Search bar Yandex on the main screen of your smartphone saves time: you don’t need to open a browser or application to find information. But not everyone knows that this widget can be added in literally two clicks - or that its absence in the list of available elements does not always mean that it cannot be installed. In this article we will look at all the current methods, including bypassing restrictions on some firmware Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei.

It is important to understand that the methods differ depending on the version Android and the manufacturer's shell. In some places the widget is added through the standard menu, and in others it requires the installation of additional software. We tested all the options on devices with Android 10–14 and collected only working solutions - without outdated advice like "install the launcher from Yandex" (this method stopped working after the policy update Google Play in 2023).

1. Standard method: adding widgets through the menu

This is the simplest method that works on most smartphones with clean Android (for example, Pixel, Nokia, Motorola) or shells with minimal changes (OnePlus, Oppo). If you have a device from Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei, first check this method - the widget may already be available.

Instructions:

  • 📱 Long press on an empty space on the main screen (not on the icon!).
  • 🔧 In the menu that appears, select “Widgets" (or "Widgets").
  • 🔍 Scroll down the list and find the section "Yandex».
  • 🖱️ Drag the widget “Yandex Search” to the main screen.
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If the widget is not displayed, first install or update the official application Yandex from Google Play. Sometimes after an update, the smartphone needs to be rebooted.

On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14), the widget may be hidden in the "Other widgets" folder or called "Yandex.Search". If you do not find it, proceed to the next method.

What to do if the widget cannot be dragged?

If, when you try to add a widget, the message "Failed to add" appears, this may mean that:

  • 📵 The device has power saving modeinstalled, blocking background processes.
  • 🔒 Application Yandex deprived of rights to display on top of other windows (check in Settings → Applications → Yandex → Permissions).
  • 📱 Used third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher), which can block widgets from some applications.

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2. Alternative method: through the Yandex application

If the widget is not displayed in the menu, you can add it from the application Yandex. This method works even on devices with heavily modified shells, where the manufacturer limits the choice of widgets.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Open the application Yandex (if it is not there, install it from Google Play).
  2. Tap on the profile icon (or the "☰" menu) in the upper right corner.
  3. Select "Settings» → «Search widget».
  4. Click "Add to home screen" and confirm the action.

Make sure that:

✅ Application Yandex updated to the latest version

✅ There is enough free space on the device (minimum 100 MB)

✅ All memory optimizers are disabled (for example, MIUI Optimization on Xiaomi)

✅ The smartphone is not in mode Do not disturb

If the "Add to Home Screen" button is inactive, this may mean that your version Android or shell is blocking the installation of widgets from third-party applications. In this case, try the following method.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices Huawei (without services Google) widget Yandex may not work due to restrictions HMS. In this case, use the browser version of the search or install Yandex.Browser with the widget.

3. For Samsung devices: bypassing One UI limitations

Samsung is known for aggressively limiting customization options in its shell One UI. If you do not find the widget Yandex in the standard menu, this does not mean that you cannot add it. Here is a working workaround:

Method 1: Through Good Lock (official software from Samsung)

  • 📱 Install the application Good Lock from Galaxy Store.
  • 🔧 Go to the module "Nice Catch" (or "Home Up" in new versions).
  • 🔍 Enable the option “Show all widgets».
  • 🔄 Return to adding widgets - now Yandex should be displayed.

Method 2: Through Nova Launcher (if the first method did not work)

  • 📲 Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
  • 🔧 In the settings launcher, select “Widgets» → «Yandex».
  • 🖱️ Drag the widget to the main screen.
  • 🔄 Return to the standard launcher - the widget will remain in place.
Samsung Model Supported Method Notes
Galaxy S22/S23 Good Lock + Nice Catch Required One UI 5.0+
Galaxy A52/A53 Nova Launcher Works on One UI 4.1–6.0
Galaxy Z Flip/Fold Both Methods On folding devices, the widget may not display correctly in expanded mode
Galaxy M32/M52 Only Nova Launcher Good Lock may not support budget models

One UI (Samsung)|MIUI (Xiaomi)|EMUI (Huawei)|Pure Android|Other-->

4. For Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO: features of MIUI

On devices with MIUI the widget Yandex is often hidden due to the policy Xiaomithat promotes its own services. However, it can be used. add via developer mode or third-party tools.

Method 1: Enable USB debugging

  1. Activate developer mode: go to Settings → About phone and tap 7 times on “MIUI version».
  2. Return to "Settings» → «Advanced» → «For developers».
  3. Enable "USB debugging" and "Allow changes to system settings».
  4. Connect the phone to the PC, install ADB and run the command: 
    adb shell settings put secure sysui_tuner_enabled 1
  5. Reboot the device - the widget should appear in the menu.

Method 2: Through Widgetsmith (without root)

  • 📱 Install the application Widgetsmith from Google Play.
  • 🔧 Create a new widget like "Web" or "Custom».
  • 🔗 Insert the link https://ya.ru and customize the appearance.
  • 🖱️ Add the created widget to the home screen.
⚠️ Attention: After the update MIUI 14 some users report that widgets Yandex disappear after a reboot. In this case, only installing Nova Launcher or rolling back to the previous firmware version will help.

5. and Honor: working with HMS and the absence of Google

Devices Huawei and Honor without services Google (HMS) have limited support for widgets from third-party applications. However, there are workarounds:

Method 1: Through Yandex.Browser

  • 🌐 Install Yandex.Browser from AppGallery or APKMirror.
  • 🔧 Open the browser and go to the main page Yandex.
  • 📌 Tap on “☰” → “Add to main screen».
  • 🖱️ Confirm the creation of the shortcut - it will work as a search bar.

Method 2: Through Petal Search (built-in Huawei search)

  • 🔍 Open Petal Search (standard application on Huawei).
  • 🔧 In the settings, select "Default» → «Yandex" (if it is in the list).
  • 📱 Add widget Petal Search on the home screen - it will be used Yandex for search.
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On devices Huawei without Google Play widget Yandex may work unstable due to the lack of services Google Mobile Services (GMS). In this case, it is better to use a browser shortcut.

6. If nothing works: creating a shortcut manually

If all the previous methods did not work, you can create shortcut for quick search via the browser. This is not a full-fledged widget, but it will allow you to open Yandex in one tap.

Instructions:

  1. Open Google Chrome or any other browser.
  2. Go to the website https://ya.ru.
  3. Tap on “☰” → “Add to home screen».
  4. Name the shortcut (for example, “Yandex Search”) and confirm.

For convenience, you can:

  • 🎨 Change the shortcut icon through the launcher (for example, Nova Launcher).
  • 🔍 Use voice search: add a widget Google Assistant and configure it to open Yandex on the command "Okay, Google, find it in Yandex...».

The only case when adding a widget is impossible is if the manufacturer has completely blocked the installation of third-party widgets at the system level (for example, on some corporate devices. In this case, you can only use a browser shortcut or alternative launchers.

7. Common problems and their solutions

Even after successfully adding a widget, problems may occur. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

Problem Cause Solution
The widget disappears after reboot Memory optimization in MIUI/EMUI Add Yandex to exceptions (Settings → Battery → Battery optimization)
The widget does not update the weather/news Limit background activity Allow autorun and background work for Yandex
The search opens in the browser, not in the application Incorrect default settings In the browser settings, select "Open links in Yandex.Browser»
The widget is displayed incorrectly (blurred, cropped) Incompatibility with screen resolution Try changing the screen grid size in the launcher settings

If the widget stopped working after updating Yandex or Android, try:

  • 🔄 Reinstall the application Yandex.
  • 📱 Clear launcher cache (Settings → Applications → [Your launcher] → Memory → Clear cache).
  • 🔧 Reset the launcher settings to standard.
Can I add a Yandex widget to the lock screen?

No, Android does not support adding widgets to the lock screen for security reasons. However, on some devices (for example, Samsungyou can add shortcut for quick access to search after unlocking.

Why doesn't the Yandex widget show the weather or news?

This happens due to:

  • 📵 Geolocation restrictions —check the permissions for Yandex in the settings.
  • 🌍 Wrong region —in the settings Yandex set the correct city.
  • 🔄 Outdated data —update the widget by swiping down (if supported).

If the problem persists, clear the application cache Yandex.

How to change the size of a Yandex widget?

The size of the widget changes in the same way as for other elements:

  1. Long press on the widget.
  2. Release your finger and a frame will appear around.
  3. Pull the corners to change the size.
  4. Press "Done" or tap outside the widget.

Some launchers (for example, Nova Launcher) have additional size settings available in the editing menu.

Is it possible to move a Yandex widget to another screen?

Yes, the widget can be moved between screens:

  1. Long press and hold on the widget.
  2. Drag it to the edge of the screen - it will automatically move to the next one.
  3. Release your finger to lock the position.

If the widget is not dragged, check if the “Screen fixing" mode is enabled in the launcher settings.

How to remove a Yandex widget from the main screen?

Removal is performed in the standard way:

  1. Long press on the widget.
  2. Drag it to the top of the screen to the inscription “Delete" (or to the trash).
  3. Release your finger to confirm.

On some firmware (for example EMUI), you may need to first unlock the widget in the screen settings.