Did you buy a Xiaomi Redmi 7A and want time to always be in sight? Or after updating MIUI, the clock disappeared from the desktop? Set up the watch widget on the Redmi 7A takes less than a minute, but many users are faced with the nuances: the widget does not display, the watch is too small or does not update. In this article, 3 proven ways to install the watch on the home screen, including solving typical problems.
The Redmi 7A runs on MIUI 10/11/12 (depending on the firmware version), and the algorithm for adding widgets may differ. We will look at the universal methods that work on all versions of the shell, and also tell you how to return the clock after resetting or updating the system when the standard widget disappears from the menu.
Why doesn’t Redmi 7A have a default clock on the home screen?
Unlike Xiaomi’s flagship models (like the Mi 9 or Redmi Note 10), the budget Redmi 7A comes with a minimalist desktop.
- 🔋 Save battery power (widgets consume up to) 5-10% extra energy).
- ⚡ Speed up the system – on a weak Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor, each widget increases the load.
- 📱 Simplify the interface for beginners, avoiding screen congestion.
But the watch is the basic element, and it's not that easy. 90 percent of the time, the problem is solved by adding a standard Watch or Weather widget and a watch from the widget menu, and if you don't have a widget, you'll have to use workarounds (described below).
Method 1: Adding a standard watch widget (MIUI 10/11/12)
This is the fastest method that works on all versions of MIUI for Redmi 7A.
- Unlock the screen and go to the main desktop.
- Press and hold the blank space on the screen (not on the icon!). After 1-2 seconds, the settings menu will appear.
- At the bottom of the screen, select Widgets (the icon with squares).
- Scroll down to Tools or Systems – there should be a Watch or Weather and Clock widget.
- Press the widget, hold it, drag it to the desktop. Release your finger to hold it.
If the Watch widget is not on the list, try:
- 🔄 Restart your phone (sometimes widgets don’t show up due to a crash) MIUI Launcher).
- 📥 Update the Watch app via Google Play (if installed).
- 🔧 Reset the launcher settings: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher, press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
Update MIUI to the latest version
Check the free space on the screen (the widget will not fit if there is no space)
Make sure the widget is not hidden in the "Other widgets" folder
Restart your phone if the widget doesn’t show up-->
Important! On Redmi 7A with MIUI 12, the Weather and Watch widget can be hidden in the Other Widgets folder - scroll through the list to the end.
Method 2: Use alternative widgets from Google Play
If the standard widget is not available or does not suit its design, install a third-party solution.The best free options for the Redmi 7A:
| Name of the widget | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Clock Widget | Minimalistic digital watch with color and size adjustment | Download |
| Chronus | Weather, clock, calendar in one widget (supports MIUI) | Download |
| Transparent Clock & Weather | Transparent clock with animation and weather widget | Download |
How to install a third-party widget:
- Download and install the application from the table above.
- Return to the desktop, press and hold the empty space → Widgets.
- Find the widget of the installed application (for example, Chronus 4x2) in the list.
- Drag it on the screen and adjust the size/style.
⚠️ Note: Some widgets (such as Beautiful Widgets) may conflict with the MIUI and cause the error "Widget is not responding." Before installing, check the reviews of Xiaomi users.
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If the watch does not update after installing the widget, add the app to the AutoRun list (Settings → Permissions → AutoRun).
Method 3: Manually configure via MIUI Launcher (for experienced)
If the watch widget is missing after updating or resetting, it can be returned via launcher settings, which requires carefulness, as changing system files can cause crashes.
Instructions:
- Install a file manager with access to system folders (such as MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).
- Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiHome/
- Find the MiuiHome.apk file and copy it to the backup folder (in case of a crash).
- Open the file in the text editor (for example, MT Manager) and find the line: <bool name="enable_clock_widget">false</bool> Replace false with true.
- Save the changes, restart the phone.
⚠️ Note: Editing system files can lead to bootloop. If you are not sure about your actions, use Method 1 or 2. This method is only suitable for hardened devices with an unlocked bootloader.
What if the phone doesn’t turn on after editing MiuiHome.apk?
How to change the size and style of the Redmi 7A
The standard Widget Watch in MIUI supports minimal customization, but you can slightly adapt it to your needs:
- 🎨 Change the size: Press and hold the widget → let go → You'll see a resize frame. You'll stretch it to the right limits.
- 🌈 Change style: Click on the widget → version MIUI A menu with display options (digital/analog clock) will appear).
- 📍 Move: Hold the widget and drag it to the right place on the screen.
For deep customization (font, color, animation), use third-party widgets from Google Play. For example, in Chronus, you can:
- 🖌️ A choice of 50+ watch-skin.
- 🌡️ Displaying temperature, humidity and pressure.
- ⏰ Setting up the time format (12/24 hour).
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The standard Widget Weather and Clock in MIUI updates the time every minute, but the weather every 3-6 hours. For frequent weather updates, use third-party widgets.
Problem Solving: The clock is not displayed or working
If after all the manipulations the watch did not appear, check the following points:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The watch widget is not on the menu. | MIUI Launcher crash or remote APK system | Reset the launcher settings or reinstall MIUI via Recovery |
| The clock is not updated | Watch is killed by the system to save battery | Add it to Auto Start and No Limits in Battery Settings |
| The clock shows the wrong time | Time/date settings are lost or network synchronization is disabled | Go to Settings → Additional → Date and time, enable Autodetermination |
| The widget disappears after the reboot | Conflict with MIUI optimizer or third-party launcher | Turn off optimization for launcher in Settings → Battery → Optimization |
If the problem is not solved, try resetting the launcher settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the launcher (or MiuiHome).
- Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
- Reboot the phone.
How to Put a Watch on the Redmi 7A Screen
So for the sake of clarity, we've created a step-by-step video showing all the different ways.
- 🎥 0:45 – Adding a standard widget.
- 🎥 2:12 – Installation of a third-party Chronus widget.
- 🎥 3:30 – Solving the problem of the disappearing clock.
Video:
[Insert a video player or YouTube link here]
If the video doesn’t open, check your internet connection or try using a VPN (sometimes YouTube is blocked by the provider).