Personalizing a smartphone is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to make the device more functional and informative. Owners of Xiaomi equipment running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS often wonder how to change standard labels on a locked display, this may be necessary to display contact information so that the finder can contact you, or simply to uniquely interface.
Android system restrictions do not allow you to arbitrarily change the text of the brand logo or system inscriptions without obtaining superuser rights, but standard tools can introduce useful text into the watch zone or add the owner's signature. Understanding the architecture of the Settings menu will help you quickly find the desired section and make changes.
In this guide, we will break down all available methods for customizing the lock screen, from built-in functions to advanced settings through theme apps. You will learn how to add your signature, change the format of the time, and what restrictions exist for different versions of firmware.
Opportunities to customize the lock screen in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi shells provide flexible tools to change the look of a locked screen. The focus of the developers was on the watch widget, which by default contains the date and sometimes the day of the week. However, in recent versions of the software, it has become possible to add custom text directly below or above the dial.
It is important to understand that the functionality depends on the Android version and the specific firmware modification. While HyperOS offers advanced widget capabilities, older versions of MIUI 12 or 13 may require third-party themes to display arbitrary text. System security restrictions prohibit changing critical system strings such as "Swipe to unlock" without deep interference with the system.
⚠️ Note: Attempts to change system files to replace standard labels can result in system integrity and loss of warranty. Use only standard customization methods.
The user interface allows you not only to change the text, but also its location relative to other elements. You can choose font, color and display style if you use supported themes from the GetThemes store. The standard font set also offers several options for the typefaces for system inscriptions.
How to Add the Owner’s Signature to a Locked Screen
One of the most useful features is the ability to add a signature from the owner of the device, which is displayed on the lock screen and can include your name, an alternate phone number or a message for the finder, which increases the chances of the device being returned in the event of loss.
To activate this feature, you need to go to the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the software, but the general logic remains the same for all Redmi and Poco smartphones. You will need to find the section responsible for security and data privacy.
Follow the following steps to add information:
- 📱 Open Settings and go to Lock Screen or Always On Screen and Lock Screen.
- 🔍 Find Owner Information or Text on the Lock screen.
- ✍️ Enter the desired text, for example: In case of loss, call +79990000000".
- ✅ Save the changes by pressing the confirmation button.
Once saved, the text will appear on the lock screen, usually at the bottom or under the watch widget. The font size automatically adapts to the number of characters, but it is recommended not to exceed 30-40 characters to preserve readability. This inscription will be visible even without unlocking the device, which provides quick access to contact information.
☑️ Checking the owner's settings
Setting up the watch widget and additional text
The centerpiece of the lock screen is the watch widget. In HyperOS and newer versions of MIUI, the system allows you to choose different watch styles, some of which support adding a custom line of text, which can be a motivating phrase, current status or just a decorative element.
To change style, go to Settings → Wallpaper and Personalization → Lock screen. Here you will see a gallery of available styles. When you choose a style that supports text, you will see a field to enter. Note that not all dials have this option, so you will have to experiment with the options.
| Style type | Support for text | Location. | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical digital | Often | Under time | Basic |
| Analog | Rarely. | In the middle of the dial | Topics |
| Minimalism | Yes. | Side or bottom. | HyperOS |
| Dynamic | No. | — | All versions. |
If standard options aren't enough, you can download a third-party theme from Themes. Many designers create themes with unique fonts and the ability to type their text. Once you apply the theme, the caption can appear differently than in the standard menu, which gives you more freedom of creativity.
Where to find hidden watch styles?
Using themes to change inscriptions
Xiaomi's theme store is a powerful tool that is often ignored by users looking for simple customizations.Thousands of free and paid themes offer an alternative lock screen design where the inscriptions can be completely altered, moved or stylized.
When installing a theme from a store, pay attention to the preview. Often the theme description will indicate whether it supports customization of text ("Customizable lock screen text"). Once the theme is installed, you may need to reconfigure the owner's signature, as some themes override the system display parameters.
The process of installing a custom theme looks like this:
- 🎨 Open the Themes app on the main screen.
- 🔎 In the search, type "Lock screen text" or "Custom text".
- 📥 Download and apply your favorite topic.
- ⚙️ Go to the theme settings (usually through the profile) and find the component settings item.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes from unverified sources or modified files APK There is a risk of malicious code being introduced. Use only the official app store.
Using themes bypasses the limitations of the standard interface, and you can find themes where text is in large print, color changed, or animations added, and that's the only legal way to fundamentally change the way system inscriptions look without root rights.
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Before installing a new theme, take a screenshot of the current lock screen settings to easily bring it all back if you don’t like the new design.
The limitations and features of different versions of Android
Users often experience a feature on one device and no feature on the other, due to differences in Android versions (11, 12, 13, 14) and MIUI shells. Google is gradually limiting the ability to customize the lock screen for security and uniformity of the interface.
On Android 14 and HyperOS, there is a trend towards simplification of the lock screen. Some features available in MIUI 12 have been removed or moved to the depths of the menu. For example, the ability to display a second time zone or a complex date format may now require the installation of widgets or third-party apps.
Comparison of features depending on the version of the software:
- 📉 Old versions (MIUI 10-11): Minimum settings, only the basic signature of the owner.
- 📈 Mid-range versions (MIUI 12-13): Appearance of watch styles, support for longer text.
- 🚀 New versions (MIUI 14, HyperOS: Widget integration, smart locking, but strict design rules.
If you upgrade to a new version and your settings are gone, check the Advanced Settings section. Sometimes features are not deleted, but simply hidden. Also, you should consider that global firmware versions (Global) may differ from Chinese (CN) by having certain features due to Google's licensing restrictions.
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The lack of the desired option in the menu is most often associated with the shell version MIUI/HyperOS, not with a defective device.
Solution: Why the text is not saved
Sometimes users encounter a problem when the input text is not displayed or resets after a reboot, this can be caused by a system caching or conflict with the set theme. First of all, try to reboot your smartphone after making changes.
Another reason is the character limitation: the system can silently crop text if it exceeds the 50-60 character limit, and some special characters or emojis may not be supported by the lock screen system font, resulting in "squares" instead of text.
To diagnose the problem, follow the following steps:
- Make sure the device does not have a Do Not Disturb mode in the specific lock screen settings that hide content.
- Check if Hide Notification Content is enabled, which sometimes affects the owner’s signature.
- Try typing in English. If it appears, it's a problem in the coding or font for Russian.
In rare cases, cleaning the theme app cache or resetting the lock screen settings to factory values helps. If the problem persists on a particular device, it may be a bug of a particular firmware version that is expected to be fixed in a future security update.