Xiaomi smartphone owners often aim to personalize their device as much as possible, and the lock screen is the first thing we see when turning on the display.The standard white or black color of numbers can get boring quickly, especially if you want the gadget to harmonize with your style or mood. Fortunately, the MIUI shell installed on the Redmi Note 9 provides ample opportunities for customizing the interface without the need for superuser rights.
Changing the look of time is not just cosmetic editing, but also a way to improve readability under different lighting conditions. In this article, we will explore all the available methods, from simply changing the theme in a standard application to deep tweaking fonts and using third-party widgets, you will learn how to control each pixel on your screen.
It’s worth noting that color changes are directly dependent on the version of the firmware installed and the region for which the smartphone is released. Global versions of MIUI may have slight differences in the settings menu compared to Chinese builds, but the overall algorithm of actions remains the same for the entire Redmi line.
Using the Themes app to change style
The easiest and most effective way to change the color of the dial is to use the built-in theme store. Themes app (or Themes) is preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones and contains thousands of design options created by both official designers and users. When installing a new theme, not only the background, but also the style, size, and color of the display of time often changes.
To get started, open the app and go to Profiles or search the box. Enter queries like Digital Clock, Neon Time or Minimalist to find the right options. After selecting a theme, look for a lock screen preview: If the color of the watch suits you, click Download and then Apply. The system automatically replaces the current style with a new one.
⚠️ Note: Some free themes may include banner ads or require you to watch videos to activate.Be careful when downloading content from unverified sources inside the store.
It is important to understand that the theme installation changes the system in a comprehensive way. If you only like the color of the watch but don't like the icons or sounds, after applying the theme, you can selectively return standard items through the customization menu. To do this, go to the profile in the Themes app, select Theme Settings and tick only "lock screen" or "System fonts", leaving the rest unchanged.
Set up fonts to change the shade
In MIUI, the time color on the lock screen is often tightly tied to the system font you choose. This means that if you change the font headset, you will automatically change the color of the numbers. The standard font set is limited in the settings, but the MIUI Themes store offers hundreds of free options with a unique color gamut.
To use this method, go to Settings → Screen → Font. Here you will see a list of installed headsets. If none of them change color to the one you want, click on the Online button or the store icon in the corner of the screen. Search for Color or Bald to find fonts that are different from the standard color. Once you download and use the font, the time color on the locked screen will be updated instantly.
Note that not all fonts support time color change. Some headsets only change the shape of the characters, leaving the color white or black depending on the background. Experiment with different options, paying attention to the preview at the bottom of the settings screen.
The secret of custom fonts
Always on Display Mode and its settings
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is equipped with AMOLED-Display feature that allows you to use Always On Display (AOD). In this mode, the screen does not go out completely, continuing to show the time, date and notifications. AOD You can often customize regardless of the main theme of the lock, which gives you an additional level of personalization.
You can activate the function through the Settings menu → Lock screen → Always on screen and lock. There is a choice of different display styles available. Some styles allow you to change the color of the numbers manually, others offer ready-made color schemes. Choose the style "Digital" or "Analog", then click on the setting icon (cog or palette) next to the preview to change the shade.
Use of the AOD It has its own characteristics that every owner should know about. AMOLED-Although the technology does not require all pixels to be permanently glowing, prolonged display of a static image could theoretically cause the matrix to burn out, although current Xiaomi algorithms shift the image every few minutes to prevent this from happening.
☑️ Checking settings AOD
Creating your own style through MIUI Themes Studio
For those who want to get a completely unique result, there is a professional tool called MIUI Themes Studio, which is a desktop program for PCs that allows you to create your own design themes from scratch. You can draw your dial, choose any color, font and location of elements, and then install the created file on your Redmi Note 9.
The process of creating a theme requires time and basic skills to work with graphic editors. You will need to download the lock screen template, draw the dial in the desired color (for example, gold, neon green or gradient), and collect all elements into the archive through a compiler program.
This method is as free as possible, but it's hard for beginners, but you can find custom themes on the Internet that are created by enthusiasts, distributed in.mtz format, and you can get an exclusive color of the watch without having to draw it yourself.
| Method of modification | Difficulty | Color variability | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change of subject | Low. | Tall. | Total change of style |
| Refrain from type | Low. | Medium | Only text |
| Always On Display | Medium | Limited. | Only in AOD mode |
| MIUI Studio | Tall. | Maximum | Full customization |
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Save the original theme before experimenting. In the Themes app, go to your profile and click on “Create a Backup of a Current Theme” to return to factory view at any time.
Use of third-party application widgets
If standard MIUI tools don’t work, Google Play apps come to the rescue, and programs like Lock Screen & Notifications or custom watch widgets can completely replace the standard lock screen, offering thousands of design, color and animation options.
Installing this app requires permissions to display over other windows and access notifications. Once set up, you can select any color from the RGB palette, add gradients, or even put live wallpaper on the background that will match the color of the numbers, which gives you the most flexibility in the choice of shades.
Third-party screen locking apps can consume more battery power than Xiaomi’s native solution, and they can conflict with the fingerprint scanner or lift function to turn on if the battery optimization settings are not adjusted accordingly.
⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party screen blockers, make sure you turn off the standard lock screen MIUI in security settings, otherwise there may be double unlocks or delays in the operation of the interface.
Solving problems and resetting settings
Sometimes, after installing a new theme or font, the color of the watch may not change or be displayed incorrectly (for example, black on a black background). In such cases, cleaning the cache of the Themes app helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find “Themes”, select “Clean” and click “Clear cache”.
Another common problem is the automatic return to standard color after the device is rebooted. This can happen if the theme was installed incorrectly or damaged. Try re-applying the theme or selecting another option from the directory. Also make sure that the screen settings do not activate the Read or Vision Protection mode, which can distort colors to make them yellow or monochrome.
If you want to return everything as it was, the easiest way to reset the theme is to go to the “Profiles” section of the “Themes” app, select the current theme and click “Delete” or “Reset” and then apply the Classic or Default theme that comes bundled with the system.
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The most stable and safe way to change the color of your watch is to use official themes from the built-in store, as they are fully optimized for your version of MIUI.