Owners of modern Huawei smartphones often encounter confusion after turning on the device for the first time or updating the firmware. The familiar interface is changing, and the standard methods for calling the widget menu, which worked on older versions of Android, stop responding. This is due to the company's transition to its own shell EMUI and later HarmonyOS, where the logic of interaction with the desktop was significantly redesigned to improve ergonomics.
The search for widgets now depends not only on the model of your device, but also on the availability of Google services, region of sale and software version. In this article, we will analyze in detail all possible scenarios: from the classic long press to hidden news feed settings, which are often blocked by the system by default.
If you just purchased Huawei Pura 70 or are using an older model of the series Mate 40, the search algorithms may differ. We will look at universal methods that will help you return desktop functionality and customize a personalized ribbon to suit your needs without losing productivity.
Classic access method via long press
The most obvious and common way to get to the widget menu on any device running Android is to use the desktop context menu. However, on Huawei shells, the implementation of this action has its own nuances, which are important to consider for the successful addition of elements.
Find free space on any of the screens of your smartphone where there are no application icons or folders. Press this area with your finger and hold for 1-2 seconds. The screen should zoom out, opening the editing mode, where control buttons will appear at the bottom.
At the bottom of the screen you will see several options, such as "Wallpaper", "Transitions" and, in fact, Widgets. By clicking on this item, the system will open a complete list of available controls, sorted by category or installed applications.
- 📱 Clock and weather are basic elements for the main screen.
- 🔋 Battery and memory are tools for quick system optimization.
- 📞 Contacts and calls - widgets for speed dialing.
- 🎵 Music and voice recorder - media controllers of popular applications.
⚠️ Attention: If the menu does not appear after a long press, check the layout lock setting. Go to
Settings → Home screenand make sure that the "Lock layout" switch is in the inactive position.
After selecting the desired widget, simply drag it to a free area of the screen. The system will automatically suggest available sizes if the element supports resizing. You can change the shape of the widget by pulling the special markers along the edges of the frame immediately after placement.
If the widget does not fit on the screen, first try to free up space by removing unnecessary application icons, and then move the widget from the menu.
Customizing the news feed and Google Discover
One of the most common The reason why users cannot find widgets is the absence of the leftmost panel - the news feed. On Huawei smartphones, this area may be occupied by the service Huawei Assistant (formerly Smart Assistant) or Google Discover, depending on the firmware.
To activate this area, you need to go to the desktop settings. Long press on an empty area of the screen and select Working screen settings (or "Advanced settings"). Here you will find a switch responsible for displaying the left screen.
Enable the option "Left screen" or Huawei Assistant. Once activated, swipe right from the home screen to get to your feed. This is where large information widgets are usually located: weather, steps, news and quick notes.
| Feed type | Where to find | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Huawei Assistant | Settings → Work screen | Integration with Huawei services, payment, steps |
| Google Discover | Google application settings | News feed, requires installation of GMS |
| Yandex.Feed | Yandex application | An alternative for the Russian Federation region, your own widgets |
It is worth noting that on new models without Google services the ability to install full Google Discover may be missing from the box. In this case, users often turn to third-party launchers or install alternative news aggregators, which also provide their widgets on the left screen.
Why did the feed disappear after the update?
Often after major EMUI updates, the desktop settings are reset to factory settings. Check the desktop settings section again, perhaps the checkbox has simply disappeared.
Working with widgets in editing mode
Editing mode on Huawei provides advanced options for customizing the interface, going beyond simply adding icons. Understanding the logic of how the grid and layers work will help you create a truly unique and functional desktop.
When you are in edit mode (after long pressing), you can not only add new elements, but also group existing ones. Try dragging one widget on top of another - some versions of the shell allow you to create stacks of widgets, saving screen space.
Pay attention to the bottom toolbar. There is often a hidden button Effects or Stylethat changes the visual presentation of icons and widgets. Changing the style can affect how semi-transparent controls are displayed.
- ✏️ Editing - changing the size and position of elements.
- 🗑️ Delete - dragging to the Trash to deletion.
- 📁 Folders - creating groups of applications for organizing.
- 🎨 Themes - global change in the appearance of the interface.
To delete an unnecessary widget, just hold it in normal mode (if the system resolution allows) or in editing mode, drag it to the top of the screen, where a trash can icon or a cross will appear. The system will ask you to confirm the action before permanent deletion.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting a widget from the desktop does not delete the application itself. However, removing the system Weather widget may disable the display of temperature in the status bar in some themes.
Display problems on HarmonyOS and new EMUI
Switching to the operating system HarmonyOS and new version EMUI 12/13/14 brought changes to the widget architecture. So-called “Super Widgets” or cards have appeared that require a special approach to activation and configuration.
In some cases, a standard long press may not open the widget menu immediately, but only offer to change the wallpaper. In this situation, try swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen (navigation gesture) or click on the "Menu" button (square) if you have classic navigation.
Go to the section Settings → Home screen → Services. There may be a switch here that is responsible for displaying application cards. If it is turned off, you will not be able to see interactive elements of many apps directly on the desktop.
On HarmonyOS, widgets are often integrated directly into application icons. Try making a small swipe up on the application icon itself to reveal its card.
It is also worth checking the energy saving settings. Aggressive battery optimization on Huawei may prevent widgets from running in the background, causing them to stop updating or disappear after a reboot. Add important widgets to the list of protected applications.
Using third-party launchers to expand functions
If standard shell tools EMUI do not satisfy you or you cannot find the type of widgets you need, installing a third-party launcher would be an excellent solution. This is a full-fledged replacement for the standard desktop with advanced functionality.
Popular solutions such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchairgive access to thousands of additional widgets that may not be compatible with the stock Huawei interface. Installing such a launcher will take only a few minutes.
Settings → Applications → Default applications → Home screenAfter installing the launcher from the store AppGallery or a third-party source, the system will prompt you to select an application to work with the desktop. Select the installed launcher and confirm the action. Now all gestures and menus will work according to the logic of the new app.
- 🚀 Speed - third-party launchers often work faster than stock launchers.
- 🎨 Flexibility - fine-tuning the grid, indents and animations.
- 📦 Libraries - access to widgets from different Android ecosystems.
- 🔄 Backup - saving table settings to the cloud.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party launchers, some proprietary Huawei gestures (for example, calling an assistant by swiping from a corner) may stop working or conflict with the navigation of a new one interface.
You can return to the standard interface at any time by going to the same default application settings and selecting "Huawei Home Screen". All your icons and folders will be saved, since they are part of the system, not the launcher.
☑️ Check before installing the launcher
Specific widgets for games and productivity
Game widgets and monitoring tools that Huawei brings out deserve special attention into a separate segment. They are often hidden in a folder Games or activated through a proprietary utility GameAssistant.
To access them, you often need to not just add a widget to the table, but set up work scenarios. Go to the application Phone optimization (or Phone Manager) and find the section related to game mode or acceleration.
Here you can place a widget for clearing memory, blocking notifications, or recording the screen on your desktop. These controls are critical for gamers, but by default they are often hidden from the eyes of the average user so as not to clutter the interface.
If you do not find these widgets in the standard menu, try updating the Game Center application through AppGallery. New versions often bring with them updated widget packages with new designs and functionality.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did all the widgets disappear after a firmware update?
This is a common situation with major Android or EMUI updates. The system resets the desktop settings to factory settings. You need to re-enter the edit mode (long press) and add widgets manually from the menu.
Is it possible to change the size of the weather widget on Huawei?
Yes, most system widgets support resizing. Long-press the widget on your desktop until a frame appears, then drag the blue handles along the edges to change the height or width of the element.
Where can you find the Pedometer widget on newer models?
The Pedometer widget is usually found as part of the Health app. Go to the widgets menu, find the “Health” application and select the desired size of the step counter to place on the screen.
Why is the widget not updated in real time?
Most likely, the energy saving system has worked. Go to Settings → Battery → Launch applications, find the desired application and allow it to autostart and run in the background.
How to return the left screen with news if it has disappeared?
Go in Settings → Home screen and turn on the "Left Screen" or "Huawei Assistant" switch. If the item is not there, your firmware version or region may not support this feature by default.