Where to find and how to add widgets to Xiaomi smartphones

Users who have switched from other platforms for the first time or updated their devices to the latest versions HyperOSare often confused when trying to personalize their desktop. The question of where are the widgets on Android Xiomi is one of the most popular in communities, since the menu logic in the shells is significantly different from stock Android or iOS. The interface of these systems is built on deep customization, where controls are placed in separate sections, access to which is not always obvious at first glance. MIUI And HyperOS significantly different from stock Android or iOS. The interface of these systems is built on deep customization, where the controls are placed in separate sections, access to which is not always obvious at first glance.

Understanding the structure of the workspace is critical for the effective use of a smartphone. Widgets allow you to display useful information, such as weather, exchange rates or steps, directly on the home screen, bypassing the launch of applications. In this article, we will look in detail at all the ways to detect and install these elements, and also look at hidden settings that may affect their availability.

It is worth noting that the menu location may vary depending on the firmware version and the regional specifics of the device. However, the basic principles of navigation remain the same for the vast majority of models, from the budget Redmi series to the flagship Xiaomi. We will look at both standard methods and alternative ways to access the functionality.

Basic access method through the editing menu

The most common and intuitive method of finding widgets is to use the desktop editing mode. To activate this mode, you need to long press your finger on any free area of ​​the main screen. This action blocks accidental movements of icons and opens the lower toolbar, where the main customization functions are hidden.

After the panel appears at the bottom of the screen, you will see several icons, including “Wallpaper”, “Effects” and, most importantly for us, the “Widgets” button. Clicking on this button opens the full library of available plugins installed in the system and third-party applications. Here, elements are usually grouped into categories or sorted alphabetically for ease of search.

It is important to understand the difference between an application icon and the widget itself. The icon serves only as a shortcut to launch the app, while the widget is an interactive block of different sizes. In the selection menu, you can preview exactly how an item will look on your screen before confirming its installation.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices with heavily modified launchers or third-party themes, the "Widgets" button may be hidden or moved to a submenu. If, after a long press, you do not see the desired option, try resetting the theme to the standard one in the personalization settings.

The process of adding an element is extremely simple: after opening the library, just select the option you like and drag it to the desired location in the desktop grid. The system will automatically highlight the available cells where you can place the object. If the space is occupied by other icons, the widget may not stand up, requiring preliminary clearing of space.

Application menu as an alternative source

The second method, which is often overlooked by beginners, is associated with the general menu of all installed applications. Depending on the settings of your launcher, the screen may be divided into a desktop and a separate page with all apps, or all elements may be on the same plane. In the "Application Menu" mode, widgets are accessed through the top of the screen or swipes.

Open the application menu by swiping up from the center of the screen (if you have gesture controls enabled) or by pressing the corresponding navigation button. At the top of this list, above the alphabetical index or search bar, there is often a tab or switch labeled "Widgets." Switching to this tab instantly displays the same list of plugins as in edit mode.

This method is especially useful when you know exactly the name of the application for which you are looking for a widget, but do not want to go to the home screen. You can find an application in the list, immediately switch to the widgets tab and see the available options for that particular app, without scrolling through the general library.

It is worth mentioning that in new versions HyperOS Google actively integrates its widgets directly into the search interface or into the top of the application menu. This allows you to quickly add search, map or news widgets without diving deeply into the system settings. The functionality is constantly expanding, making interaction with the interface smoother.

Interface features of HyperOS and MIUI 14

With the release of the operating system HyperOS Xiaomi has made significant changes to the logic of working with widgets, focusing on ecosystem interaction. This shell now supports more complex and interactive plugins that can span multiple pages or have dynamic content. The old access methods are preserved, but the visual presentation has become more modern.

One ​​of the key features of the new system is the division of widgets into “Classic” (Android) and “New” (MIUI/HyperOS). New widgets often have unique designs, support dark mode more flexibly, and allow you to resize not only in a grid, but with more freedom. You can find them in the same menu, but they are usually marked with a special icon or placed at the top of the list.

Also, work with folders has been improved. Now widgets can be placed inside folders on the desktop, which was not possible in earlier versions HyperOS Improved work with folders. Now widgets can be placed inside folders on the desktop, which was not possible in earlier versions MIUI. This allows you to group tools by topic, for example, by creating a "Finance" folder with widgets for exchange rates and a banking application, saving space on the main screen.

Users who upgraded from older versions, It may take some time to get used to the new widget menu opening animation. Now it is often called by swiping to the right from the left edge of the screen (if Google Discover is not enabled) or by long tapping, after which a full window with a real-time preview opens.

Setting the size and grid of the desktop

A frequent problem when searching for widgets is not their absence, but the inability to place them on the screen due to the inappropriate grid size. The standard grid may be too fine for large information blocks, such as calendars or large clocks. To solve this problem, you need to change the desktop configuration.

Go to the device settings and find the "Desktop" section. Here you will find the Grid option, which allows you to select the number of rows and columns. Increasing the cell size (for example, moving from a 5x6 grid to a 4x5 grid) will make icons and widgets larger, freeing up space for larger plugins. On the contrary, reducing the cells will allow you to fit more elements on one screen.

After changing the grid, the system will automatically redistribute the icons, and some widgets may move or require manual reinstallation. This is normal behavior as the element's anchor coordinates change. It is recommended to choose a grid size that balances between the convenience of finger pressing and screen capacity.

Grid type	Number of icons	Suitable for widgets	Recommended screen size
Compact (5x7)	35+	Small (1x1, 2x1)	6.0 - 6.4 inches
Standard (4x6)	24	Medium (2x2, 3x2)	6.5 - 6.7 inches
Spacious (3x5)	15	Large (4x2, 2x4)	6.8+ inches

Experiment with settings to find the perfect balance. Some users prefer to use different grids on different desktop pages, although the system usually applies the setting globally. A properly configured grid is the key to an aesthetic and functional interface.

Third-party launchers and widgets from the Play Market

If the built-in capabilities of the system are not enough for you, you can always turn to the application store Google Play. Thousands of developers create widgets that often surpass the standard ones in functionality and design. Popular applications like Nova Launcher, Smart Launcher or specialized widget packs (for example, KWGT) open up new horizons of personalization.

When installing a third-party launcher, the logic for accessing widgets may change. In most cases, a long tap on an empty space will still work, but the menu may look different. Some launchers allow you to place widgets in a separate menu by swiping or assign special gestures for them. This gives you complete control over where and how elements are displayed.

Particular attention should be paid to Google widgets, which are updated frequently regardless of the phone's firmware. Widgets "Google Search", "News", "Maps" and "Fit" are always available through the app menu or through a long tap if the standard launcher is installed. Their integration with the system is deep, and they rarely cause conflicts.

Why can widgets disappear after a reboot?

Sometimes aggressive memory saving in MIUI unloads widget processes. Go to the battery settings, find the widget application and set the operating mode to "Unlimited" so that it is always active.

Remember that installing too many heavy third-party widgets can negatively affect battery life and interface speed. Each active widget consumes CPU and RAM resources to update data. Be careful and remove unused elements.

Solving problems with display and disappearance

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where widgets disappear from the screen or stop updating. This may be due to an error in the launcher, lack of RAM, or failures after a system update. The first step should always be a simple reboot of the device, which clears temporary caches and restarts system processes.

If rebooting doesn't help, check your power saving settings. Xiaomi's system is known for its aggressive optimizations, which can kill widget background processes to save battery. You need to go to the battery settings, find the problematic application and allow it to autostart and run in the background. Without this permission, the widget will show outdated data or a blank screen.

In extreme cases where widgets are not added at all or the menu does not open, you can try clearing the Launcher app data. This is done through Settings → Applications → All applications → Desktop → Memory → Clear. Attention: this action will reset the arrangement of all icons on the main screen to the factory state, so first remember your layout.

⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the MIUI or HyperOS version, as well as on the regional firmware (Global, China, EEA). If you do not find the item described, use the search in settings.

It is also worth checking if the “Simple Mode” mode (for older people) is enabled, which limits the number of available widgets and simplifies the interface to a minimum. Exiting this mode will return full desktop functionality. You can disable it in the screen settings or through a special application on the desktop.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why after updating the firmware all widgets lost?

During major system updates (for example, the transition from MIUI 13 to 14 or to HyperOS), the structure of the desktop may change. The system tries to adapt old widgets to the new grid, which often leads to their displacement or removal if they are incompatible with the new launcher. It is recommended to re-add them from the widget menu.

Is it possible to resize an already added widget?

Yes, most widgets support resizing. To do this, you need to long press on the widget on the desktop, and then drag the special frames or dots that appear along the contour. However, some system widgets have a fixed size and cannot be changed.

Where can I find widgets for controlling a Xiaomi smart home?

Widgets for controlling smart home devices are located in the application MI Home (or Mi Home / Xiaomi Home). Open the application, go to the profile or settings of a specific device, and there will be an option to “Add widget to desktop”. Also in the general widget menu there is a special section for a smart home.

Why does the weather widget show incorrect data?

This is often related to geolocation settings. Make sure the Weather app or whose widget you're using is set to "Only When Used" or "Always" location access. Also check if the correct city is selected in the settings of the widget itself when you click on it.