How to change the color of the watch on the phone Xiaomi: 5 ways to MIUI 12-14

The color of the watch on the lock screen or in Always On Display (AOD) mode is one of those little things that shape the individual style of your Xiaomi. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not always make this setting obvious: depending on the model of the smartphone and the version of MIUI, the path to change color can be radically different.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to change the color of watches on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco (including models from 2023-2026 on MIUI 14), learn how to configure the display of time on the lock screen, in AOD mode, through widgets and even using third-party applications, and also – why on some devices you can not change the color of the watch without root rights, and what to do about it.

1. Standard method: through lock screen settings

The most obvious method works on most modern Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12-14. However, there is a caveat: on budget models (for example, Redmi 10A or Poco M4 Pro), the option may be absent or limited.

To change the color of the watch in a standard way:

📱 Open the Settings. → Lock screen.
🎨 Select Watch Style or Personalization (name depends on version) MIUI).
🔍 Scroll down to the Color of the Watch section – here you can choose from a predefined palette (usually 5-7 shades).
🖌️ Some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro) have a custom color available – use the palette or type in HEX-code.

The device is equipped with MIUI 12 or later |

The smartphone model supports Always On Display|

The lock screen settings have a "Clock Style" section |

The color of the watch is not gray (this means system limitations)-->

If you don't have Color, don't despair. Your model may take a different approach (see the following sections) and also check if the option is hidden behind regional restrictions: sometimes, after a region changes to India or Europe, you get additional settings.

💡

If the color section of the watch is missing after the MIUI update, try resetting the lock screen settings: Settings → Lock screen → Restore default settings. This often returns hidden options.

2.Color change in Always On Display (AOD) mode

Xiaomi’s Always On Display mode allows you to display time, notifications and other widgets even when the display is off. The AOD watch color is set separately from the main lock screen — and there are some features.

Instructions for MIUI 13-14:

Go to Settings → Lock screen → Always On Display.
Activate the slider Enable AOD (if it is turned off).
Click Style and select one of the suggested templates.
In some styles (such as Digital Watches or Minimalist Watches), the option Color will be available – tap it and select a shade.

Smartphone model	Support for AOD	Customizable clock color	Notes
Xiaomi 13/13 Pro	✅ Yes.	✅ Full palette + HEX-code	There are animations when changing color
Redmi Note 12 Pro+	✅ Yes.	⚠️ Only 3 pre-colours	The color depends on the chosen style of AOD.
Poco F5	✅ Yes.	✅ 5 colors + gradient	Gradients only work on AMOLED-screen
Redmi 10C	❌ No.	❌ —	AOD absent LCD-screen

Important: On LCD-screened devices (e.g. Redmi 9A or Poco M3), AOD mode is either absent or limited. In such cases, the color of the watch changes only on the main lock screen (see section 1).

AMOLED|

LCD|

I don't know.|

Another type-->

3. Use of design themes to change color

If you don't have a direct option to change the color of your watch, you can go around with the themes. MIUI allows you to set themes that change not only wallpaper and icons, but also the color schemes of system elements, including the clock on the lock screen.

How it works:

🌈 Open the Themes app (usually on the home screen).
🔍 In the search box, type in a search query such as “Blue watch”, “red dials” or “neon clock".
📥 Choose your favorite theme and click Apply. The color of the watch will change automatically.
⚙️ Some themes allow you to fine-tune the shade: after application, go to Settings → Lock screen → Clock style.

Warning: Free themes from Xiaomi's official store often contain ads or limited functionality.If you want really unique colors, look for paid themes from trusted authors (like Minimal OS or Pixel Experience).

How to return the standard color of the watch after applying the theme?

If the theme has changed the color of the watch to uncomfortable, and you can not return the standard shade, do the following: 1. Open Settings → Lock screen → Watch style. 2. Choose Classic or Default style. 3. If you do not have the option, reset the theme to standard: Themes → Mine → Current theme → Remove (basket icon). 4. Reboot the device. On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11) after resetting the the the theme, the color of the watch returns to white by default, even if it was previously different.

4. Third-party applications for customization of watches

If standard methods don't work, third-party tools will come to the rescue, allowing you not only to change the color, but also completely redesign the look of the watch, add animations or widgets.-3 Proven applications for Xiaomi.

1. Always On Display Edge (AODE)

The application replaces the standard AOD with a customizable screen with wide possibilities:

🎨 Select any color for the watch (including gradients).
🕒 Support for different dial styles (analog, digital, minimalist).
⚡ Low battery consumption (optimized for the AMOLED).

🔗 Download it to Google Play

2. Kwgt Kustom Widget Maker

A powerful tool for creating your own widgets, including a lock screen clock, takes time to master, but gives you complete freedom:

🖌️ Any color, font, size and position of the clock.
📱 Compatible with most Xiaomi devices (including older models).
🔄 Possibility of export/import of presets.

🔗 Download it to Google Play

3. Clockology

Simple app for customizing the clock on the lock screen:

🎨 100+ Prefabricated styles with customizable colors.
🔋 Minimal impact on autonomy.
📲 Support for Always On Display and Ambient Display.

🔗 Download it to Google Play

⚠️ Note: When using third-party watch customization apps, turn off battery optimization for them: → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the annex] → Battery → Without restrictions, otherwise the clock may disappear or not be updated.

5. Manual color change via ADB (for advanced)

If you are ready to immerse yourself in technical details, you can change the color of the watch in the future. ADB-This method works even on devices where the option is blocked by the manufacturer, but requires debugging by the manufacturer. USB Basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times).
Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global lock_screen_clock_color ff0000 where ff0000 — HEX-color code (in this case, red).
To apply the changes, restart the device or perform: adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED

List of popular lists HEX-clock-code:

🔴 Red: ff0000
🔵 Blue: 0000ff
🟢 Green: 00ff00
🟣 Purple: 800080
🟠 Orange: ffa500

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese) teams ADB If you want to change the color of the watch, you may not work because of the manufacturer's limitations, and in this case, you can only get root rights or install custom firmware.

💡

Using ADB is the most reliable way to change the color of a watch on devices where the option is blocked, but it requires technical skills and can cause malfunctions if used incorrectly.

6. Features on different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones make it easy to change the color of the watch, here’s what you need to know about the popular series:

Xiaomi 12/13 series (flagships):

🎨 Full support for color customization in AOD and on the lock screen.
🔧 Animations are available when changing colors (for example, smooth transition between shades).
📱 The color of the watch is synchronized with the system theme (if the option Adaptive colors are enabled).

Redmi Note 11/12 series (medium segment):

⚠️ Limited choice of colors (usually 3-5 options).
🔄 Colour of the clock AOD It depends on the style you choose (not all styles support customization).
📴 In the models with LCD-screens (e.g. Redmi Note) 11S) AOD It only works when you connect the charging.

Poco F/X series (Game smartphones):

🎮 Support for dynamic colors (watches can change shade depending on the game or application).
🔧 In the settings there is a separate section Game clocks with extended customization.
⚡ The color of the watch can be synchronized with the lighting. RGB-port (on models with support, for example, Poco) F4 GT).

Budget models (Redmi 10A, Poco M4):

❌ There is often no support AOD and limited color settings.
🔄 The color of the watch changes only with the theme of the design.
📱 On some devices, the watch is only displayed in black and white (battery savings).

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the color of the watch on Xiaomi

🔹 Why I don't have the Color of the Watch option in the settings?

This could be due to several reasons: Your Xiaomi model doesn’t support color customization (often found on budget devices). MIUI (Update the firmware through Settings → System Update. There are restrictions in your region (try changing region to India or Europe in your phone settings). The device has custom firmware installed that has removed this feature. If nothing helps, use third-party apps (section 4) or ADB-teams (section 5).

🔹 Can you make a gradient color for the watch?

Not on all models: Xiaomi 13/13 Pro and Poco F5 Gradients are available in standard settings AOD. On other devices, gradients can be added through apps like Always On Display Edge or Kwgt Kustom Widget Maker. ADB The command is: adb shell settings put global. lock_screen_clock_color ff0000-0000ff (where ff0000-0000ff — And remember, gradients can increase battery consumption. 5–10% pixel-driven.

🔹 After updating MIUI The color of the clock has dropped?

The firmware update often resets user settings to return the previous color: Check if new options have appeared in Settings → Lock screen → Watch style. If color isn't on the list, try using the same theme as before the update. For root-righted devices, you can manually edit the file. /data/system/users/0/settings_global.xml (look for a line lock_screen_clock_color). If nothing helps, use third-party apps (section) 4). Some firmware will have additional colors after the update – check all available styles.

🔹 Why does the color of the watch change on its own?

Automatic change of color is usually due to one of these reasons: 🌓 Adaptive Colors (Sync with Wallpaper or Time of Day) is enabled. → Lock screen → Additionally. 🔋 Charge Savings is activated, which puts the watch in black and white. → Battery. 🎨 A dynamic theme is installed that changes the color scheme depending on time or activity. 📱 On some models (e.g. Poco) F4 GT) clock color synchronized with RGB-If the color changes randomly, try resetting the lock screen settings to the standard.

🔹 Can the second hand be changed separately?

There are no such options in standard MIUI settings. However, there are workarounds: Use the Kwgt Kustom Widget Maker widget, which allows you to customize each element of the watch separately. On some themes from the Themes store, the second hand is different in color (look for themes marked "Multicolor Clock"). For root-right devices, you can edit the system animation files of the clock (requires knowledge of XML and Smali). On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Poco F5 Pro in some AOD styles, the second hand automatically adjusts to the color of the main clock, but with a delay of 1-2 second.