How to create and configure widgets on Redmi smartphones: a complete guide with examples

Widgets on Androidsmartphones Xiaomi Redmi are not just desktop decoration, but a powerful tool for quick access to information and device management. They can be used to track the weather, control music, monitor battery life, or even launch frequently used functions with one touch. However, many users face difficulties: where to find widgets on MIUI, how to add them correctly and why do they sometimes disappear after a system update?

In this article we will look at all the nuances of working with widgets on Redmi —from basic operations to hidden firmware capabilities. You will learn how to bypass restrictions MIUI, where to download additional widgets and how to return disappeared elements after resetting the settings. We will pay special attention to models Redmi Note 12/13 and flagships of the series Redmi K60, where the interface has unique features.

Widgets in MIUI work differently than in “pure” Android. For example, there is no classic widget menu when you long press on the desktop - instead, a special window with tabs is used. And some system widgets (for example, for Short commands) are hidden by default and require activation through the settings. These subtleties often confuse even experienced users.

It is important to understand that the functionality of widgets depends on the version MIUI. In firmware MIUI 14 and newer, support for dynamic widgets with animation appeared, but at the same time the ability to change the size of some elements (for example, widget Weather) disappeared. We will tell you how to bypass these restrictions using third-party launchers or ADB commands.

1. Where to find widgets on Redmi: hidden menus and quick methods

Unlike most Androiddevices, there is no usual way to add widgets by long pressing on the desktop. Instead Redmi There is no usual way to add widgets through a long press on the desktop. Instead Xiaomi uses a separate menu, which is opened by swiping right on the main screen. Here's how to get there:

1. Unlock your phone and go to home screen (not the application menu!).

2. Swipe right swipe right (as if you were flipping a page on the screen).

3. A panel with tabs will appear at the top: Widgets, Short commands and Special. capabilities.

If swiping does not work, check the gesture settings:

1. Open Settings → Desktop
2. Select Go to widgets
3. Make sure that the option Swipe to the right is enabled

In some versions MIUI (for example, on Redmi Note 11 with global firmware) this menu may be disabled. To get it back, run the command via ADB:

adb shell settings put global miui_use_customized_widget_panel 1

What to do if the widget menu has completely disappeared?

If swiping to the right does not open the widget panel even after checking the settings, try:

1. Install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher)

2. Reset your desktop settings in Settings → Desktop → Reset

3. Update MIUI to the latest version (in some builds this menu is hidden due to bugs)

2. How to add a widget to your desktop: step-by-step guide

Once you have found the widget menu, adding an item to the screen only takes a few seconds. Here are detailed instructions taking into account the features MIUI 14/15:

1. Open the widget panel by swiping to the right.

2. Go to the tab Widgets (usually it is the first one).

3. Scroll down the list - all available widgets are displayed here, grouped by application.

4. Find the desired widget and press its icon for 1-2 seconds.

5. Without releasing your finger, drag the widget to an empty space on the desktop.

6. Release your finger - the widget will be added.

Pay attention to several important points:

• 📱 Widget size can be changed only after adding - hold it and pull the corners. However, some system widgets (for example, Weather or Calendar) have a fixed size.
• 🔄 Data update: many widgets (for example, Courses currencies or News) require the Internet to be turned on and the application to be active in the background.
• 🚫 MIUI restrictions: you cannot place more than 5 medium-sized widgets on one screen - the system will begin to automatically reduce them.

Check the free space on your desktop

Turn on the Internet (for widgets with online data)

Update the application to which the widget belongs

Close background tasks (if the widget is not updated)-->

If the widget is not added (the icon “returns” back), the reasons may be as follows:

1. There is no free space on the desktop - try removing unnecessary icons.
2. Widget Conflict with another element - move existing widgets further away.
3. MIUI limit on the number of widgets - try adding it to another screen.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi with firmware for the Chinese market (China ROM), some widgets (for example Google Search or Gmail) may be missing due to regional restrictions. To return them, you will need to change the region in your account settings Mi.

3. Popular widgets for Redmi and their configuration

Not all widgets are equally useful. We have selected TOP-5 most popular elements for Redmithat save time and simplify working with your smartphone. Here are their features and configuration methods:

Widget	Functions	How to configure	Restrictions
Weather	Temperature, precipitation, UV index, 7-day forecast	Long press → Settings → select city, units of measurement	Does not update without the Internet; fixed size in MIUI 14+
Short commands	One tap to turn on the flashlight, mobile data, airplane mode	Add through the widget menu → select the desired commands in the settings	Maximum 8 teams; does not work in energy saving mode
Battery control	Charge level, temperature, time to full discharge	Settings → Battery → enable Show percentage	Shows inaccurate data when using powerbank
Music	Playback control (play/pause, tracks)	Automatically appears when playing music	Works only with MIUI Music or Google Play Music
Notes	Quick creation of notes, checklists	Long press → select color, font size	Does not synchronize with Google Keep

The widget deserves special attention Short commands. It allows you to create custom combinations of actions, for example:

• 🔦 Simultaneously enable Flashlight and Vibration mode
• 📶 Activate mobile data and disable Wi-Fi
• 🔇 Enable Do not disturb and set the timer for 1 hour

In MIUI 15 it became possible to create widgets for custom scenarios through the app Automation. For example, you can make a widget that, when clicked, will send your current location to a pre-selected contact.

4. How to change the size and style of a widget

Default MIUI offers limited widget customization options, but there are ways to get around these limitations. Here's what you can do without root access:

Resizing:

1. Add a widget to the desktop.
2. Hold it and wait a little - white dots will appear in the corners white dots at corners.
3. Drag any dot to change the width or height.
4. Release your finger when you reach the desired size.

If the dots do not appear, this means that the widget has fixed size (typical for Weather, Calendar in MIUI 14+). In this case, a third-party launcher will help, for example Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, where resize restrictions are removed.

Changing style:

• 🎨 For widget Clock: long press → Style → select from 5 preset themes.
• 📊 For the widget Battery control: enable in the battery settings Show graph.
• 🖼️ For widget Photo: select an album or a specific image in the settings.

⚠️ Attention: When changing the size of the widget Music the album cover may disappear. This is a MIUI bug that can be fixed by rebooting the phone.

For advanced customization (changing fonts, colors, animations) you will need:

1. Install KWGT Pro (Kustom Widget Maker) from Play Market.
2. Download ready-made widget themes (for example, on Telegramchannels like MIUI Customization).
3. Import the .klwp file into KWGT and customize it for yourself.

5. Why widgets disappear and how to get them back

One of the most common problems on Redmi — spontaneous disappearance of widgets after a system update, a factory reset, or even a regular reboot. Here are the main reasons and solutions:

Reason 1: MIUI update

After major updates (for example, from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), the system resets the desktop settings. To return widgets:

1. Restart the phone.
2. Check the widget menu - perhaps they have simply moved to another screen.
3. If the widget has disappeared completely, add it again (see Section 2).

Reason 2: Clearing the launcher cache

When you clear application data Launcher (for example, through Settings → Applications), all widgets and icons are reset. They cannot be restored automatically - you will have to configure them manually.

Cause 3: Conflict with the optimizer

The application Security (Security) sometimes deletes widgets, considering them "unused". To avoid this: MIUI sometimes deletes widgets, considering them "unused". To avoid this:

1. Open Security → Optimization.
2. Click ⚙️ → Autoclean.
3. Disable the option Clean up unused widgets.

Reason 4: Resetting settings

After a factory reset, all widgets are deleted. To quickly restore the desktop:

• 📲 Restore the backup via Settings → Advanced → Backup.
• 🔄 Use the function Restore layout in the launcher settings (not available on all models).
• 📱 If all else fails, add widgets again - their settings (for example, the selected city in Weather) are usually saved.

6. Creating custom widgets without root

If standard widgets MIUI are not enough for you, you can create your own with a unique design and functionality. Here 3 proven methods without the need to obtain root access:

Method 1: KWGT (Kustom Widget Maker)

This is the most powerful solution for customization. With KWGT Pro you can:

• 🎨 Create widgets from scratch or edit ready-made templates.
• 📊 Add dynamic data: weather, battery, network activity.
• 🔄 Customize animations during interaction.

Instructions:

1. Install KWGT Pro from Play Market.
2. Download the template you like (file .kwt) from sites like Kustom Rocks.
3. Import it into KWGT and place it on your desktop.

Method 2: UCCW (Ultimate Custom Widget)

A simpler analogue KWGT with limited functionality, but easier to learn. Suitable for creating:

• 📅 Calendar widgets with a custom font.
• ⚡ Battery charge indicators with a unique design.
• 🎵 Player controls with custom buttons.

Method 3: Widgets via Tasker + AutoTools

For advanced users: you can create a widget that will perform any actions when pressed. For example:

• 📱 With one tap. turn on Hot spot and send an SMS with a password.
• 🔊 Automatically launch a playlist on Spotify scheduled.
• 📍 Send your location in Telegram-chat.

For this you will need:

1. Install Tasker and plugin AutoTools.
2. Create a task with the necessary actions.
3. C using AutoTools export it as a widget.

⚠️ Attention: Widgets created via Taskermay not work in power saving mode. Add Tasker to the list of exceptions in the battery settings.

7. Widgets on the locked screen of Redmi

Few people know, but on Redmi you can place widgets directly on the lock screenThis is convenient for quick access to information without unlocking the phone. do:

1. Open Settings → Lock screen.

2. Select Widgets on the lock screen.

3. Turn on the switch and select the desired widgets from the list:

- Weather

- Calendar

- Steps (if a fitness bracelet is connected Mi Band)

- Music

Limitations:

• 🔒 You can place no more than 2 widgets on the lock screen.
• 📱 Widgets are displayed only when the screen is on (do not work in the "Always On" mode Display").
• 🔐 Sensitive data (such as messages) are not displayed without unlocking.

If widgets on the locked screen are not updating:

1. Check whether the setting Update in the background is enabled for the relevant application.
2. Disable power saving mode for system applications.
3. Restart the phone - sometimes this helps reset the lock screen cache.

8. Solving problems with widgets on Redmi

Even After proper configuration, widgets on Redmi may not work correctly. We have collected the most common problems and their solutions:

Problem	Possible reason	Solution
Widget does not update	Limit background activity	Add the application to battery exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery optimization
The widget has become transparent	Graphics accelerator failure	Enable/disable Hardware acceleration in the developer settings
The widget blinks or twitches	Conflict with MIUI animations	Disable animations: Settings → Special. features → Remove animations
Cannot change size	System widget limitation	Use a third-party launcher (Nova, Lawnchair)
Widget disappears after reboot	Launcher failure	Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear cache

If widget Weather shows the wrong city:

1. Remove the widget from your desktop.
2. Open the application Weather and manually select your city.
3. Add the widget again.

For widgets Google (for example, Search or Google Calendar) that do not work:

• 🔄 Update Google Play services in Play Market.
• 📱 Install Google App (if deleted).
• 🔧 In your Google account settings, enable synchronization for the desired service.

⚠️ Attention: Google widgets may not work due to the lack of Google services. Solution: flash Redmi With China ROM Google widgets may not work due to lack of Google services. Solution: flash Global ROM or install services manually via XiaomiTool.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about widgets on Redmi

Is it possible to make a widget for a specific contact (short call)?

Yes, but not through standard means. Options:

• Use the widget Contact (in the widget menu) and select the desired contact.
• Create a contact shortcut: open Contact → long-press the desired contact → Create a shortcut.
• In Tasker set up a shortcut task and export as a widget.

Why does the "Steps" widget not count steps correctly?

The problem is related to the operation of the sensors. Check:

• Is Step counter in Settings → Applications → System → Activity.
• Are there any restrictions for applications Mi Fitness in the battery settings.
• Do you carry the phone in your pocket (the sensors work more accurately when you move the body).

If the steps still don’t count, try installing Google Fit and use its widget.

How to make a widget with a button to turn off the phone?

No way by standard means, but there are workarounds:

• Add a widget Quick commands and configure the command Shutdown (not available on all models).
• Use Tasker to create a shutdown task and export it as a widget (requires root).
• Install a third party application like Power Menu Widget (works without root on some firmware).

⚠️ On MIUI 14+ the shutdown button in widgets is blocked for security reasons.

Is it possible to transfer widgets to another Redmi via a backup?

Partially. When restoring from a backup MIUI the following are transferred:

• 📌 Location of widgets on the desktop.
• 🔧 Some settings (for example, the selected city in the widget Weather).

But the application widgets themselves (for example, KWGT or Tasker) will have to be configured again, since they are tied to specific APK files.

To transfer custom widgets:

1. Export the files .kwt (for KWGT) or tasks (for Tasker) to the cloud.
2. On the new phone, install the same applications and import files.

How to remove ads in MIUI widgets?

In some advertising may appear in system widgets (for example, News or Recommendations). To turn it off:

• Go to Settings → Desktop → Recommendations and disable all switches.
• In your account settings Mi disable personalized advertising: Profile → Settings advertising.
• Set ADB-command to disable system advertising:

  adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

If advertising remains, try flashing Global ROM without Chinese services.