Owners of the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro often face an interesting dilemma: the proprietary shell MIUI By default, it offers many beautiful time widgets, which, however, can overlap important interface elements or simply do not fit into the aesthetics of the selected wallpaper. AMOLED-In the case of the screens, where the Always On Display feature shows the time even when it is locked, users are looking for a way to remove these numbers completely or replace them with more concise ones.
Compounding the problem, standard system settings don't always provide an obvious "off" button, hiding the right options in deep submenu or depending on the chosen theme. In some cases, the clock on the lock screen is duplicated: large numbers in the center and small numbers in the status bar, which creates visual noise. MIUI interface is flexible, but requires a careful approach to customization. We will analyze all available methods, from simple switches to changing system themes.
It is important to understand that completely removing the watch may not be possible without using third-party launchers or deep modifications to the system, since time is a critical element of the lock screen. However, we can make it transparent, move or replace it with a minimalist format. Below are proven methods for current firmware versions, including MIUI 12, 13 and 14.
Setting up the Always on Display feature
The first step to managing time is to set up the permanent display mode, which is the feature that most often raises questions, since it activates automatically on the screen. AMOLED-The Redmi Note 9 Pro screens, and to access the control, you have to go to the settings menu and find the partition that controls the lock screen. → Lock screen.
Inside this section, you're interested in Always On Display, or Always On, which hides the basic controls of the dial. The system offers several modes of operation: display within 10 seconds of touch, on schedule or constantly. If your goal is to minimize the presence of the watch, choosing the "10 seconds" mode will be the best trade-off between functionality and a clean screen.
⚠️ Attention: Always On Display, even in minimalist mode, increases battery consumption. If autonomy is a priority for you, consider turning it off completely.
For those who want to leave the function but change the look, MIUI provides basic customization tools. You can choose a dial style where time is either absent or represented as a barely noticeable dot or logo. Visual style affects the perception of the device as a whole, so it is worth spending time choosing the right option.
Changing the theme of design to remove widgets
The most effective way to drastically change the look of the lock screen, including removing the standard huge clock, is to use the Themes app. Standard MIUI themes often contain rigidly fixed time widgets that cannot be edited. However, by downloading a third-party theme from the directory, you can get a completely different lock interface.
Go to the Themes app on your Redmi Note 9 Pro. Search for keywords like "Minimal," "Clean," "No Clock" or "Simple." Many authors create themes specifically for those who value minimalism and want to hide the watch or make it as invisible as possible. Once you download the theme, apply it and check the result.
Not all themes are time-saving, as it is a requirement of security and convenience for Android. However, there are themes where the clock is moved to the bottom of the screen, made translucent or replaced with a stopwatch, and customization of the interface through themes is the safest method, not requiring root rights.
☑️ Criteria for the selection of the topic
Using third-party applications to block
If you don't like the built-in MIUI, apps from the Google Play Store come to the rescue. There are many lock screen replacements that completely overlap the standard interface. Apps like Hi Locker or Acme Locker allow you to customize each pixel of the lock screen in detail.
By installing this app, you have full control of the widgets. You can simply not add the watch widget to the screen, leaving it completely clean or filled with notifications and call buttons only. This gives maximum freedom, but has its own technical features. The application must have constant access to the system, which can affect the operation of notifications from other programs.
In addition, using third-party blockers can lead to conflicts with Xiaomi's security features, such as fingerprint or face unlock.The system can periodically reset window priority, returning standard lock.So carefully review the compatibility reviews with your version of Android before installing.
Risks of using third-party blockers
Table of comparison of methods of turning off hours
To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have systematized the main ways to change the time display, each with its advantages and disadvantages depending on your goals and level of technical training.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| AOD settings | Low. | Partial (style only) | Minimum |
| Change of subject | Low. | Tall (visually) | It doesn't. |
| Third-party annexes | Medium | Maximum | High. |
| Energy saving regime | Low. | Total AOD shutdown | Positive. |
As you can see from the table, the most balanced option for the average user is a combination of setting up AOD and choosing the right theme, which allows you to keep the functionality of the smartphone without sacrificing autonomy.
Disconnection through the mode of energy saving
There is a situational way to remove the watch from the screen, which is useful if you are on the road and want to save charge. Activating the power saving mode in Xiaomi often automatically turns off Always On Display and simplifies the lock screen, making the watch less noticeable or removing it altogether until unlocked.
To activate, go to Settings → Battery and select Power Saving mode. In this mode, the system aggressively restricts background processes and visuals. The lock screen turns black, and time only appears when the device wakes up. This is not a permanent solution, but effective for critical situations.
You can also set it to automatically turn on on a schedule or when you reach a certain percentage of charge, so your Redmi Note 9 Pro will switch to Spartan mode on its own when it is really necessary, hiding excess information on the screen.
💡
Use Do Not Disturb mode in combination with the phone’s inverted position so that the screen doesn’t light up when notified, which will also hide the clock until you pick up the device yourself.
Frequent problems and their solution
Despite the many settings, users often encounter bugs when the watch doesn't want to disappear or disappears where it should be. One common problem is duplicating widgets. This happens when the system theme conflicts with the Always On Display settings. The solution is one: reset the theme to standard and reset AOD.
Another situation is that you can't change the style of the watch in the theme you're looking at, and many users don't know that in MIUI, the theme often requires you to reboot the device to make the changes fully effective, especially if the lock screen is affected. Without a reboot, you can see old widgets.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party sources (not from the official Xiaomi store), there is a risk of malware infection of the device. Use only proven resources and carefully read the permissions that the theme requests.
If the watch is completely gone and does not appear even after unlocking, the system file responsible for SystemUI may have been damaged. In this case, cleaning the cache of the Themes application or resetting all settings to factory settings will help, but this is an extreme measure.
💡
The main reason for the inability to remove the watch is the limitations of the MIUI shell itself, which considers time to be critical information, access to which must be instantaneous without unlocking.
Additional lock screen settings
Beyond the watch, the Redmi Note 9 Pro lock screen contains a host of other elements that can be customized to achieve perfect minimalism. By going to Settings → Lock screen, you can turn off notifications from specific apps, making the screen cleaner. You can also remove the Stepper or Notes widget if they interfere with perception.
Note the Pocket Turn on feature, which sometimes causes the screen to light up and show the clock when the phone is in the bag, and turning off this feature (if available in your firmware version) or increasing the sensitivity of the proximity sensor will help avoid accidental switching on of the screen.
Remember that updating your firmware can return all default settings. After upgrading your MIUI to a new version (e.g. 12 to 13 or 14), check the lock screen settings again, as the menu structure may have changed and your custom themes may not display correctly.