How to change the color of the watch on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi: from standard settings to hidden chips MIUI

Why the color of a clock on a lock screen matters – and how to change it without risk

The lock screen of the Xiaomi Redmi is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone. And if the standard white or gray color of the watch is already boring, it can be easily changed. MIUI hidden several ways of customization - from basic settings to advanced tricks using them or even ADB-team.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for changing the color of the watch on the lock screen for all current Redmi models (including the Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 13C, POCO X5 and others).

• 🎨 Use the built-in settings MIUI color-shifting;
• 🖌️ Apply custom themes from Themes with unique dials;
• 🔧 Change font and animation through hidden developer settings;
• 📱 Install third-party launchers for full setup;
• ⚙️ Restore the standard look if something goes wrong.

Important: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights — we’ll mark them separately so you can assess the risks. If your Redmi runs MIUI 14/15 or later, most methods will be available without further manipulation.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings are the easiest way

If you don't want to go into the technical details, start with the built-in tools. In MIUI 12 and later, there are basic options for changing the look of the watch on the lock screen.

1. Open the Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select the item "Style of watches" (on some firmware it may be called "Dial").
3. Scroll down to the Color section – predefined palettes (usually 5-7 options) are available here.
4. Touch the color you like – the changes will be applied immediately.

The method is limited: color choices are very limited, and some models (e.g. Redmi 9A) may not have this option at all. If you have a MIUI 13 or older, try updating the firmware - newer versions of the palette are extended.

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If the watch style item is missing, check if it is hidden in the Additional settings (three dots in the upper right corner of the lock screen menu).

Method 2: Install custom themes from the MIUI store

One of the most effective ways to change the look of a watch is to use themes from a store, and many themes include unique dials with custom colors, fonts, and even animations.

1. Open the Themes app (if not, download it from Google Play).
2. Go to the Lock screen tab.
3. Select your favorite theme and click Apply.
4. After applying the theme, go back to Settings → Lock screen → Watch style to fine-tune the display.

The advantage of the method is that some themes offer dynamic watches that change color depending on the time of day or battery power, such as the theme "Neon Clock" uses neon shades, and "Minimal Dark" - monochrome tones.

⚠️ Note: When using themes from third-party developers, you may encounter ads on the lock screen. Before installing, read the reviews and the rating of the theme - if it is below 4.5, it is better to look for an alternative.

Method 3: Using launchers for complete freedom

If the built-in MIUI options don't suit you, you can go further and install a third-party launcher, some of which, like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, allow you to change not only the color of the watch, but also its position, size, and add widgets.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Set it as the default launcher (a sentence will pop up at the first start).
3. Hold your finger in the free space of the desktop → Settings → Docking station and folders → Watch widgets.
4. Select the style of the watch (like Analog Clock) and adjust the color in the customization menu.

The downside of the method: launchers do not always interact correctly with the MIUI lock screen. For example, on the Redmi Note 11, when using Lawnchair, the watch can be displayed on top of the wallpaper, rather than integrated into it. To avoid bugs, make a backup before setting up.

Method 4: Editing System Files (for Advanced)

This is a method that's suitable for those who are willing to take risks for a unique design, which requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights, but allows you to change any parameters of the watch, including transparency, shadow, and even add your own fonts. If you're a beginner, you better skip this section.

Instructions for experienced users:

1. Install Root Explorer or Mixplorer (with root access enabled).
2. Go to /system/media/theme/default/lockscreen/.
3. Find the files. clock_style.xml and colors.xml — They are responsible for the style and palette of the watch.
4. Open colors.xml in the text editor and change the #FFFFFFFFFF (white) to the desired hex code (e.g. #FF3366FF for blue).
5. Save the changes, set the rights 644 (r-w-r--r---) and restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot). /system through TWRP ornamental.

An alternative option for those who don’t want to dig into system files is to use the Xposed Framework with the LockScreen Clock Customizer module.It lets you change the color, size and font of the watch without direct editing /system, but requires Android 10 or lower (newer versions of MIUI work unstable).

Method 5: Applications for lock screen customization

If the previous methods seemed complicated, you can use specialized applications, they do not require root rights and offer extensive customization options.

• 🔹 Always On Display — allows you to create custom watches with a choice of color, font and animation. AOD (For example, Redmi 10).
• 🔹 Lock Screen & Wallpaper – offers over 100 watch styles with the ability to manually adjust shades.
• 🔹 Clock Widget – a lightweight app to change the color and size of the watch on the lock screen (requires permission to overlay windows).

How to customize the color of the watch through Always On Display:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and grant permissions for Windows Overlay and Lock Control.
3. Select the style of the watch (e.g. Digital or Analog).
4. Click Customize → Colors and select the desired shade from the palette or enter the hex code.
5. Activate the Show on Lock Screen option.

Warning: Some applications (such as Lock Screen & Wallpaper) may conflict with MIUI Optimization, the system process responsible for smoothness of the shell. If after installation, you have lags, turn off optimization in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 5 taps to unlock the developer mode → Disable MIUI Optimization).

Verify compatibility with your version of MIUI| Make a data backup | Disable MIUI Optimization (if required) | Grant all necessary permissions |Reboot the device after setting-->

What to do if the watch does not change color?

Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, the clock remains standard, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate it:

If none of these methods worked, check if your device has regional firmware installed (e.g. MIUI EU or Global).Some customization features are blocked in firmware for China. You can find out the version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

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On Always On Display (AOD) devices (such as the Redmi K50 Pro), the color of the watch may depend on wallpaper or power saving mode. Try turning off AOD in screen settings if the changes don't apply.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up a watch on Xiaomi Redmi