How to change the look of the clock on the Xiaomi desktop: a complete guide to widgets

Personalizing the smartphone interface is not just a fashion nod, but a way to make interaction with the device more convenient and enjoyable. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the desire to replace the standard time widget with something more stylish or functional. The MIUI shells and the new HyperOS provide ample customization opportunities, allowing you to turn the lock screen and desktop into a unique space.

The process of replacing the clock can vary depending on the version of the operating system and the design theme installed. In some cases, standard tools offer limited choice, which encourages users to look for alternative ways to solve the problem. Understanding the logic of widgets in the Xiaomi ecosystem will allow you to easily manage the appearance of the home screen without the need for root rights or complex reprogramming of the device.

In this guide, we will look at all the ways you can change your dial, from built-in features to third-party apps. You will learn how to correctly remove old widgets, where to look for new styles and what nuances to consider when installing third-party software to display time. It is critical to know that watch widgets and the lock screen theme are often different settings, managed through separate system menus.

Basic principles of widgets in MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi’s mobile interface is based on a strict hierarchy of controls. Widgets, including watches, are independent modules that can be added or removed from the desktop at any time. To get started, you need to unlock the device and go to the main screen where the application shortcuts are located. It is important to distinguish system widgets from third-party ones, as the methods of editing them can vary.

The standard procedure for adding any element starts with a long press on the free area of the screen or swipe right to the end, where the widget tape is usually located (depending on the launcher settings). The Add widgets menu that opens provides a complete list of available modules, sorted by category or frequency of use. This is where the basic set of watches that the manufacturer offers.

The system allows you to flexibly adjust the size of the space you occupy. Some watch widgets take up one grid cell, others can stretch into two or four, providing additional information such as date, weather or battery level. When choosing a particular style, pay attention to its compatibility with your current theme, so as not to disturb the visual harmony of the interface.

Step-by-step: Replacement of standard watches

To change the time display, you first need to delete the current widget if it doesn't suit you. Click on the watch icon and hold your finger until the context menu or vibration appears. Select the option to Remove or drag the widget to the top of the screen where the basket icon appears. Once the space is free, you can start installing a new item.

The next step is to open the widget menu. Depending on the version of MIUI, this is done by swiping to the right or by long tapping over an empty area. Find the Watch category or Clock. In the list, you'll see a few options: classic, binary, world time, and others. Choose your favorite design and click on it to preview.

Once you have selected a style, the system will suggest you adjust the settings. You can change the color of the dial, the time format (12 or 24 hours) and the second hand display. Confirm the actions with the Ready or OK button. A new widget will appear on your desktop, and you can move it to any convenient place by simply dragging your finger.

⚠️ Note: If the clock widget is removed and the lock screen is removed, check the theme settings. Some third-party themes may hide the system clock when removing the widget from the desktop.

Using the Application Topics to Expand Functionality

Xiaomi’s official Themes store is a powerful tool that goes far beyond just changing icons. In the Profile or search section, you can find thousands of free and paid designs that completely change the look of watch widgets. Many users don’t know that you can install the theme as a whole, but only use its component of the watch.

To do this, download your favorite theme, even if it is paid (often there is a free period or free analogues). After applying the theme, go to the widget settings. You will find that new options have appeared in the list of available watches that were previously unavailable in stock firmware, which allows you to combine elements of different themes to create a unique interface.

There's also a separate category of Widgets or Widgets in the theme store, where you can download packs of specific items without having to change the whole theme of the device, and this is especially true for owners of HyperOS-enabled smartphones, where widget support has reached a new level of interactivity and animation.

Third-party applications for time customization

When standard MIUI capabilities become scarce, Google Play apps come to the rescue. There are many dedicated launchers and widgets that offer an unprecedented level of detail. Popular solutions include HD Widgets, Overdrop, and KWGT Kustom Widget, which allow you to create watches of any shape, color, and size.

Installing a third-party widget requires permission to display on top of other apps. Once you download the app from the store, launch it and select the template you like. Then go back to your desktop, open the widget menu, and find the app you just installed. Drag it on the screen and set it up through the built-in editor.

Using third-party solutions can consume more battery life than native Xiaomi widgets, which is due to more complex graphics and the frequency of data updates. However, for customization enthusiasts, this is often an acceptable fee for a unique look. It is important to monitor the permissions that such applications request to ensure data security.

💡

When installing heavy widgets from third-party developers, add the app to the “Start” list and remove background activity restrictions in the battery settings so that the clock doesn’t stop.

Setting up the lock screen and Always on Display

Often, users want to change the clock not only on the desktop, but also on the lock screen. In new versions of HyperOS and current MIUI, a separate settings section is responsible for this. Go to Settings → Lock screen. Here you can choose the style of displaying the time, its font and color.

The Always On Display feature also allows you to customize the look of the watch when the smartphone is in standby mode. From the AOD menu, you can choose from dozens of styles, from simple numbers to animated figures. Some styles respond to touching or lifting the smartphone, which adds interactivity.

It is worth noting that in the models with AMOLED-Using complex widgets on Always On Display can significantly increase energy consumption, and it is recommended to use static black wallpaper with a white clock contour for maximum charge savings. Dynamic scenarios are best reserved for moments when the phone is connected to the charger.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models and POCO s LCD-The Always On Display feature may be missing or operating in limited mode, displaying the time only a few seconds after touching.

Solving and eliminating errors

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the widget of the watch disappears after a reboot or stops showing the correct time, most often this is due to aggressive optimization of memory in MIUI. The system can "kill" the widget process to save resources. To fix this, you need to lock the application in memory or allow it to autorun.

Another common problem is to desynchronize time after travel or time zone change. Make sure that the Date and Time settings activate the Autodetermination option. If the widget shows the time of another city, check the settings of a particular widget by clicking on it and selecting editing, where you can manually select the desired time zone.

If the widget is stuck and doesn't respond to touch, try removing it and adding it again. In extreme cases, cleaning the cache of the Clock system application through the application settings menu helps. Remember that a stable Internet connection and authorized geolocation is necessary to properly work with the weather widgets.

💡

Most widget problems are solved by checking autostart permissions and background work in the battery settings of a particular application.