How to Move the Watch on Xiaomi Lock Screen: All Ways

Xiaomi’s lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone, and the location of your watch can have a significant impact on usability. Some prefer the classic center placement, some prefer to see the time in the upper corner, and some want to completely remove the watch from the lock screen. Unfortunately, standard MIUI settings do not always offer flexibility in this matter, especially on new versions of firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can move time on your lock screen for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from official settings to hidden features and third-party apps. You’ll learn how to change the position of your watch on MIUI 12, 13, 14, 15 and the new HyperOS, and what to do if the right option is not in your model. It’s important to consider that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, so we’ll go into the risks and alternatives in detail.

Why can’t you just drag your watch on the lock screen on Xiaomi?

Unlike some custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), MIUI severely limits lock screen settings.

• 🔒 Xiaomi blocks deep customization to prevent accidental damage to system files.
• 📱 UI Uniformity: The company is committed to a unified design across all devices, making it easier to support.
• 🛠️ Limitations MIUI Launcher: Built-in launcher does not support free movement of elements on the lock screen.

On older versions of MIUI 10-11, there was an option to change the style of the watch (for example, Digital or Analog), but the ability to move was not even there. In MIUI 12+ and HyperOS, the situation is even stricter: many lock screen settings are moved to Themes, where the choice is limited to predefined templates.

⚠️ Warning: Changing system files to move the watch may result in loss of warranty or soft-brick (software damage) of the device!

Method 1: Using embedded MIUI themes (without root)

The safest method is to use built-in themes that offer different clock locations, which works on all Xiaomi devices without the need for unlocking or administrator rights.

How to do this:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Lock Screen section.
3. Scroll through the themes list and select the one where the watch is located in the right place (for example, “Minimal Clock” or “Digital Left”).
4. Click Apply and confirm the changes.

Disadvantages of the method:

• 🔍 Limited choice: not all themes allow you to move the clock to any place.
• 🎨 Design: together with the clock will change the entire style of the lock screen (fonts, wallpaper, icons).
• 🔄 Updates: after update MIUI The topic may be reset to standard.

💡

If the theme you want is not found, try manually searching the Theme Store for the keywords “left clock”, “top clock” or “custom lockscreen”.

Method 2: Editing system files (root required)

If you’re willing to take the risk, you can manually edit the files that display the clock on the lock screen, a method that works on most Xiaomi devices with unlocked bootloader and root rights.

Instructions:

Install Magisk to get root-rights |

Backup /system/priv-app/SystemUI|

Install a file manager with root support (e.g. Root Explorer or Mixplorer)|

Download the editor. APK Tool for SystemUI decompiling-->

1. With Root Explorer, go to /system/priv-app/SystemUI/SystemUI.apk
2. Copy the SystemUI.apk file to your computer and decompile it using the APK Tool.
3. In decompiled files, find: res/layout/keyguard_clock.xml or similar file (name may vary depending on version) MIUI).
4. Edit the parameters android:layout_gravity or android:layout_margin, So, for example, to change the position of the clock: <TextView android:layout_gravity="top|left" />
5. Compile the file back to APK, sign it and replace the original SystemUI.apk on the device.
6. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing SystemUI.apk This can lead to an endless boot.Before you start, make sure you have a backup and access to fastboot for recovery!

Method 3: Applications for lock screen customization

If you don't want to risk system files, you can use third-party apps, which don't change the native lock screen, but instead superimpose its own interface with customizable clocks.

The best applications for this task:

• 🎨 Always On Edge – allows you to add a clock in any corner of the screen (works even on a locked device).
• ⏰ Lock Screen Widget – Creates a watch widget that can be moved.
• 🔧 KLWP Live Wallpaper – Advanced Tool for Creating Custom Lock Screens (Requires Skills to Set Up).
• 🖼️ AcDisplay – Alternative lock screen with flexible settings.

Example of the settings with Always On Edge:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and grant permissions to Overlay over other applications.
3. Select the style of the watch and drag it to the right place on the screen.
4. Activate the option to Show on the locked screen.

Cons of third-party applications:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (due to constant overlay operation).
• 🛡️ Security Risk: Some applications require permission for a Device Administrator.
• 📱 Not all features work on HyperOS due to the limitations of the new firmware.

Always On Edge|

KLWP Live Wallpaper|

AcDisplay|

Lock Screen Widget|

Nothing, I use a standard screen |

Method 4: ADB-commands for hidden settings (without root)

On some Xiaomi devices, you can activate hidden lock screen settings via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but you need to debug over USB.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global lockscreen_clock_style 1 (where 1 — style of watches; try the meanings of 0 before 5).
4. Try to change position: adb shell settings put global lockscreen_clock_position 2 (possible: 0 — centre, 1 — top-left, 2 — top-corner).
5. Reset the device.

List of known ADB-lock-screen commands:

⚠️ Attention: Many people on HyperOS ADB-If the clock has not changed after the command, check the logs through adb logcat - there may be a Permission denied error.

Method 5: Custom firmware (for advanced users)

If you want maximum customization freedom, consider installing custom firmware.The most popular options for Xiaomi are:

• 📱 Pixel Experience – pure Android with a customizable lock screen.
• 🔧 LineageOS – supports moving watches through Lockscreen Settings.
• 🎨 crDroid or Evolution X – firmware with advanced customization options.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ Complete control over the location and style of the watch.
• ✅ Xiaomi has no restrictions on changing system files.
• ✅ Regular updates and community support.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is not locked back).
• 🔋 Possible battery or performance problems.
• 📱 Not all of Xiaomi’s features, for example, IR Blaster or Game Turbo are powered by custom firmware.

Installation instructions (briefly):

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download the firmware (for example, from the XDA Developers website) and transfer it to your smartphone.
4. Enter recovery and run Wipe → Format Data.
5. Install firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

💡

Custom firmware is the only way to get complete freedom in setting up the lock screen, but they are only suitable for experienced users, ready for possible bugs and the lack of official support.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When trying to move the clock on the lock screen Xiaomi you may encounter the following problems:

On HyperOS devices, most of the clock-moving methods (except for third-party apps) have stopped working due to tighter security policies. If your smartphone has upgraded to HyperOS, consider custom firmware or use overlays like Always On Edge.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions