How to change the look of the clock on the lock screen Xiaomi

Personalization of the interface is one of the strengths of Xiaomi smartphones running on the shells of MIUI or the new HyperOS. The standard lock screen often looks boring, and users are eager to make it unique, starting with changing the look of the watch. It is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to improve the readability of the information you see when you take the device in your hands.

There are many ways to transform this interface element, from built-in theme settings to the use of specialized applications. System restrictions allow you to change styles, but do not give the complete freedom that third-party solutions provide. In this guide, we will analyze all available methods so that you can choose the best option for your gadget.

Before you start making changes, it is important to understand that the interface may differ depending on the version of the operating system. Some features are only available on new models, while others are universal. Changing system fonts or installing modified themes may require superuser rights (Root), but most of the methods described below work on standard devices without unnecessary complications.

Use of built-in design themes

The easiest and safest way to change the design of a watch is to use the official Themes app, which contains thousands of designs, many of which completely replace the time and date widgets on the lock screen. You don't need to be a technician to apply a new theme, just choose the one you like.

The installation process takes only a few minutes. Open the app, go to the "Themes" section and search for a query, such as "Analog Clock" or "Digital Time." The system will offer many options where the dials have a unique design. After downloading the theme, be sure to click "Apply" to make the changes effective.

• 🎨 Open the “Themes” app on the main screen.
• 🔍 Type in search keywords related to the style of the watch.
• ⬇️ Download and apply the selected theme of design.

It's worth noting that some themes change not only the clock, but also icons, notification panels and system sounds. If you're only interested in the clock, look for themes marked "Lock screen" or check previews before installation. Often developers create separate packages only for the lock screen, which allows you to combine elements of different styles.

⚠️ Warning: When installing themes from unofficial sources or third-party stores, be careful.Some modified themes may contain ad code or mishandle your version of Android, causing reboots.

Adjusting font style and time color

If you don't want to change the whole theme, but you want to refresh the look of the dial, you can experiment with fonts. Xiaomi's settings have a section dedicated to the design of the text. By changing the system font, you often change how the time digits on the locked screen are displayed, if the current theme supports dynamic font updates.

To access these settings, go to Settings → Screen → Font. There's a font store available where you can download new options. Some of them have specific numeral patterning, which dramatically changes the way you see time, and once you set the font, the system will suggest you apply it, which will take a few seconds.

Also, you should pay attention to the function “Always on screen» (AOD). Nana AMOLED-In displays, it allows you to display time even in sleep mode. In the settings, the screen is always on and locking you can choose different display styles: analog, digital, signed or minimalist. The color of the numbers can often be changed along with the choice of style.

It's important to understand that changing the font affects the entire interface, and the readability of menus and apps will also change, so choose options that are convenient for constant use. If a new font is inconvenient, you can always return it to the standard value in the same settings menu.

Use of widgets Always on Display

Technology Always on Display (AOD) Turns off the screen into an information panel. AMOLED-This feature allows you to configure the display of time, date and notifications without turning on the main display. This is not only stylish, but also economical, since only the necessary pixels burn.

In the lock screen settings section, you can select the AOD schedule, you can set it to turn on only for a certain time, or you can activate the "Raise to view" function, in which case the screen lights up when you pick up the phone, showing the selected style of the watch.

• ⏰ Set up a work scheduleAlways On Display to save charge.
• 🖼️ Choose the display style: classic, vertical or horizontal.
• 🔔 Add notifications next to the clock for quick access.

Some AOD styles support color customization, you can choose a color that will harmonize with your case or just like it visually, but remember that bright colors on a black background can be more noticeable in the dark, which is sometimes undesirable.

⚠️ Warning: Always On Display increases battery consumption.If you plan to use complex animated watch styles, make sure you have enough charging for the whole day, or set up an automatic shutdown at night.

Third-party customization applications

When standard tools aren’t enough, Google Play Store apps come to the rescue, with programs like Lock Screen & Notifications or Hi Locker allowing you to completely replace Xiaomi’s standard lock screen with your own, and you can choose any dial, change its size, position, and even add weather or pedometer widgets.

Once you install an application like this, the system will ask for a number of permissions, you will need to give access to the display on top of other applications and allow the work in the background, without these permissions, the custom lock screen will not appear or will quickly close the power saving system.

The main advantage of these applications is a huge library of widgets. You can put a retro-style watch, futuristic neon digits or even live wallpaper with a second hand. However, it is worth considering that a third-party lockscreen can consume more resources than a system one.

Activating functions often requires several steps in security settings. MIUI strictly controls background processes, so you need to manually prevent “killing” the application. This is done through the Apps menu → Settings → Battery → Charge Saving → No Limits.

Creating your own design through the Themes app

For advanced users, there is an option to create your own watch style. The official MIUI Theme Editor tool (available for PC) allows you to edit the graphic elements of the lock screen. You can draw your dial in a graphics editor and embed it into the theme.

It requires a computer and basic knowledge of the theme file structure, you need to unpack the theme file, replace the face image, and reassemble the theme, which gives you absolute freedom, but takes time to master the developer tools.

If you decide to start creating themes, start by looking at the finished projects, download a simple theme, unpack it, and see how the files are organized, which will help you understand the logic of how Xiaomi theme engine works and avoid mistakes when creating your own design.

Solution and resetting of settings

Sometimes, after installing a new theme or updating the system, the watch may get lost, disappear or display incorrectly, often the problem lies in the cache of the Themes app or the conflict of versions, in which case cleaning the data of the system application responsible for the design helps.

To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the Themes app (or Themes) in the list. Click Clear → Clear all data. Don't worry, your purchased or downloaded themes won't be deleted, they're stored on the server, but the display settings will be reset to factory ones.

• 🔄 Reboot the device after resetting the theme settings.
• 🗑️ Remove the problematic topic if it causes crashes.
• 📲 Check for system updates in the About Phone menu».

If the watch is missing after the Android update, it may not support the old theme format, so you should switch to a standard theme for a while and then try to find an updated version of your favorite design in the directory.

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up the Themes app data will reset your chosen style to standard. Make sure you remember the theme name you used to quickly apply it again after rebooting.

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Before installing heavy themes with an animated clock, check for free space in memory.A crowded drive can lead to lags when unlocking your smartphone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The safest and most stable way to change the look of a watch is to use official themes from the built-in store. Third-party apps give you more freedom, but require careful permissions.