Personalizing the smartphone interface is the first thing most users start with when they buy a new device. The main screen becomes the workspace where we spend our hours, so its informativeness is key. One of the most popular features is the ability to display the dial directly to the desktop so that time can be seen without unlocking the device. Owners Xiaomi and Redmi often encounter the nuances of the MIUI shell that distinguish it from pure Android.
In this article, we will not only explore basic methods of installing widgets, but also delve into the intricacies of customization that are hidden from the surface. You will learn how to change the size of the dial, why the widget may not save after a reboot, and how to use third-party applications to create a unique design. System limitations of the shell sometimes interfere with the standard installation, but we will find workarounds. Ready to experiment will allow you to turn the lock screen into a personalized control panel.
Basic method of installation through the widget menu
The most obvious and reliable method, which works on all current versions of MIUI and HyperOS, is to use a built-in widget menu. First, you need to unlock your smartphone and go to any free screen. Long tap on an empty area of the screen or two finger pinches (finger mixing) will open the editing mode of the desktop. At the bottom of the screen will appear a toolbar where we are interested in the button "Widgets" or "Widgets".
In the list that opens, you need to scroll to the "Clock" section, and the system offers a number of design options, from simple digital indicators to complex analog mechanisms. Tap your favorite version to see the size available. Some widgets occupy one grid cell, others can be stretched half the screen, and once you select the size, the widget will automatically move to the desktop.
☑️ Pre-installing check
It's important to understand that the widget can be adjusted, drag and drop by long pressing on an already installed element, if you accidentally hit an adjacent icon, it can shift, making room for the watch. Don't rush to capture the result immediately: try moving the widget to different corners of the screen to evaluate the ergonomics of using one hand.
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If the watch widget overlaps important app icons, try changing the size of the desktop grid in the theme settings.
Setting the size and appearance of the widget
The standard widget sizes in Xiaomi often seem too small or cumbersome for users. Fortunately, the shell allows you to change the geometry of the item. Once you install the clock on the desktop, press it with your finger for 1-2 seconds. In the context menu that appears, select the "Resize" option (if it is available for a specific type of widget), and a blue bezel with markers on the edges will appear.
When you move the markers, you can stretch the widget vertically or horizontally, but here's an important caveat: not all widgets support arbitrary zoom. Some digital models have a fixed aspect ratio. If the bezel doesn't move, then the widget designer has banned the widget from changing its proportions, so the only way out is to find an alternative widget in the theme store.
⚠️ Warning: Excessive stretching of the widget can cause numbers to become unreadable or "go" overlaid by the desktop grid. Always check the readability of time after changing the size.
For more customization, many users turn to the Themes store. The built-in app allows you to download not only wallpaper, but also individual interface components. Go to the Themes app, search for "Clock Widget." You'll find thousands of options: neon, retro, minimalist. Installing a third-party theme of a watch often gives more customization options than a standard MIUI set.
When you install a widget from the theme store, the system can request the entire theme to be used. Be careful: if you want to leave your icons, choose the option "Apply only widget" or "Apply components" if this feature is available in your version of the launcher. Compatibility of widgets from the theme store with the future version of Android is not always guaranteed, so back up important settings.
Using the “Clock” application to create widgets
Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi integrates widget creation functionality directly into the Watch system application, which allows you to create unique dials that are not in the standard menu. Open the Watch app (an analog dial icon). In the upper right corner or at the bottom of the screen (depending on the version of MIUI), find the Dials button or the plus icon.
Here you'll see a gallery of available styles. Choose the one you like and click "Add to Desktop." The system will automatically create a copy of the widget with the selected design. The advantage of this method is that such widgets often have dynamic elements, such as a second hand or a date display, which may not be present in standard launcher widgets.
The Secret Function of the Watch App
Some advanced widgets from the Watch app require an active Internet connection to initially download graphic elements. If the widget appears as a black square after installation, check for updates for the Watch system app from the GetApps store or Google Play. Graphics caching can take a few seconds after first running.
Third-party applications for advanced users
If Xiaomi’s standard functionality doesn’t satisfy you, apps from the Google Play Store come to the rescue, with Google Watch or specialized widget makers like HD Widgets or Overdrop leading the way in this niche, allowing you to change fonts, colors, background transparency, and even add weather data to any time format.
Once you install this app, the process of adding to your desktop is similar to the system: long-pressing on the screen → Widgets → Choose the installed application. The only difference is the number of settings. You can adjust the transparency of the background so that the clock merges with live wallpaper, or add a stopwatch directly to the desktop.
| Annex | Type of widget | Difficulty setting up | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI system clock | Static/dynamic | Low. | Minimum |
| Google Watch | Digital/analogue | Medium | Low. |
| HD Widgets | Hybrid | Tall. | Average. |
| KWGT Kustom | Full customization | Expert | Depends on the script. |
Using third-party widgets can increase battery consumption, especially if the widget is updated every second (for example, shows seconds).In the Xiaomi battery settings, you can limit background activity for such applications, but this can lead to time desynchronization on the widget.
Problems with the disappearance of widgets and their solution
One of the most annoying problems for Redmi and Xiaomi owners is the spontaneous disappearance of watch widgets after a device reboot or system update, often due to aggressive optimization of MIUI memory. The system kills the widget process, believing it to be inactive, and it disappears from the screen. To avoid this, you need to fix the widget in memory.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find the Watch or System Launcher app in the list. Go to Battery or Power. Select No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from unloading the widget process from RAM. It is also recommended to remove the application from the list of multitasking cleaners in the application menu (lock to the application preview).
⚠️ Warning: Resetting the launcher to the factory settings can result in removing all widgets from the desktop. Before reset, take a screenshot of the icons' location to quickly restore the structure.
Another reason could be a crowded launcher cache. Periodic cache cleaning (not data!) can improve the stability of widgets. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → System Launcher → Storage → Clear cache. Don’t confuse it with Clear All Data, otherwise you’ll lose the location of icons on desktops.
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For the stable operation of widgets on Xiaomi, it is critically important to configure the permission to work in the background and turn off aggressive energy savings for the launcher.