How to change the clock on the screensaver Xiaomi: the complete guide

Owners of modern Xiaomi smartphones often face the desire to personalize their device, and the lock screen plays a key role here. It meets the user at every glance at the gadget, displaying time, notifications and other useful information. Standard appearance can seem boring, so the ability to change the design of the watch on Always On Display or a regular lock screen is one of the most sought-after features in the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS.

The setup process does not require deep technical knowledge, but there are many options hidden in the system menu that make the dial unique. You can choose from a classic analog style, a strict digital format or even animated widgets. In this article, we will discuss all the available customization methods and answer the question of how to change the watch on the Xiaomi screensaver as efficiently as possible.

It’s worth noting that the interface’s appearance may vary slightly depending on the operating system version and your smartphone model. However, the basic configuration logic remains the same for all devices of the brand. As you prepare for the changes, make sure that your device is charged so that interruption of the process does not lead to resetting.

Differences between Always On Display and Lock Screen

Before you start changing the design, it is important to clearly understand the difference between the two display modes of time, as the settings for them are in different sections of the menu. Always On Display (AOD) is a feature where part of the screen continues to glow with dim light even in a locked state, showing the time and date without having to touch the smartphone. The lock screen only activates after you press the on button or lift the phone, and displays full brightness.

Many users confuse these concepts by trying to find the style of AOD watches in lock theme settings, and vice versa. MIUI-based Android rigidly separates these parameters to optimize power consumption. If you want time to burn constantly while the phone is on the table, you need AOD settings. If you want to know what the watch looks like when you unlock it, this is the lock topic section.

⚠️ Note: Always On Display is not available on all Xiaomi models. AMOLED-The screens are working correctly, while on IPS-The matrices may be absent or operate in limited mode due to high power consumption.

Using complex animated dials on AOD can significantly reduce battery life. Therefore, the system often offers static or low-power options that are activated only on schedule or when lifting the device.

Always on Display (AOD)

To start, consider setting up a constantly burning screen, as this is the most popular request. To change the style of displaying time in this mode, you need to go to the system settings. Find a section that, depending on the firmware version, may be called Settings → Lock screen or Settings → Wallpaper and personalization → Always On Display.

In the menu that opens, you'll see a list of styles available. The system offers a few preset options: analog arrows, large numbers, minimalist characters. Choose your favorite style by clicking on it. Here you can adjust the color of the dial if the chosen template supports this option. Some styles allow you to change not only the color, but also the position of the elements on the screen.

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Use the dark styles to always on display AMOLED-screens, as black pixels do not consume energy, which will significantly extend the life of the smartphone.

Particular attention should be paid to the work schedule AOD. You can set the display of the clock only at certain times of the day, for example, from 8:00 to 23:00, or turn on the “Always” mode. Also, the activation option is available only when the smartphone is raised, which is the middle between functionality and battery saving.

⚠️ Note: When setting maximum operating time AOD ("Always") the battery can run out of 10-15% It's faster than usual"10 seconds after touching to save charge.

Change the dial through the "Themes" app

The main tool for deep customization of the Xiaomi interface is the standard Theme app. This is where the most options for the design of the watches are hidden. Open the app and go to the Profile section (the human icon at the bottom right), and then select Set up. In this menu you will find the Lock Screen section.

Here's a catalog of free and paid themes. Each theme has its own unique set of hours. You can download the whole theme you like or use only the lock element. To do this, click on the topic, select Apply, and then tick only the Lock Screen in the application menu.

If a standard theme gallery doesn't suit you, you can download third-party themes in.mtz format from trusted sources, and when you download the file, you open it through the Topics app, and it's added to the My Pages section, and it gives you access to thousands of custom designs created by the community.

Use of widgets and third-party applications

Modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 allow you to use widgets on the lock screen, which takes customization to a new level. You can add not just a watch, but a whole information unit with the weather, calendar or pedometer. To do this, in the lock screen settings, find the lock screen widgets and activate the desired elements.

But standard functionality is sometimes not enough, and then third-party apps from Google Play, like the KLCK Kustom Lock Screen Maker, come to the rescue. It's a powerful tool to design a watch from scratch, so you can draw your arrows, pick any font, and adjust your response to notifications.

Using third-party lock-out launchers requires special permissions, the application will need to be given permission to display over other windows and access the sensor, without which the program will not be able to intercept the lock screen.

It’s worth remembering that third-party blocking apps can conflict with system security features like a fingerprint scanner or face unlock, and in some cases, the system may force the application to be terminated to save power.

Creating your own watch design

For advanced users who haven't found the perfect one in the store, there's the option of creating their own dial, which can be done through the Watch Face Maker app or similar tools on a PC, and then installed on the phone. The process requires knowledge of the basics of working with graphic layers.

You're going to have to prepare graphic elements, like backgrounds, numbers, or arrows, separators, and these elements are loaded into a constructor, where you set their coordinates and behavioral logic, and you can make the second hand change color every minute, for example.

After creating a project, the file is compiled into a format that Xiaomi understands, and the installation of such a file is usually done through the import menu in the Topic app or through special engineering menus if the standard path does not work.

Creating your own design is a creative process that achieves 100% uniqueness, but it’s worth considering that complex graphics elements can be loading the processor every time you turn on the screen.

Table of popular formats and their impact on the battery

When choosing a watch style, it is important to consider not only aesthetics, but also the technical characteristics of the display. Different formats affect the resources of the device in different ways. Below is a comparison table that will help you make an informed choice.

As you can see from the table, static digital or minimalist formats are best suited for continuous operation (AOD), and they provide a great balance between readability and energy efficiency.

Solution: if the clock is missing or not changing

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after installing a new theme, the watch disappears or displays incorrectly. Often this is due to the fact that the chosen theme is not fully compatible with your version of Android or screen resolution.

Another common problem is that the clock doesn't change to AOD, although the settings are saved. Check if the power saving mode is on, which can block the change of styles. Also make sure that the date and time settings are automatically determined, since some widgets do not work with manual time settings.

⚠️ Warning: If the lock screen is unstable after installing the theme or the phone freezes, immediately boot into Safe Mode and delete the last installed theme.

In rare cases, cleaning the application cache of Themes and System UI helps. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find what you want and choose Clear the cache. This will not delete your data, but update the system files of the interface.

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The stability of the lock screen depends on the compatibility of the theme and the version of the software. If you have errors, always return to the standard theme for diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)