How to install a widget Xiaomi: all ways + error solving

Widgets on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) allow you to quickly access key information directly from the home screen - whether it is weather, calendar, notes or smart home management. However, many users face difficulties when adding them: the icon does not stretch, the widget disappears after rebooting, then is not available at all. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to install widgets on MIUI 14/15 firmware (including global and Chinese versions), and solve typical problems.

It is important to understand that the functionality of widgets depends on three factors: the version of MIUI, the model of the smartphone (starting with the Xiaomi Mi 9 and Redmi Note 8 support for widgets is extended), and the type of firmware (on the Chinese versions, some widgets can be blocked). If you use custom firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS, the installation algorithm will be different – this will also be discussed below.

1. Standard method: Adding widgets through MIUI launcher

The basic method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with the original MIUI firmware (version 12 and later), the main condition is to use the standard MIUI Launcher launcher, rather than third-party shells like Nova Launcher or Hyperion.

Instructions:

• 📱 Long pressing in the free place of the main screen → Select Widgets (or Widgets in English firmware).
• 🔍 Scroll down the list – all installed widgets (including system ones: Weather, Calendar, Notes) are displayed here).
• 🖱️ Press the desired widget and drag it to the free space of the screen. Some widgets (for example, Google Search) require pre-configuration - after dragging and drop, a window with the parameters will appear.
• ⚙️ To resize the widgets (if supported), press it and select Change Size (not available for all types).

If the widget does not appear in the list, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🚫 The app does not support widgets (for example, Telegram in some versions they have been removed).
• 🔄 The widget is hidden in the application settings (go to the application itself and check the Settings section). → Widgets).
• 📥 The app is not updated – some widgets appear only after the last update.

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On POCO smartphones with POCO Launcher firmware, the path to widgets may be different: long press → Add widget → select from the list. If you don't have an option, update the launcher via Google Play.

Installation of widgets through third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Hyperion)

If you don't like the standard MIUI launcher, you can use alternative shells.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports custom widgets, gestures and themes.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher – Optimized for Performance.
• 🚀 Hyperion Launcher – Minimalist design with support for widgets KWGT.

Installation algorithm:

1. Install the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (at the first start, an offer will appear).
3. Long press on the screen → Widgets → choose the right one.
4. For KWGT widgets (custom designs), additionally install the KWGT Kustom Widget Maker app.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• ✅ More customization options (size, transparency, animations).
• ✅ Support for widgets that are not in MIUI (For example, Tasker or Zoom).
• ✅ Ability to back up screen settings.

3. Widgets for MIUI: top-up-5 usefulness

Not all widgets are equally useful. We have selected the 5 most functional ones that work on most Xiaomi devices:

Important: Google widgets (such as At a Glance or Google Search) may not work on Chinese MIUI firmware without first installing the Google Services Framework.

1. Install Google Installer (available on 4PDA)
2. Start installing Google services.
3. Reboot the smartphone.

4. Problem Solving: The widget is not installed or disappears

If the widget refuses to be added or disappears after the reboot, check the following points:

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI for the European Region (EEA) Some widgets are blocked due to privacy policy, so you can change the region to India or Russia in settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Region).

Common mistakes and ways to eliminate them:

• 🔄 Widget disappears after reboot: Clear launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → MIUI Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🚫 Widget does not reach the screen: Make sure there is free space on the screen (some widgets require a minimum of space). 4×2 cell).
• ❌ The widget is not updated: Check the permissions of the application (Settings) → Annexes → [Name of the annex] → Permissions) and enable AutoRun.
• 📵 Widget does not respond to clicks: Reinstall the application to which it relates.

If the problem persists, try resetting the launcher settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher → Storage → Clear data

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On Chinese MIUI firmware, Google widgets may not work even after installing services, with the alternative being using Bing or Yandex widgets.

5. Creating custom widgets with KWGT (for advanced users)

KWGT Kustom Widget Maker allows you to create unique widgets from scratch or download ready-made templates from the community. It is a solution for those who want to go beyond standard MIUI designs.

Step-by-step:

1. Install KWGT and KLWP (for live wallpaper) from Play Market.
2. Download your favorite template (for example, on the site Kustom Rocks).
3. Import the template to KWGT via the Load Preset menu.
4. Set up the parameters (colors, fonts, data) for yourself.
5. Add the widget to the screen through a long press → Widgets → KWGT.

Examples of popular templates for Xiaomi:

• 🌡️ Minimal Weather: compact weather widget with animation.
• 📅 Agenda Calendar: Calendar events in a minimalist style.
• 🎵 Music Player: Control of the player with the album cover.

6. Widgets on the locked screen (Lockscreen Widgets)

Some MIUI firmware (mostly older versions before MIUI 12) had the ability to add widgets to the lock screen, which is removed for security reasons, but can be returned via workarounds.

Method 1: Always on Display (AOD)

On smartphones with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K60) You can set up time, notifications and basic information through Always On Display:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Always On Display
2. Select the display style (e.g. Digital Watch or Analog Watch).
3. Activate the option to display notifications.

Method 2: Third-party applications (for power users)

Apps like Lockscreen Widgets or AcDisplay allow you to emulate widgets on a locked screen, but require special permissions (ADB or Root), risks: there may be problems with security and stability.

⚠️ Warning: Installing widgets on the lock screen through third-party apps may result in a data reset the next update MIUI. We recommend using this method only on devices without important information.

7. Smart Home widgets (Mi Home, Google Home)

If you’re using the Xiaomi Smart Home ecosystem, widgets can help you control your devices directly from the home screen, such as:

• 💡 Light control: Turning on/off Yeelight lamps.
• 🌡️ Data from Mi Temperature and Humidity Sensor.
• 🔒 Quick Camera Access: Viewing with Mi Home Camera.

How to add the Mi Home widget:

1. Install the Mi Home app (if not preinstalled).
2. Add all smart home devices to the app.
3. Long tap on the screen → Widgets → find Mi Home.
4. Select the device you want to control (e.g. Xiaomi Smart Plug).

Google Home is similar, but you will need to:

• Install the Google Home app.
• Connect Xiaomi devices via Google Assistant (in the device settings in Mi Home, select Add to Google).
• Add the Google Home Controls widget to the screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi