How to change the color of time on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why does Xiaomi’s watch color change in standard ways?

If you’ve tried to change the color of your display time on the lock screen or in the status bar of Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco, you’ve probably come across an unpleasant surprise: there’s simply no such option in the MIUI settings. The manufacturer has deliberately limited this feature, leaving users only a choice of several predefined design themes.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including hidden MIUI settings, using third-party launchers, and even editing system files for advanced users. It is important to understand that some methods require root rights or unlock the bootloader, which can affect the warranty.

Before you start, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Some methods only work on MIUI 12/13/14 or require specific conditions (e.g., Always-On Display).

Method 1: Using embedded MIUI themes (without root)

The safest, but also the most limited, method is to change the theme through the standard Themes app, which doesn't give you complete freedom to choose a color, but it allows you to choose one of the predefined options where the time is displayed in the shade you want.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the “Themes” app** (icon with brush)
• 🔍 In the search box, enter the color or time color watch.
• 🎨 View the available themes – pay attention to the preview of the lock screen
• 💾 Apply the theme you like and check the result

Cons of this method:

• ❌ Limited choice of colors (usually) 3-5 variant)
• ❌ The color of the time changes only on the lock screen, in the status bar remains standard.
• ❌ Some topics are paid (from 50 to 300 rubles)

💡

If the desired color is not in the themes, try combining: first apply the theme with the appropriate color of the watch, and then return the standard wallpaper and icons through the theme settings.

Method 2: Configure with Always-On Display (AOD)

On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi) K60, Poco F5 Pro) Always-On Display is available, where you can flexibly configure time display, and there are more customization options than standard themes.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings. → Screen. → Always-On Display
2. Choose the display style (usually there are options Digital, Analog, Minimalist)
3. Click Style Setting and find the Colour of Watch option (not in all MIUI versions)
4. If you don’t have an option, try installing a third-party AODNotify app from Google Play.

⚠️ Note: Some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 11) feature AOD It shuts down when the battery is low (less than 20%), which can prevent the check of changes.

Method 3: Customization Launcher Applications (Nova, Lawnchair)

If you need to change the color of the time in the status bar (top panel with clock, battery and notifications), standard MIUI tools do not allow this.

Best options:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher (Nova TeslaCoil plugin to change the color of the statusbar)
• 🎯 Lawnchair (built-in transparency and color filter settings)
• 🔧 Hyperion Launcher (advanced customization, but difficult to set up)

The following is a step-by-step configuration for Nova Launcher:

Install Nova Launcher from Google Play| Download the TeslaCoil plugin for Nova| In the Nova settings, select “Transparency of the Notification Panel” |Configure the color filter for the statusbar |Reboot the launcher

-->

Important: This method only works on devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights for MIUI 13+ models due to Android 12+ limitations.

Method 4: Edit system files (for advanced files only)

For root-rights or custom recovery (TWRP) users, it is possible to change the color of time by editing system files, a technique that requires technical skills and can lead to system ruin if something is done wrong.

Tools required:

• 🔧 Root access (unlocked boot loader) + Magisk)
• 📂 File Manager with root support (e.g. Solid Explorer)
• 🖥️ Backup of the file framework-miui-res.apk

Instructions (for MIUI 14 based on Android 13):

1. Open the file manager and go to /system/framework/


2.Look for the framework-miui-res.apk file and copy it to a safe location.




3. Open the file with APK Editor (e.g. APKTool)




4. Go to res/values/colors.xml




5. Find the lines with the parameters:




- status_bar_clock_color




- lockscreen_clock_color




6. Change the hex color code (e.g. from #FFFFFFFFFF to #FF00FF00 for green)




7. Save the file and restart the device

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing framework-miui-res.apk If the phone doesn't turn on after the changes, restore the original file through TWRP.

Method 5: ADB-commands for hidden settings (without root)

Little known fact: in MIUI There are hidden settings that can be activated through ADB-This doesn't give you complete freedom of color, but it allows you to enable experimental time-reflection modes.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Press 7 times to unlock)
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)

Experimental teams:

Enable hidden clock settings (MIUI 14)


adb shell settings put global miui_use_custom_clock_style 1




Change the color to red (not working on all devices)



adb shell settings put global status_bar_clock_color ff0000




Reset the settings to standard



adb shell settings put global miui_use_custom_clock_style 0

The effect of the teams:

• ✅ On some devices, an additional color setting menu appears in Settings → Screen.
• ⚠️ Redmi Note 12 and later may require a restart
• ❌ On Poco. F4/F5 The team is often ignored due to manufacturer restrictions.

💡

ADB-commands are the safest way among the “advanced” ones, since they do not require changing system files and easily roll back.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successful time color changes, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📋 Version MIUI — on MIUI 15 (Android 14) Some methods may not work due to new limitations
• 🔄 Firmware region – global versions have more features than Chinese (CN ROM)
• 🛠️ Updates – sometimes display bugs are fixed in new patches

FAQ: Answers to popular questions