Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often aim to personalize their device as much as possible by turning the standard interface into a unique one. One of the most noticeable elements that a user sees hundreds of times a day is the lock screen clock. The standard white font on a black background can get boring quickly, and there is a natural desire to change its color or style. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and its modern version of HyperOS provide ample customization options, although these settings are often scattered across different menus.
The process of changing the appearance of time depends on whether you use a standard lock screen, Always On Display, or third-party widgets. In some cases, the color of the numbers is rigidly tied to the selected wallpaper, and the system automatically selects a contrasting shade. However, there are ways to bypass these restrictions and specify a specific color, font, or even animation. It is important to understand that the interface may differ slightly depending on the version of Android and regional firmware.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to transform a clock on a locked screen. You will learn how to use embedded themes, how to customize AOD for AMOLED-What applications can extend the functionality of the standard shell. Changing system fonts through third-party themes is the only way to globally change the color of the numbers on the standard lock screen without using the use of the system fonts. AOD. Get ready to turn your smartphone into a piece of digital art.
Using built-in themes to change the style of the watch
The easiest and safest way to change the look of time is to use the Theme app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi devices. Unlike simply changing the wallpaper, installing a full-fledged theme involves system fonts and elements of the blocker interface. GetThemes has thousands of design options where the color of the numbers can be gold, neon, gradient or even change in real time.
To find the right design, you need to open the app and search for keywords. Many users search for themes marked "Clock", "Time" or a specific color, such as "Black Clock." Once you download and apply the theme, the changes take effect instantly. Note that some themes can only change the style of numbers, leaving the background standard, which allows you to combine elements.
If the standard directory doesn't offer what you want, you can try switching the region to the phone settings. Changing the region to India, Indonesia or the United States opens up access to other servers with unique themes that may not be available in your current location.
⚠️ Warning: When installing themes from third-party sources or unofficial stores, be careful.Some modified themes may contain ads or cause unstable locking system.
After applying the theme, it is recommended to restart the device to make sure that all graphic elements, including time, are displayed correctly. If you do not like the new style, you can return everything in a couple of seconds through the theme management menu.
Always on Display (AOD) for AMOLED screens
Owners of smartphones with AMOLED or Super AMOLED arrays have the unique ability to use the Always On Display feature, in which some of the pixels are constantly illuminated, displaying the time, date and notifications while the screen is formally locked, and this is where the widest possible color change of time lies, as manufacturers often put the AOD style settings in a separate menu.
To access these settings, go to Settings → Lock screen or use the search by settings, entering the request"AOD". In the menu that opens, you'll find the Format or Style section, and there are dozens of presets available, where time can be colored brightly, textured, or even represented as a color. GIF-Some styles allow you to manually select a color from a palette.
To optimize, you can adjust the schedule of the function, for example, to turn it on only in the day or 10 seconds after touching the screen. LCD-This function is either missing or works in a stripped down mode "Always on screen", where the color of the time is more difficult to change.
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Use dark AOD styles with red or orange time – this reduces the risk of pixel burnout on AMOLED-matrixes during prolonged use.
You can also create your own AOD style through the Wallpaper Carousel app, and there's often an AOD creation option in the "Mine" section, where you can choose the font, color and position on the screen, giving you complete control over the visualization, allowing you to make time bright, purple or any other shade of RGB spectrum.
Use of live wallpaper and superwallpaper
A third way to change the color of time is to use special live wallpapers. Unlike static images, live wallpapers are video files or scripts that can dynamically change interface elements. The Xiaomi theme store has a category called "Live Wallpaper," where many works have built-in watches with a unique design.
When you install these wallpapers, the system often warns you of increased battery consumption, which is true, because the video sequence requires the resources of the processor, but the visual effect is worth it: time can shimmer, change color depending on the time of day or respond to notifications. The color of the numbers in this case is part of the video series and is not regulated separately, you choose the finished solution.
What stands out is the so-called Super Wallpapers, which appeared in MIUI 12 and developed in HyperOS. They are three-dimensional models of planets or landscapes. When you lock the screen, time is often inscribed in the design of these worlds, becoming part of the composition. Although you can't change their color separately, choosing another planet or landscape automatically changes the color range of the watch.
- 🎨 Live wallpaper allows time to change color depending on the context.
- 🔋 Using video wallpaper increases battery consumption 5-10% day-to-day.
- 📱 Superwallpaper is integrated into the system and does not require the installation of additional applications.
If you want maximum freedom, you can create your own live wallpapers with third-party apps like Video Live Wallpaper. You can mount videos where time is painted in the right color and set it as a background. However, this requires certain video editing skills and understanding how layers work in Android.
☑️ Check before installing a live theme
Third-party applications for lock screen customization
When built-in tools are scarce, Google Play apps come to the rescue. Third-party software developers offer tools that completely replace Xiaomi's standard lock screen. The leaders in this niche are apps like Lock Screen & Notifications or Hi Locker, which allow you to customize color, font, size and time position to pixel accuracy.
The way these apps work is simple: they capture the lock event and show their interface over the system. In the app settings, you can choose any color from the palette, add a gradient or shadow, and that's the only way to get absolutely any color that Xiaomi engineers don't have.
However, there are significant drawbacks to this method: first, it is an increased power consumption, since the application must constantly work in the background; second, there may be conflicts with the fingerprint scanner or the facial unlock function. Android security system can periodically "kill" the process of the blocker, returning the standard screen.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party screen blockers require broad permissions to access data and control the device.
For advanced users, there's a customization method through KLCK Kustom Lock Screen Maker. It's a powerful constructor that lets you create lock screens from scratch. You can draw watches of any color, add weather widgets, calendars, and even interactive buttons. It takes time to set up, but the result will be completely unique.
Time Color Dependence on Wallpaper and Adaptive Themes
Modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS use artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze dominant colors on installed wallpaper. Based on this analysis, the system can automatically adjust the color of the widgets and, in some cases, the time on the lock screen to ensure readability and aesthetic harmony. If you put dark wallpaper, time will turn white, and if bright, the system can try to invert color or add a contrast substrate.
This feature is called Adaptive Colors or Dynamic Colors. It doesn't work on all models and depends on the Android version (most actively implemented in Android 12+). The user can't directly choose the color of the time in this mode, he only indirectly affects it by changing the background image. This is a good option for those who want the phone to look whole and not like to manually adjust each element.
It's worth experimenting with different images. Sometimes changing the wallpaper from gradient to monochromatic can unlock the ability to select color in the theme settings. The system sees that contrast allows you to use color font, and activates the corresponding options.
Why does the color of time reset after rebooting?
In some cases, the adaptation works incorrectly, making time unreadable against a motley background, and if you encounter such a problem, the best solution is to choose wallpaper with a more uniform color or use the "Darkout Wallpaper" function in the screen settings.
Comparison of methods of changing the color of time
To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have prepared a summary table that will help you evaluate the pros and cons of each method depending on your priorities: battery savings, ease of customization or unique design.
| Method | Difficulty | Impact on the battery | Color variability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in themes | Low. | Minimum | Medium (depending on the topic) |
| Always On Display | Low. | Medium/High | Tall (many styles) |
| Live wallpaper | Medium | High. | Depends on the video. |
| Third-party annexes | Tall. | High. | Maximum (any color) |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the optimal balance between beauty and functionality is the use of Always On Display or quality themes from the official store. Third-party applications should be considered only if you are an enthusiast and are willing to put up with bugs for a unique look.
Remember that time style is part of the overall visual language of your smartphone: Choose the color of the numbers to match with desktop widgets and app icons. The chaotic mix of styles can create a sense of visual noise and reduce the usability of the device.
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The best way to change the color of time without losing autonomy is to install themes that support Always On Display, as they use AMOLED technology most efficiently.