Modern smartphones in the series Honor offer users not just a standard set of applications, but a deeply personalized interface that adapts to the individual habits of the owner. One of the key customization opportunities is the use of widgets - miniature software modules that display relevant information directly on the main screen without the need to launch the main application.
For many users, switching to a shell Magic UI or a new one MagicOS becomes a discovery, since the logic of placing elements here may differ from the pure one. Android. Correctly setting up the workspace can significantly speed up access to the weather, currency rates, notes or music management, turning the smartphone into a truly convenient tool.
In this material we will analyze in detail the process of adding various types of widgets, study hidden interface settings and consider ways to solve common problems when elements are not displayed or work incorrectly.
The basic principle of working with the desktop Honor
The smartphone interface Honor is built on an intuitive system of gestures and long presses. To start working with widgets, you do not need to install additional software, since all the necessary functionality is already built into the system shell.
Just press your finger on an empty area on the main screen or desktop to open the context menu. This is where the main space management tools are hidden, including adding new elements.
The system will automatically offer available options depending on the installed firmware version. In older versions Magic UI the menu may look slightly different, but the basic algorithm of actions remains unchanged for all current models.
⚠️ Attention: On some models with the "Simple Screen" mode enabled (for older people), the ability to add custom widgets may be limited by the developers to simplify the interface.
If you want to change the screen grid to accommodate more elements, this is also done through the long press menu. Increasing the number of cells allows you to create complex compositions from widgets of different sizes.
Use the "Shake to Organize" function in the desktop settings to quickly align all the icons and widgets on the grid if they are in a bunch.
Step-by-step guide for adding widgets
The installation process can be divided into several clear steps that guarantee the successful placement of the element on the screen. First you need to call the editing menu, as described above, and select the “Widgets” or “Widgets” item.
You will see a library of all available modules, grouped by application. Here you can find both the system clock and weather, as well as elements from installed third-party apps, such as Telegram, Yandex or banking applications.
Having selected the desired element, hold it and drag it to an empty space on the desktop. The system will automatically highlight the areas where you can place the widget, taking into account its minimum required size.
☑️ Algorithm for installing the widget
Once placed, many widgets allow you to resize them. To do this, you need to hold down the element again, and special markers will appear around it. By pulling them, you can stretch or shrink the module vertically or horizontally.
Some complex widgets, such as calendars or news feeds, will require additional configuration when first launched. You may be asked to select a city for the weather or an account to synchronize tasks.
Most Honor system widgets support dynamic resizing, which allows you to flexibly adjust the interface to your visual preferences.
Setting up and customizing installed elements
Simply adding a widget to the screen is often not enough for comfortable use. The shell MagicOS provides ample opportunities for changing the appearance and functionality of already placed modules.
To change the display style, for example, of a clock or weather, you usually just need to click on the widget itself or use the settings button that appears with a long press. In the menu that opens, you can select the theme color, background transparency, or the type of data displayed.
Particular attention should be paid to folders. On smartphones Honor you can turn the application folder into a widget. If you open a folder and click on the settings icon inside it, you can turn on the mode of displaying icons without a background, which creates the effect of floating applications.
- 🎨 Clock styles: Select one of dozens of watch faces for the home screen, changing fonts and arrangement of elements.
- 🌤 Weather sources: Link the widget to a specific city or allow access to geolocation for automatic updates.
- 📸 Photo widgets: Set up a slide show from the selected album, which will change every few hours.
For advanced users, the “Services” function is available, which is a smart ribbon to the left of the main screen. You can place the most important widgets there so that they do not take up space on the main desktops, but are always at hand when you swipe to the right.
The secret of transparency
On some firmware versions, the transparency of the widget background depends on the selected wallpaper. Try changing the wallpaper to a static image to see if the appearance of the module changes.
Do not forget that an excessive number of active widgets can affect the speed of the interface. If you notice stuttering when scrolling through screens, try removing the least used elements.
Working with third-party applications and launchers
The ecosystem Android is famous for its diversity, and users Honor often install third-party launchers, such like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcherto gain even more control over the design.
If you install a third-party launcher, the process of adding widgets may change. Usually you need to hold down an empty space, but the menu will be from the new launcher, and not from the system Honor. This gives access to widgets that are not supported by the standard shell.
However, compatibility is worth considering. Some specific widgets from Honor (for example, smart service cards) may not display correctly or may not work at all on third-party launchers due to differences in the API.
| Launcher type | Support for Honor widgets | Flexibility settings | Impact on battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (MagicOS) | Full | Medium | Optimal |
| Nova Launcher | Partial | High | Average |
| Smart Launcher | Limited | Automatic | Low |
| Microsoft Launcher | Partial | High | Medium |
If you decide to use a third-party solution, it is recommended to check the operation of widgets that are critical to you in advance. Sometimes you need to provide special permissions in the phone settings for the_overlay_ layers to work correctly.
Solving problems with display and update
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the widget is installed, but does not update the data or is displayed as a black square. This is a common problem associated with aggressive battery optimization on the system Android.
The system may forcefully stop the background activity of the application that owns the widget to save battery. To fix this, you need to go to the phone settings, find the “Applications” section and select the desired app.
In the application menu, go to “Battery consumption” or “Launch applications”. Make sure the Auto Start switch is active and power management is set to Manual with background activity enabled.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling battery optimization for a large number of applications can result in a noticeable increase in power consumption throughout the day.
Another reason for crashes may be lack of RAM. If there are a lot of heavy games or apps open on the device, the system may unload widgets from memory. Try clearing background processes through the task manager.
In rare cases, resetting the desktop settings helps. This will not remove your apps, but it will return the layout of icons and widgets to their factory state. To do this, in the settings, find the "Reset desktop settings" item or clear the data of the "Desktop" application in the applications menu.
If the widget stops updating after a system update, try deleting it and adding it again - this often solves cache compatibility problems.
Features of widgets in different versions of Magic UI
Smartphone interface Honor evolves, and with each major update Magic UI or transition to MagicOS new types of widgets appear. Owners of older models should be aware of the differences in functionality.
In versions before 6.0, widgets were more static and had strict sizes. Starting from Magic UI 6.0 and higher, support for "cards" of services appeared, which can be scaled more flexibly and which have animated elements.
Users of the new series models Honor Magic i Honor 90/100 have access to interactive widgets that can be interacted with directly from the main screen, without opening the application. For example, you can mark completed tasks on your to-do list or rewind a track in the player.
Developers are constantly changing the logic of the interface. If you updated your phone and did not find the usual widget, check the “Services” or “Widgets Folder” section, where the system may have moved old elements to free up space.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and menu names may vary slightly depending on the regional firmware version (Global, Russia, Europe).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the weather widget show incorrect data?
Most often the problem lies in the geolocation settings. Check if location access is allowed for the Weather app and if GPS navigation itself is turned on in the notification shade. Also make sure that the correct city is selected in the widget settings.
Is it possible to change the size of the widget if the system does not allow it?
Not all widgets support resizing. If the stretching frames do not appear when you long press, it means that the application developer has fixed its dimensions. Try to find an alternative widget from another developer with similar functionality.
How to remove a widget from the home screen?
Press and hold your finger on the widget you want to remove. A trash can or Delete button will appear at the top of the screen. Drag the widget to this area and release your finger. This action will not delete the application itself, only its shortcut on the table.
The widget disappeared after rebooting the phone, what should I do?
This may indicate an error in the launcher or an application conflict. Try clearing the Desktop app cache in your phone settings. If the problem persists, check for system updates in the settings menu.
Do widgets affect the speed of battery drain?
Yes, active widgets that constantly update data (weather, news, mail) consume battery power and Internet traffic. The more frequent the update interval and the more complex the animation, the higher the energy consumption.