How to change the style of the watch on the Xiaomi desktop screen: from standard themes to hidden settings MIUI

The Xiaomi desktop clock widget is not just a time indicator, but part of the visual style of your smartphone. MIUI They don't even know that the standard face can be replaced with an analog watch, a minimalist digital version or an animated design with effects. MIUI 12.5) Hidden customization options that are not visible in the main settings menu have appeared.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the style of watches – from basic methods through Themes to manual editing of system files for advanced users. You will learn how to set a dynamic clock with a changing background depending on the time of day, where to download custom dials for Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5, And why some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may have some features blocked. MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

1. Standard settings of the clock in MIUI: What can be changed without additional applications

To start with, the most basic of these are the built-in customization options that are available on any Xiaomi smartphone without installing third-party software, which most users are limited to, even though they only cover 30% of the options.

To open the editing menu of the watch widget:

1. Long press on the free space of the desktop → Widgets.
2. Find the Watch widget (usually in the Tools section) and drag it to the screen.
3. Click on the widget that appears - the style selection menu will open.

Depending on the version MIUI You will be available:

• 🕒 Digital watches – a classic option with a choice of font (from minimalist to minimalist). 3D-effects).
• ⏱️ Analog clocks – round dials with different types of hands (including skeleton design).
• 🌅 Dynamic themes – clocks that change color depending on the time of day (available on the clock) MIUI 13+).
• 📱 Weather Watch – displaying temperature and weather icons next to time.

Note: on budget models (e.g. Redmi) 10A or POCO M5) Some styles may be missing due to the limitations of iron. Also in HyperOS (new firmware for Xiaomi 14 and newer) widget menu redesigned - look for the watch in the section Smart screen.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI If you've lost your favorite watch styles, try resetting your widgets. → Annexes → Application management → Widgets and press Reset. This will bring back the standard options, but remove all custom settings.

2. Hidden watch styles: how to incorporate experimental designs into MIUI

In the firmware MIUI There are hidden watch styles that don't show up in the main menu, and you can activate them through developer mode or special commands, and this method works on most devices except HyperOS models).

Instructions for activating hidden styles:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and execute the command to ADB: adb shell settings put global miui_use_custom_clock_style 1
4. Reboot the device. After that, additional styles (such as Neumorphic or Glass) will appear in the widget menu.

List of hidden styles that can be unlocked:

If no new styles have appeared after the application of the command, check:

• 🔄 Version MIUI (on some assemblies the function is disabled).
• 📱 Phone model (on Redmi) 9A And these kinds of people may not work).
• 🔧 Correctness of command entry (typos in the ADB lead to error).

Installation of custom watches through the "Themes" app

Xiaomi’s official Themes app allows you to download not only wallpaper and icons, but also unique styles for watch widgets.

1. Not all themes contain custom watches – often designers change only wallpaper and fonts, leaving a standard dial.

2.After deleting the theme, the clock may reset — MIUI It does not always save user settings.

3.On some models, theme is blocked (for example, on Xiaomi for the global market without Chinese firmware).

How to find and install a theme with a unique watch:

1. Open the Themes app (if not, download from Google Play).
2. In the search bar, enter the requests: 🔍 Clock animation – for dynamic styles. 🔍 Minimalism dial for simple designs. 🔍 clock widget neon for neon effects.

Apply

If the clock has not changed since the topic:

⚠️ Warning: Some themes require manual activation of the widget.Remove the old widget from the desktop and add it again - the list should appear a new style from the installed theme.

Top.-5 with a unique clock (checked for the MIUI 14):

• 🌌 Cosmic Clock - animated watch with the effect of space (suitable for the use of space watches) AMOLED).
• 🎨 Material You Clock – adaptive design for wallpaper color (like in Android 12)+).
• 🕰️ Vintage Clock - style for an old wall clock.
• 💎 Crystal Glass – transparent watch with glass effect.
• 🔥 Neon Fire – Neon numbers with fire animation.

4.Use of third-party watch widgets (KWGT, UCCW, Chronus)

If built-in options MIUI Not enough, you can install third-party widgets:

1. KWGT (Kustom Widget Maker is the most flexible solution for custom watches. Allows you to edit every element (from font to animation), but takes time to customize. The Play Market has ready-made templates for Xiaomi (search by tag #MIUI).

2. UCCW (Ultimate Custom Clock Widget – A simplified version KWGT It's pre-set styles, it's good for beginners.

3. Chronus is a weather, calendar and customizable widget, and there's a paid version with extended styles.

How to install a third-party widget:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like KWGT).
2. Open the app and choose your favorite template (or create your own).
3. Long press on the desktop → Widgets → find the widget KWGT (size 4×2 or 4×1).
4. Drag it on the screen and select the saved template.

Advantages of third-party widgets:

• ✅ Complete customization (color, font, animation, position of elements).
• ✅ Support for dynamic effects (e.g., color change depending on battery charge).
• ✅ Tasker compatibility for automation (e.g., changing style when connecting to a Bluetooth device).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Increased battery consumption (especially in animated widgets).
• ❌ On some Xiaomi models, widgets may disappear after a reboot.
• ❌ For full-fledged work, a Pro-version is often needed (from 100-300). ₽).

5. Manual editing of system files (for advanced users)

This method is only suitable for advanced users, as it requires root or use rights. ADB. It allows you to change the system clock at the firmware level, but with incorrect actions can lead to a crash of the launcher or bootloop.

What can be changed manually:

• 🎨 Color and font of the system clock (even if they are not customized via the menu).
• 📏 Size and position of the widget on the lock screen.
• ⚡ Animation (for example, the smooth appearance of numbers).

Instructions for editing through ADB (rootless):

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging via USB.
2. Download the clock system files (usually in the /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI/).
3. Edit the file. clock_style.xml (Use Notepad.++ or VS Code).
4. Download the file back via the command: adb push clock_style.xml /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI/res/values/
5. Reset the device.

Example of editing clock_style.xml Change the color of the clock on the lock screen:

<string name="lockscreen_clock_color">#FF4081</string>  


<string name="lockscreen_clock_size">48sp</string>




<string name="lockscreen_clock_font">sans-serif-condensed</string>

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 14) The path to system files has changed. /system_ext/priv-app/. Also in the new firmware strengthened protection against editing — without root changes may not apply.

If after editing system files, the phone stopped booting:

• 🔄 Try to boot up in Safe Mode (hold the power button). → Restarting in Safe Mode).
• 📥 Fastboot the device (instructions for your model look at the 4PDA or XDA Developers).
• 🛠️ Contact the service center (if you are not sure about your abilities).

💡

Before editing system files, make a backup through TWRP Or an adb backup command, which will allow you to quickly restore the device to work in case of an error.

6.Clock on the lock screen: individual settings

The clock style on the lock screen is set separately from the widgets on the desktop. MIUI There are several unique options for this section:

1. Always-on Display (AOD)

On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) You can turn on a constant time display:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Choose Always-on Display.
3. Activate the option and select the watch style (analog, digital and animated options are available).

2. Dynamic clock wallpaper

V MIUI 14, Super Wallpapers, which integrate with the clock on the lock screen, are introduced. For example, Mars or Earth wallpapers show time in a space-themed style.

3. Hidden styles for AOD

In some models (for example, POCO F4 GT) You can unlock additional styles AOD through ADB:

adb shell settings put secure doze_always_on_clock_style 2

Where 2 is ID style (try values from 1 to 5).

Clock limits on the lock screen:

• 🔒 On devices without AMOLED (Like Redmi. 10C) AOD does not work – instead, the time will be displayed when you press the screen.
• 🔋 Always-on Display consumes a battery (about 1-3% per hour) AMOLED-screen).
• 🎨 Not all styles support color change – some are tied to a system theme.

7 Problems and Errors in Changing the Style of Watches

When customizing a Xiaomi watch, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔄 Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 📲 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) that supports more widgets.
• 🔧 Sending custom recovery (for example, TWRP) manually replace the clock system files.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14), some methods may not work due to the changed firmware architecture, in which case the only reliable way is to use third-party widgets (KWGT or Chronus).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

💡

If you want maximum customization of watches, combine methods: use hidden styles through the use of a different style. ADB + third-party widgets (KWGT) + Dynamic themes from the annex “Themes".