher

Lawnchair

Other-->

⚠️ Attention: When using third-party launchers on MIUI 14/15, there may be a bug that disappears widgets after a system update. To avoid this, before updating the firmware:

1. Back up the launcher settings (in Nova: Settings → Backup). 2. Turn off automatic MIUI update in Settings → About Phone → System Update. 3. After the upgrade, reinstall the launcher and restore the settings from the backup.

Method 3: Widgets from MIUI Theme Store

Few people know, but the Themes Store has a section with widgets that can be downloaded and installed in one click, which are optimized specifically for MIUI and often have a unique design that fits the current theme of the design.

How to find and install:

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon on desktop).
2. Go to the Widgets section (in the lower menu).
3. Select a category (weather, hours, calendar, etc.) and tap on your favorite widget.
4. Click Apply – the widget will automatically be added to the desktop (usually the first free screen).

Advantages of this method:

• 🎨 Widgets fit perfectly into the design of MIUI (colors, fonts, icons).
• 🔄 Automatic update when changing the theme.
• 📱 Support for dynamic widgets (e.g. animated weather).

💡

If the theme store widget doesn’t update automatically, try manually updating the theme: open Themes → Mine → Update everything.

Method 4: Widgets via Google (for news and search)

Xiaomi devices with Google’s app pre-installed (usually models for the global market) have a Discovery widget that shows personalized news, weather and quick search links, a widget that is often ignored, even though it’s one of the most functional.

How to set up:

1. Long click on the desktop → Widgets → find Google (the icon of the colored letter “G”).
2. Select the size of the widget (the options are 4×1, 4×2, 5×2).
3. After adding tap on the widget → customize the displayed information (weather, sports, promotions, etc.).
4. To reset the widget settings, press it for a long time → Widget settings → Reset.

Features of the Google widget on Xiaomi:

• 🌍 Supports multiple languages (switches automatically over geolocation).
• 🔍 Integrated fast search over the phone and the Internet.
• 📊 Shows current exchange rates and cryptocurrencies (manually configured).
• ⚠️ May conflict with Xiaomi’s weather widget — if data isn’t updated, disable duplicate services in Settings → Apps → Autostart Management.

Problem Solving: The widget is not installed or disappears

Even if installed correctly, widgets on Xiaomi can work unstable. Let’s look at common errors and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The widget is not displayed in the list

Causes and solutions:

• 📵 The app does not support widgets – check the description in Google Play (section "Widgets").
• 🔄 Launcher Cash is tired — clear the Launcher (or MIUI Launcher app data in Settings → Apps.
• 📱 Limitations MIUI — Some widgets are locked by default. To unlock, go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Autostart Management and enable autorun for the desired application.

Problem 2: The widget disappears after the reboot

This is a common MIUI bug that's associated with memory optimization.

• 🔒 Lock the widget — long press on the widget → Lock (if available).
• 🛠️ Disable optimization — in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization, find the app associated with the widget and select Without Limits.
• 📲 Use an alternative launcher – Nova Launcher or Action Launcher is not affected by this bug.

Problem 3: The widget does not update the data

Most often, this is for weather widgets, currency rates or calendars.

• 🌐 Internet connection – widgets require background network access.
• ⚙️ Permissions — in Settings → Applications → Permissions — check that the application has access to location (for weather), calendar, etc.
• ⏳ Update interval – Some widgets (e.g., AccuWeather) allow you to adjust the refresh rate in your settings.

💡

If the widget stopped working after the MIUI update, try rolling back the version of the app it belongs to. Often the problem is solved by installing an older APK (you can download it from the APKMirror website).

Hidden features of widgets on Xiaomi

MIUI offers some unique features for widgets that few people know about.

1. Widgets on lock screen

Starting with MIUI 14, you can add widgets to the lock screen. This only works for system widgets (weather, clock, calendar).

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select Widgets on the lock screen.
3. Activate the desired widgets and configure their display.

⚠️ Warning: Widgets on the lock screen may show sensitive information (e.g. calendar events).If you use a pattern lock or PIN, turn off this feature in public areas.

2. Dynamic widgets with effects

Some of the widgets from the Theme Store support dynamic effects, such as:

• 🌧️ The weather widget can show real-time animations of rain or snow.
• ⏰ The watch widget can change color depending on the time of day.
• 📊 The battery widget can display the percentage of charge as a graph.

To include effects:

1. Long press on the widget → settings widget.
2. Find the animation or dynamic effects item.
3. Choose the appropriate style (e.g. 3D- effect for watches).

3.Widgets for the smart home

If you have Xiaomi Mi Home devices (lamps, sockets, sensors), you can control them directly from the desktop:

1. Install the Mi Home widget (available in the standard widget menu).
2. Select the devices you want to control (e.g. Yeelight or Mi Robot Vacuum).
3. Set up quick actions (on/off, color change, etc.).

💡 Tip: To manage your smart home through widgets, be sure to enable Notifications and Auto Run for the Mi Home app in your battery settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi