How to install a clock on the desktop of the smartphone Xiaomi: all the ways + customization

Do you want time to be visible, but you don’t know how to add a watch to the Xiaomi home screen? Or the standard widget doesn’t suit you, and alternative solutions seem too complicated? This article will help you understand all the nuances from the basic installation to fine-tuning the appearance and functionality.

We’ll look at all the current ways to add clocks to your desktop, including hidden features. MIUI, third-party applications and even manual settings through ADB We'll focus on the typical problems of why the widget disappears after a reboot, how to return the classic watch on new versions of the firmware, and what to do if the settings are gray. Ready? Let's start with the simplest method.

1. Standard watch widget in MIUI: Where to find and how to add

The most obvious way is to use Xiaomi's built-in watch widget, which is on all devices with a mobile phone. MIUI 12 and newer, but its menu location may vary depending on the firmware version:

Open the widget menu - to do this, press your finger any free section of the desktop on the 1-2 At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a panel that says "Widgets," and you'll tap it. MIUI 14/15 with an updated interface, the icon of widgets can look like a gray square with a plusic.

• 🔍 Scroll down the widget list to the Watch section (usually in the middle of the list).
• ⏰ Click on the “Analogue Watch” or “Digital Watch” widget, depending on your preferences.
• 📱 Drag the widget onto the desktop with your finger, and let it go when the green frame comes up.
• ⚙️ Once installed, click on the widget to open the style settings (not available on all versions). MIUI).

If there is no clock in the widget list, it can mean:

• 🚫 Your version. MIUI It's very old (previously). MIUI 10).
• 🔄 The widget was accidentally removed from the system (solved by resetting the launcher settings).
• 📱 You have a launcher side installed on your device (for example, Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher).

2. Alternative watch widgets: top-5 applications

Xiaomi’s standard widget is often criticized for its limited settings and uncontemporary design. If you don’t like its appearance or functionality, look for third-party solutions. We tested dozens of apps and selected the best ones:

Before installing a third-party widget, be sure to check:

⚠️ Note: Some widgets (especially those with animation) can significantly increase battery consumption. → Battery → Battery usage and monitor app consumption throughout the day.

To add a widget from a third-party app:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Hold your finger on the desktop → "Widgets".
3. Find the name of the installed application (for example, Chronus).
4. Select the size of the widget (4×1, 4×2 etc.) and drag it on the screen.
5. Click on the widget to customize its appearance.

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If the widget doesn't appear on the list after installation, reboot your phone. MIUI Does not update the list of widgets immediately after installing a new application.

3. Hidden settings of the clock in MIUI: How to change style and size

Many Xiaomi users don’t know that even a standard watch widget can be deeply customized without third-party apps, which are hidden in the system menu and depend on the firmware version.

Change of dial style:

1. Add a standard clock widget to your desktop (as described in the first section).
2. Press the widget and hold it. 1-2 A few seconds before the menu appears.
3. Select "Change style" or "Widget settings" (name depends on version) MIUI).
4. In the menu that opens, select one of the suggested styles: "Classic", "Minimalist", "Digital" or "Transparent".

Size and transparency setting:

• 📏 To change the size of the widget, press it and drag it to the edge of the screen – a grid with options will appear (for example, a grid with options, 4×1, 4×2).
• 🎨 Nana MIUI 14/15 You can adjust the transparency of the background: click on the widget → "Background style" → "Transparency".
• ⏳ If you want to return the old clock from MIUI 11/12, Install the theme "Classic" in the Themes app.

On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) The path to settings has changed: now you need to go to Settings → Desktop → Widgets → The clock → Additional styles.

4.Chronic Widget Problems on Xiaomi and Their Solutions

Even when installed correctly, the watch widget may not work properly, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If the watch widget is completely missing from the list, try the following:

Reset the launcher settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data)

Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI

Set a standard theme for design

Restart your phone in Safe Mode and check the widget

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Special case: on some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) After upgrading to HyperOS, the watch widget can be displayed without arrows:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Click 7 times on the line with the version to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the option "Switch off hardware acceleration" and turn it on.
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling hardware acceleration can impair the performance of animations and games. Once the official fix appears, return the setting to its original state.

5. Additional chips: the clock on the always-on screen (AOD)

If Xiaomi supports the Always On Display feature (AOD), You can even display time on a screen that's off, and this feature is available on most devices with a screen that's not on the screen. AMOLED-display (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi K50/K60, POCO F4/F5 etc.).

To activate the AOD:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Always On Display
2. Turn on the switch at the top of the screen.
3. Select the time display style: "Digital", "Analogue" or "Minimalist".
4. Set up a schedule (for example, only at night or always).
5. Activate the “Show at Notifications” option if you want the screen to light up when new messages are posted.

On HyperOS, the path to settings has changed:

Settings → Display → Lock and Always On → Settings Always On

If you're optional AOD Not on the menu, which means that:

• 📱 Your device does not support the function (no) AMOLED-screen).
• 🔋 The function is disabled to save battery (check battery settings).
• 🔄 Requires firmware updates (on some models) AOD appears after the update).

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Always on Display spends about 1-2% To reduce consumption, select a minimalist watch style and turn off the date/notification display.

6. Advanced setting: manually installing the clock through ADB

This method is suitable for experienced users who want to install custom watches at the system level or return remote widgets.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Developer's Included Mode and Debugging USB phone-on.
• 🔧 Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

Instructions for installing a custom widget:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm debugging via USB.
2. Open the command prompt (CMD) in the ADB folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Download.apk files custom widget (for example, from the forum) XDA Developers).
5. Install the widget through ADB: adb install path/to/your/widget.apk
6. Restart your phone and add a new widget through the standard menu.

To return a standard watch widget if it is missing after the update, use the command:

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.systemui.clockwidget

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

7. Desktop clocks for different Xiaomi models: features

Depending on the Xiaomi model, the process of adding watches can be nuanced, and we have collected key differences for popular devices:

On devices with a MediaTek processor (Redmi) 10C, POCO M5) Sometimes you have problems with the animations in widgets. If the watch is hanging or not updated, try it:

• Disable animations in the developer settings (Settings) → For developers → The scale of window animation → Off.).
• Install a widget without animations (e.g., Digital Clock Widget).
• Update the firmware to the latest version (Meditek bugs are often patched).

Frequently asked questions