How to Move the Watch on Xiaomi Lock Screen

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the desire to personalize their device, but the standard interface of the MIUI system or the new HyperOS imposes certain restrictions on the appearance of the lock screen. By default, the time widget is in the central or upper position, which may overlap important elements of the wallpaper or simply do not correspond to the aesthetic preferences of the user. The question of how to move the clock becomes especially relevant after a firmware update, when old methods cease to work and new features remain hidden.

An important technical nuance is that in stock-assembly systems without obtaining superuser rights (Root) or installing third-party launchers, physically changing the coordinates of the dial arbitrarily, just dragging it across the screen, it is impossible. The MIUI shell architecture strictly regulates the location of system widgets. However, there are proven ways to circumvent these restrictions using built-in themes, special applications or modifications of system files, which we will discuss in detail in this article.

Before you start taking action, you need to understand that the appearance of the lock screen depends on the version of the operating system and regional firmware. Global versions often have fewer customization features compared to Chinese builds. It is critical to know your device model and the Android version, since the methods that work on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS can be radically different from the customization algorithms on the budget Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.

Standard configuration options in MIUI and HyperOS

The first step in exploring features is to start with the basic settings provided by the manufacturer itself. In recent versions of the shells, Xiaomi has introduced the function of “Double watches” or the ability to choose the style of displaying time, which indirectly affects their perception and position relative to other elements. To access these options, you need to go to the Settings menu. → Lock screen: Here the user can find options to change the format of the time (12/24 hour) and switching on the second time zone time display.

The double clock feature allows you to place an extra dial, which visually shifts the accent and changes the composition of the screen. It is a standard method that does not require the installation of questionable software. However, if your goal is to move the main massive time widget down or into a corner, this cannot be done with the standard system tools, since the logic of the interface rendering is fixed by the developers to ensure readability and uniformity.

⚠️ Note: Don’t try to find hidden engineering menus through the USSD-code UI In modern versions of Android, access to system coordinates through the engineering menu is closed, and the use of old codes can lead to resetting network settings or unstable operation of the radio module.

However, in the lock screen settings section, you can change the size of the system font, which will globally affect the dimensions of the displayed time. Go to Settings → Screen → Text Size. Reducing the scale of the font will make the numbers smaller, which visually “frees up” space and can create the illusion of changing their position relative to the edges of the screen. This is a safe and effective way (thin adjustment) of the appearance without risk to the stability of the system.

Use of the themes and the "Themes" application to change location

The most legal and safe way to dramatically change the position, size and style of the clock on the lock screen is to use the built-in Themes app. Developers around the world create thousands of designs that can have the time widget in the lower right corner, stretched to the full width or in a minimalist style. To find the right design, open the Themes app on the home screen.

In the application search bar, type in queries like "Minimalist clock", "Big clock bottom", "Analog lockscreen" or "Digital clock at the bottom". The system will offer many options. Before installing, be sure to pay attention to the preview of the lock screen in the description of the topic. If the time location suits you, click "Download" and then "Apply". After applying the the the the theme, the system will suggest saving the changes, and when you lock the screen you will see a new design.

• 🎨 Customization: Thousands of free and paid themes allow you to change not only the position, but also the animation of time.
• 🔄 Security: Using the official theme store does not violate the warranty and does not require Root rights.
• ⚙️ Flexibility: You can combine elements of different themes, installing only a lock screen from one and icons from the other.

It is important to note that some themes can only be optimized for a specific screen resolution. If the watch is not displayed correctly after applying the theme (cut or hit the status bar), just go back to the Themes app, go to the profile and select the standard theme "Classic" or "Limitless", which will instantly return the original view to the system.

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Before installing a new theme, take a screenshot of the current lock screen so that you can then compare and choose the best option, since previews may not be displayed correctly in the gallery.

Application of third-party applications to lock the screen

If MIUI's built-in capabilities seem too limited, Google Play Store apps come to the rescue, replacing the standard lock screen entirely. Software like Hi Locker, CM Locker, or KLCK Lockscreen, give you full control of every pixel of the screen, and you install an app like this, you get a designer where you can drag the watch widget to any point on the display.

The setup process usually goes like this: once you have installed and given all the necessary permissions (access to notifications, on top of other windows), the application intercepts the lock function. Inside the application settings, you select the layout (layout) and move the clock using drag-and-drop. Some applications even allow you to create your own widgets using scripts, displaying not only the time, but also the weather, currency rate or steps at a given point on the screen.

However, this method has its drawbacks: Third-party lock screens consume more battery power, as they must constantly hang in memory and track user actions, and they can conflict with Xiaomi security features such as fingerprint unlock or Face ID, making them less reliable or even non-working.

⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party lockscreen, Android may be persistent in warning of security risks. Also remember that in the event of an emergency call (112, 911), the standard interface may not be available until you unlock the phone in the main way.

Thin customization through ADB for advanced users

For users who do not want to install heavy replacement applications, but want to change system settings, there is a method of using debugging by using the system. USB team ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This way you can make changes to hidden system settings that are not available through the regular menu. You need a computer, USB-cable and installed Platform Tools package.

The first step is to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. Then in the advanced settings, turn on "Debugging by USB." Connect your smartphone to your PC, allow debugging on your phone screen, and enter a command to change the screen density (DPI), which will also affect the size and position of interface elements, including the clock.

adb shell wm density 400

Changing the DPI value (e.g., from a standard 411 to a 360 or 440) will scale the entire interface. The watch will get smaller or larger and their relative position will change. It's a powerful tool, but it requires caution. Don't set values too low or too high, as this can make the interface unreadable, and it will be difficult to return the settings back without resetting the data.

Comparison of methods of changing the interface

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized the main ways to change the position of the clock in a pivot table, each method has its advantages and risks, which must be weighed before starting a system modification.

As you can see from the table, for most users, the best solution is to use themes: it's a balance between functionality and stability. The ADB method is suitable for those who understand what they're doing, and the Root rights are only required for enthusiasts who are willing to flash the device in case of failure.

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The safest and most effective way to change the location of the watch is to install a specialized theme from the official store, without requiring superuser rights.

Risks and Possible Problems in Modification

Any interference with the operating system carries potential risks: When installing themes from unverified sources (not from the official Themes store, but from aggregator sites), there is a risk of downloading malicious code. Such topics may contain scripts that steal personal data or display intrusive advertising even on a locked screen.

Using third-party applications to lock the screen often leads to increased battery consumption. Android aggressively unloads background processes, and to lockscreen work correctly, you have to add the application to the power saving exceptions, disable battery optimization and give a lot of permissions. This creates a security gap and reduces the autonomy of the device.

• 📉 Autonomy: Third-party widgets and loxscreens can reduce battery life on the computer 10-15%.
• 🐌 Performance: On Redmi's budget models, heavy animated watches can cause micro-freezes when unlocked.
• 🔒 Conflicts: Possible conflicts with security applications, banking programs or the "Second Space" function".

Also worth mentioning is the fingerprint issue: On Xiaomi smartphones with a subscreen scanner, some custom themes or loxscreens can disrupt the sensor, making unlocking slow or impossible. If you notice such a problem, immediately delete the last theme or app installed.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone went into a cyclic bootloop after installing the theme, try booting into Safe Mode (usually pressing the volume button down when turned on) and removing the problematic theme through the file manager or settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)