How to change the location of the clock on the lock screen Xiaomi

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face the desire to personalize the device interface, and the lock screen is paramount here. It is the screen we look at dozens of times a day, checking notifications and time. The standard layout of elements offered by the MIUI or HyperOS shell is not suitable for all users, as it often overlaps important parts of the wallpaper or simply knocks out of the overall aesthetic. Fortunately, the developers have provided flexible tools to change the appearance of the dial.

The process of modification can range from simple change of font in system settings to complete change of style through the theme store. In some cases, users are looking for a way to move the time widget to a specific point on the screen, which requires a deeper understanding of the current theme. It is important to understand that the standard system means of the hard set the display zone of the clock, but there are workarounds to achieve the desired result.

Before you get into action, you need to understand the terminology and limitations of your firmware version. Xiaomi shells are evolving, and what worked on MIUI 12 may differ in HyperOS. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the methods available, from secure settings to advanced theme manipulation, so you can create a unique design.

Standard time display settings in MIUI and HyperOS

The basic level of customization is available to every user immediately after purchasing a smartphone. The system allows you to change the format of the time, turn on seconds or change the color of the numbers if an active theme allows. To access these parameters, you need to go to the Settings menu β†’ Lock screen. Here are the main switches that control the appearance of the blocker.

But the standard settings are limited. You can't just drag your finger and drop your time widget to any location on the screen, because it's hard to fix the coordinates to make it readable and unlockable. However, changing the style of the font can shift the accents visually, for example, using a larger or more decorative font will change the way you see the composition.

It is worth noting that in some models with AMOLED-The Always On Display mode is available on the screen, which also has its own time settings. β†’ Lock screen β†’ Always On Display and lock screen. There are often more location options available, as this is a separate use case.

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Use high contrast dark wallpaper to make the standard white watch look as stylish and readable as possible without additional modifications.

If your goal is to change only the clock, this method may be redundant, but it remains one of the most stable ways to add variety.

Using the Themes app to change the style of the watch

The most effective and safest way to dramatically change the layout and design of the watch is to use the built-in Themes app. Xiaomi Theme Store contains thousands of free and paid designs, each with a unique lock screen design. When you install a new theme, you replace not only icons, but also time, date and notification widgets.

To find the right design, use an in-app search. Enter queries like "Digital Clock", "Minimalist", or "Big Clock" to find styles with large or non-standard digit layouts. After selecting a theme, click Apply. The system will warn you that wallpaper, sounds and style will be changed. You can only choose to use the lock screen if this option is available in the the theme version.

  • 🎨 Category "Clock": Some versions of the store have a separate section dedicated exclusively to watch styles for the lock screen.
  • πŸ”„ Compatibility: Make sure the theme you choose is marked as compatible with your version MIUI or hyperos.
  • ⚑ Dynamic Effects: Some themes offer animated watches that respond to touch or time of day.

Many users don't know that you can combine elements of different themes, although it doesn't always work predictably. The basic principle of the Themes app is to replace the system graphics resources. If the clock is centered in the selected theme and you need to be bottomed, just find another theme. This is the only regular way to change the coordinates of the widget.

πŸ“Š What type of watch do you like better?
Large digital
Classical analogue
Minimalistic.
Difficult with widgets

When using third-party themes, pay attention to resolutions. Some designs may overlap the notch for the camera or speaker if they are not optimized for your particular smartphone model. Always check the preview before installing.

Topics Editor: Creating your own watch design

For advanced users who don't have enough ready-made solutions, there is MIUI Theme Editor (or HyperOS Theme Editor), a PC software that allows you to create and edit design themes from scratch, and it can set the exact coordinates for a time widget, change its size, font and behavior.

The process of creating your own theme requires time and basic skills to work with graphic editors. You will need to download the theme template for your model, open a lockscreen.xml file or corresponding resource, and change the positioning parameters. Coordinates are usually set in pixels relative to the top left corner of the screen.

Where can I find the coordinates for editing?
You can find out the coordinates by taking a screenshot of the lock screen and opening it in a graphics editor (for example, Photoshop), turning on the grid. The reference point is the upper left corner. The values of X are horizontal, Y is vertical.

Once the theme code has been changed, it must be collected and installed on a smartphone, and the theme file (usually with the.mtz extension) is copied to the device’s memory and applied via the Themes app in local file mode, allowing for precise clock positioning that is not available in standard mode.

  • πŸ’» Toolkit: Official theme editor is available on the Xiaomi developer website for Windows and macOS.
  • πŸ“‚ Structure: The main graphics files are stored in the image folder and the configuration is stored in the.xml files.
  • ⚠️ Risks: A syntax error XML-The file may cause the theme to fail to install or to work incorrectly.

⚠️ Attention: Editing the theme system files requires care. Incorrect coordinates can shift the clock beyond the visible area or overlay it on the system buttons.

Always on Display (AOD) for personalized view

The feature is Always on Display (AOD) provides an alternative way to display the time when the smartphone screen is locked but not completely off. AMOLED-This is particularly impressive in screens, and it saves energy compared to fully turning on the display. AOD Often more flexible than the main lock screen.

To set up AOD, go to Settings β†’ Lock screen β†’ Always On Display and lock screen. You can choose one of the preset styles or upload your own image. Some styles allow you to choose the position of the clock from above, center or bottom of the screen. You can also set the turn-on schedule so that the function only works at the right time.

ParameterDescriptionImpact on the battery
Always mode.The screen is always on.High.
Scheduled.Incorporation into specified hoursAverage.
After touching.Turns on for 10 seconds when touchedLow.
Smart mode.Turns on when you raise the phoneAverage.

Consider that using AOD increases battery consumption, although not critical for modern devices. If you prioritize maximum autonomy, you'd better use touch or schedule activation mode, in which case the watch will only change its location when the screen is activated.

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AOD is a separate interface layer and its settings do not affect the main lock screen, allowing for two different display styles.

Third-party applications for lock screen customization

If standard features aren't enough, Google Play Store apps come to the rescue, and programs like Lock Screen & Password, Hi Locker or KLCK Lock Screen Maker allow you to completely replace the system locker, which gives you maximum freedom: you can place your watch anywhere, change its transparency, add weather widgets, pedometers and calendars.

However, this method has its drawbacks: Third-party blockers can conflict with system security features, a fingerprint scanner or Face ID. In addition, they consume more resources in the background, as they must constantly monitor the state of the device in order to instantly respond to the screen on.

When you install an app, the system will issue a series of security alerts, you will need to provide permissions to display on top of other windows and access to notifications. Without these rights, the app will not be able to function correctly. Once set up, remember to turn off Xiaomi's standard lock screen unless the app does so automatically.

  • πŸ”’ Security: Some applications may not support complex passwords or biometrics as reliably as a system.
  • πŸ”‹ Optimization: Add the app to the battery exception list so the system doesn’t close it in the background.
  • πŸ“± Compatibility: On new versions of Android and HyperOS, third-party blockers may not work stable due to OS limitations.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party screen blockers can lead to a decrease in the security of your data.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

Users may encounter various difficulties in setting up the process, such as when a new theme is installed, the clock may not display correctly, be too small or blend into the background, often by simply restarting the device or re-applying the theme, and in some cases, cleaning the theme app cache through the application management menu helps.

Another common problem is resetting after a system update, so when you upgrade to a new version of MIUI or HyperOS, customized elements can return to factory values, in which case you will have to repeat the setup procedure, you should take screenshots of successful configurations or save theme files in the cloud.

β˜‘οΈ Checklist of successful setup

Done: 0 / 4

If the watch is no longer displayed at all, check to see if the power saving mode is on, which can turn off animations and some interface elements. Also make sure that the date and time settings are automatically synchronized with the network, as a time failure can lead to widget display errors.

Comparison of methods of change of location

So to sum up, the choice of method is dependent on your goals and technical background. Standard settings are for those who need stability. Themes store is a middle ground for beauty lovers. Theme editor is for perfectionists, and third-party apps are for those who are willing to sacrifice stability for uniqueness.

Below is a summary table that helps to determine the choice of method:

MethodDifficultyFlexibilityImpact on the battery
System settingsLow.MinimumNo.
The shop thatLow.Tall.No.
Topics editorTall.MaximumNo.
Third-party annexesMediumMaximumHigh.

Experiment with different options to find the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. Remember that changing the look of a smartphone regularly can give you the feeling of a new device without financial costs.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move the clock to the main screen (desktop)?
Yes, widgets are used for that. Hold your finger on an empty desktop space, select "Widgets" and find the "Clock" widget. It can be dragged anywhere and resized, but it will only work on the desktop, not on the lock screen.
Why did the watch turn black on a black background?
This is a theme compatibility error with your system settings or wallpaper. Try changing the wallpaper to lighter or select a different theme. Sometimes switching the light/dark theme in the main display settings helps.
Does changing the style of the watch affect the smartphone warranty?
No, using the Themes app, changing fonts and installing third-party launchers or blockers is a software setting and does not violate the manufacturer’s warranty obligations if root access to the system is not made.
How to return all lock screen settings to factory?
Go to the Themes app, click on the profile avatar in the corner, select My Themes, and apply the Classic or Basic theme, which will reset all graphical changes to the original state.