How to put a timer on Xiaomi devices: all ways

Timer is one of the most popular features on any device, whether it’s a smartphone, smartwatch or even a fitness bracelet. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this option is implemented differently depending on the model and version of the MIUI firmware. Some users face difficulties when finding a timer on the menu, especially after updates or on new devices. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to set the timer on different gadgets of the brand – from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14 and the Mi Watch.

Xiaomi is a big part of it, because it often migrates controls between menu sections, like MIUI 14, where the timer moved from the Watch app to the quick notification menu, and on older versions, it's only searchable, and we've taken all of these nuances into account, and we've put together universal instructions that will work for most devices, and if you don't find the right partition, you can search by settings or check the firmware version.

Where is the timer on Xiaomi smartphones

On most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, the timer is built into the standard Watch app, but its location may vary depending on the MIUI version:

• 📱 MIUI 12–14: The timer is moved to the drop-down notification menu (swipe down from the top edge of the screen) → Timer icon»).
• 🔍 MIUI 11 and older: Appendix "Clock» → Timer tab (may be called Stopwatch/Timer»).
• 🔄 If there is no icon: use the search by settings (swipe down on the home screen) → enter the timer»).

On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), the timer is duplicated in Settings → Additional → Tools. If you don’t see the Watch app on the home screen, check the Tools folder or search the system (guest down on desktop → search bar).

⚠️ Note: On custom firmware devices (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), the timer may be different.If you don't find it in standard places, try installing an alternative app from Google Play, such as Timer Plus or Google's Clock.

How to set a timer through the app “Clock”

The most reliable way is to use the built-in Watch app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and supports several independent timers.

1. Open the Clock app (icon with dial).
2. Go to the Timer tab (usually the second one on the left).
3. Click on + or "Add timer".
4. Set the time with wheels (hours, minutes, seconds).
5. Press “Start” (button at the bottom of the screen).

To change the sound of the alert or vibration, touch the icon. ⚙️ It's in the upper right corner:

• 🔔 Choose a tune from the standard or download your own.
• 📳 Turn off vibration (useful for night use).
• 🔄 Set up a timer repeat (each one) 5/10/30 minute).

If the timer doesn’t work, check the permissions for the Watch app:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Watch.
2. Enable permissions for “Notifications” and “Autostart”.
3. Add the application to the list of “Secure applications” (in the “Battery” section).

Quick timer through the notification panel

MIUI 13/14 has the ability to run a timer right out of the notification curtain, which is convenient if you need to quickly count down without opening the application.

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the Timer icon (usually next to the flashlight and calculator) and if it's not there, click Edit (the pencil in the upper right corner) and add the widget.
3. Tap the timer icon → set the time → press “Start”.

The advantage of this method is speed. But you can't set up repetition or select a tune here. For advanced features, you still have to open the Watch app.

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If the timer icon has disappeared from the curtain, try resetting the notification panel settings: Settings → Notification panel → Reset

Timer on smart watches and fitness bracelets Xiaomi

On Xiaomi wearables (e.g. Mi Watch, Redmi Watch 3, Mi Band 7/8), the timer is customized either through the watch menu or through the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app on your smartphone.

Method 1: Set up right on the clock

For most models, the algorithm is as follows:

1. Scroll through the watch screen to the right or left to find the Tools menu (the wrench or watch icon).
2. Select "Timer" (on some models - "Secondomere / Timer").
3. Set the time using a touch screen or buttons.
4. Press “Start” (usually a long press or swipe up).

Method 2: Mi Fitness/Zepp Life

If the clock does not have a separate timer menu, it can be run from a smartphone:

1. Open the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app.
2. Go to the "Device" section» → Choose your watch.
3. Find the Tools or Quick Features tab.
4. Select “Timer” → Set the time → Press “Run on the clock”.

⚠️ Warning: On the Mi Band 6 and older models, the timer only works when connected to a smartphone. If the watch is disconnected from the phone, the alert may not work.

Voice assistant to start the timer

If your device supports Google Assistant or XiaoAI (Chinese firmware), you can start the timer with your voice. This is convenient when your hands are busy.

• 🎤 «Okay, Google, set the timer for 10 minutes).
• 🎤 «5" (for Chinese versions) MIUI, XiaoAI is required).

To set up the voice assistant:

1. Open Settings → Applications → By default → Voice Assistant.
2. Select Google Assistant or XiaoAI (if available).
3. Enable permission to use the microphone.

On Chinese firmware (CN ROM) devices, the XiaoAI voice timer works even without the internet, unlike Google Assistant. However, you need to activate the Chinese Mi Account and configure speech recognition in Settings → Additional → Voice input.

Timer to turn off the screen or device

In addition to the standard timer, Xiaomi can set up to automatically turn off the screen or even the entire device after a given time, which is useful for saving battery power or limiting the time of use of the gadget by children.

Screen-off timer

To the screen to go off after a certain period of inactivity:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Sleep mode.
2. Choose the time (15 seconds to 30 minutes).

Timer of complete device shutdown

To automatically turn off your smartphone (for example, at night):

1. Install the Power Off Timer app from Google Play.
2. Set a shutdown time and turn on the option.

In some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), this feature is built into Settings → Battery → Power Schedule.

Solving Timer Problems

If the timer is not working, check the following points:

• 🔔 Notifications are blocked: go to Settings → Annexes → The clock → Notifications and enable all permissions.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Add “Clock” to Exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 🔄 Application Failure: Clear the Clock Cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → The clock → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI last-minute.

If the timer is triggered but the sound is not played:

1. Check the volume of the media (not to be confused with the volume of the call!).
2. Make sure that the “Do Not Disturb” mode is not activated (Settings → Sound → Do Not Disturb).
3. Try changing the melody of the alert in the timer settings.

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If the timer doesn’t work after the MIUI update, try resetting the Watch app to factory settings. Go to Settings → Apps → Watch → Storage → Reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the timer on Xiaomi