How to change the location of the clock on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi: all ways

The lock screen of the Xiaomi Redmi is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone, and the location of the watch on it can significantly affect the usability. Some prefer a classic placement in the center, someone wants to make room for the weather widget, and some want to hide the time in a corner so as not to be distracted. Unfortunately, the standard settings of MIUI do not always offer flexible options for moving the watch — especially on new versions of the firmware.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can change the position of your watch on the lock screen for the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and other models, from official settings to hidden features and workarounds. You’ll learn how to work with the theme of the design, edit system files (for advanced users), and what to do if the desired option is lost after the MIUI 14 update. We’ll also look at the typical errors that “reset” the watch to a standard place, and give recommendations for saving the changes.

Why can’t you just drag the clock on the lock screen?

Many Xiaomi users try to move their clocks with their fingers — like widgets on the home screen — but that never works. The fact is that the lock screen in MIUI has a rigidly defined structure, where the position of key elements (time, date, notifications) is determined by system patterns.

• 🔒 Limitations MIUI: Unlike wallpapers or widgets, a lock watch is not an interactive element.
• 📱 Firmware version: B MIUI 12 and newer Xiaomi has removed some of the customization of the lock screen, leaving only the choice of watch style (digital / analogue).
• 🎨 Subject Dependence: Some themes (such as Mi Fan Festival or Dark Mode) capture the clock’s central location, ignoring user settings.

But that doesn't mean that it's impossible, but we'll show you how to get around these limitations, from simple to advanced ways.

Method 1: Change through theme settings (official method)

The safest and most recommended way is to use built-in MIUI tools.It is suitable for most Redmi models on MIUI 11-14 firmware, but the options available may vary depending on the version.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to My Profile → Lock screen (or Lock screen settings in new versions).
3. Select the Clock Style or Lock screen layout.
4. Scroll through the options available. Some themes offer a choice of 2-3 positions: center, left or right.
5. Apply the changes and check the result on the lock screen.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Update the Themes app to the latest version

Make a backup of the current theme (optional)

Restart your phone after the changes are made-->

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ s MIUI 14) The option of the watch style may not be available. In this case, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Using third-party themes with customization

If the standard settings don’t provide the flexibility you need, you can install a custom theme from the Theme Store that supports changing the location of the watch, which works on all Redmi models, but requires finding the right theme.

How to find and apply this topic:

• 🔍 In the Topics app, go to the Lock Screen section and search for queries: watches on the left custom clock position minimalistic lock screen
• 📌 Pay attention to those screenshots – look for those where the clock is clearly shifted from the center.
• ⚙️ Some topics (e.g. Minimal) OS Pixel Lock allows you to adjust the position of the clock through additional parameters after use.

💡 Useful tip: Before installing the theme, check the reviews - some users complain that after applying the watch, they disappear altogether or display incorrectly.

Method 3: Editing system files (for advanced)

If you are willing to take risks and have root rights or an unlocked bootloader, you can manually change the files responsible for the location of the watch. This method is suitable for Redmi on any version of MIUI, but requires caution - incorrect actions can lead to a failure of the lock screen.

You'll need:

• 📱 Smartphone with unlocked bootloader or root.
• 💻 PC fitted ADB and drivers for Xiaomi.
• 📂 Backup of files /system/media/theme/default/lockscreen.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers).
2. Open the command prompt and execute: adb pull /system/media/theme/default/lockscreen/ This will copy the lock screen system files to the PC.
3. In the lockscreen folder, find the file. clock_layout.xml (Or similar, and edit the coordinates of the watch, for example, to move the clock to the left, change the android:gravity setting.="center" at android:gravity"="left".
4. Save the file and upload it back: adb push clock_layout.xml /system/media/theme/default/lockscreen/ adb reboot

⚠️ Warning: Changing system files without a backup can lead to a "bowtock" (cyclic reboot).If after editing the lock screen stopped working, restore the original files via fastboot or reflash the device.

💡

Before editing system files, make a full backup via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool, which will allow you to quickly roll back changes if something goes wrong.

Method 4: Applications for lock screen customization

If you don’t want to mess with themes or system files, you can use third-party apps that completely replace the standard lock screen, which offer flexible settings for the position of the watch, but have downsides: increased battery consumption and potential security issues.

The best applications for Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🔐 Always On Display (AOD): Allows you to adjust the position of the clock on the off screen (does not work on all models).
• 🎨 Lock Screen Customizer: Flexible customization, but requires root for full functionality.
• 📱 Lock Screen: Lightweight solution with support for widgets, but may conflict with MIUI.

How to set up a watch through Always On Display:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide all the necessary permissions (including Overlay over other applications).
3. Go to Settings → The position of the watch and select the desired location (left, right, center).
4. Activate Always On mode in the screen settings.

⚠️ Note: Applications for customizing the lock screen may conflict with MIUI, Cause lags or occasional reboots. Before using, check the reviews for your Redmi model.

What to do if the clock is reset after the update?

Many Xiaomi Redmi users are faced with a problem: after updating the MIUI, the clock on the lock screen returns to its standard place, this is due to a reset of the theme settings or a conflict with new system files.

• 🔄 Reset topics: Go to Topics → My profile and apply the topic again.
• 📲 Cache cleaning: In Settings → Annexes → Topics Click Clear Cache.
• 🔧 Manual editing: If you previously edited system files, repeat the procedure - the update could overwrite them.
• 📱 Update rollback: In extreme cases, you can roll back to the previous version MIUI via Mi Flash Tool.

💡 Key takeaway: If the clock resets after each update, consider using a third-party theme or app to lock it down – they are less dependent on system changes.

💡

MIUI updates often reset the user's lock screen settings. To avoid problems, back up your current theme before updating or record changes through ADB.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When changing the location of the watch on Xiaomi Redmi, users often make common mistakes that lead to failures or incorrect display, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

💡 Useful tip: Before any manipulation of the lock screen, check if Safe Mode is enabled (hold the power button). → Safe Mode. It resets all third-party settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions