Xiaomi’s Redmi line of smartphones is famous for its MIUI functionality, which provides users with extensive customization options. However, after first turning on or updating the system, beginners often encounter a minimalistic screen that lacks the usual large time widgets. A natural question arises: how quickly and efficiently to add an informative watch to the main screen, so that you do not have to unlock the device every time to check the time?
In the Android operating system that runs MIUI, widgets are not just static pictures, but mini-applications that display current information in real time. On the Redmi 8 model, managing these elements has its own features that differ from stock Android or iOS. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for adding watches, including hidden functions of the standard launcher and third-party solutions.
We'll look at not only basic settings, but also ways to address common issues when the widget refuses to attach or is displayed incorrectly. UI personalization is a key aspect of smartphone comfort, allowing you to turn a standard utility into a unique tool. Get ready to learn how to make your Redmi 8 screen truly user-friendly and informative.
Standard method of adding a widget through the menu
The easiest and most reliable way to install the watch is to use the built-in menu of MIUI shell widgets. This method does not require the installation of additional software and works stably on all firmware versions that are relevant for Redmi 8.
Make a long press on the empty part of the screen. In a second, the interface changes: the application icons will decrease, and the control panel will appear at the bottom. You are interested in the button Widgets, located at the bottom of the screen, and clicking on it, you will open a library of available elements.
Depending on the version of MIUI (Global or China), it can be simply called "Clock" or have the logo of the "Security" or "Clock" app. Scroll the list to the right or search if there are too many items.
- ⏰ Choose a classic analog watch with hands for retro style.
- 📅 Pay attention to combined widgets with calendar and weather.
- 🌡️ Check the digital clock with ambient temperature display.
- 🎨 Look for widgets with support for themes for harmony with wallpaper.
Once you have selected the right design, click on it. The system automatically takes you to the desktop, where the widget will hover over the icons, following your finger. Place it in a convenient place and release your finger to lock. If there are not enough free cells, the widget will not install, and the system will suggest to free up space.
Customization of appearance and sizes of widgets
After installing the standard watch on the Xiaomi Redmi 8, many users notice that the appearance does not fully meet their expectations. Fortunately, the MIUI shell allows you to perform basic configuration of most system widgets.
In the context menu that appears, select Settings (cog icon) or Change. This opens a panel where you can resize the grid, for example, some widgets can be stretched from 2x2 to 4x2, making the numbers larger and readable.
Also available in settings is the choice of a 12-hour or 24-hour format, which is critical for those who are used to wartime or prefer the AM/PM format. Changes are instant, without the need to reboot the interface.
⚠️ Note: Not all system widgets support resizing. If you press long enough, you don't have a stretch marker frame, you have a fixed size set by the developer.
For a deeper customization, you can use the theme. Go to the Themes app, find an active theme, and click Customize. In the Widgets section (if supported by the theme), you can replace the system clock with the designer clock that is part of the theme.
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Use dark wallpaper with a white widget to save battery power on AMOLED-The screens, although the Redmi 8 is IPS-The visual contrast will still be higher.
Using the “Clock” app to create a widget
In the Xiaomi ecosystem, there is a separate system app called Clock, which is often ignored by users, but it is the “native” source for some specific widgets that do not appear in the general menu of desktop widgets immediately after resetting.
Open the Watch app from all programs. In the upper right corner or in the settings menu (three dots), find the item associated with widgets or design. Some versions of MIUI for Redmi 8 hide access to world time or a stopwatch in the form of a widget.
If the standard app doesn’t offer the right widget, you can try resetting it. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Watches → Memory and click Clean. This will return the clock widgets to their original state and can unlock hidden features.
The secret of double tap
It is important to understand the difference between system clocks and third-party clocks that can be pre-installed in the region: System clocks have deep integration with energy saving, whereas third-party counterparts can consume more CPU resources.
Third-party applications for advanced widgets
If the standard MIUI widget set seems boring or limited, Google Play offers thousands of alternatives, with apps like HD Widgets, Overdrop or Chronus allowing you to create watches of any imaginable design.
Once installed, the process of adding a widget remains the same: long-click on the desktop → Widgets. However, new categories will appear in the list that correspond to the installed application. Often such widgets require additional permissions to access geolocation for exact time and weather.
The main advantage of third-party solutions is that you can customize each element in detail: font color, background transparency, fonts and even animation, so you can make the watch translucent or add glass to it.
| Annex | Difficulty setting up | Impact on the battery | Number of styles |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI system clock | Low. | Minimum | 5-10 |
| Google Watch | Low. | Low. | 3-5 |
| HD Widgets | Medium | Average. | 50+ |
| KWGT Kustom | Tall. | Depends on the widget. | Unlimited. |
When using heavy widgets with live animations, be careful. Redmi 8 is equipped with a Snapdragon 439 processor, which may not cope with the constant rendering of complex graphics in the background, which will lead to a slowdown of the interface.
Solving the Widget Disappearance Problems
One of the most common problems Xiaomi owners have is the spontaneous disappearance of widgets after rebooting or cleaning memory.This is due to the aggressive MIUI optimization system, which kills processes to save battery power.
To secure the watch widget, you must prevent the system from closing the app that displays it. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance (or simply Battery).
Change the power saving mode for this application to No restrictions. It is also recommended to lock the application in memory: start the task manager (bottom-up swipe and retention), click on the lock next to the watch application.
☑️ Checklist of widget fixing
Another reason could be to change the theme, so if you've set up a theme that doesn't have a match for your widget, the system can replace it with a standard one or simply remove it, and then go back to a standard Classic or Default theme.
⚠️ Warning: When cleaning memory through built-in accelerator (Security) → Cleaning up) widgets can disappear if they are classified by the system as cache. Add the desired widgets to the exclusion list ("White List") in the accelerator settings.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the clock widget show the wrong time?
Can you change the font only on the watch widget?
The clock widget has become a black square, what to do?
How to add seconds to the desktop widget?
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The stable operation of widgets on Xiaomi Redmi 8 depends on the correct power saving settings. Without permission to work in the background, the system will constantly remove the widget to save charge.
To sum up, installing a watch on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a simple process, but it has its own nuances depending on the desired result. Using standard tools, you will get stable work, and turning to third-party solutions - a unique design. Remember to control the battery settings, so that your watch is always accurate and in place.