Redmi smartphones from Xiaomi are famous for their functional MIUI interface, which provides users with ample opportunities to customize their workspace. However, beginners who have switched from “pure” Android or other shells often encounter difficulties when trying to display useful information directly on the main screen. The device Redmi 9, despite its budget price, has all the necessary tools to create a unique interface to suit your needs.
The correct organization of widgets allows you not only to decorate the device, but also to significantly increase the efficiency of using the gadget in everyday life. You can see the weather, exchange rates, notes or control music without going inside the applications. In this material, we will analyze in detail all the ways to install elements on the desktop, the features of scaling them and solving common problems.
Preparing the workspace and navigation
Before you start adding new elements, you need to free up space on the main screen or create a new page. The interface MIUI differs from stock Android in that widgets are often integrated directly into the application menu or called up via a long press. Make sure that your Redmi 9 is unlocked and is on the main screen where the app icons are located.
There are several ways to get to the widget selection menu, and the specific method you choose depends on the firmware version installed on your device. In earlier versions of the shell, simply long press on an empty area of the screen. In updated versions of MIUI 12 and higher, the algorithm of actions may differ slightly, requiring the use of special gestures or control buttons.
If you prefer to use gestures instead of classic navigation buttons, the process may seem less obvious. Try pinching the screen with two fingers as if you want to zoom out. This action often opens the desktop editing mode, where settings for wallpaper, widgets and screen settings are available.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware versions, a long press on the application icon immediately suggests deleting it or creating a shortcut, rather than opening the widget menu. In this case, be sure to click on the empty space between the icons.
If you have the “Wallpaper Carousel” function enabled, sometimes it can intercept a long press on the screen. Try temporarily disabling this feature in the lock screen settings for a more convenient desktop setup.
Basic methods of adding widgets to the screen
The most common and intuitive installation method is using the context menu. Once you hold your finger on an empty area of the display, a toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen. There you need to find and click the button with the signature Widgets. A library of all available elements installed on the system will open.
In the list that opens, you will see both standard tools from Xiaomi and widgets from third-party applications that are already installed on your Redmi 9. Scroll down the list to find the item you need. They are usually grouped by application names or categories, such as “Clock”, “Weather”, “Tools”.
Having selected the appropriate element, simply drag it with your finger onto a free area of the desktop. The system will automatically adjust the grid and show exactly where the object will be placed. If the space is occupied by other icons, the widget will “stick” to the nearest free zone or create a new page on the right.
- 📱 Long press on an empty space → select the “Widgets” item in the bottom menu.
- 🖐️ Pinch gesture with two fingers → switch to editing mode → widgets tab.
- 📂 Opening the folder with applications → sometimes widgets are available by long pressing the icon of the application itself.
- ⬇️ Swipe right on the main screen → going to the Google page (if activated), where there are widgets.
It's worth noting that some widgets have a fixed size when first added, but most of them can be changed. After placing an element on the screen, tap on it and hold for a couple of seconds until a frame appears with resizing handles around the edges. Drag these handles to expand or narrow the area where information is displayed.
Customizing the size and grid of the desktop
The flexibility of interface customization Android on Xiaomi devices allows you to adapt the size of widgets to specific tasks. For example, a weather widget can display only the current temperature in compact mode, or show the weekly forecast in expanded form. To change the size, use the editing mode, called by a long tap on an already installed object.
When the widget is selected and a blue or gray frame with dots appears around it, you can drag these dots. The system will show the grid onto which the object will be “magnetized”. This helps align elements relative to each other and application icons, creating a neat and symmetrical design.
If the standard grid is not enough for you, you can change the element density in the system settings. Go to Settings → Home screen and find the “Grid” option. Here you can select a configuration, for example, 4x6 or 5x6, which will allow you to place more medium-sized widgets on one screen Redmi 9.
| Widget type | Minimum size (cells) | Maximum size (cells) | Scaling features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clock (digital) | 2x1 | 4x2 | Changes the font and date availability |
| Weather | 2x2 | 4x4 | Adds daily forecast |
| Music | 2x1 | 4x2 | Album cover appears |
| Notes | 2x2 | 4x6 | More text is displayed |
Resizing the widget is available only for those elements that the developers have allowed for scaling. Some system shortcuts have a fixed size of 1x1.
The use of Google widgets and third-party applications
Ecosystem Redmi 9 is not limited only to MIUI tools. You can actively use widgets from Google, which often provide more accurate information or better design. To access them, scroll to the bottom of the widget library or look for the section with the Google logo.
A popular solution is to install a Google Search or Google Assistant widget. They allow you to quickly execute queries without opening your browser. Also extremely useful are the Google Calendar and Google Tasks widgets, which sync with your account and display your schedule in real time.
To install third-party widgets, you first need to download the corresponding application from Google Play Market. After installation and initial configuration of the application, its widget will automatically appear in the shared library. For example, by installing the Nova launcher or widget packs from third-party developers, you can radically change the appearance of your desktop.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party widgets may consume more RAM and battery power than system ones. If you notice that Redmi 9 starting to drain faster, check which widgets are updating in the background.
Some users prefer to use widgets for quick access to functions that are not in the standard notification shade. Applications like “Quick Settings” allow you to add on-screen switches for flashlight, airplane mode, or screen brightness of any size.
What to do if the widget does not appear in the list?
If you installed the application, but the widget did not appear, try restarting your smartphone. Sometimes the launcher service takes time to index new components. Also check to see if the app is hidden in your privacy settings.
Removing and moving interface elements
Over time, needs change and some widgets become useless, taking up valuable screen space. Removing them is as easy as installing them. Find an unnecessary element on the desktop and long press on it until the action menu or editing mode appears.
At the top of the screen, a trash can icon with the inscription Delete or a cross usually appears. Drag the widget to this area. Please note that when you delete a widget, the application to which it belongs remains installed in the phone's memory.
To move a widget to another desktop page, it is not necessary to delete it. In edit mode, simply hold an object and drag it to the edge of the screen left or right. The system will automatically switch the page, allowing you to drop the item in the desired location.
- 🗑️ Long press → dragging to the trash to completely delete.
- ↔️ Hold and move to the edge of the screen to move between pages.
- 📍 Drag to the top screen to create a new page.
If you accidentally deleted an important widget, don't worry. It can be returned back through the add menu described in previous sections. All settings that were set for the widget (for example, the selected city in the weather) will most likely be saved, since they are stored in the application cache.
Solving problems with display and updating
Sometimes users Redmi 9 face a situation where the widget “freezes” and does not update information. For example, the clock shows yesterday's time, but the weather does not change. This is most often due to the aggressive power saving built into MIUI, which limits background app activity.
To fix this, you need to go into the settings of the specific app. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the desired application (for example, “Weather”) and select Battery saving. Set the value No restrictionsso that the system does not “kill” the widget update process.
More One common problem is widgets disappearing after rebooting the device. This can happen if the widget was installed on an SD card (which is rare on modern models) or if the system launcher has crashed. Try clearing the launcher cache through the app menu.
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI interface is updated periodically. Menu items and settings names may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (Global, China, EEA). If you do not find the described item, look for a similar one.
☑️ Diagnosis of frozen widget
In some cases, simply resetting the desktop settings helps. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications → Android system (or MIUI Launcher) and click Clear cache. Do not click “Clear all”, otherwise you will reset the arrangement of all icons in their places.
Why does the weather widget show the wrong temperature?
Most often the problem lies in the geolocation settings. Check if the Weather app is allowed to access your location. Also make sure that the correct city is selected in the widget itself, and not the one that was determined automatically during the first setup.
Is it possible to change the transparency of the widget on Redmi 9?
You cannot change the transparency of system widgets using standard MIUI tools. To do this, you will need to install third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher) or use special widget applications that support setting background transparency.
Why did all the widgets disappear after the firmware update?
With major updates to Android or MIUI, the desktop structure may be reset to factory settings. This is normal system behavior to prevent version conflicts. You will need to re-add widgets through the screen editing menu.
Do widgets affect the speed of the smartphone?
Yes, a large number of active widgets, especially those that constantly update data (news, social media feed), can load the processor and RAM. On Redmi 9 it is recommended not to place more than 3-4 heavy widgets at the same time to maintain a smooth interface.
How to add a “Pedometer” widget to the home screen?
MIUI has a built-in “Mi Fitness” or “Health” application. Go to the widgets menu, find the “Tools” or “Mi Fitness” section, and select the pedometer widget. If you don't have it, install the Google Fit app, which also has an excellent activity widget.