Xiaomi widgets: where to look, how to add and customize in MIUI

Widgets on Xiaomi smartphones are mini-programs that display current information directly on the home screen: weather, calendar, notes, smart home management, or even data from apps like Google Keep or Spotify. Despite the convenience, many MIUI users face the problem of where are these widgets and how to add them correctly? In this article, we will analyze all the ways to work with widgets, from basic to hidden features that are not in all firmware.

Xiaomi’s feature is that MIUI is regularly updated, and the location of widgets may vary depending on the version (for example, in MIUI 12 and MIUI 14, the widget menu looks different).We will look at universal methods that work on most models – from Redmi Note 10 to flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra. You will also learn how to return widgets if they disappeared after the update, and which applications support advanced widgets in MIUI.

Where are widgets on Xiaomi: the main ways to access

MIUI has two main places to find widgets: the widget menu and the notification bar, the first way is for adding widgets to the home screen, the second is for quick access to some system tools (for example, a flashlight or a brightness regulator).

To open the widget menu, make a long tap on the empty seat of the home screen (where there are no icons). At the bottom, a panel with three tabs will appear: Wallpaper, Widgets and Settings. Go to the Widgets tab, where all available mini-programs will be displayed, grouped by application, such as Weather, Calendar or Mi Home widgets for managing a smart home.

• 📱 Long tap on the main screen → The Widgets tab (main method).
• ⚙️ Screen settings: Settings → Main screen screen → Widgets (alternative path).
• 🔍 Search by system: swipe down on the main screen → Enter "widgets" in the search bar.

If you have MIUI 14 or newer, widgets can be hidden behind an additional swipe to the left on the home screen (as in iOS).This gesture is enabled in the settings: Settings → Home screen → Widget Bar. Also note that some widgets (such as from Google) may not appear unless you have the appropriate app installed.

💡

If the widgets don't appear after a long press, check if the Light Mode in the settings (Settings → Special Features) is enabled, and in this mode many MIUI functions are simplified or disabled.

How to add a widget to Xiaomi’s home screen

The process of adding a widget takes less than a minute, but there are nuances that depend on the version of MIUI and the model of the smartphone.

1. Open the widget menu (long tap on the home screen → the widget tab).
2. Scroll through the list and find the widget you want, like the weather or the notes.
3. Hold your widget with your finger and drag it to the main screen. Release your finger when the placement frame appears.
4. If the widget supports size change, pull the corners of the frame to fit it under the screen grid.

Some widgets (like Google Search or Spotify) may require additional permissions. If the widget doesn't work after adding it, check the app's settings: Settings → Apps → App Management → [App Name] → Permissions.

Check the free space on the main screen

Update the application to which the widget relates

Reboot your smartphone

Reset the settings of the main screen (Settings → Main screen → Reset settings)

-->

MIUI 14 has a feature called Smart Widgets that automatically adapt to your habits. For example, the Weather Widget can show a weekly forecast in the morning and a brief summary in the evening. To enable this option, go to Settings → Home Screen → Smart Widgets.

How to change the size or remove the widget

In MIUI, not all widgets support resizing, depending on the app itself. For example, the Xiaomi Watch widget can be stretched, but the Google Fit widget can't.

1. Click on the widget you want to change.
2. If white dots appear on the corners, pull them to enlarge or shrink the widget.
3. Press Ready (or just release your finger) to save the changes.

To remove the widget, press it and drag it up to the Remove label (or Remove in English firmware). Alternative way: long press → click on the basket icon at the top of the screen.

⚠️ Note: Removing the widget does not delete the app itself. if the widget disappeared after the update MIUI, Try to reboot your smartphone or reset your home screen settings.

Why widgets disappear after MIUI update

One of the most common problems is that widgets disappear after a firmware update, which happens because Xiaomi sometimes changes the structure of the interface, and old widgets become incompatible.

• 🔄 Resetting the main screen settings: after the update MIUI Sometimes it resets the icons and widgets, and to get them back, try manually adding widgets back.
• 🚫 Disabling widgets in the new version: some widgets (such as from older versions of apps) may no longer be supported.
• 📱 Change of permissions: after updating MIUI You can request new permissions for widgets. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → [Name of name] → Permits.

If the widgets are missing after upgrading to MIUI 14, try the following method:

Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to turn on Developer Mode)


Settings → Additional → For developers → Enable “Debugging by USB” and “Do not turn off the screen while charging”




Reboot your smartphone

These actions sometimes help to wake up the system processes responsible for displaying widgets. If the problem persists, contact Xiaomi for support or wait for the next firmware update.

Best widgets for Xiaomi: system and third-party

MIUI has both standard widgets from Xiaomi and support for third-party solutions.

System widgets (already installed in MIUI)

• 🌤️ Weather: shows temperature, humidity and forecast for 5 days. You can change the city in the settings.
• 📅 Calendar: Displays upcoming events from Google Calendar or Mi Calendar.
• 🏠 Mi Home: management of smart devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners).
• 🎵 Music: a widget to control playback in Mi Music or Spotify.

Third-party widgets (installed from Google Play)

• 📝 Google Keep: a widget for quick creation of notes and to-do lists.
• 📊 Widgetsmith (iOS-style): customizable widgets with date, time, weather, etc.
• 💰 Finance Widget: tracking currencies and stocks.
• 📱 KWGT Kustom Widget Maker: widget builder for advanced users.

To add a third-party widget, first install the app from Google Play, then follow the standard add-on procedure (long tap on the home screen → Widgets).Some widgets (such as KWGT) require additional customization in the app itself.

⚠️ Note: Third-party widgets may consume additional battery if they actively update data (such as a weather widget or currency rate).To reduce consumption, limit background activity in the app settings.

Hidden functions of widgets in MIUI

MIUI has some little-known widget-related features that can make it easier to interact with your smartphone:

• 🔒 Password protection: some widgets (such as Notes or Calendar) can be blocked so that outsiders do not see personal information. → Click on the lock icon (if the function is supported).
• 🔄 Auto-update of widgets: in MIUI 14, an option to automatically update data in widgets (such as weather or currency rates) appears. → Main screen screen → Auto-update widgets.
• 🎨 Widget transparency: In some firmware, you can make the background of the widget translucent. → Style. → Transparency.
• 📱 Widgets on the lock screen: in Xiaomi you can add widgets even to the lock screen (for example, a flashlight or a camera). → Lock screen → Widgets.

Another useful feature is grouping widgets, so if you have a lot of widgets on the home screen, you can fold them together like app icons, and you can drag one widget to another and let it go.

💡

MIUI 14 has also introduced dynamic widgets that change their appearance depending on the time of day or your activity, such as the Steps widget that can show progress in the afternoon and a summary in the evening.

Solving Widget Problems on Xiaomi

If the widgets don’t work, flash or update, here’s an algorithm for diagnosing:

1. Check the Internet connection: Many widgets (weather, currency rates) require access to the network.
2. Update the app to which the widget belongs (via Google Play).
3. Clear the app cache: Settings → Apps → [Title] → Clear the cache.
4. Check permissions: Some widgets (like Google Fit) require access to location data or physical activity.
5. Reboot your smartphone – this helps in 30% of cases when the widgets “hang”.

If the problem is with system widgets (such as Weather or Calendar), try resetting the app settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Title] → Storage → Reset Settings

In extreme cases, you can reset the settings of the main screen, but this will remove all widgets and the location of the icons: Settings → Home screen → Reset settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about widgets on Xiaomi