You want to see time on your Xiaomi screen all the time, but don’t know how to do it? Depending on the smartphone model and the MIUI firmware version, there are several ways available, from the classic widget to the Always-On Display (AOD) feature, which shows the watch even on the screen off. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi devices based on MIUI 14/15, including hidden settings and circumventing restrictions for budget models.
It’s important to understand that not all Xiaomi smartphones support the display of watches on a locked screen. For example, Redmi Note 10 and younger lack AOD hardware support, but even these can display a watch widget on the home screen or in the notification panel. But flagships like Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro offer advanced customization options, including animated dials. Next, detailed instructions for each case.
1.The watch widget on the main screen
The most versatile way is to add a watch widget directly to your desktop, and it works on all Xiaomi models, regardless of the version. MIUI presence AMOLED-The widget can be scaled, you can choose the display style (analog or digital clock) and even associated with the weather.
To install the widget:
- 📱 Click on the free space on the main screen until the menu appears.
- 🔧 Select "Widgets" (or "Widgets" in English firmware).
- ⏰ Scroll through the list to the Clock section and select your favorite style.
- 🖼️ Drag the widget onto the screen and adjust its size (if supported).
On some models (like the POCO X5), the watch widgets are hidden in the “Advanced” submenu. If you don’t see them in the main list, try updating the Watch app via Google Play or clearing its cache in the settings (Settings → Apps → App Management → Watches → Clear cache).
Update the Watch app to Google Play|
Clear the cache of the "Clock" app |
Reboot your smartphone |
Check for free screen space (widgets need a minimum) 2×2 cell)-->
2. Always-On Display (AOD): Watch on the screen off
The Always-On Display feature (AOD) Available only on Xiaomi smartphones with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50 Pro, POCO F4 GT). It allows you to display time, date, notifications and even animation on a locked screen without significant battery consumption. MIUI 14/15 setting AOD moved to the section "Block screen».
How to turn on the AOD:
- Open the Settings → Lock screen.
- Select “Always-On Display” (or “Constantly Active Screen” in Russified firmware).
- Activate the slider at the top of the screen.
- Click on Watch Styles and select the design (up to 10 options available, including minimalist and animated).
- In the Schedule section, set your AOD time (for example, only at night or always).
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro) AOD It may conflict with the "Raise to Wake Up" function. If the clock disappears after the device is lifted, turn off this option in Settings. → Lock screen → Raise to wake up.
How to Save Charge with AOD
3.The clock in the notification panel
If you don’t need a widget on the home screen but want to see the time quickly, you can add a watch to the notification bar (curtain), which works on all Xiaomi devices, including the budget Redmi 9A or POCO M4 Pro, where there is no AOD.
Instructions:
- 📲 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- 🔧 Click on the icon «⚙️» (settings) or "Edit" in the upper right corner.
- ⏰ Find the Clock item in the list and drag it to the active area (usually at the top of the screen).
- 🔒 Record the changes by clicking “Ready».
In the notification panel, the clock is displayed in a compact form (usually next to the battery indicator). On MIUI 15, you can configure the time format (12/24 hours) through Settings → Additional settings → Date and time.
Widget on the main screen |
Always-On Display (AOD)|
Watch in the notification panel |
Another option-->
4. Hidden clock settings for MIUI 14/15
In the firmware MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 has hidden customization options that are not visible in the standard menu, such as changing the font of numbers, adding seconds, or even adjusting the color of the backlight to the standard menu. AOD. This will require activating the developer mode or using the ADB-team.
The easiest way to change the format of time is through the MIUI laboratory.
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
- Find the MIUI Lab item and turn it on.
- In the section “lock screen” will appear additional options, including the choice of font for the watch and setting the animation.
For advanced users: If your model supports AOD, but watch styles are limited, you can set third-party dials through the Always On Display AMOLED app (available on Google Play).However, on some devices (such as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra), this can cause system AOD to fail - make a backup before installing.
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If the clock on the lock screen has disappeared after the MIUI update, try resetting the lock screen settings: go to Settings → Lock screen → Reset. This will return the standard view without losing data.
5.Clock on the lock screen (without AOD)
Even if your Xiaomi doesn’t support Always-On Display, the lock screen always displays a watch that can be customized. MIUI 15 has 5 standard styles, and MIUI 14 has 3. You can also change color, size and add weather or step widgets.
How to set up:
- 🔓 Go to Settings. → Lock screen.
- 🎨 Choose “Clock Style” and scroll through the available options.
- 🌈 In some themes (such as Minimalism), you can change the color by clicking on the palette at the bottom of the screen.
- 📱 To add more information (weather, steps), turn on the option “Widgets on the lock screen».
⚠️ Attention: On devices with LCD-With screens (e.g. Redmi Note 11), the clock on the lock screen does not burn all the time - it only appears when the display is turned on. To save charge, turn off autobrightness for the lock screen in Settings → Display. → Autobrightness → Disable for lockdown.
6. Third-party on-screen watch applications
If standard MIUI options don't suit you, you can install third-party apps to display the watch.
- 🕒 Always On AMOLED — Supports animated dials and work in the background.
- ⏳ Clock Widget – more than 100 watch styles with the ability to configure transparency.
- 🌙 Night Clock – optimized for night use (dim light, large numbers).
Before installing, check compatibility with your Xiaomi model. Some applications (such as Always On AMOLED) require permissions to display over other windows.
- Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Application settings (⚙️) → Special access.
- Select “Display on top of other windows” and enable access for the selected application.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party annexes for AOD They can increase the battery consumption of 5-15% Overnight.To minimize the impact, turn off background activity for other apps in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
7. Problem Solving: The clock is not displayed
If the watch is Suddenly disappeared from the screen or widget, try these steps:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The clock in the widget is not updated | Clock app failure | Clear the cache (Settings → Apps → Watch → Clear the cache) |
| AOD is not working after the update | Resetting screen settings | Enable again in Settings → Lock screen → AOD |
| The clock in the curtain is missing | Conflict with another widget | Remove the conflicting widget and add the watch again |
| The clock numbers are not displayed correctly | System font failure | Reset the fonts in Settings → Display → Font |
| AOD is not included in the new model | Lack of support | Check the specifications of the device on the official Xiaomi website |
If none of these things worked, try resetting the lock screen settings to the standard: Settings → Lock screen → Reset. This will bring all the settings back to factory settings, but it won't delete your data.
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Before resetting the lock screen settings, take a screenshot of the current watch type – this will help you quickly restore your favorite style after resetting.