The Xiaomi Redmi desktop clock widget is not only a convenient way to keep track of time, but also a personalization element of the smartphone. Many MIUI users face difficulties when adding or setting up a watch: the widget disappears after an update, the stopwatch does not appear, the icon size does not fit the wallpaper. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to install a watch on the main screen, including hidden MIUI functions and bypassing system restrictions.
The Redmi smartphone (Redmi Note 10 to Redmi 12) features a MIUI shell, where the watch widgets are integrated into the Watch system app. However, not everyone knows that in addition to the standard widget, you can use third-party applications (for example, Clock Widget or Digital Clock 4), as well as secret gestures to quickly call time. If your Suddenly widget disappeared after upgrading to MIUI 14, do not rush to reset: the problem is solved in 3 clicks.
1. Standard method: Add widgets through the menu
The most obvious method is to use built-in MIUI widgets. It works on all Redmi models (including the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, Redmi K50 and the budget Redmi A1), but requires strict follow-up. Importantly, if you have a lightweight version of MIUI (for example, on the Redmi Go), some widgets may not be available.
Instructions:
- 📱 Long pressing on the free space of the desktop → select Widgets.
- ⏰ Scroll through the list to the Watch block (usually at the beginning or in the Systems section).
- 🎨 Choose the style of the watch: analog (dials), digital (time only) or weather + clockwork.
- 🔄 Drag the widget onto the screen and adjust the size (stretch the frame if supported).
If the Watch Widget is not listed:
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Watch widgets are hidden due to regional restrictions. To return them, switch the system language to English (USA) in Settings → Additionally. → Language and input, then try again.
Make sure the Watch app is not disabled in Settings → Apps
Update MIUI to the latest version (widgets are often added to new builds)
Try to reboot your smartphone – sometimes widgets “hang” in the cache
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2. Alternative widgets from Google Play
The standard MIUI watch is not popular with everyone: it has limited functionality (no seconds, alarm clocks in the widget, customization of fonts).
- ⭐ Clock Widget – more than 100 styles, support for transparent background and color setting.
- 🌈 Digital Clock 4 – Minimalist digital watch with the ability to display the date + line-time.
- 🏆 Chronus – a premium widget with weather, calendar and interactive elements (for example, quick access to alarm clocks).
- 🎨 UCCW — for advanced users, allows you to create custom skins of watches.
How to determine:
- Download your favorite widget from Google Play.
- Long press on the desktop → Widgets → find the name of the installed application.
- Add the widget to the screen and configure it through the menu that appears (usually the tap on the widget opens the settings).
Standard from MIUI
Digital watches (minimalism)
Analogue with dial
Weather and time widget
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Important: On Redmi with low RAM (2-3 GB), third-party widgets can cause slowdowns, in which case use lightweight versions (for example, Clock Widget Lite).
3.The secret method: gesture for quick time viewing
Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden feature called a gesture to call a clock, which works even if the widget isn't added to the screen.
- Go to Settings → Advanced functions → Gestures.
- Find the option of Double Touch to wake up or Lift to wake up.
- Activate Show Clock on waking up (the name may vary depending on the MIUI version).
Now, if you double tap on the screen off or raise the phone, you'll see time on the locked screen, which saves battery life because it doesn't require the widget to work all the time.
How to return a gesture if it is missing after the update?
4.Clock on the lock screen: display setting
If you don’t need a desktop clock but want to see the time on the lock screen, check these settings:
- 🔒 Go to Settings. → Lock screen.
- 🕒 Choose Clock Style – Up to 10 options are available (including full-screen watches with animations).
- 🎨 In the section Additional you can include display of seconds, date or weather.
- 🔋 To save charge, turn off Always-on Display (if you have one on your model).
| Model Redmi | Support for Always-on | Max, the variants of the clock | Support for seconds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | ✅ Yes (AMOLED) | 12 styles | ✅ Yes. |
| Redmi 10C | ❌ No (IPS) | 5 styles | ❌ No. |
| Redmi K60 | ✅ Yes (AMOLED) | 15 styles | ✅ Yes. |
| Redmi A1+ | ❌ No. | 3 styles | ❌ No. |
Note: For models with AMOLED-screens (Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi) K50i) You can turn on Always-on Display to keep the time on, but it increases battery consumption by 5 to 10 percent per night.
5. Problem Solving: The clock doesn't display or gets knocked off
If the watch widget is gone, not updated, or shows the wrong time, use this instruction:
⚠️ Note: On Redmi with root rights or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), system widgets may not work.
- 🔄 Reset widgets: Remove the widget from the screen, clear the cache of the Watch app in Settings → Annexes → Application management → The clock → Clear the cache, then add the widget again.
- ⏱️ Time Synchronization: Go to Settings → Additionally. → Date and time and enable Auto-determining date and time + Time zone autodetermination.
- 📲 Update MIUI: Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → System upgrades, in some assemblies MIUI 13-14 watch widgets are not working properly until the patch is installed.
- 🛠️ Launcher reset: If widgets aren't added at all, reset launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.
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If the desktop clock is 1-2 minutes behind and the system time is correct, try turning off battery optimization for the Watch in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.
6. Additional chips: watch in the status line and toolbar
In addition to widgets, MIUI has other ways to display time:
- 📱 Status line: Time is always shown in the top right corner to change the format (12/24 hourly), go to Settings → Screen. → Status line → Time format.
- 🔧 Toolbar: Swipe down from the top edge of the screen → press on → Open a full-screen clock with alarm clocks and timer.
- 🎵 Watches on the screen always: In some subjects MIUI (For example, Dark Mode or Ocean, time is even displayed in the app menu. → My subjects.
For Redmi models with an infrared port (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi 9T), you can use the Remote widget with a built-in clock - it shows the time and allows you to control equipment.
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If you want a clock with a second hand on your desktop, use the Clock Widget or Digital Clock 4 widget – standard MIUI clocks do not display seconds.