Personalizing the smartphone interface is not just a fashion nod, it's a way to make the device more user-friendly and informative. When you pick up the Xiaomi Redmi, the first thing you see is a desktop or lock screen, and that's where the watch plays a key role. It allows you to instantly estimate time without going into the app menu, which saves precious seconds during the day. Owners of MIUI-based devices and the new HyperOS have a wide range of tools to customize time, from simple widgets to complex animated dials.
Many users mistakenly believe that standard features of the system are limited, and immediately rush to download third-party launchers. However, the shell from Xiaomi offers built-in mechanisms that often surpass third-party counterparts in stability and integration with the system. The built-in MIUI theme store contains thousands of free dials that can not be found on Google Play. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to add a watch to the phone screen using only standard means, and consider the nuances of working with Always On Display.
Before you start making changes, you need to decide which format you want to display time: large numbers on your desktop, a minimalistic clock on a locked screen, or a constantly burning display. Each of these options is customized through different sections of the menu, and understanding this structure will help avoid confusion.
Use of widgets on the desktop
The most common and functional way to add a watch is to place a widget on the home screen. Widgets in Android, and in particular in the MIUI shell, are mini-applications that display current information without having to run full software. To activate this element, you need to go into desktop editing mode. To do this, make a long press on the free area of the screen or pinch the screen with two fingers, squeezing it.
When you go into editing mode, the toolbar will appear at the bottom of the display. You're interested in the "Widgets" button. When you click on it, you'll open a library of all the available items that you can put on your desktop. The system sorts them by category, but most often the watch is at the top of the list or in the "Tools" category. Here you'll see a variety of options, from classic analog arrows to modern digital displays of date and weather.
⚠️ Warning: Some complex live-animated widgets may consume more battery power than static images. If autonomy is critical for you, choose simple digital formats.
Once you have selected the right design, just drag it to the free screen space. Once placed, the widget can often be further adjusted to change the color, font or style of the display of seconds. To do this, click on the widget itself and select Settings (if it is available for a specific type of watch), which allows you to adapt the appearance to your theme or color of the smartphone case.
It's important to note that widgets take up a certain amount of space in the desktop grid. The standard size varies from 1x1 to 4x2 cells. If you want to place a large clock with seconds, make sure you have free space, otherwise the widget can displace other application icons. It's also worth remembering that widgets require constant data updates, which theoretically can affect the performance of older Redmi models, although on modern Snapdragon processors this effect is not noticeable.
Setting up the lock screen and the style of the watch
The lock screen is the first thing that a user sees when they wake up a device, and unlike the desktop, customization options depend on the shell version and the theme chosen. → Lock screen. In this section, you can choose from several preset styles: classic, minimalist or vertical time display format.
But the magic of MIUI and HyperOS is in the theme store. Standard settings offer only dry options, whereas the theme store allows you to download full lock scenarios. It can respond to touch, change color depending on the time of day, or even show character animations. To find them, open the Themes app, go to profile and select Lock Styles. There are thousands of options available, many of which are free.
When you install a new lock style, the system can request permission to change system settings. This is standard Android security procedure. Once you apply the style, the watch on the lock screen will completely change its appearance. Some styles allow you to adjust the position of the watch (top, center, bottom) and its size directly in the theme preview menu.
☑️ Checking before setting the topic
Note that third-party locking styles may conflict with the Pocket Mode or proximity sensor. If your phone stops responding to ear-to-ear wagging after installing a new theme, it’s better to go back to standard style. Some heavy themes can cause a delay in unlocking the device, which is especially noticeable on the Redmi A or C series budget models.
Always on Display (AOD)
Always On Display allows you to display time and notifications on a screen that is turned off without fully waking up the device. AMOLED, Because they can illuminate individual pixels without black background light, which is minimally charge-consuming. IPS-screen, this option in the menu will not be absent, and to enable it software-standard means will not work.
To activate, go to Settings → The screen is always on and locking. Here you can choose the mode of operation: “Always turn on”, “Schedule” or “10 seconds after touch”. The schedule mode is the most rational, since it allows you to turn off the display at night when you sleep, saving battery.
Deep tuning AOD It allows you to change the color, font and position of the watch against a black background. You can create your own style by selecting a basic template and editing its parameters. It's a great opportunity to make a unique digital footprint of your device. Some themes in the store offer complex ones. AOD-scenes with animation, but their use significantly increases energy consumption.
| Mode of operation of AOD | Description | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Always on. | The clock burns constantly until the phone runs out. | High (up to 15-20% per day) |
| Scheduled. | Active only at specified hours (for example, 8:00-23:00) | Average (depending on duration) |
| 10 seconds. | It only lights up when you lift your phone or touch it. | Low (almost imperceptible) |
| Off. | Function is not active, screen is black | Absent. |
⚠️ Warning: Using Always On on older batteries can cause the phone to run out faster than expected. Watch for power consumption statistics in the first days of use.
Third-party customization applications
If you don't have enough of the standard capacity, the Google Play Store comes to the rescue. There are many applications specializing in creating widgets. Leaders in this niche are HD Widgets, Overdrop and KWGT Kustom Widget Maker. These applications allow you to create watches of any shape, color and size, layers over each other.
For example, KWGT allows you to not just put a widget in, but actually draw your interface. You can add a second hand, change the transparency of the background, add a clock-style battery indicator, or even make a step-responsive widget. However, such applications require a deeper dive into settings and can be difficult for beginners. They also require special permissions to work on top of other windows.
Security of third-party widgets
When installing third-party widgets, it is important to consider the Android version. On newer versions of the system (Android 12, 13, 14), the mechanisms of widgets have changed, and some old applications may not work correctly or look blurry. Always check the date of the last update of the application in the store and read user reviews with a similar phone model.
Time mapping problems and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the clock on the screen shows the wrong time, lags behind or disappears altogether, most often due to a synchronization error. Make sure that the option “Use network time” is activated in the settings Additional → Date and time, which will cause the phone to automatically adjust the clock on the signal of the cellular operator or Wi-Fi.
If the watch widget has stopped updating (time is still standing), try removing it and adding it again. Sometimes it helps to clear the cache of the Watch or Security app, which can block the background activity of the widget to save energy. MIUI has an aggressive energy saving system that can kill widget processes.
To solve problems with energy saving:
- ⚡ Find the watch widget in the list of applications (long press). → info).
- ⚡ Go to the Battery section and select No Limitations».
- ⚡ Allow auto-start for system interface components.
- ⚡ Restart the device to apply changes.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting widget settings or removing the Clock system application may cause alarm clocks to disappear.Be sure important reminders are stored in the cloud or recorded before drastic actions.
Optimization and Impact on Productivity
Adding a lot of widgets, especially live watches with animation, puts a strain on RAM and CPU. On the flagship Redmi Note Pro or K-series, this is not tangible, but on budget devices can lead to micro-lags (lags) when scrolling through the desktop. If you notice that the phone has become slower after installing a beautiful watch, try simplifying the interface.
Use static images instead of animated ones GIF-Turn off the display of seconds if they are not critical to you, since updating the number every second prevents the processor from going into deep sleep.
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For maximum performance on older Redmi models, use the standard watch widget without seconds and turn off Always On Display.This will extend battery life by 10-15%.
In conclusion, customizing the watch on Xiaomi Redmi is a simple but effective way to improve the user experience.Whether it’s a functional desktop widget or a stylish Always On Display, the right configuration will make interaction with the gadget more enjoyable. Experiment with themes, but keep the balance between beauty and autonomy of the device.
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The optimal setup is a balance between aesthetics and energy efficiency: Choose the widgets you really need, and don’t overload your desktop with too much animation.