Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which run on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, provide users with ample opportunities to personalize the interface. One of the most popular settings is changing the appearance of the watch on the locked and home screen. Standard settings do not always allow you to choose the exact shade you want to see, which leads many owners to look for alternative solutions.
In this article, we will discuss all available methods, from simple built-in functions to advanced methods using third-party software, you will learn how to change the color of the dial, adjust the automatic change of theme depending on the time of day and which applications are best suited for deep customization of the system.
Before making changes, it is important to understand that the appearance of interface elements depends on the version of the operating system and the installed theme. Some features may only be available in the latest Android updates or require the use of specific tools to modify the system.
Use of built-in design themes
The easiest and safest way to change the color of the time is to install a new theme through the official Theme app. Xiaomi catalogue features thousands of design options, where designers have already set unique color schemes for watches, widgets and system icons. When changing the theme, not only does the static color change, but the animation of the display of time often changes.
To find the right design, open the Themes app on your device. In the search bar, type in keywords like "digital clock," "neon" or "minimal" to find styles with interesting timing. After choosing a theme, click "Download" and then "Apply." The system will automatically replace the system fonts and colors of the interface elements.
It should be noted that not all themes change the color of the clock on the lock screen the same way. Some affect only the home screen, leaving the standard time widget on the locked display unchanged, in which case you need to go separately to the lock screen settings or select a theme that fully supports AOD (Always On Display) customization.
- 🎨 Thousands of free and paid options in the official store.
- 🔄 Ability to change style quickly with the push of a button.
- ⚙️ Automatic adaptation of icons and menu colors to the selected range.
- 📉 Minimum battery consumption compared to third-party launchers.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party sources (not from the official store), there is a risk of system interfaces being disrupted.
Setting up time widgets on the main screen
If you don't like the standard watch widget that comes with the system, it can be easily replaced with a more functional one. The MIUI and HyperOS shells allow you to place widgets of various sizes and formats on your desktop, or you need to pinch an empty area on the screen or pinch two fingers to go into editing mode, and select the Widget item.
In the menu that opens, scroll down to the "Clock" section, and you'll see a few options here, from simple digital indicators to complex analog second-hand mechanisms. Some widgets support background or numerical color change. Click on the widget to see the style options available, and drag it to your desktop.
More in-depth customization often requires third-party apps, as the standard set is limited. By installing a widget from a third-party developer, you get access to an editor where you can manually set it. HEX-You can code the color, change the transparency of the background and choose the font, and this gives you complete control over how time will look in your desktop composition.
- 📱 Support for widgets of different sizes (2x1, 4x2, 1x1).
- 🖌️ Ability to adjust the transparency and shape of the substrate.
- ⏱️ Selecting the display format: 12 or 24 hours, with or without seconds.
- 🌗 Automatic change of widget style depending on light or dark theme.
💡
Use widgets with a transparent background so that they fit harmoniously into any wallpaper without creating visual noise on the screen.
Customization of the lock screen and Always on Display
The lock screen is the first thing that a user sees when they pick up their phone. Modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 have a Wallpaper Store feature and advanced lock screen settings. Go to Settings → Always on screen and lock screen. Here you can choose a time display style that often involves changing the color scheme.
The feature is Always on Display (AOD) It allows time to burn on the screen all the time, even when the phone is locked. AOD It's usually a style-dependent style, and some styles use gradients, others use monochrome colors to save energy. AMOLED-You can create your own style by choosing the base image and adjusting the position and color of the dial.
If you are critical to autonomy, choose minimalistic black and white styles, and the color can automatically change depending on the brightness of the ambient light, if the appropriate sensor is turned on.
| Type of display | Battery consumption | Possibility of colour change | Animation support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard AOD | Low. | Limited (depending on the topic) | No. |
| Custom style | Medium. | Tall. | Yes. |
| The live wallpaper (Lock screen) | High-pitched | Depends on the wallpaper. | Yes. |
| Third-party widgets | Medium/High | Complete. | Depends on the app. |
⚠️ Note: On some models with IPS-The Always On Display function can be a software emulation, which leads to a faster battery discharge than on the screen. AMOLED panel.
Application of third-party applications for widgets
When standard tools are not enough, specialized applications from Google Play come to the rescue, with leaders in this niche being Widgetsmith, Overdrop and KWGT Kustom Widget Maker. These programs allow you to create a time widget with absolutely any color, font and shape you can imagine.
Let's take a look at the process, like KWGT. Once you install the app, you'll need to download the widget pack or create your own from scratch. In the editor, select the "Clock" element, then go to the text properties. Here you can set any color using a palette or entering an exact value. After saving the layout, add the KWGT widget to the desktop and select the design you created.
The main advantage of these solutions is independence from system updates. Even if Xiaomi changes the design of the shell, your widgets will remain the same. However, it is worth considering that some complex widgets can consume more CPU resources, which theoretically can affect the performance of older models of smartphones.
- 🛠️ Complete freedom in the choice of fonts, colors and effects of glow.
- 📥 Possibility to download ready-made packs from the community of users.
- 🔋 Optimizing energy consumption through update settings.
- 📐 Accurately adjust the size and position of the elements on the screen.
The secret function of KWGT
Change system colors through screen settings
Android 12 and more newer versions, which are already coming to many Xiaomi devices, have introduced Material You. This technology allows the system to automatically generate an interface color palette based on the colors prevailing on your current wallpaper. If you put a blue-tinted wallpaper, both the watch and the settings menu and the volume sliders will turn blue.
To activate or customize this feature, go to Settings → Wallpaper and Personalization (or just Wallpaper). Select new wallpapers with bright or rich colors. The system will suggest using an image-based color scheme. You can manually adjust the base color to achieve the desired shade for the time elements.
This is the most native and stable method, it doesn't require any additional software and it works in all system menus, but the choice of colors is limited by the generation algorithm, and it may not work out, for example, to get a bright acid green on a black background if the original wallpaper does not allow it.
Frequent questions and problem-solving
Despite its apparent simplicity, users often encounter nuances when trying to change the color of the time, sometimes settings are reset after a reboot, or the chosen color does not apply to certain widgets. Here are the answers to the most common questions that will help troubleshoot.
If the color of the time remains the same after changing the theme, try clearing the theme app cache or restarting the device. In some cases, conflict can be caused by previously installed system modifications or third-party launchers that intercept control of the interface.