Modern smartphones Xiaomi, running shells MIUI or new HyperOS, provide users with ample opportunities to customize the interface. Widgets are not just beautiful icons, but functional tools that allow you to instantly access important information: weather, exchange rates, schedules, or smart home control, without going into the applications themselves. However, the standard logic for working with the desktop in Chinese firmware differs from pure Android, which often raises questions among beginners.
Incorrect understanding of the mechanism for dragging elements or accidentally activating the editing mode can lead to the fact that the desired gadget will not appear on the screen. In this article we will analyze in detail all the ways to install plugins, from standard methods to advanced settings through the developer menu. You will learn how to manage block sizes and eliminate common display errors.
Standard installation method through the widget menu
The most obvious and frequently used way to add elements to the desktop is to use the built-in editing menu. First you need to unlock your smartphone and go to the main screen. It's important to distinguish between two types of interaction with empty space: long press and two-finger pinch. In most versions MIUI the optimal solution is to long press on a free area of the screen where there are no application icons.
After performing this action, the interface will go into editing mode, and a toolbar will appear at the bottom of the display. You need to select item Widgets. A library of all available system and third-party plugins installed on the device will open. The library interface can be presented in the form of a grid or a horizontal scroll bar, depending on the theme version.
Having selected an element you like, for example, a clock or calendar, simply touch it and hold your finger. Drag the item to the desired location on your desktop. Please note that some widgets occupy multiple grid cells. If there is not enough space, the system will automatically move adjacent icons or not allow the object to be placed. Release your finger to lock the position.
⚠️ Attention: If the widget “shakes” or does not fall into place when dragging, check whether the icon placement lock is enabled in the desktop settings. This feature is sometimes activated accidentally.
Use the "Search" function in the widget menu if you have more than 50 applications installed - this will save time scrolling through a long list.
An alternative method is via swipe and control panel
Users who prefer a minimalistic approach can use gestures to quick access to the plugin library. In new versions of the shell HyperOS and fresh builds MIUI 14 the ability to call the widget menu by swiping to the right from the left edge of the main screen has been implemented. This gesture opens the so-called "Negative Screen" or Google feed, where pre-installed gadgets are often located.
However, there is another gesture for adding elements directly to the main grid. Try pinching two fingers together on the screen, as if you were zooming out on a photo. This action also activates the editing mode and opens the bottom menu with the button Widgets. This method is especially convenient if you have a dense grid of icons installed and it is difficult to find free space for a long press.
In some custom themes downloaded from the store Themes, the operating logic can be changed by the author of the design. If standard gestures don't work, try holding down a specific app icon and dragging it to the side to free up space, then use the menu at the bottom. The flexibility of the interface Xiaomi allows you to adapt the controls to the individual habits of the user.
Customizing desktop sizes and grids
One of the main problems with customization is the incompatibility of widget sizes and available space. A standard grid is usually 4x6 or 5x6 cells, but widgets may require non-standard proportions, such as 2x1 or 4x2. To change the grid configuration, you need to go to the desktop settings. MIUI is usually 4x6 or 5x6 cells, but widgets may require non-standard aspect ratios, such as 2x1 or 4x2. To change the grid configuration, you need to go to the desktop settings.
To do this, call up the edit menu (long press on an empty space) and click on the gear icon Settings in the upper or lower right corner of the screen. In the menu that opens, find the item Grid or Grid size. Here you can increase the number of rows and columns by making the cells smaller, or reduce them by making the elements larger.
| Grid configuration | Quantity icons | Suitable for widgets | Impact on readability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x 6 | 24 | Large (4x2) | High |
| 5 x 7 | 35 | Medium (2x2) | Medium |
| 6 x 8 | 48 | Small (1x1) | Low |
| 5 x 6 | 30 | Standard (2x1) | Optimal |
Changing the grid will affect the location of all existing icons, so the system may ask you to confirm resetting the current arrangement. After applying the new settings, try adding the widget again. It should now fit correctly into the available cells. Experiment with different values to find a balance between the number of applications on the screen and the usability of large information blocks.
The secret to scaling widgets
Some widgets support resizing after installation. Long-press an already placed widget and a frame with dots will appear around it. By pulling these points, you can stretch or shrink the block within the available grid, changing the amount of information displayed.
Using third-party launchers and applications
If the standard set of widgets Xiaomi seems boring or limited to you, there is always the option of installing a third-party launcher or specialized applications for creating gadgets. Popular solutions like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Smart Launcher provide much more freedom in the positioning of elements, allowing you to place them in any screen coordinates, ignoring the rigid grid.
To install such solutions, download the APK file or find the application in Google Play. After installation, the system will prompt you to select a default launcher. Select the new launcher and click Always. Now the process of adding widgets will occur through the menu of the new interface, which is often called up by long pressing and selecting an item Widgets in the style of clean Android.
There are also designer applications, such as KWGT Kustom Widget Maker. They allow you to create widgets from scratch, customizing fonts, colors, transparency and animation. It requires some skill, but the result is completely unique. After creating a widget in the application, it appears in the general system library and is added to the screen using the standard method.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party launchers may consume more RAM and drain the battery faster compared to the built-in shell MIUI. Monitor background activity of applications.
☑️ Preparing to install a third-party launcher
Display problems and solutions
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where a widget is added, but is displayed incorrectly: black background, lack of text or incorrect size. This is often due to a theme conflict. If you are using a third-party theme from the store Themes, try temporarily switching to the standard theme Classic or Defaultto see if the problem goes away.
Another common reason is low RAM. Aggressive memory management system Xiaomi can kill widget processes to free resources for active applications. As a result, the widget stops updating or disappears. To fix this, pin the application responsible for the widget to memory.
Open the menu of running applications (swipe up and hold or menu button). Find the application card whose widget is glitching (for example, “Weather” or “Clock”). Pinch it or pull it down until the lock icon appears. Click on the lock. Now the system will not terminate the process of this application in the background.
Fixing the application in RAM through the multitasking menu is the most effective way to make “heavy” widgets work stably without constant loading.
Features of widgets in HyperOS
With the release of the operating system HyperOS the company Xiaomi has significantly redesigned the visual style and logic of the widgets. There is now support for widget stacks, where several gadgets can be placed in one cell and switched by swiping up or down. This allows you to save screen space without sacrificing functionality.
To create a stack, place the first widget on the screen. Then drag a second widget of the same size directly on top of the first. The system will automatically combine them into a stack. To configure the order of elements in the stack, click on the group and select Change stack. Here you can determine which widget will be displayed by default, and also enable the “Smart Rotation” function, which will automatically change gadgets depending on the time of day or context of use.
In HyperOS integration with the smart home ecosystem has also been improved. Device control widgets now support deeper interactivity: you can change the brightness of a lamp or the temperature of an air conditioner directly from the main screen without opening the application Mi Home. The interface has become smoother and the animations have become more responsive, which requires more powerful hardware for comfortable operation.
⚠️ Attention: The widget stacks feature is not available on all smartphone models and may depend on the regional firmware version (Global, China, EEA). If the option is missing, check for system updates.
How to disable smart rotation?
If the widgets in the stack change too often and get in the way, go to the stack settings and turn off the “Smart Rotation” switch. Now you can only scroll through them manually.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the weather widget show incorrect data or is not updated?
Check permissions for the Weather application. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications → Weather → Permissions and make sure that geolocation access is set to “Always” or “When in use” mode. Also check your Internet connection.
Is it possible to change the background transparency of standard Xiaomi widgets?
It is impossible to change the transparency using standard means. To do this, you will need to install a third-party theme that supports customization (transparency), or use widget builder applications such as KWGT, where this parameter is configured manually.
How to remove a widget from the desktop?
Press the widget with your finger for a few seconds. A Delete area or trash can icon will appear at the top of the screen. Drag the widget into this area. Alternatively, in edit mode, a cross may appear on the widget, clicking on which will immediately delete the element.
Why do widgets reset to the corner of the screen after rebooting the phone?
This can happen when changing the screen resolution or when using unstable third-party launchers. Try fixing the arrangement of icons in the desktop settings. If the problem persists, reset the launcher settings to factory settings.
Where can I download additional widgets for MIUI?
Additional widgets are installed along with applications from Google Play or GetApps. You cannot “download” the widget separately—you need to install the application that provides it. You can also look for themes in the store Themesthat contain unique sets of gadgets.