Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO series smartphones offer users a huge opportunity to personalize the MIUI and HyperOS interface. One of the most popular features is the installation of widgets that allow you to get important information without opening applications. The digital clock on the desktop is not just a decor element, but a functional tool for quickly controlling time and date.
Many users immediately after buying a device are faced with the question of how to display a large and beautiful watch, as the standard look may not meet expectations. The process of adding a widget is quite simple, but the shells of MIUI 13, 14 and the new HyperOS have their own nuances that you need to know. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to install, customize the appearance and solve typical problems.
It is important to understand that widgets consume system resources, so a competent setup will help to maintain a balance between aesthetics and battery autonomy. We will consider both standard system tools and third-party solutions for maximum customization of your smartphone.
Standard watch widgets in the shell of MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shell initially contains a rich set of widgets that do not require additional software installation. The standard time widget is usually preinstalled in the system, but it must be activated through the desktop editing menu.
Once you enter edit mode, a toolbar will appear at the bottom of the display, where you select the Widgets item, a library of available items will open, where you can find different design options in the "Hours" or "Time" category, and the system offers both minimalistic digital options and complex graphical interfaces with the display of date and weather.
The selected widget is dragged to the desktop and automatically takes up available space in the grid. If the widget does not fit into its place, perhaps the grid is crowded or too large a size of the element is chosen, which does not fit into the remaining space, in which case it is worth vacating space or choosing a smaller widget.
☑️ Pre-installing check
It is worth noting that in different versions of the firmware, the menu layout may differ slightly, but the logic of the work remains the same for all Xiaomi models. The use of native widgets guarantees stable operation without unnecessary battery charge, which is especially important for budget models.
Use of the "Themes" application for setting hours
One of the unique features of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the built-in Theme app, which allows you to download not only wallpaper and icons, but also entire widget packages. It is a powerful customization tool that is often overlooked by preferring third-party launchers. In the theme catalog, you can find thousands of options for watches created by both official designers and the community.
To find a new watch, open the Themes app and go to the Widgets section or search for "Clock Widget." Once you download your favorite set of widgets, they will automatically appear in the shared library of widgets on the desktop, which allows you to install a truly unique watch with animation or a specific design that is not available in stock firmware.
- 🎨 Open the Themes app on your device.
- 🔍 Go to the widgets section or enter a query in search.
- ⬇️ Select the package you like and click the Download button.
- 📲 Add a widget to your desktop via the editing menu.
It’s also worth paying attention to the ranking and downloads to make sure the content is quality, and widgets from official themes tend to be better optimized than third-party ones.
Security of the topics
Third-party applications for watch widgets
If standard features and a store aren't enough, third-party developers come to the rescue. The Google Play Store offers a variety of widget-making apps, the leaders in this niche are KWGT Kustom Widget Maker, Overclock Widget, and Digital Clock Widget, which provide tools to create watches of any complexity.
Applications like KWGT don't just pick a finished design, but create it from scratch by customizing fonts, colors, transparency, and even adding your own images. However, such solutions require a deeper immersion in the settings and can be difficult for beginners. Simpler counterparts offer ready-made widget packs that are easily integrated into the system.
Installation of a third-party widget usually occurs in two steps: first, the source application itself is downloaded, then an item from that application is selected through the widget menu. Once added to the desktop, an initial setup is often required through the interface of the creator application itself.
| Annex | Difficulty | Battery consumption | Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|
| KWGT Kustom | Tall. | Average. | Full customization |
| Digital Clock | Low. | Low. | Ready-made simple styles |
| Overclock | Medium | Low. | Minimalism and style |
| HD Widgets | Medium | Average. | Beautiful graphics. |
Using third-party software, you get access to thousands of designs, but you have to be prepared for the possible increase in energy consumption. Animated widgets and frequent updates can more noticeably discharge the smartphone in standby mode.
Size, style and transparency setting
Once added to the screen, the widget often needs to be adapted to the overall style of wallpaper and icons. In the MIUI shell, the size change occurs automatically when the widget borders are dragged in edit mode. Just press and hold the widget, and then pull at special markers to expand or narrow the display area.
Changing the style, color of the numbers or time format (12/24 hours) often requires clicking on the widget itself, which will open the menu of its settings. Here you can select the font, turn on or off the display of seconds, change the format of the date. Some widgets allow you to adjust the level of transparency of the background so that the watch harmoniously fits into the wallpaper.
If the standard setting menu doesn't open by tap, try to find the appropriate app in the installed program list. For example, KWGT widgets are configured through a separate app, not through a long tap on the screen. Carefully read the description of the widget in the store to understand how it is managed.
💡
For the perfect color combination, use the "Pipetka" tool in the widget settings (if available) to copy the color from your wallpaper. This will make the interface visually seamless.
Solution: Widget is gone or not updated
Xiaomi users sometimes experience a time widget that stops showing actual time or just disappears from the desktop after a reboot, most often due to the aggressive MIUI energy saving system, which kills background processes to save charge. To fix this, you need to allow the widget to work in the background.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the app responsible for the widget (such as “Clock” or the name of a third-party widget). Go to Energy Saving and select No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from turning off the widget process, and the time will be updated correctly.
⚠️ Warning: If the widget disappeared after a system update, try removing it and adding it again. MIUI permissions for widgets are reset and need to be activated again.
It’s also worth checking if Do Not Disturb mode or special screen modes are turned on, which can hide interface elements. In rare cases, cleaning the widget app cache through the storage menu helps. If the problem persists with only one particular widget, it may not be compatible with your Android version.
💡
The main reason widgets on Xiaomi are not working properly is aggressive energy saving, switching the application mode to No Limits solves 90% of the problems with updating time.