Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with rich customization capabilities, but not all users know how to quickly change the color of the watch on the lock screen. The standard white or gray shade of the dial can get boring, especially if you want to customize the design to fit the wallpaper or the overall style of the interface. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from built-in MIUI tools to third-party applications that will make the watch truly unique.
It's important to understand that the customization options are based on the firmware version: Redmi 9 with MIUI 12/13 has some options available, and older versions (like MIUI 11) have others, and we've taken these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will suit most users. If you like to experiment with the look of your smartphone, this guide will help make the lock screen stylish and unique.
Method 1: Color change with standard MIUI settings
The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which do not require additional applications and works on all firmware versions for Redmi 9. However, there is a limitation: you can choose only from predefined color schemes, not set an arbitrary hue.
To change the color of the watch:
- Open the settings on your smartphone.
- Go to Lock Screen (or Lock and Protect in some versions).
- Select the watch style or dial.
- Scroll through the list of available styles – some of them offer a choice of colors (e.g. Colored or Neon).
- Tap the option you like and click Apply.
If your MIUI version doesn’t have a separate color change item, try changing the theme of the design, which will automatically update the color of the watch.
- 🎨 Go to Settings. → Theme.
- 🔍 Choose a theme with the right color palette (for example, dark themes often make the watch white or blue).
- 📲 Apply it and check for changes on the lock screen.
⚠️ Note: Some firmware may reset the color of the watch after updating the theme. To avoid this, manually record the style of the watch through Settings → Lock screen → Block Style (if option is available).
Method 2: Using MIUI themes for customization
MIUI is famous for its theme system, which allows you to radically change the appearance of the smartphone, including the lock screen. The official theme store (Themes in the settings) has hundreds of free and paid options, many of which offer unique watch styles with different colors, animations and even fonts.
How to Set Up a Colored Watch Theme:
- Open the Themes app (brush icon on your desktop).
- In the search bar, type in a query like “colored watch,” “neon dial,” or “AMOLED watch.”
- Select your favorite theme and click Apply.
- If the theme is paid, confirm the purchase (the price usually does not exceed 50-100 rubles).
Some themes allow you to customize the color of the watch separately from the rest of the design.
- 🔧 After applying the theme, go to its settings (button Configure or ⚙️).
- 🎨 Find the section Lock screen or Dial.
- 🖌️ Choose a color from the palette or enter a hex code (for example, #FF5733 orange-colored).
| Type of topic | Example of clock color | Features |
|---|---|---|
| AMOLED-optimized | Black background, bright green/blue clock | Save battery power, suitable for dark wallpaper |
| neon | Pink, purple, turquoise | Glows in the dark, often with animation |
| Minimalistic. | Grey, white, black. | Without unnecessary elements, classic design |
| Gradient | Smooth transition from blue to purple | Color changes depending on the time of day |
⚠️ Note: After resetting settings or updating MIUI To avoid this, save a backup of themes in Settings. → Topics → My subjects. → Export (not available in all versions).
Make a backup of current settings
Check the vacant space (at least 100 MB)
Connect to Wi-Fi for fast download
Disable background restriction for the "Themes" application-->
Method 3: Third-party applications for full customization
If built-in MIUI tools aren't enough, you can use third-party apps, which offer much more options, from changing colors and fonts to adding weather widgets or animations, but they will require permission to overlay over other windows (Special features → Overlay).
Top.-3 Apps for customizing watches on Redmi 9:
- 🔹 Always On Edge – Allows you to create a fully customizable lock screen with a choice of color, font and even watch location. Supports Always On Display (if your Redmi 9 supports this feature).
- 🔹 Niagara Launcher not only replaces the launcher, but also offers flexible widget settings, including a lock screen clock. RGB.
- 🔹 KWGT Kustom Widget is an advanced tool for creating unique widgets, requires editorial skills, but allows you to make the watch truly unique (including dynamic color, depending on the time of day).
Instructions for setting up KWGT:
- Install KWGT from Google Play.
- Download your favorite watch template (for example, in the Explore section inside the app).
- Add the KWGT widget to the lock screen via Settings → Lock screen → Widgets.
- In the KWGT editor, find a color parameter (usually Text Color) and change it to the desired one.
- Save the changes and apply the widget.
How to return a standard watch after using KWGT?
Method 4: Manual editing of system files (for advanced ones)
This method is only suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root rights. Wrong actions can lead to system failure! If you are willing to take a risk, you can change the color of the watch at the system file level, which will give maximum freedom of customization.
The editing will require:
- 🔧 Root access (can be obtained through Magisk or TWRP).
- 📁 Root-access file manager (e.g., Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
- 🎨 Knowledge of color hex codes (e.g, #FFFFFF white, #FF0000 red).
Step-by-step:
- Open the file manager and go to /system/media/theme/default/lockscreen/ Lock screen design files are stored here.
- Find the file. clock_style.xml or colors.xml (The name may vary depending on the version. MIUI).
- Make a backup of the file (copy it elsewhere).
- Open the file in the text editor and find lines with colors, for example: <color name="clock_text_color">#FFFFFFFF</color> Replace #FFFFFFFF the desired hex code (for example, #FF5733 orange-colored).
- Save the changes, set the rights to 644 (r-w-r--r---) and restart the smartphone.
⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI To avoid this, create a script to automatically apply your settings after the update (for example, via Tasker or Magisk Module).
💡
Before editing system files, check them for syntax errors using an online XML validator. This will help to avoid hanging up when downloading.
Method 5: Use Always On Display (AOD) for a dynamic watch
If your Redmi 9 supports Always On Display, you can customize the color of the watch directly from the AOD menu.This feature isn’t available on all versions of Redmi 9, but if it is, it offers flexible settings, including color, style, and even animations.
How to turn on and configure AOD:
- Go to Settings → Lock screen → Always On Display.
- Activate the function if it is disabled.
- Choose the style of the watch (usually there are options Digital, Analog, Minimalistic).
- Tap the Color or Customization item and select the shade from the palette.
- Click Save and check the result on the lock screen.
If your firmware does not have built-in AOD, you can use third-party applications, for example:
- 🌙 Always On AMOLED — emulate AOD It allows you to select the color of the watch and adjust the display schedule.
- 🔄 AOD Notify – adds a permanent time display feature with the ability to customize color and font.
| Annex | Color support | Energy consumption | Need root? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always On AMOLED | The full RGB palette | Low (optimized for AMOLED) | No. |
| AOD Notify | 16 Predetermined Colors | Average. | No. |
| Glance Plus (for MIUI) | Color tied to theme | Minimum | Yes (for some functions) |
💡
Always On Display significantly reduces battery life, so to save power, set up a display schedule (for example, only at night) or use dark colors on your device. AMOLED-screen.
Problem Solving: The watch doesn't change color
Sometimes users find that the color of the watch does not change at all, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to eliminate them.
Problem 1: There is no color change item in the settings.
- 🔹 Reason: You have a downgraded version installed MIUI (For example, for the European or global market, where some functions are disabled.
- 🔹 Solution: Update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → The phone. → Update the system or install custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu).
Problem 2: The color of the watch is reset after the reset.
- 🔹 Reason: Conflict with the optimizer MIUI, which resets the settings to save energy.
- 🔹 Solution: Add an app responsible for the clock (e.g. Topics or KWGT), Exclusion list: Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery consumption management → Select the application → No restrictions.
Problem 3: Third-party applications do not apply changes.
- 🔹 Reason: No permission to overlay or access notifications.
- 🔹 Solution: Check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the annex] → Permissions and enable all necessary options.
⚠️ Warning: If after installing a third-party watch app, your smartphone starts to slow down or discharge quickly, check it for viruses through Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes.