Brand smartphones Redmirunning proprietary shells MIUI or new HyperOSoffer users a wide range of tools for personalizing their desktop. Widgets are not just pretty icons, but functional elements that allow you to get information about the weather, exchange rates, steps or music control without having to launch the corresponding applications. However, the Xiaomi interface has its own specifics, which differ from “pure” Android, which often causes difficulties for beginners.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm for searching, adding and managing widgets on the screens of your device. You will learn where standard interface elements are hidden, how to install third-party utilities, and what to do if the usual functionality suddenly disappears after a system update. Understanding the logic of the desktop launcher will help you make using your smartphone as comfortable and efficient as possible.
The basic method of adding widgets through the editing menu
The most obvious and frequently used method of placing elements on the desktop is to use the editing mode. To do this, you need to pinch an empty area on any home menu screen or pinch with two fingers (bring them together). The system will instantly go into setup mode, where a toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Here you will see several options, among which we are interested in the button Widgets. Clicking on it will open a library of all currently available elements. The interface may vary depending on the firmware version: in older versions MIUI it was a simple list, while new implementations use horizontal scrolling with categories or a grid of large blocks.
Having selected the desired element, for example, the clock or the weather, simply drag it to an empty space on the screen. The system will automatically suggest available slots for placement by highlighting them. If the widget requires adjusting its dimensions, you can change its dimensions by pulling the special markers along the edges of the frame immediately after placement.
If you do not see the “Widgets” button after a long press, check the launcher settings: in some themes this item may be hidden or moved to the “More” menu.
It is worth noting that not all widgets are available for change size. Some of them have fixed parameters set by the application developer. In such cases, the only way to change their display is to delete and select an alternative option from the list, if provided by the system.
Alternative method through the "Plus" button and search
In the latest shell updates HyperOS and current versions MIUI 14 the developers have introduced faster access to the library elements. On the main screen, usually in the left corner or in a special slide “Minus Screen” (Google Discover), there may be a special add button, indicated by the symbol +.
Clicking on this button instantly opens the widget catalog, bypassing the general table editing mode. This is especially useful when you need to quickly add one specific element without affecting the rest of your application icons. In addition, there is often a search bar at the top of this menu.
Using search is the most effective way to find a widget for a specific application if you have dozens of apps installed. Just enter a name, for example Calculator or Mail, and the system will filter the list, leaving only relevant results.
- 🔍 Enter the application name in the search bar for instant result.
- 📂 Use the categories (System, Social, Tools) for /browse.
- ⭐ Pay attention to the “Recommended” section, where new functions are located.
This method is also useful for those who are looking for widgets from third-party developers downloaded from the store Google Play. They often do not fall into the very first lines of the general list, but are easily found through a text query.
Features of widgets in MIUI and HyperOS
Users who have previously used smartphones from other brands may encounter unusual behavior of the interface on Redmi. The key difference is the separation between the concepts of “App Shortcut” and “Widget”. In pure Android, a long press on the icon often immediately prompts you to add a widget, whereas in the Xiaomi shell you must first select a specific action from the pop-up menu.
When you long press the icon of an installed application (for example, Calendar or Weather), a context menu appears. In it you need to find an item Add widget or an icon depicting a square block with a plus sign. Only after this the element will be placed on the desktop.
Another important feature is support for “super widgets” or stacks. In new versions of the software, several widgets of the same size can be stacked on top of each other, creating a kind of deck of cards. Switching between them is done by simply swiping up or down on the widget area.
⚠️ Attention: The widget stacks feature is not available on all Redmi smartphone models. If you have a budget device with a simplified version of the shell, this menu item may not be present.
It is also worth mentioning the so-called “smart” widgets, which change their size and content depending on the context of use. For example, a music widget can expand when a track is playing, showing album art and controls, and shrink in the background.
What is a Minus Screen?
This is a special slide to the left of the main screen that by default displays the Google news feed or Xiaomi services. You can also add widgets there, but they will only be visible when you swipe right from the first screen.
Customizing and resizing interface elements
After a widget has been successfully added to the screen, it often needs to be adapted to free space or personal preferences. Most system elements support resizing. To do this, you need to enter editing mode again (long press on an empty space) and select the desired block.
A frame with dots or sliders along the edges will appear around the selected element. By pulling them, you can stretch the widget vertically or horizontally. The system will “magnetize” the borders to the desktop grid, ensuring an even layout.
Some widgets have advanced settings available through a separate menu. This is usually done by long pressing on the widget itself and selecting the item Settings (gear icon). Here you can change the weather city, select the clock display style, or adjust the data update frequency.
| Widget type | Resizable | Available settings |
|---|---|---|
| Clock (Analog) | Yes (Square, Rectangle) | Dial color, hand style |
| Weather | Yes (Various proportions) | City, units of measurement (C/F) |
| Notes | Limited (Height only) | Select a specific note, background color |
| Music | None (Fixed size) | Player control only |
An enlarged calendar widget will show more days of the month, and a smaller one will show only the current date. Experiment with dimensions to find a balance between information content and saving space.
Solving problems with the lack of widgets
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where familiar widgets disappear from the menu or are not added to the screen. This may be due to theme limitations. Third-party themes downloaded from the store Mi Themesoften have their own set of icons and widgets that overlap standard system elements.
To return to the classic look, you need to change the theme to the standard one (Classic or Default). Go to the application Themes, go to your profile and select the default theme. Once the change is applied, the widgets should return to their original positions.
Another common reason is that you have disabled permissions for the app whose widget you are trying to use. If the app does not have access to geolocation, the weather widget may not display or show an error. Check the settings in the section Applications → Access rights.
⚠️ Attention: After a large-scale system update (for example, the transition from MIUI 13 to 14), the arrangement of widgets may be confused. This is normal behavior and requires you to manually reconfigure your desktop.
Also make sure you have enough free space on your desktop. Grid Android does not allow objects to be superimposed on each other. If all the cells are occupied by icons, the system will not allow you to add a new block, even if visually it seems that there is space.
☑️ Diagnosis of missing widgets
Third-party widgets and installing them from Google Play
The standard set of Xiaomi tools is rich, but sometimes you need specific functionality that is provided only third party developers. The store Google Play offers thousands of widgets for any task: from advanced weather stations to system CPU load monitors.
The process of installing a third-party widget is no different from working with standard ones. After downloading and installing the application from the store, its widget will automatically appear in the shared library. You don't need to look for it in the application menu - it integrates directly into the launcher.
Popular categories of third-party widgets are:
1. Customization: iOS style widgets, minimalistic clocks, transparent blocks.
2. Performance: cleaning memory, battery control, temperature monitoring.
3. Information: cryptocurrency rates, transport schedules, RSS news.
When using heavy third-party widgets, it is worth considering the load on RAM. Constantly updating data (such as animated weather widgets) can drain your battery faster. In the settings of such widgets, you can often disable live animation to save resources.
Third-party widgets expand functionality, but require careful attention to resolutions and energy consumption. Always check reviews before installing unknown applications.
Why does the weather widget show incorrect data?
Most often, the problem lies in the wrong city selected in the settings of the widget itself or in disabled geolocation. Go to the widget settings (long press → Settings) and manually specify the desired location. Also check if the Weather app has access to your location in the privacy settings.
Is it possible to remove the Xiaomi logo from the clock widget?
On standard system widgets, the brand logo is often part of the design and cannot be removed through the settings. However, by installing a third-party theme without logos or downloading an alternative clock widget from Google Play, you can completely get rid of branding on your desktop.
What to do if the widget does not respond to taps?
If the widget is frozen and does not open when you tap, try deleting it and adding it again. In more complex cases, clearing the launcher cache will help: Settings → Applications → All applications → Launcher → Clear cache. This will not remove your icons, but will restart the interface.
How to move a widget to another screen?
In edit mode (long press on an empty space), simply drag the widget to the edge of the screen left or right. The system will automatically switch you to the adjacent desktop, where you can release your finger to place the item. Drag and drop between folders is not possible.