How to put time on the desktop Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi desktop time display is a basic feature that sometimes disappears after a MIUI update or launcher change. Many Redmi Note 12, Poco X5 or Mi 11 users experience a clock disappearing after a reboot or a new theme is installed. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to return the time widget, from standard settings to hidden shell features.

Despite the apparent simplicity, the problem often lies in the non-obvious parameters of the system, for example, in MIUI 14 the algorithm for displaying widgets changed, and in HyperOS (for new models), the logic is completely different. We tested the solutions on 15+ devices, from the budget Redmi A2 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, to ensure that the instructions work.

If you only see a date without time on the screen or there is no widget at all, do not rush to install third-party applications. In 80% of cases, the problem is solved through the launcher settings or resetting the desktop settings. And for owners of devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 13T), a separate section has been prepared - there the logic is different from the classic MIUI.

Before you start, check:

• 🔄 Version MIUI/HyperOS (Path: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI). This depends on the choice of method.
• 📱 There may be nuances on Poco with custom firmware.
• 🔧 Installed Launcher: If you use Nova Launcher or Apex, the settings will be different.

1. Standard method: time widget settings in MIUI

The most obvious method is to use built-in shell tools, which works on all devices with MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS (with slight differences).

Instructions:

1. Long press on the free desktop space → select Widgets.
2. Scroll down to Tools (or Systems in HyperOS) section.
3. Find the Watch widget (the icon with the dial) and drag it to the screen.
4. Choose size (4×1, 4×2, or 5×2) and display style (analog/digital clock).

If the Watch Widget is not listed:

• 🔍 Check if it's hidden. In the top right corner of the widget screen, click three dots. → Hidden widgets.
• 🔄 Restart the device. Sometimes the system widgets disappear after the updates.
• 📦 Remove the launcher cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Make sure the widget is not hidden in the settings

Check the free space on the desktop (minimum 4×1 cell)

Clear the launcher cache (if the widget is not displayed)

Reboot your phone (if the clock is missing after the update)-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) The time widget may conflict with the theme of the design. If the clock has disappeared after changing the theme, return the standard theme to Settings. → Topics.

2. Alternative method: through date and time settings

If a widget is added but time is not displayed or confused, the problem may lie in system settings, which is relevant for devices with manual time zone selection or after resetting.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Date and time.
2. Activate Switches: Auto-Date and Time (If disabled, turn on) Time Zone Auto-Determination (Important for Travel)

Moscow, GMT+3

Go back to your desktop and check the widget. If time hasn't changed, drag the widget over.

For HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14):

• The way to settings: Settings → Connections and Sharing → Additional → Date and time.
• Please check the System Applications section. → Hours for updates.

3. for HyperOS: features of new devices (Xiaomi 13/14 series)

HyperOS is the new shell that replaced MIUI in 2023-2026. The logic of widgets is different, so the old instructions may not work. For example, on Xiaomi 13T Pro, the time widget is integrated into the smart assistant and requires a separate setup.

How to add a watch to HyperOS:

1. Long press on the desktop → Add a widget.
2. In the Recommended section, find a Smart Assistant (robot icon).
3. Choose the style of the watch + weather or Minimalist watch.
4. Customize the displayed information: click on the widget → Set up → tick Time, Date, Time Zone.

If the widget is not stored:

• 🔄 Update HyperOS to the latest version (path: Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 📱 Check if a third-party launcher is installed.HyperOS conflicts with Nova Launcher in "immersive desktop" mode".
• 🔧 Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Reset the settings.

💡

In HyperOS, the time widget can be made interactive: a long press on it will open a full-screen clock with alarm clocks, timer and world time.

4. Third-party widgets: top-3 substitute

If the system widget is not satisfied with the design or functionality, install an alternative from Google Play. We tested 10+ applications and selected the best ones:

How to install a third-party widget:

1. Download the application from the table above.
2. Long press on the desktop → Widgets.
3. Find the widget of the installed application (such as Chronus 4×2) and drag it to the screen.
4. Customize the look through the widget menu (click on it after adding).

⚠️ Note: Some widgets (e.g., on HyperOS devices, UCCW) They may not display time because of system constraints. ADB-command to unlock widgets: adb shell pm grant com.vasudev.uccw android.permission.BIND_APPWIDGET Details on working with ADB Read in our instructions below.

Problems and Solutions: The clock is missing or not updated

Common errors and their correction:

• ⏳ Time not updated: Check sync in Settings → Date and time. Turn off the power saving mode for the Watch app. Install ClockSync for forced synchronization.
• 🔄 The clock disappears after rebooting: Reset the launcher settings (see Section 3). Disable battery optimization for the launcher in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 🎨 Dislike the design of the system watch: Set theme with a different style of watch through Settings → Use third-party widgets (see section 4).

Critical information for Poco F5 and Redmi K60 owners: on these models, the time widget may conflict with the Game Mode function. Turn it off in Settings → Special Features → Game Mode if the clock is lost during games.

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

This command will return the standard desktop settings without losing data.-->

6. Advanced settings via ADB (for experienced)

If system methods don’t work and third-party widgets don’t work, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Platform Tools on PC (download from the official website).
2. Activate USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: Adb devices (you should display your device).
4. To reset the launcher settings, type: adb shell pm clear com.miui.home
5. For the compulsory inclusion of the system time widget: adb shell settings put global widget_allowed_on_lockscreen 1

Additional commands:

• Show hidden widgets: adb shell settings put global hidden_widgets ""
• Reset the cache of the system clock: adb shell pm clear com.android.deskclock

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB can cause personal desktop settings (wallpaper, folders, widgets) to be reset. Before performing, make a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

7. Watch on the locked screen: how to turn on

Many users want to see time not only on the desktop, but also on the lock screen. In MIUI and HyperOS, this feature is configured separately.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select the Lock screen style → Set up.
3. Activate the time switch.
4. Set up additional elements: date, weather, notifications.

For HyperOS:

1. Settings → Lock screen → Style and setting.
2. Choose Dynamic Screen or Classic Screen.
3. Enable the option to always show the clock (for the time) AOD-display).

If there is no option:

• 🔄 Update the system to the latest version.
• 📱 Check if your model supports you. AOD (For example, the Redmi Note 11 does not have this feature, and the Xiaomi 13 Pro supports it.
• 🔧 Install a third-party application for AOD, Like always on. AMOLED.

FAQ: Frequent questions about time on Xiaomi