Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the desire to personalize the look and feel of their device, and the lock screen is the first thing to catch your eye.The default standard time widget may seem boring or not informative enough for everyday use. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the more recent HyperOS provide ample customization options without the need for superuser rights.
Changing the clock on a locked screen is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to improve the functionality of the gadget. You can add a display of the date, battery charge, pedometer or even weather directly below the numbers. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to transform the interface, from simple switching to installing third-party themes.
It’s worth noting that the options available may vary slightly depending on the operating system version and model of your Redmi Note. However, the basic principles remain unchanged for most of the current devices from the Chinese manufacturer.
Use of built-in design themes
The easiest and safest way to change the design of a watch is to use the Themes app, which is Xiaomi’s official repository, which contains thousands of design options created by both the company and independent designers, and to get started, you need to run the Themes app on the home screen or in the Tools folder.
Once you start the app, go to the Profile tab below (a person icon), and then select Subjects, where you can search for a category or category selection. Type in the search box for Lock Screen or Hours to filter the content. Note that many themes are free, but some may require payment in domestic currency or subscriptions.
When you select your favorite design, click Download and then Apply. The system will tell you to choose whether to apply the theme on the lock screen, desktop or everywhere at once. For our task, just select the lock screen. Once you apply, the changes will take effect instantly, and you will see a new style of dial when you press the power button.
- 🎨 Thousands of free designs are available in the official store.
- ⚙️ The ability to apply only to the lock screen without changing the wallpaper.
- 🔄 Easy to return to standard view through the menu "My pages».
- 🌍 Support for dynamic elements such as live wallpaper.
⚠️ Note: When downloading themes from third-party sources (not through the official application), there is a risk of installing malware or getting an unstable system.
Remember that some complex themes can consume more energy because they use animation. If you notice that the battery starts to run out faster after changing the design, try a more static and simple design of the watch.
Configure widgets through the lock screen editor
Modern versions of MIUI allow you to edit the location of items directly on the lock screen if you have a supported style installed. To test this feature, unlock the phone, then lock it again and press the area where the clock is located with your finger. If the theme supports editing, you will see a settings menu.
In the editor that opens, you can often change not only the font, but also the set of data that you display. For example, in some styles, you can switch between the 12-hour and 24-hour time formats, and you can click on the gear icon or the pencil icon in the corner of the screen.
You can also set up additional widgets here, you can add or remove step displays, instant messenger notifications, or Bluetooth headphone status, and all changes are real-time, allowing you to immediately evaluate the result and adjust the composition if necessary.
☑️ Checking before changing style
It is important to understand that the functionality of the editor depends on the chosen theme. Standard “classic” watches often have fewer settings than specialized dials from the theme store. If you want to get maximum control over the appearance, look for themes marked “Customizable” or “Editable”.
Changes in the time format in system settings
If your goal is not to change the image, but to change the format of the display (for example, switching to a 24-hour format or changing the separator), then you do not need to download new themes. All the necessary settings are located in the back of the system menu. Go to your smartphone settings.
In the settings menu, look for the “Advanced” section or search for settings by entering the word “time.” You will need the “Time Format” option. Here you can choose the 12 or 24 hour time display. Also often available is the “Use System Time Format” option, which synchronizes the widget on the lock screen with the status bar settings.
Some regions and firmware versions have finer settings available through the Date and Time menu, where you can turn on the second hand display (if the style of the watch supports it) or set up automatic synchronization over the network, which guarantees accuracy of stroke.
| Parameter | Description | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Format 12/24 | Selection of time format | Settings → Additional → Time Format |
| System format | Synchronization with the status bar | Settings → Lock screen |
| Seconds. | Display of seconds (depending on the topic) | Settings → Date and time |
| Auto-time. | Synchronization through the network | Settings → Date and time |
It’s worth noting that changing the system time format will affect all apps and widgets in the system, not just the lock screen, a global interface setup worth considering if you’re used to a particular kind of dial.
Why is time running out?
Installation of third-party applications for blocking
For advanced users who do not have the standard MIUI features, there are specialized applications from the Google Play Store. Programs such as Hi Locker, KLCK Lock Screen or AcDisplay, allow you to create almost any lock screen design, up to the hourly change of wallpaper and complex widgets.
Once you install an app, you'll need to give it a number of permissions, including access over other apps and permission to run in the background. Without those permissions, the new lock won't be able to take over screen control. Follow the instructions inside the app for initial setup.
Using third-party lock launchers has its pros and cons. On the one hand, you get unlimited creative freedom. On the other hand, such applications can conflict with Xiaomi system features, such as fingerprint in the screen or unlock gestures.
- 📲 A huge selection of widgets and styles outside the Xiaomi ecosystem.
- ⚡ The ability to create scenarios (for example, different hours of day and night).
- 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to background activity.
- 🛡️ Potential conflicts with biometrics and system gestures.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party lock screens, the underscreen fingerprint scanner function may not work smoothly or be turned off completely.
If you choose to use third-party software, carefully read the reviews about compatibility with your particular model Redmi Note. Often developers indicate known bugs in the description of the application.
Solving problems with displaying the clock
Sometimes users experience a situation where the clock on the lock screen is missing, is not displayed correctly or is overlapped by other elements.The first step in diagnosing this problem should be to remove newly installed themes. Go back to the Topics app, go to profile and apply the standard theme "Classic".
The second common cause is a crowded system cache.Cache clearing can solve visual glitches. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find the Themes app and Screen Lock, then select Clear → Clear the cache.
It’s also worth checking whether Do Not Disturb mode or extreme power saving is on, as they can limit the update of widgets on a locked screen.Switching off these modes often returns functionality to normal.
💡
If the clock is missing after you upgrade, try temporarily changing the region in the settings (Settings → Additional settings → Region) to another country, such as India or Indonesia, and then returning it back.
In rare cases, the problem may lie in the damage to system files after a failed update. If nothing helps, creating a backup and a full factory reset (Settings → About Phone → Reset) are extreme but effective measures.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set my photos as a watch face?
Why did the watch turn black or white and not see anything?
Does the complex design of the watch affect the speed of the smartphone?
How to return a standard Xiaomi watch if it is missing?
💡
Changing the clock to the Xiaomi Redmi Note is a safe and reversible procedure that allows you to significantly refresh the experience of the device without loss of data or warranty.
To sum up, Xiaomi’s arsenal of tools to change the look of the lock screen is extremely rich, from simple time format settings to deep customization through third-party apps, everyone will find an option to like, the main thing is to balance beauty and functionality, and also be attentive to the sources of downloadable content.