You want to add a stylish watch to the home screen of your Xiaomi smartphone, but don’t know how to do it right? MIUI has several ways to install a time widget, from standard solutions to customization through themes and third-party apps. This article will help you understand everything from design choices to solving typical display problems.
It’s important to understand that customization options vary depending on the firmware version and device model. For example, the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14 has some options available, while the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with HyperOS has others. We’ll look at the universal methods that work on most of the brand’s devices, as well as unique chips for newer versions of the shell.
Before you start setting up, make sure your smartphone has the latest firmware installed.This guarantees access to all current features and minimizes the risk of bugs. Check the version in the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version.
Method 1: Standard watch widget in MIUI
The easiest method is to use the built-in time widget, which is available on all Xiaomi devices by default.It offers basic display styles, but is suitable for most users.
To add it to your desktop:
- 📱 Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
- 🔧 In the menu that appears, select “Widgets»
- ⏰ Scroll through the list to the “Clock” section and select your favorite style.
- 🖱️ Drag the widget to the free screen space
Standard widgets typically offer 3-4 design options: analogue, digital, date or weather. Newer versions of MIUI 14+ have the ability to resize the widget, stretching its boundaries with two fingers.
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If the widget doesn't appear in the list, try updating your firmware or restarting your smartphone. Sometimes resetting your launcher settings in the Settings menu helps → Apps → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Reset
Method 2: Watches through MIUI themes
For those who want more design options, installing a watch through MIUI Themes is a method that allows you to choose from thousands of styles, including animated and interactive watches.
Installation instructions:
- Open the “Themes” app (icon with brush)
- Go to the "My" section» → «Local» → «The clock»
- Select your favorite theme and click “Apply”
- Return to the desktop and add the watch widget as described in Method 1
Note that some themes require a MIUI account to download, and some styles may be paid (from 10 to 100 rubles).
| Type of watch | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|
| Standard widgets | Fast installation, stable operation | Limited choice of styles |
| MIUI themes | Thousands of designs, animations | Can slow down, paid options |
| Third-party annexes | Maximum customization | Battery consumption, possible bugs |
Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications
If built-in options aren’t enough, you can install specialized apps from Google Play, popular options include Clock Widget, Digital Clock Widget, and Chronus.
Installation algorithm:
- 🔍 Install the app (e.g. Clock Widget by Maize)
- 📥 Open it and choose the style of the watch.
- 🖼️ Click "Add to the desktop»
- 🎨 If necessary, adjust the color, size and additional elements.
Important: Some widgets from third-party developers may conflict with MIUI optimization, resulting in increased battery consumption.
Check compatibility with MIUI
See the reviews
Download from the official store
Set up permits
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Method 4: The clock on the lock screen
Many users are unaware that the style of the watch on the lock screen can be changed separately from the desktop, which allows you to create a single design or, conversely, contrasting styles.
How to set up:
- Go to Settings → Lock screen
- Select "Clock Style"
- Scroll through the available options and choose the one you like.
- Press "Apply"
New Always-On Display devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) can customize a separate style of watch for permanent display mode, saving battery life by showing only time without unnecessary elements.
How to Reset the Watch Style to Standard
Method 5: Castomy through ADB (for advanced)
For experienced users, there is a method of changing the system clock through ADB-This allows you to set informal styles or modify existing ones.
Main steps:
- Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the build number in Settings → About Phone)
- Enable USB debugging in the developer settings
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put secure sysui_clock_style 1 (where 1 — Style ID, you can experiment with numbers from 0 before 5)
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Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-commands can cause shell malfunctions. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
Typical problem solving
Sometimes, after installing the watch, you have difficulty displaying it. Let's look at the most common problems and ways to solve them:
1. The widget is not updated: Check the time sync settings in Settings → Additional → Date and time. Turn off and turn on automatic sync again.
2.The watch disappears after the reboot: This is typical of some third-party widgets.
- 🔄 Reinstall the widget
- 📵 Add an app to battery optimization exceptions
- 🔧 Disable the function "Smart optimization" in the battery settings
3. No animations displayed: For animated watches, through MIUI themes, you need to enable the option "UI animation" in Settings → Special features → Animation.
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If none of these methods worked, try resetting the launcher settings, which often solves widget display problems without losing data.
Optimizing the battery when using widgets
Active widgets, especially those with animation, can increase battery consumption to minimize the impact of:
- 🔋 Use a static clock instead of animated clocks
- ⚡ Add widgets to the home screen only (not all desktops)
- 📴 Turn off Always-On Display if you don’t use it all the time.
- 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI Optimized operation of widgets
On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Pro) Black watch themes consume less energy than light watches, due to the peculiarities of the technology: black pixels on the clock. AMOLED lightless.