Personalization of the interface is one of the most enjoyable aspects of smartphone ownership, allowing you to make a device truly your own. Owners of Xiaomi devices often face the desire to change the standard time widget, which is displayed on the main lock screen or on the desktop. Standard design may seem boring, or its format does not coincide with the user’s habits, for example, when you need a 12-hour format instead of a 24-hour. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide ample opportunities for customization without the need for superuser rights.
The process of replacing the watch widget depends on whether you want to change the time on the lock screen or the widget on the desktop. These two elements of the system are controlled by different settings, and do not confuse them. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from standard system tools to the use of third-party applications. You will learn not just to change the numbers, but also to choose a style that fits perfectly into the overall design concept of your Xiaomi.
Before we start making changes, it's worth noting that some features can be called differently depending on the firmware version. We'll use relevant terms, but if you don't find an item, look for synonyms on the menu. Deep interface customization allows not only to improve visual perception, but also to increase the usability of the gadget in everyday life.
Differences between Widget and Lock Screen
Many users mistakenly believe that setting the time on a locked screen and on a desktop is the same process. In fact, they are two independent display systems. The Lock Screen is activated when you press the on button and serves as the first level of interaction, and this is often where large, stylish watches are located, which are visible immediately.
The desktop is a space where app icons and widgets are placed after unlocking the device, where the watch is part of a widget that can be moved, resized or removed. Understanding this difference is critical, because the algorithm for each case will be different. If you change the settings in one place, it will not automatically affect the other.
It’s also worth considering that Android’s system limitations put a certain limit on how apps can interact with the lock screen. While desktop widgets can be anything, the lock screen in Xiaomi often requires the use of specialized themes or built-in settings to change the look of the watch, this is done for security and stability of the system.
Set up the clock on the lock screen Xiaomi
Changing the time style on a locked screen is the easiest way to refresh the look of a smartphone. In the shells of MIUI and HyperOS, this includes a built-in tool that does not require additional software. To access the settings, you need to go to the Settings menu, then select Always on screen and lock screen. In some versions of the firmware, this section may be called simply Lock Screen.
Inside this menu, you'll find the option of Watch Format or Watch Style, and clicking on it will offer you a few built-in display options: analog, digital, minimalistic or large. The choice of a particular style is instantly applied to the lock screen.
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If you have installed a third-party theme from Themes, it can block the change in watch style through standard settings, in which case return the standard theme for verification.
For deeper customization, you can use the Wallpaper Carousel feature, which is a Xiaomi service that automatically changes wallpaper on a locked screen. In the carousel settings, additional watch styles are often available that are superimposed over images. To activate this, go to Settings. → Wallpaper. → Carousel wallpaper and choose your favorite style of displaying time.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party apps to replace the clock on the lock screen can lead to increased battery consumption and unstable system operation. MIUI/HyperOS or verified themes from the official store.
Installation and replacement of time widgets on the desktop
If you want to change the clock that's directly on the desktop among the app icons, the algorithm will be different. Here we work with widgets. The standard set of widgets in Xiaomi is quite sparse, but functional. To change an existing watch or add new ones, you need to enter desktop editing mode.
Make a long tap (push) on the free area of the screen or bring two fingers together. The screen will shrink, and at the bottom there will appear a menu with the buttons Wallpaper, Widgets and Settings. Select Widgets. In the list that opens, find the category of Watch. There can be several options: simple digital, analog with arrows, watch with date and weather.
☑️ Algorithm of replacing the widget
To replace an old watch, just drag the new widget you choose to replace the old one, and it will automatically displace it. If you want to create a widget from scratch, drag it to a vacant space. Some widgets from Xiaomi allow you to resize it by pulling the edges, which makes it possible to adapt it to any desktop design. This is especially convenient for owners of smartphones with large screens.
Newer versions of HyperOS have added support for larger, more complex widgets. If you don't like the standard options, you can download third-party widgets. Popular apps like HD Widgets or Overdrop offer hundreds of design options that integrate into the system like regular Android widgets.
Using themes to change the interface globally
The most radical and effective way to change not only the watch, but the entire style of the system is the use of themes. Themes app is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and is a powerful tool for customization. The catalogue has thousands of designs created by both the company and independent designers.
To find the desired design, open the Themes app and enter keywords such as "Digital Clock", "Minimalist", "Analog" or simply "Clock" in the search results. The themes in which the preview contains the desired time style will be displayed. Before installing, be sure to review the screenshot gallery to make sure that the style of the clock on the lock screen and desktop is suitable for you.
| Type of topic | Effect on the clock | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Systemic theme | Changes style completely everywhere | "Top" or "New" section |
| The subject of lockdown | Lock screen only. | Category "Lock Screen" |
| Desktop theme | Icons and table widgets | Launcher category |
| MIUI components | Individual elements (curtain, clock) | Section "Components" |
It takes a few seconds to install the theme. After applying the theme, the system can suggest a reboot, although in most cases the changes take effect immediately. If you like the theme but the style of the watch doesn't suit it, you can try combining elements. Go to the theme profile or the component store and try using only the Lock screen from one theme and the Desktop from another.
How do I remove a downloaded theme?
Change of time format: 12 or 24 hours
Often, the question of “how to change the clock” users do not mean the design, but the format of the display. In Russia and many CIS countries, the 24-hour format is used (14:00), while in the United States and some other regions, the 12-hour format (2:00 PM) is popular. In Xiaomi, this setting is included in the general menu of the system and does not depend on the specific widget.
To change the format, go to Settings → Additional → Date and Time. In some versions of MIUI, the path may look like Settings → Advanced Settings → Date and Time. Find a 24-hour format switch. If it is on, the time will be displayed from 0 to 23. If it is off, the system will switch to a 12-hour cycle with AM (before noon) and PM (after noon).
This is a global setting that applies to all system clocks: status bar, widgets, alarm clocks and lock screen. Changing the format for one particular widget to leave a different format for the system is not possible with standard Android tools. This limitation is due to the fact that widgets take time data directly from the system kernel.
⚠️ Note: When switching to a 12-hour format, pay attention to the time marking. Noon is designated 12:00. PM, and midnight is 12:00. AM. This often causes confusion when setting alarm clocks.
Advanced Customization through Third Party Apps
If MIUI's built-in capabilities aren't enough, third-party launchers and widget apps come to the rescue. Launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher completely replace the desktop, offering their own watch widgets with a unique design. However, it's worth remembering that they won't be able to change the clock on the lock screen without getting Root rights.
For desktop, widget design applications like KWGT Kustom Widget Maker are great. It's a powerful tool that allows you to create a watch of any imaginable design: second hand, moon phase, weather, quotes and more. You can download a ready-made widget package for KWGT or create your own from scratch using an editor.
The process of installing a third-party widget looks like this:
- 📲 Download the app for widgets (for example, KWGT) Google Play.
- 🎨 Choose or design a watch within the app.
- 🏠 Go to the desktop and make a long tap to call the widget menu.
- 🔍 Find the name of your app in the widget list (for example,"KWGT Kustom Widget").
- ✅ Drag the widget on the screen and select the previously created design.
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Third-party widgets offer maximum design freedom, but consume more CPU resources than system counterparts. On older Xiaomi models, this can lead to micro-interface delays.