Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often seek to personalize their device’s interface, making it not only functional but also aesthetically appealing. Widgets are one of the most sought-after personalization elements, with time widgets leading the way. On the Redmi 9 Pro model running the MIUI shell, the process of adding a watch to the home screen may not seem obvious to a beginner because of the specifics of the menu.
Standard tools allow you to display not only the current time, but also the date, day of the week, and weather, which turns the screen into an information bar. However, many users do not know that the standard set of widgets can be significantly expanded using embedded themes or third-party applications. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to set the clock, from basic methods to advanced customization.
Before you start setting up, it’s worth noting that the appearance of widgets depends on the theme you’ve set, and if standard options seem boring to you, the first step is to change the visual style of the Themes app, which will open up access to dozens of unique designs from the community.
The basic way to add a widget through the menu
The simplest and most reliable method of installing a watch on the Redmi 9 Pro desktop does not require the installation of additional software. All the necessary tools are already built into the MIUI system. First, unlock the device and go to the main screen where you want to place the widget. It is important to free up enough space, since time widgets often occupy several grid cells.
Put two fingers on the screen (put them together) or press and hold your finger on an empty area of the desktop. This action will open the interface editing mode. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a menu with options like Wallpaper, Widgets, Settings, and more. We're interested in the Widget button.
In the list that opens, you need to scroll to the Watch section, and here you will see different design options: digital, analog, minimalist and complex. Choose your favorite design and drag it to the free space of the screen. Once you place the widget, you can zoom in by pulling on special markers if the theme you choose supports the resizing.
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If you don’t see the right style of watch in the list, try changing the theme in the Themes app – different themes offer different sets of widgets.
It’s worth remembering that some widgets require a constant Internet connection to correctly display time and weather data. If you’re saving traffic or in a bad reception zone, the widget can show the last time you synced. Check your power saving settings so that the system doesn’t “kill” the widget process in the background.
Using the “Themes” application to expand the functionality
Xiaomi's ecosystem offers a huge store of themes where you can find unique widgets that are not available in stock firmware. Themes app is preinstalled on every Redmi 9 Pro and is a key tool for deep customization. Here you can find retro-style watches, futuristic dials or minimalist indicators.
To find the right design, open the Themes app and go to Widgets or search for Clock or Watch. Pay attention to the theme ranking and downloads, which ensures stability. Once the theme is installed, widgets will automatically appear in the desktop editing menu.
- 🕰️ Analog watches: Classic design with hands, perfect for strict themes.
- 🔢 Digital giants: Large numbers taking up half the screen are handy for people with poor eyesight.
- 🌤️ Weather complexes: combine time, temperature and forecast for the week in one block.
- 🎨 Animated widgets: Dynamic elements that change color or shape depending on the time of day.
When installing third-party themes, it's important to pay attention to the permissions they request.Some themes may try to access contacts or geolocation unnecessarily.The security of your device should be a priority, so download content only from the official MIUI store.
Setting up Google widgets and third-party apps
Users who lack the functionality of Xiaomi's standard widgets can turn to solutions from Google or third-party developers.Google Clock widgets are often more informative and better integrated with the search giant's services, such as calendar and tasks.
To add a Google widget, go to the widget menu (screen pinch), search for the Google section and select Watch. This widget is laconic and highly readable. It also automatically adjusts color depending on the wallpaper if the corresponding feature is enabled in the Android settings.
⚠️ Note: When installing widgets from third-party developers from Google Play (for example, «HD Widgets" or «KWGT») Make sure you give them permission to "autostart" in the battery settings. MIUI can unload the widget process and the time will stop updating.
For advanced users, the KWGT Kustom Widget Maker app is a great solution. It allows you to create time widgets from scratch using any typeface, form, or logical conditions, so you can make the color of the watch change at night, or that it shows time in a different time zone.
Setting up Always On Display (Always on screen)
Owners of Redmi 9 Pro with AMOLED-screens (although the 9 Pro is IPS, function can be emulated or available in custom firmware, but more often it is a matter of blocking the function can be evaluated AOD (Always On Display, however, as the Redmi 9 Pro is equipped with IPS-matrix, classical AOD It doesn’t work like it does on the flagships. OLED, due to the risk of pixel burnout and high power consumption.
Instead, Xiaomi offers a “lock screen” feature with a time display. To set it up, go to Settings → Lock screen. Here you can select the time display style, font, and additional elements, such as steps or battery charge, which will be visible when the screen wakes up.
| Parameter | Description | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Clock style | Choosing font and time location on the lock screen | Low. |
| Live wallpaper | Animated background on the lock screen | Average. |
| Widgets on lockdown | Additional information (weather, steps) | Average. |
| Lifting for activation | Turning on the screen when lifting the phone | High. |
Why is Redmi 9 Pro not always on display?
Optimizing charge consumption when using active lock screens is an important aspect. If you use the phone lift feature often, it is recommended to turn off the “Rise to Turn on” at night so that notifications do not wake you up with the screen light.
Problems with updating time and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a time widget that freezes and stops showing actual time, a common problem with the MIUI shell, which aggressively manages background processes to save energy, and the system may find the widget unnecessary and stop it from working.
To solve this problem, you need to manually set the priority for the widget. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find in the list of “Hours” or “Services and Feedback” (depending on the version of MIUI, the component may be called differently). Go to the “Battery” section and select “No restrictions” mode.
☑️ Diagnostics of the watch widget
Also worth checking is the date and time settings. Make sure the "Use Network Time" option is enabled. If the time is knocked down on the device itself, the widget will broadcast incorrect data even if it works correctly. Resetting the date and time settings often solves the desynchronization problem.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove the Clock system app, even if you use third-party widgets. MIUI They are tied to system time libraries, and their removal can lead to unstable work of alarm clocks and calendar.
Creating a unique design with KWGT
For those who want a completely unique widget unlike any other, the best choice is the KWGT Kustom Widget Maker app. It is a powerful tool that allows you to create widgets of any complexity. On the Redmi 9 Pro, it works stably, although it requires initial configuration.
After installing KWGT, add the KWGT widget to your desktop via the standard Android widget menu. When you first start, the app will ask permission to access data and location — this is necessary for weather modules and automatic day/night theme change. Choose a preset or create your own from scratch using the layer editor.
In the editor, you can add a "Date & Time" object, select any font (thousands of Google Fonts are supported), adjust color, transparency and shadows. You can add logical conditions: for example, if the time is between 23:00 and 6:00, change the color of the numbers to dark red so that you do not blind your eyes at night.
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KWGT allows you to create a widget that will fit perfectly into any wallpaper, repeating their color scheme and style, which is impossible to achieve with standard means.
The widget you create can be exported and shared with friends or saved as a backup, and this is especially true when resetting your phone settings — you won’t lose your unique design, but just restore it from the configuration file.