How to add time to the Xiaomi desktop: all the ways to MIUI 12/13/14

Why Xiaomi doesn’t have a default desktop clock?

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO users often experience a lack of time widgets on the home screen after buying a smartphone or resetting. This is not a system bug, but a feature of the MIUI shell: the manufacturer believes that the clock in the status bar (top right corner) is quite informative. However, for many owners it is more convenient to see the time in large print directly on the desktop - especially on devices with large screens (6.5" and above).

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to return the watch to the home screen: from standard MIUI widgets to third-party applications with advanced functions (weather, stopwatch, alarm clocks). All methods work on current versions of the firmware (MIUI 12/13/14) and are compatible with Xiaomi 11/12/13/14, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5 and others.

⚠️ Important: If after the system update widgets disappeared, first check the Settings section → Annexes → Application management → Widgets. Sometimes system cache reset (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings → Cache reset) restores missing items.

Method 1: Standard Watch Widget in MIUI

The easiest method is to use a built-in shell widget, which supports 4 sizes (from miniature to full screen) and 3 display styles (analog, digital, date).

1. Touch the empty space on your desktop and hold your finger for 2 seconds until the menu appears.
2. Select Widgets (Icon with Squares).
3. Scroll through the list to the Tools section and find the Watch widget (the dial icon).
4. Hold the widget and drag it to a free space on the screen. Release your finger to hold it.
5. Click on the widget to open the settings: select the size, style of the dial and color.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi 9A) The Watch widget may not be on the list. This is due to the lightweight version. MIUI In this case, use Method 3 (third-party widgets).

Long press on the desktop → Widgets

Find the “Clock” in the Tools section

Drag the widget onto the screen

Click on the widget to select a style

Save the changes

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Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 No need to install additional applications.
• 🔹 Minimum battery consumption (widget integrated into the system).
• 🔹 Automatic time updates when changing time zones.

Method 2: Weather and clock widget with forecast

If you want not only a watch, but also weather, humidity, moon phases, use the Weather widget (defaulted in MIUI) that syncs with AccuWeather and supports animated background wallpapers depending on the time of day.

How do I add:

1. Open the widget menu (long press on the desktop → Widgets).
2. Find the Weather section and select the Weather and Clock widget (4×1, 4×2, 5×2) dimensions are available.
3. Drag the widget on the screen and adjust the displayed data: temperature, precipitation, UV-index.

🔹 Tip: If the widget doesn't update the weather, check the permissions for the Weather app in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Weather. → Permits. Location and Auto-Run must be enabled.

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To display the exact sunrise/sunset time, enable the Astronomical Data option (available in MIUI 13+) in its settings.

Method 3: Third-Party Widgets from Google Play

If standard widgets MIUI You don't like it, install alternative apps. 5 The best ones, and they chose the top.-3 functionally and designally:

• 🔧 Chronus is a customizable watch with Tasker support and integration with Google Fit. There is a plugin for displaying steps and pulse.
• 🎨 KWGT Kustom Widget Maker – widget designer with the ability to create a unique design (requires skills to work with.klwp files).
• ⚡ Another Widget – Minimalist watch with support for dark theme and adaptive size.

📌 How to install:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like Chronus).
2. Open the widget menu on your desktop and find the section with the name of the installed application.
3. Drag the widget onto the screen and set it up through the application interface.

⚠️ Note: Some widgets (e.g, KWGT) They require additional permits to work in the background:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Widget Name] → Battery → No Settings Limits → Apps → Permissions → Auto Run (Enable for the widget).

Method 4: Always on Screen (AOD) watches

If you want a watch that is constantly displayed (even when the screen is off), activate the Always-on Display feature (AOD). It is available on smartphones with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi) K50, POCO F4 GT etc.).

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Always-on Display.
2. Choose the style of the watch (available 5+ options, including digital and analog).
3. Set up a display schedule (for example, only at night or always).
4. Activate the option to Show at notifications so that the screen lights up when new messages are posted.

🔋 Impact on the battery: according to our tests, AOD consumer ~1-2% charge-hour AMOLED-On the displays. LCD-screens (Redmi) 9C, POCO M3) function is not available due to high power consumption.

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Always-on Display works only on smartphones with AMOLED-matrix. On devices with LCD-screens (Redmi 9, POCO M2), the feature will be unavailable or greatly reduce battery life.

Method 5: Watches through MIUI themes (Hidden Function)

Little-known life hack: Some MIUI themes have built-in watch widgets that don't appear in the standard list.

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the section My → Widgets.
3. Select a theme marked “With a watch” (e.g., “Minimal Clock” or “Dark Digital”).
4. Apply the theme – the widget will appear in the widget menu on the desktop.

🎭 Where to look for the right topics?

• 🔍 In the official theme store. MIUI (widget section).
• 🌐 On the en.miui.com forums (see #widget tag).
• 📱 In Telegram channels (for example, @MIUIThemes).

⚠️ Note: When changing theme, all widgets from the desktop can be reset. Before applying the new theme, take a screenshot of the current location of the icons (Power button) + Turning down the volume).

Problem Solving: The clock doesn't display or gets knocked off

If the watch widget has disappeared, does not update, or shows the wrong time after setting up, check the following points:

🛠 If nothing helps:

1. Remove the widget from the desktop and add it again.
2. Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.
3. Update MIUI to the latest version: Settings → About Phone → System Update.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the watch on Xiaomi