Personalization is the first thing new smartphone owners are trying to do to make the device unique. The MIUI shell and Xiaomi’s new HyperOS feature many tools to fine-tune the look, and time widgets are central to them. Users often confuse the clock settings on the lock screen with the widgets that are located directly on the desktop, but the approaches to changing them are radically different.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to transform time display, from standard system settings to using third-party applications. You will learn not only to change the numbers, but also to choose harmonious compositions that will not overload the interface while maintaining functionality. It is important to understand that the options for customization can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific model of your gadget.
Differences Between Widgets and Always On Display
Before making changes, it is important to clearly distinguish the concepts, as many users try to customize the desktop widget through the lock screen menu. Widgets are interactive elements that sit on the home screen between application icons and only work when the screen is activated and unlocked. They can show the weather, calendar and other useful information in real time.
In turn, Always On Display (AOD) or Always On screen is a feature that displays time and notifications on a switched-off but active display. These two elements are set up in completely different menu sections. If you want to change what you see immediately after waking up your phone without unlocking it, you need lock screen or theme settings.
⚠️ Note: Always On Display is not available on all Xiaomi smartphones. AMOLED-matrix and can significantly increase battery consumption when used actively.
It’s also worth noting that standard time widgets built into the system often have a fixed design that can’t be changed without installing third-party launchers or themes. However, the latest versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS have the ability to more flexible control the size and shape of standard elements, which gives more freedom of creativity.
Setting up time widgets on the desktop
To change the look of the watch directly on the desktop, the MIUI shell uses a widget menu, which is quite simple, but requires care, because the system offers several display options. To get started, unlock the phone and go to the main screen where you want to place the new element.
Make a long press on the blank area of the screen or pinch with two fingers to go into edit mode. In the bottom menu, select Widgets, and you will see a library of all available system elements, where you want to find a category related to time, usually called "clock" or "time."
☑️ Installation of the time widget
In the list that opens, you'll see a few options: classic digital watches, analog with arrows, minimalist versions and combined weather widgets. Choose one that suits your style and drag it to your desktop. Once placed, some widgets allow you to resize them by pulling special markers around the edges, which is especially convenient for adapting to the number of application icons.
The Secret of Big Widgets
Note that standard widgets may not support color change of numbers or font without a global theme. If the standard set does not suit you, the only solution is to install third-party widgets from Google Play, which we will discuss in the next sections. Standard tools are good for their stability and no impact on autonomy.
Using themes to change the style of the lock screen
If you want to change the style of the watch you see on a locked screen, you can't do it with standard settings. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, the Themes app is the main tool for this. It's a powerful design store where designers from around the world create end-to-end solutions that change icons, system sounds and, of course, lockout hours.
To find the desired style, open the Themes app and go to the Profile section (the person icon in the corner), and then select Themes. In the search bar, type in a query such as “Analog Clock” or “Digital Time.” The system will offer thousands of options. You can preview what the watch will look like by clicking on the the theme thumbnail and selecting the lock screen preview.
| Type of topic | Impact on the system | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Full subject matter | Changes icons, wallpaper, clock, sounds | Section "Themes" -> "Everything" |
| Just lockdown. | Change only the off screen and the clock | Search for "Lock Screen" |
| MIUI components | Individual interface elements | Section “Components” |
After selecting a theme you like, click Download and then Apply. It is important to understand that using a full theme can change the view of all icons on the menu. If you only need a watch, after applying the theme, you can try in the theme settings (section "My Pages" -> "Themes" -> "Set up") disable the icon change, leaving only the lock style, although this is not possible in all topics.
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The Themes app is the only native way to change the design of a clock on a locked screen without obtaining superuser (Root) rights.
Advanced Customization with Google Widgets
Xiaomi smartphone owners often forget that they can use Google widgets that offer more flexible settings than standard MIUI elements. Google’s Watch Widget lets you choose between analog and digital formats, and also has several color schemes that adapt to wallpaper or are hand-picked.
To add this widget, run a long tap across the empty space on your desktop and select Widgets. Find a widget with the Google logo in the list. When dragging to the screen, the system can suggest choosing a style (digital or analog) and color. If the offer does not appear immediately, click on the installed widget - often the settings are available through a long press on it and select "Edit".
- 🕰️ Analog Style: Classic second hand dial available in black, white and color.
- 🔢 Digital Style: Large, clear numbers that are easy to read from any distance.
- 🌍 World Time: The ability to display time in a different time zone, which is useful for those who often communicate with foreign partners.
The advantage of Google widgets is that they are optimized and lack of advertising, which is sometimes found in third-party apps from the store. In addition, they consume minimal amount of RAM. However, if you are looking for extravagant design with animations or custom fonts, Google functionality may not be enough and you have to turn to specialized applications.
Third-party applications for unique design
When standard tools and themes from the MIUI store become scarce, apps from the Google Play Store come to the rescue, with HD Widgets or Overdrop being the leader in this niche. These programs allow you to create time widgets from scratch: you can choose any font, color, add background, change transparency, and even add your own images.
The customization process in these applications usually starts with the widget itself being installed on the desktop, and then the editor opens, so you can change every detail, from the thickness of the arrows to the shadow under the numbers. For example, in HD Widgets, you can create a widget that changes color depending on the time of day or battery power, which is a unique feature that is not available in stock firmware.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party widgets with complex animations and live wallpaper can significantly increase battery consumption and processor load. Use them with caution on devices with little RAM.
Another popular solution is launcher apps like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. They replace Xiaomi’s standard shell and provide custom widget and customization tools. By installing such a launcher, you get access to a huge number of plugins that can display time in the form of unusual charts, running lines or minimalistic dots.
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For maximum autonomy, choose static widgets without second hand and live animation. Moving elements make the processor and screen work more actively.
Solving widget problems
Xiaomi users often face a situation where time widgets stop updating, show the wrong time or just disappear from the screen after a while.This is due to the aggressive MIUI energy saving system, which kills background processes to save charge.
Go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps. Find the app you are using (such as Watch, Themes, or third-party app) and go to Battery Savings and select No Limits mode, which will prevent the system from turning off the widget process.
Also check permissions. In the same app settings menu, look for permissions and make sure AutoRun and Location access is allowed (if the widget shows the weather).Without those permissions, the widget may not know your time zone or simply not start after the device is restarted.
If the widget is displayed in black square, try changing the theme to the standard one and then returning the one you want. Sometimes the theme cache conflict leads to rendering errors of graphic elements. Clearing the theme app cache through the storage menu can also help solve the problem.