How to change the clock on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 9 series of smartphones provide users with a wide range of options for personalizing the interface, and the lock screen is no exception. Many device owners are faced with the desire to change the standard look of time to make the gadget more personal or just refresh the perception. However, standard system settings do not always offer obvious ways to implement these changes, which often causes bewilderment among beginners.

With MIUI, which is based on Android, customization is deeply integrated with the company’s services, which means that to fully change the dial or style of the clock on a locked screen, you will most likely need to use the built-in Themes app. The standard settings menu allows you to adjust the display format (12 or 24 hours) or include a double tap to wake up, but the visual style remains unchanged without third-party interventions.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods to help you change the look of your watch on your device.We will look at both the standard system tools and more advanced ways to install third-party design themes that completely replace the graphical interface of the lock screen.

Standard time and format settings in MIUI

Before we move on to radical changes, it’s worth checking the basic settings that are available out of the box. Some versions of MIUI 12 and later installed on the Redmi Note 9 have a choice between multiple dial display options, although this feature can be hidden depending on the regional version of the software.

To start, you need to go to the settings menu. Open the Settings app on the home screen or in the notification curtain. Next, look for a section that could be called Always On and Lock Screen or just Lock Screen, and that's where the basic settings that control what you see before unlocking the device are concentrated.

Within this menu, look for the Time Format option, where you can switch between 12-hour and 24-hour formats, which is a basic change. Some MIUI builds also have a Watch Style switch that allows you to choose between digital and analog (arrow) display if the current active theme supports this feature.

⚠️ Note: If you don’t see the style or dial change option in the standard menu, it means that the current system theme doesn’t support such changes.

It's important to understand that standard settings only affect basic settings. If you want a watch to be large, have an unusual color or animation, there won't be enough system tools. MIUI is focused on using a content store for this purpose.

Using the Themes app to change style

The main tool for changing the appearance of your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is the Theme System App, which downloads the vast majority of visual elements, including wallpaper, icons and, of course, lock screen styles, which is the official and most secure method for the device.

Launch the Themes app from your desktop. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a navigation bar where you select the Profile tab (usually the human icon in the lower right corner). In the menu that opens, find the Components or My Components section. Here, the system offers a categorized selection of design elements.

Click on the Lock screen category. You'll see a gallery of styles available. You can search for popular options or search for them. You search for queries like "Digital Clock," "Analog," "Minimalist," or simply "Clock," and you'll find options that are compatible with your model.

  • 🎨 Category Search: Use built-in tags to quickly find the style you want, such as “Sport” or “Nature”, which often include specific dials.
  • 🌍 Store Region: If your current region has limited choices, try changing the region to India or Indonesia in the Themes app settings – there are often more free content available.
  • 📥 Download and Application: After selecting your preferred style, click Download and then Apply. The device may ask you to confirm the action and restart the interface.

It is worth noting that many beautiful themes are paid or require viewing ads for a limited period of time (usually 90 days), however, there are many completely free options that are not inferior to paid counterparts in the quality of drawing widgets.

📊 What type of watch do you like better?
Digital (large numbers)
Analog (with arrows)
Minimalistic (time only)
Difficult (with date and weather)

Step-by-step instructions for installing a new blocking theme

The installation process may seem confusing only the first time. To ensure that the clock on your Redmi Note 9 lock screen is successfully replaced, follow the algorithm described below. This will help you avoid situations where only part of the theme is applied and the lock screen remains old.

First, make sure you have an active internet connection, as the themes weigh between 5 and 50MB. Open the Themes app and go to the home page. In the search bar, type in the name of a particular theme or keyword, such as "iOS Lockscreen," if you want an iPhone style, or "Neon Clock" for bright numbers.

When you find a suitable option, click on the preview. In the window that opens, look carefully at what components the theme includes. Often it says, "Wallpaper, icons, Lock Screen." If there is no Lock Screen component, the watch will not change, even if you apply the theme, select the theme and press the download button.

☑️ Checklist for the theme installation

Done: 0 / 4

Once downloaded, a preview box will appear with the Apply button, the system will warn you that the lock style and possibly wallpaper will change. Confirm the action. The screen will flash, and you will see a new interface. If you do not like the result, you can return everything back through the same section "Profile" -> "Themes" -> "My themes" by selecting the standard Classic or Default theme.

Type of topicImpact on the lock screenWhere to find out.Difficulty
Official (Free)Complete style changeTop free onesLow.
Official (Premium)Full Replacement + AnimationsPaid sectionLow.
Third-party (Third-party)Depends on the author.Forum sitesMedium
System (Default)MIUI's basic styleSettingsAbsent.

Always On Display (AOD) for Redmi Note 9

The feature Always On Display deserves special attention. On the Redmi Note 9, it allows you to display time and notifications even when the screen is formally turned off. OLED-The pixels are only the right ones, which saves energy. The clock style here is set separately from the main lock screen.

To set up, go to Settings -> Always on screen and lock screen. Make sure the switch is activated. Click on Setting AOD or Selecting Style. Here Xiaomi offers a set of static and dynamic dials.

You can choose between "within 10 seconds of touching," "Down to Dawn," or "Always." The latter is the most convenient option for constant time control, but consumes more battery power. The same menu often offers the option of adding a signature or selecting a font color for a watch.

⚠️ Attention: Function AOD Not available on all firmware versions for Redmi Note 9. ROM) and there is no option, it may have been cut out by the manufacturer for this region, and its activation will require changing the region in settings or reflashing.

Some themes downloaded through the Themes app also replace the AOD style. When applying a new theme, the system usually asks if you want to change and "Always screen on." Accept if you want a uniform visual style.

Compatibility problems and their solution

Xiaomi users often face problems in customization, most commonly theme is set, the wallpaper has changed, and the lock screen clock is old, due to conflicting MIUI versions or region constraints.

If you find that the Lock Screen component is not applicable, try the following method: Go to Settings -> Themes (or through the Topics -> Profile -> Settings app). Find Use Third Party Themes (you may need to click multiple times on the MIUI version number to activate the hidden menu if there is no item).

Another common problem is when the clock is not synchronized after the theme changes, or when the clock is not synced with the network:

  • 🔄 Resetting time settings: Go to Settings -> Additionally -> Date and time. Turn off "Use Network Time," wait a few seconds and turn it on again.
  • 🗑️ Cleaning up the cache topics: Go to Settings -> Annexes -> All applications -> Find themes. Press clear -> Clear cache (not data to avoid losing downloaded themes).
  • 📲 Update components: Make sure system components MIUI Updated via GetApps or Play Market.
What to do if the lock screen is black?
If the lock screen turned black after installing the theme or the phone stopped responding to unlock, try restarting the device by pressing the power button for 10-15 seconds. If this does not help, go to Safe Mode (clutching the off button on the desktop), delete the last theme installed and reboot normally.

Third-party widgets and widget shells

For those who want to get the most unique look possible that can’t be implemented with standard tools, there are third-party shell apps and widgets. Although they are more likely to change the desktop, some of them can intercept the lock screen or offer their own solutions.

Apps like Niagara Launcher or Google Play’s specialty watch widgets (like Digital Clock Widget) allow you to create a widget with a unique font and color. Once you create a widget on your desktop, you can use the “Second Space” feature or special plugins to display this widget on the lock screen, although in modern versions of Android this is implemented with security restrictions.

A more advanced way is to use apps to create custom themes, such as Lock Screen & Notifications - Hi Locker. This app completely replaces Xiaomi's standard lock screen with its own, providing a watch designer. You can customize the size, font, color and time position to pixel accuracy.

But these applications have their own nuances: They run on top of the system and can consume more battery power, and they also require constant permissions to display over other windows. For the Redmi Note 9 with its capacious battery, this is not critical, but background processes can be limited by the energy-saving system.

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For maximum autonomy when using custom lock screens, add the application to the “No Limits” list in the battery settings so that the system does not “kill” the time rendering process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I return a Xiaomi watch after installing the theme?
Yes, it's easy to do. Go to the Themes app, go to Profile -> Themes. Find a theme called Classic, Default, or Unnamed (usually first on the "My Themes" list). Click on it and select Apply. This will bring all system elements, including the clock, back to factory-like.
Why did the lock screen clock disappear after the MIUI update?
After updating the MIUI firmware, there is often a reset of theme components to standard values or an old theme conflict with the new system code. You need to re-apply the theme or update it through the store if the author has released a compatible version. Also check the lock screen settings, as the update may have reset the clock display switch.
Does changing the style of the watch affect battery consumption?
Static theme change has little effect on battery consumption, but if you use live-animated themes (Live Wallpapers on the lock screen) or are on Always On Display with bright lights, energy consumption can increase by 5-10% per day.
How to change the font only for time without changing the font of the entire system?
You can't change the font for the watch alone in the standard settings. The time font depends on the active theme. You need to find a theme that uses the desired numerical font, but retains the standard icons and system interface. Look for themes marked "Stock Icons" or "System UI."

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The main secret of personalization of Redmi Note 9 lies not in the deep settings of the system, but in the competent selection and combination of themes from the official store, where the component “lock screen” plays a key role.