How to change the style of the watch on the lock screen in MIUI 12: 5 ways with photos and videos

Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 lock screen is not just a security feature, but a full-fledged element of smartphone personalization. The watch plays a key role here: it shows not only the time, but also the style of the owner. However, many users face a problem: standard shell settings hide most customization options, and instructions on the network are often outdated or describe the procedure for other versions of the firmware.

In this article, we will explore all the ways to change the style of watches, from basic settings in the Themes menu to hidden functions through ADB and third-party applications. We will focus on the nuances for different Redmi, POCO and Mi models, and also tell you how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI if the desired style is not displayed. All methods are tested on current versions of firmware (2023-2026) and do not require root rights.

If you want to not just change the font, but completely transform the lock screen — add animations, change the layout of elements or even install dynamic wallpaper with an integrated watch — read to the end. We will also reveal the secret to returning the classic MIUI 11 watch, which many users find more convenient than the updated version 12.

1. MIUI 12 Standard Settings: Where to Look for Watch Styles

So, to start with, the basics are the built-in shell options, and in MIUI 12, the developers have hidden the settings of the watch deeper than they did in the previous versions, but they're still available without third-party tools, and the key is to know the right way.

Open Settings → Lock screen. Here you will see a few tabs, but the option we want is hidden under the button "Additional settings" (or "Style of watches on some models") If this item is not available, don't be afraid: on some firmware it is called "Hours and Date" or "Exterior".

Inside, you'll find 3 to 7 preset styles (depending on the phone model).

• 🕒 Classic – Analog watches with minute and hour hand (available in several colors).
• 📱 Digital – Time in the Format HH:MM with the option of choosing a font (for example, Roboto or Mi Sans).
• 🎨 Minimalistic – only hours with no seconds or date, often with a transparent background.
• 🌓 Adaptive – automatically change color depending on the wallpaper (does not work on all devices).

Note that the POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro and some other models may be shortened, due to Xiaomi’s policy of differentiating features across different lines.

⚠️ Warning: If the clock hasn't changed after the style choice, restart the phone. MIUI Does not apply changes immediately due to caching error.

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To quickly return the standard style, press your finger on the lock screen and select “Return by default” in the menu that appears (does not work on all firmware).

2. Hidden watch styles: how to unlock additional options

MIUI 12 hides some of the styles of watches if the phone does not activate the theme from Xiaomi, a marketing ploy to make users visit the theme store more often.

For this:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the section My → Settings → Additionally.
3. Activate the option to Show all styles (may be called Advanced Settings).
4. Return to Settings → Lock screen and update the page with a swipe down.

After that, additional styles will appear in the list, including:

• 🖼️ Watch with background – time is superimposed on a translucent tile (for example, with a mountain landscape).
• ⚡ Dynamic – Animated watches that respond to gestures (available only on the flagships Mi 11 and newer).
• 📊 Informative – Show the weather, steps or charge level near the time.

If you don’t have the option to Show all styles, your firmware is heavily stripped down (often found on global versions for Europe), in which case only manual editing of system files (see section 4) will help.

3. Custom fonts and colors: deep tuning

Standard styles aren't popular with everyone - especially if you're used to iOS-like minimalism or want cyberpunk-style neon numerals. MIUI 12 has a hidden feature to change the font and color of the watch, but it only works through ADB.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the adb folder.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
3. Use one of the commands to change style: adb shell settings put secure lockscreen_clock_font 1 # Roboto adb shell settings put secure lockscreen_clock_font 2 # Mi Sans adb shell settings put secure lockscreen_clock_color -16777216 # Red color (HEX: #FF0000) Complete list of flowers in HEX You can find it here.
4. Reboot the phone.

If the command didn’t work, your firmware would block changes through ADB. In this case, only custom firmware installation (e.g. xiaomi.eu) or Magisk module (see section 5) would help.

Install ADB Tools on PC| Enable USB debugging on your phone | Download drivers for your Xiaomi | Check the connection with the adb devices | Backup current settings-->

4. Installation of third-party watches through Magisk modules

For advanced users who are ready to get root rights, there are almost limitless customization options, and one of the most popular methods is to install the MiuiClock module or Lockscreen Customizer via Magisk.

Advantages of this method:

• 🎛️ Full control over the size, font, color and position of the watch.
• 🔄 The ability to add a second hand (not in standard styles) MIUI 12).
• 🌈 Support for gradients and animations (e.g. smooth color change depending on the time of day).
• 📲 Compatible with most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 8 Pro and POCO X3 NFC.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Magisk Manager and get root rights (see XDA Developers for instructions for your model).
2. Download the MiuiClock module (for MIUI 12+).
3. Install. ZIP-File via Magisk and restart your phone.
4. Settings will appear in the Settings menu → Lock screen → Additional → MiuiClock.

Warning: Not all modules are compatible with the latest MIUI updates. For example, on MIUI 14, some MiuiClock features may not work.

⚠️ Note: Installation of Magisk modules on devices with a locked bootloader (Redmi) 9T, POCO M4 Pro can lead to a blink (completely inoperable phone).If you are not sure about your actions, use methods without root (sections 1-3).

5. Alternative launchers and customization applications

If you don't want to mess with ADB or Magisk, you can use third-party apps that don't change the system clock, but you can create custom lock screens with a unique design.

Top.-3 applications for Xiaomi MIUI 12:

To install one of these applications:

1. Download APK from the official website or APKPure.
2. In Settings → Applications → Application Management, allow installation from unknown sources.
3. Launch the app and select the style of the watch in its menu.
4. In Settings → Lock screen, turn off the standard MIUI watch (Show the watch → Off).

Important: Third-party blockers may conflict with Google Pay and other services that require lock screen protection. If contactless payments stop working after installation, return the standard blocker.

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The lock screen app side is the safest way to customize, but they consume more battery and can conflict with MIUI system features.

6.The return of the classic MIUI 11 watch: how to roll back the design

Many users complain that the watch in MIUI 12 has become less informative: the second hand has disappeared, the size of the numbers has decreased, and some styles (for example, "Clock with a date at the bottom") have been removed altogether. Fortunately, you can return the design from MIUI 11 without rolling back the firmware.

Method 1: Through ADB (without root)

adb shell settings put secure lockscreen_clock_style 0

This command will reset the watch style to the base MIUI 11. Once rebooted, you'll see the familiar watch with the second hand and large numbers.

Method 2: Through Overlay File Editing (Requires root)

1. Install a file manager with root access (such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /vendor/overlay folder.
3. Find the file MiuiSystemUIOverlay.apk and copy it to the backup folder.
4. Open the file in the editor (e.g. APK Editor) and replace the lines responsible for the style of the watch with those from the firmware MIUI 11 (templates can be found on 4PDA).
5. Save the changes and restart the phone.

If the clock has not changed after this action, check the firmware version: on MIUI 13/14, this method may not work due to the changed structure of the overlay files.

7. Problem Solving: The clock doesn't change or disappears

When customizing the lock screen in MIUI 12, bugs often occur, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

• ❌ The watch is missing completely Cause: conflict with the installed launcher or module Magisk. Solution: Disable all modules in Magisk or reset the launcher settings (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• ⏳ Watches are updated with a delay Reason: Battery optimization for system applications Solution: Add Settings and Themes to the exception list (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications).
• 🔄 Watch style resets after rebooting Reason: Cache reset system settings Solution: Install Disable Flag Secure module in Magisk or disable automatic cache cleanup in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.

If none of the methods helped, try resetting the lock screen settings to factory:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset the lock screen settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After resetting, all custom watch settings will return to standard, but this often solves display problems.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up the clock MIUI 12