Modern Redmi smartphones from Xiaomi have powerful functionality that allows you to turn the device screen into a real information center. One of the most popular personalization elements is weather widget, which not only displays the current temperature, but also shows the forecast for several days ahead. However, users often encounter difficulties when trying to add this element to the desktop, especially after updating the system or resetting the settings to factory settings.
In the ecosystem MIUI and the new shell HyperOS the process of installing widgets may differ from pure Android, which many are familiar with from other brands. The interface offers many options for displaying data: from minimalistic lines to large animated blocks with background images. Understanding the logic of the launcher will help you configure the screen so that important information is always in front of your eyes without the need to launch separate applications.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the ways to install weather widgets on Redmi devices. We will look at standard system tools, the capabilities of third-party applications, and nuances related to geolocation and data updating. We will also pay attention to typical errors due to which the widget may stop working or show incorrect information.
Using the standard weather widget in MIUI and HyperOS
The easiest and most reliable way to access weather data is to use the built-in application that comes pre-installed on all Redmi smartphones. It is deeply integrated into the system, which ensures minimal battery consumption and stable operation. To get started, you need to find the Weather application icon on your desktop, which usually looks like the sun behind a cloud.
After launching the application, the system will automatically ask for permission to access your location. This is a critical step because without location, the widget will not be able to show relevant data for your city. If you accidentally denied access earlier, you will have to manually enable this option in your privacy settings.
To display information on the main screen, follow these steps:
- 📍 Press your finger on an empty space on the desktop until the editing menu appears.
- 🛠️ At the bottom of the screen, select the button “Widgets” or “Add widget.”
- 🌤️ Scroll down the list and find the “Weather” section or an icon with the corresponding name.
- 👆 Select the display style you like and drag it to a free area of the screen.
Please note that in different versions firmware, the number of available styles may vary. In the new updates HyperOS the developers have added the ability to change the transparency and grid size of the widget, which allows you to more flexibly fit it into your interface design.
Setting up geolocation and data sources
The correct operation of the widget directly depends on the accuracy of determining your location. If the device shows the weather for a neighboring city or the data is not updated, the problem most often lies in the settings of geolocation services. Redmi smartphones use a hybrid detection method that combines data from GPS, cell towers and Wi-Fi networks.
To ensure maximum accuracy, go to section Settings → Applications → All apps → Weather → Permissions. Here, make sure that the Location item is set to Always Allowed or Allowed Only When Used. Selecting the "Always" mode is preferable if you want the widget to update automatically even in the background.
Also, it is worth checking the data source that the application uses. By default, Xiaomi cooperates with the service The Weather Channel, but alternative providers are available in some regions. Changing the source may help if the current service produces incorrect forecasts for your area.
⚠️ Attention: If you travel frequently, enable the “Update when moving” option. Otherwise, the widget may continue to show the weather of your home city, even when you are in another country.
To save battery power, turn off background animation in the widget settings, leaving only text data and sky status icons.
Alternative widgets from Google and third-party applications
If the standard tool does not suit you design or functionality, the Android ecosystem offers a huge selection of alternatives. The store Google Play contains thousands of applications that specialize exclusively in displaying weather data. Popular solutions include Today Weather, Weather & Radar and Transparent Clock & Weather.
Installing a third-party widget requires a little more steps than using the system one. Once you download the app, you will need to grant it all the necessary permissions, similar to setting up a built-in tool. A feature of third-party solutions is the ability to fine-tune fonts, colors and transparency, which is often lacking in stock solutions.
A comparison of capabilities is presented in the table below:
| Features | System widget | Third-party applications | Google Widget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery consumption | Low | Medium/High | Low |
| Design settings | Limited | Maximum | Minimum |
| Data accuracy | High | Depends on the service | High |
| Integration with MIUI | Full | Partial | Full |
The widget from Google deserves special mention, which is often already installed in the system, but hidden. It has a laconic design and uses data from the search giant, which is often more accurate than specialized weather services in the short term.
How to find the Google widget?
Hold the desktop → Widgets → Find the “Google” section → Select the line with temperature. If there is no section, update the Google Play application.
Solving problems with updating and display
Redmi users sometimes encounter a situation where the widget “freezes” at one temperature value and stops responding to weather changes outside the window. This is a common problem associated with aggressive battery optimization in MIUI. The system can forcefully stop the app from running in the background to save power.
To fix this, you need to add the Weather app to the exceptions list. Go to Settings → Battery and performance (or simply “Battery”). Find “Weather” in the list of applications and set the operating mode to “No restrictions”. This action will prevent the system from “killing” the data update process.
Also check for an active Internet connection. The widget cannot be updated without network access. If you use mobile data, make sure that the application is not blocked from transferring data in the background in the settings of SIM cards and mobile networks.
⚠️ Attention: The battery settings interface may differ depending on the MIUI version. If you do not find the “No restrictions” item, look for the “Activity Control” or “Autostart” section.
Another reason for failures may be a full application cache. Clearing the cache often solves the widget freezing problem without losing your saved cities. To do this, go to the application settings and click the “Clear cache” button, without confusing it with the “Clear all” button, which will reset the settings.
☑️ Diagnosis of a frozen widget
Personalization and additional interface settings
Redmi smartphone owners have the opportunity not only to install the widget, but also to deeply customize its appearance. The latest firmware versions now support themes that can change the style of system widgets, including weather. You can download the theme in the Themes application and apply it to change the icons and colors of the widget to suit your taste.
For advanced users, the Lock Screen Editor mode is available. Here you can add a weather widget directly to your screen that lights up when you receive a notification or press the power button. This allows you to find out the forecast without completely unlocking the phone.
Use gestures for quick access. In the system settings, you can assign a double tap on the switched off screen or swipe up to quickly launch weather information. This setting saves time and makes interaction with the device more intuitive.
Don't forget about the Always On Display feature if it is supported by your Redmi model. On some devices, you can configure the display of a minimalistic weather icon and the current temperature even when the screen is off.
Correctly setting the power saving mode is a key factor in the stable operation of the weather widget on Xiaomi smartphones.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the weather widget show the temperature in Fahrenheit, not Celsius?
This is due to an incorrectly selected region or language settings. Go to the “Weather” application, click on the menu (three bars) in the corner, select “Settings” and find the “Units of Measurement” item. Switch the value from "°F" to "°C". Also check that the region is set correctly in the general phone settings.
Is it possible to add several weather widgets for different cities?
Yes, the standard application allows you to add several cities to the watch list. However, there is usually one widget displayed on the desktop that shows the weather for the current location or the first city in the list. To display the weather of another city on the main screen, it is more convenient to use third-party widgets that can be configured for a specific city, regardless of geolocation.
The widget disappeared after a system update, how can I get it back?
With major updates to MIUI or HyperOS, desktop settings are sometimes reset. Try holding down an empty space on the screen again and adding a widget through the menu. If the Weather app icon has disappeared from the All Apps menu, it may have been accidentally deleted or hidden. You can restore it through the GetApps application or by resetting the launcher settings.
Why does the widget background not change depending on the weather?
Dynamic background requires more resources. Check the settings of the widget itself (long press on the widget → Settings). Make sure the Dynamic Background or Animation option is enabled. Also, this function may not work if the strict power saving mode is turned on.
Does the weather widget affect the rate of battery discharge?
The system widget is optimized and consumes a minimum amount of energy. A noticeable discharge can only be observed when using heavy third-party widgets with constant animation and frequent updates (every 5-10 minutes). To balance convenience and autonomy, it is recommended to set the update interval to 30-60 minutes.