How to add a watch to the Xiaomi desktop: all ways + hidden features

Why you need a desktop clock and what widgets are available in Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s desktop is not just a set of icons, but a full-fledged tool for quick access to information. The clock on the home screen saves time: you don’t have to unlock your phone or open the notification curtain to find out the current time. This is especially true for the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Xiaomi 13, where AMOLED-The displays support the Always-On Display function (AOD) — time-displaying even when off.

In the firmware MIUI 12-14, several types of watch widgets are available:

• 🕒 Analog watches – classic dial with hands (supports change of style and color).
• 📱 Digital watches – a minimalist format with date and weather.
• 🌍 World time – displaying time in different time zones.
• ⏱️ Timer/Secondomere – a widget for fast countdown start.
• 🎨 Customizable widgets - with support for themes design (only for the purpose of MIUI 14+).

It is important to understand that the functionality of widgets depends on the version. MIUI And the smartphone models. POCO F4 s MIUI 13 available 7 styles of analog watches, and on Redmi 10 with MIUI 12 – only 3. Some widgets also require activation in Settings → Desktop → Widgets.

Method 1: Adding hours through long-pressing on the desktop

The easiest method is to use the standard MIUI widget menu. It works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi 9A, POCO M4 Pro and flagship models.

1. Touch and hold the empty space on your desktop (not on the icon!).
2. In the menu that appears, select the Widgets item (the icon with three squares).
3. Scroll down to the Watch section (or Clock on English firmware).
4. Choose your favorite style of watch and drag it to the desktop.

If the widget is not added, check:

• ⚙️ Free space on the screen (widgets occupy cells) 2×2 or 4×2).
• 🔄 Update of the firmware (in older versions) MIUI The clock widgets may not be available).
• 📱 Lack of running power saving modes (they block widget updates).

Free space on the desktop

Updated version of MIUI

Power saving mode disabled

Verification of permits for the annex “Clock"-->

Method 2: Use Always-On Display (AOD) to display time permanently

The Always-On Display feature (AOD) Available on Xiaomi smartphones with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50, POCO F5). It allows you to display the time, date and notifications even when the display is off. AOD so-so:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Always-On Display.
2. Turn on the Always-On Display slider.
3. Set up the display style: 🕐 Digital watches are a minimalist look. 🎨 Analog clock - with dial. 📅 The clock + date - combined version.

Set a schedule (for example, turn off AOD at night to save charge).

In the models with LCD-screens (e.g. Redmi 9, POCO M3) function AOD It is not physically present, it requires AMOLED-Matrices for work. Also note that constant use AOD Increases battery consumption by 5-10% per day.

💡

To save charge when using AOD, set the automatic shutdown timer for the night (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00) in the feature settings.

Method 3: Installation of the clock through the “Themes” app (style customization)

If you don't like standard widgets, you can download alternative styles through the official Themes app, which is suitable for users who want a unique watch design.

1. Open the Topic app (Brush icon).
2. Go to the Widgets section (in the lower menu).
3. Select the Watch category.
4. Scroll through the list of available styles and click Apply on your favorite.
5. Return to the desktop and add the widget with a long press (as in Method 1).

Method 4: Third-party watch applications (KWGT, Chronus, Digital Clock Widget)

If you don't like the built-in MIUI widgets, you can install third-party apps from Google Play.

To add a widget from a third-party app:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Return to the desktop, make a long press → Widgets.
3. Find the widget of the installed application (for example, KWGT or Chronus) in the list.
4. Drag it on the screen and configure according to the application instructions.

⚠️ Note: Some widgets (e.g. in the KWGT) require additional permits to display weather or battery information!

Method 5: Watch in the notification curtain and on the lock screen

If you do not need a widget on the desktop, but want to quickly watch the time, you can use the built-in elements of the MIUI interface:

• 📲 Notification curtain - the time is displayed in the upper right corner. To zoom in the font, go to Settings → Screen. → Type size.
• 🔒 Lock screen – adjust the style of the watch in Settings → Lock screen → Watch style. Options available: Digital, Analog, Minimalist.
• 🌙 "For the night" mode - in Settings → Screen. → The mode "For the night" can be turned on displaying time in dark colors.

On models with an infrared sensor (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11), the time on the lock screen can be displayed even when you bring your hand to the phone (Raise to wake up).

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Up to 5 styles of watches are available on the MIUI lock screen, but their appearance depends on the chosen theme of design.

Problem Solving: The clock is not displayed or is not working properly

If the watch widget is missing, not updated, or shows the wrong time, try the following steps:

If the problem persists, reset the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or POCO Launcher for POCO devices) app.
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the launcher data will reset the location of the icons on the desktop.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the watch on the Xiaomi desktop