How to install a clock on the desktop Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: official and hidden ways

Why do you need a desktop clock and what MIUI offers?

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro’s home screen watch widget is not just a design element, but a useful tool for quickly monitoring time. Unlike the standard display of a watch in the status bar, the widget can show additional information: date, day of the week, weather or even a timer, especially for users who are used to checking the time without unlocking their smartphone.

The official MIUI firmware for the Redmi 8 Pro (model M1906G7G) offers several built-in widget options, but their functionality is limited to basic settings. For example, the standard Widget Watches from the MIUI collection allows you to choose only 3-4 styles of the dial, while third-party applications from Google Play extend the possibilities to hundreds of designs. However, not everyone knows that MIUI 12/13/14 has hidden ways to add watches – through developer Mode or system launchers.

In this article, we will analyze all available methods: from basic to advanced, including bypassing the limitations of MIUI. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances that arise after updating the firmware or resetting settings.

Method 1: Standard MIUI widget – fast and without installing applications

The easiest way to add a watch is to use the built-in MIUI widgets, which do not require superuser rights and run on any version of the firmware. Here's how to do this:

1. Unlock the screen and go to the main desktop.
2. Touch any free space on the screen and hold for 1-2 seconds until the settings menu appears.
3. At the bottom of the screen, select the Widgets (the icon with squares).
4. Scroll down to the Tools section and find the Watch widget.
5. Press the widget and drag it to the free desktop space.

Once added, you can scale the widget: tap its edges and pull it to resize, and you can find options from a miniature dial (2×2 cells) to a large date and weather block (4×2 cells).

Make sure there is a free space on the screen (at least 2×2 cells) |

Check the version. MIUI (In Settings → About the phone) – in older versions, widgets may not be available|

Turn off the power saving mode (it can block the time update in widgets)|

Update the Watch app via Google Play if the widget doesn't show up

-->

Limitations of the method:

• 🔄 The widget updates the time only when the screen is active (in sleep mode, the data is not updated).
• 🎨 The design of the dial cannot be changed - only available 3-4 pre-established.
• ⚡ When resetting the widget disappears and it will have to be added again.

💡

If the watch widget doesn’t appear in the list, try resetting the Launcher app cache (settings → apps → application management → Launcher → storage → clear the cache).

Method 2: Google widgets are an alternative for minimalism lovers

If you don't like the standard MIUI watch, you can use Google widgets, which are integrated into the Redmi 8 Pro firmware by default, but many users don't know about them, and the main advantage is synchronization with your Google account and the ability to display events from Google Calendar.

Instructions:

1. Click the free space on the desktop and select Widgets.
2. Scroll down to the Google section (usually at the bottom).
3. Find the Watch widget (an icon with a dial on a white background).
4. Drag it on the screen and select a size (options available) 2×2, 3×2, 4×2).

Features of Google widgets:

• ⏱️ It shows time with seconds (unlike the time with seconds). MIUI, wherein the seconds are absent).
• 📅 You can add a map of the next event from the calendar.
• 🌍 Automatically adjust to the time zone when traveling.
• 🔳 Don't support themes MIUI — Design is always minimalistic (black or white).

Standard MIUI|

Google | widgets

Third-party applications (UCCW, Zooper)|

I don't need a watch on the screen.

-->

Method 3: Third-party applications – unlimited design capabilities

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

• 🎨 UCCW (Ultimate Custom Clock Widget – a designer of widgets with skin support.
• ⚙️ Zooper Widget – Advanced look and feel setting, including animation.
• ⏰ Chronus – widgets with weather, calendar and notifications.
• 🖼️ KWGT Kustom Widget Maker – to create unique designs from scratch.

Let’s look at the example of UCCW:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open UCCW and select your favorite skin (e.g. Minimal Clock).
3. Press Install and confirm the addition of the widget.
4. Return to the desktop, press the free space → Widgets → find UCCW and drag to the screen.
5. Select the previously installed skin and adjust the size.

Important: Some widgets from third-party apps may conflict with MIUI optimization, which will cause the time to update with a delay. To avoid this, add the application to the AutoRun list (Settings → Applications → AutoRun) and turn off background limit for it.

Method 4: Watches in Always On Display (AOD) - battery saving

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro supports Always On Display (AOD), which displays time, notifications and date on the screen off.It's an alternative to the widget if you want to see a watch without unlocking your phone.

How to turn on the AOD:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Choose Always On Display.
3. Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
4. Set up the display style (Digital, Analog, Text options are available).
5. In the Schedule section, select when AOD should work (e.g., Always or Only at night).

Advantages of AOD:

• 🔋 Minimum battery consumption (about) 1-2% Thanks for an hour AMOLED-screen).
• 🔔 Displaying notifications along with time.
• 🌙 Automatic adjustment of brightness under lighting.

⚠️ Attention: Function AOD available only on phones with AMOLED-with displays. 8 Pro is equipped IPS-screen, therefore AOD will work through software emulation, which increases battery consumption to 5-7% If you want autonomy, use this method carefully.

Method 5: Hidden MIUI settings – widgets via Launcher

MIUI has hidden desktop customization options that are not available through the standard menu, one of which is to change the system launcher, which allows you to add widgets that are not available in the basic version.

Instructions for advanced users:

1. Install an alternative launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair.
2. In the launcher settings, find the Widgets section and activate the option to Show all widgets.
3. Return to the desktop, clamp the free space and select Widgets.
4. Now, additional widgets will appear on the list, including the Android system clock, which MIUI hides by default.

To return to the standard launcher:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Select Launcher → Default → Reset

Warning: Changing the system launcher may cause MIUI gestures to fail (e.g. swipe up to return to the home screen).Before experimenting, back up your settings through Settings → Additional → Backup.

💡

Using alternative launchers is the only way to access the hidden MIUI widget, but it can disrupt the stability of the shell.

Method 6: Watches through wallpaper with animation (for lovers of originality)

If you want your watch to be not a separate widget, but a part of a live wallpaper, you can use apps like Wallpaper Clock or Live Wallpaper Maker, which overlay time on top of the wallpaper, creating an integrated display effect.

How to set up:

1. Download the Live Wallpaper Maker app from Google Play.
2. Choose a template with a watch or upload your background.
3. Adjust the position, size and style of the dial.
4. Apply wallpaper through Settings → Wallpaper → Live wallpaper.

Pros of the method:

• 🎨 Unique design – watches become part of the background.
• 🔄 Automatic time update without lag.
• 📱 Does not take up space on the desktop (watches are displayed under icons).

⚠️ Warning: Live clock wallpaper increases the processor load, which can cause the phone to overheat over long-term use.If you notice that the Redmi 8 Pro has been warming for no reason, go back to the static wallpaper.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When adding a clock to your desktop, Redmi 8 Pro users often encounter common errors.

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI — in old firmware (below) MIUI (11) widgets may not be available.
• 🔧 Developer settings - sometimes disconnecting MIUI Optimization solves the problem.
• 🔄 Resetting the launcher - in Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions