How to change the clock on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face the desire to personalize the interface of their device. The lock screen is the first thing that a user sees after waking up the gadget, so its appearance plays a key role in the perception of the system. Standard settings of the MIUI shell provide basic features, but the functionality allows you to go much further in matters of customization.

Changing the look of the face on the Redmi Note 9 does not require root rights or deep programming knowledge. The whole procedure takes only a few minutes and is performed through built-in system utilities or proven applications from the official store. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to transform the interface to make your smartphone look unique and modern.

It’s worth considering that the interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version installed on your device. Global versions of MIUI and Chinese builds sometimes have different paths to the settings menu. However, the theme logic remains the same for the entire Redmi Note 9 lineup and newer models of the manufacturer.

Standard time settings in MIUI

The first and most obvious way to change the time display is to use the built-in settings. The MIUI shell is based on Android, but has its own interface add-on that manages the widgets. First, you need to go to the Settings menu and find the section that controls the look of the lock screen.

Here, the user can choose from several preset formats: digital or analog. Digital format is convenient for those who care about accuracy up to seconds, while analog adds aesthetics. Changes take effect instantly, but the choice is often limited to only two or three options, which may not satisfy demanding users.

⚠️ Warning: Some system themes can force the clock to change the style on the lock screen, ignoring your manual settings in the menu.

If standard functionality isn’t enough, you should look at the more advanced customization tools offered by the Xiaomi ecosystem, which allow you to completely replace the graphic element of time with something more original.

It is important to understand that standard settings only affect the basic display. For deep modifications, including changing color, font and animation, additional actions will be required, which will be discussed in the next sections.

Using the Themes app to change style

The most effective way to radically change the look of a watch is to use the official Themes app, a powerful tool built into every Redmi smartphone that allows you to download and install thousands of custom designs.

To get started, open the Topics app on your desktop. At the bottom of the screen, find the Profile tab or search immediately. In the search bar, type in the Lock screen or the Watch to filter out the results. The system will offer a huge selection of options, from minimal to animated.

• 🎨 Select a theme you like and click the Download button».
• 📥 After downloading, click “Apply” to activate the new style.
• ⚙️ In some cases, after applying the theme, you need to re-select the format of the clock in the lock screen settings.

The Themes app automatically replaces not only the clock, but also the icons, wallpaper and system sounds. If you're only interested in changing the time, you can apply the theme, and then in Wallpaper and personalization settings return the old wallpaper, leaving a new style of watches.

It’s worth noting that some themes may be paid or require viewing ads to unlock the functionality.The official Xiaomi store regularly updates the catalog, adding new work from independent designers from around the world.

Set up format and font through the theme store

There's a separate category inside the theme catalog, which is about the lock screen, and you can find solutions that don't change the whole system, but only affect Lock Screen, which is ideal for those who want to keep the desktop as they are, but diversify the on screen.

Go to the Lock Screen section inside the Themes app, which features hundreds of timestamps, you can choose font, color, and even add weather or pedometer widgets next to the numbers, and then click the setup button after you choose your favorite option.

Once you have installed a new theme, the lock screen may require confirmation. The MIUI security system will ask if you want to allow the new theme to access location or contacts (for widgets).

If the clock hasn't changed after installing the theme, try restarting the device. Sometimes the system cache stores old graphic elements, and restarting helps you apply all the changes correctly.

Use of third-party applications to block

If MIUI's built-in capabilities aren't enough, third-party apps from Google Play come to the rescue, allowing you to create a completely unique lock screen that will overlap the standard system interface.

One popular solution is Hi Locker or KLCK Kustom Lock Screen Maker, which gives you complete control over every pixel on the screen, and you can draw your dials, add complex animations, and even behavior scripts.

To operate these applications, you need to give them broad permissions, including the right to display over other windows and access to system settings, without which the new lock screen will not be able to activate instead of the standard one.

⚠️ Note: Third-party blockers may conflict with the “pocket” function in the MIUI, This is why your phone can accidentally unlock in your pocket.

Using third-party software often leads to increased battery consumption, as the processor and screen are more active, and fingerprint unlocking may work less stable or with a delay.

However, for enthusiasts, this is the only way to get a truly unique interface that is not available in standard themes.Be sure to check the permissions the app requests before installing.

Compatibility issues and bugs after the update

Redmi Note 9 users sometimes experience the theme stops working and the watch returns to its standard look after a system update, a common problem with clearing the cache of the theme or changing the file structure in new versions of Android.

In some cases, the bug is that the watch is not displayed correctly (e.g., overlapping or having a transparent background). The solution may be to clean the data of the Themes app. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Themes and select Clear Data.

Another common problem is that older themes are incompatible with newer versions of MIUI, which theme developers may have used outdated codes that the new firmware's security system blocks, and then you just have to look for an updated theme or an analog.

• 🔄 Check for updates for the Themes app in the Mi Store.
• 🗑️ Remove recently established topics that may be causing conflict.
• 📱 Make sure that the developer settings do not include experimental interface functions.

If the problem is massive, check Xiaomi’s user forums, and the community often finds workarounds or temporary solutions faster than the official patch from the manufacturer.

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If the block sound is lost after the theme change, check the sound profile, sometimes the themes change the system sounds to their own, which may not be in memory.

Don’t be afraid to reset the design to standard if the system is unstable.

The Impact of Always On Display on Time Display

The Always On Display (AOD) feature allows you to display time and notifications on a screen that is off when it is in low power mode. On the Redmi Note 9, this feature may not be available in all firmware, but where it is, it completely replaces the standard lock hours when you first look at the phone.

You can customize your AOD style through the Settings menu → Wallpaper and Personalization → Always On Display. There are various dial styles available, including animated and touch-responsive, and style choices are more important than choosing a theme for a regular lock screen.

Using AOD significantly increases battery consumption. If smartphone life is critical to you, it is better to use a standard lock screen that is activated only by tap or lifting the device.

It is worth noting that on AMOLED-In the Redmi Note 9, the black background does not consume energy, so the black dials are not used. AOD But colored elements still require pixel lighting.

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The Always On Display feature overrides the standard lock-hour settings and has its own set of styles and work schedules.

If you have activated AOD but the time is not displayed, check if the power saving mode is on, and in this mode the system often forcibly disables the permanent display function to save charge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)