How to install a clock on the Xiaomi desktop: all the ways to MIUI 12, 13 and 14

Xiaomi’s MIUI desktop allows for flexible customization of the look, but not all users know how to add a classic watch to it, analog or digital. Unlike iOS or pure Android, there is no standard one-click widget menu. However, solutions exist: from built-in tools to third-party applications with advanced functionality.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to install a watch on the Redmi home screen, POCO Black Shark, including hidden features MIUI, circumventing restrictions for some regions and recommendations for choosing widgets. MIUI 12–14, where the algorithm for adding widgets differs.

Importantly, if you use Xiaomi with global firmware (MIUI Global), some of the built-in widgets can be hidden, we will show you how to return them. For owners of devices with MIUI China or HyperOS (new shell 2026), we will give separate instructions.

Method 1: Standard watch widget in MIUI (for most models)

The easiest method is to use the built-in Watch widget, which is available as a basic MIUI, but its location on the menu depends on the shell version and the firmware region.

Instructions for MIUI 13/14:

1. Press and hold the empty space on your desktop (not on the icon!).
2. At the bottom of the screen will appear a panel – select Widgets (icon with squares).
3. Scroll down to the "Systems" or "Tools" section.
4. Find the Watch widget (may be called Clock in English firmware).
5. Hold the widget and drag it to the desktop. Release your finger to lock it.

⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 with a MIUI 13.0.6) The watch widget is not on the default list, due to regional restrictions, and the solution is to change the system region to India or China (see Method 4).

Make sure there is a free space on the desktop.

Close all open applications

Connect to the Internet (to download additional styles)

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

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After adding the widget, you can configure:

• 🔄 Resize: Press the widget → Select Change Size (not available for all styles).
• ⚙️ Personalize: tap on the widget → Settings → Choose the time format (12/24 hour), color or style of dial.
• 🌍 Add Weather: In some versions, the watch widget is combined with weather – activate the option in the settings.

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If the watch widget doesn't show up after dragging and drop, reboot the phone. Sometimes MIUI requires a restart to apply the changes.

Method 2: Google Watch Widgets (for MIUI with Google Services)

If you don’t like the built-in Xiaomi widget, you can use an alternative from Google, which is suitable for devices with pre-installed Google Play Services (most global firmware).

Step-by-step:

1. Keep your finger on the desktop → select Widgets.
2. Scroll through the list to the Google section (usually at the bottom).
3. Select the Watch widget (icon with dial: 🕒 Analog clock (3 size: 2×2, 3×3, 4×2). 🕝 Digital watches (with or without a date). 🌤️ The clock + weather (requires a permit for geolocation).

Drag the selected widget on the screen.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 More Styles: Google widgets are updated more often and offer modern designs.
• 🌐 Sync: If you use a Google account, the widget will show time from your primary time zone.
• 🛠️ Reliability: Works more stable than built-in solutions MIUI firmware.

⚠️ Note: On devices without Google Services (e.g. Xiaomi for the Chinese market), this will not work).

Method 3: Watches through MIUI themes (hidden function)

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden mechanism for adding watches through the Topics section, which works even on firmware where the watch widget is not in the standard menu.

How to activate:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Lock Screen section (in the lower menu).
3. Choose any theme with a watch (like Classic Clock or Minimal Digital).
4. Click Apply, but don’t close the app!
5. Return to the main screen and hold your finger in a free place →
6. Now a new watch widget with a design from the selected theme should appear in the list.

This method is especially useful for owners of the POCO F3, Redmi K40 and other models where standard widgets are limited.

• ⏳ The widget will be tied to the theme – when it is changed, the clock may disappear.
• 🎨 The design of the watch depends on the theme chosen (not everyone supports the resizing of the watch).
• 🔄 To reset to a standard look, remove the widget and apply a different theme.

Method 4: Changing Region to Unlock Hidden Widgets

On MIUI Global, some widgets, including watches, can be hidden, due to the default regional settings (for example, for Russia or the EU), and the solution is to temporarily change the region to India or China, where MIUI functionality is fully disclosed.

Instructions for changing the region:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Region.
2. Choose India (India) or China (China).
3. Confirm the change and restart the device.
4. After the reboot, check the widget menu – new options, including the clock, should appear.

⚠️ Note: Changes in the region may affect:

• 📱 Language of the system: some inscriptions can switch to English or local.
• 📡 Services: Part of the application (e.g. Google Pay) may require re-authorization.
• 🕒 Time format: India uses 12-hour format by default - change it to Settings → Additionally. → Date and time.

After adding the clock, return the previous region:

Settings → Additional → Region → Select your country

The watch widget will remain on the screen even if you roll back to the original settings.

Analog (dials)

Digital (electronic)

Clocks + Weather

Minimalistic (time only)

Another option-->

Method 5: Third-party watch applications (maximum customization)

If the built-in MIUI solutions don’t suit you, look for third-party apps from Google Play or Mi App Store that offer:

• 🎨 Hundreds of styles: from retro dials to futuristic designs.
• ⚙️ Deep tuning: color, font, animations, transparency.
• 🌍 Support for multiple time zones.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Some widgets are optimized for AMOLED-screen.

Top.-5 Watch Apps on Xiaomi:

⚠️ Note: When installing widgets from third-party sources (APK):

1. Turn off Play Protect in Google Play (can block modified apps).
2. Before installing, check the hash file on the VirusTotal website.
3. Do not install widgets from unknown forums - the risk of picking up adveret or spyware.

Critical information: On HyperOS devices (the new Xiaomi shell of 2026), some third-party widgets may not work due to the modified system architecture.

Problem Solving: The watch doesn’t show up or disappears

If the watch widget disappears or does not update after adding, use this instruction:

Problem 1: The widget disappeared after the reboot

• 🔄 Restart the device again – sometimes MIUI Restores widgets after second launch.
• 📱 Remove the widget and add it again (may have crashed when you first placed it).
• 🛠️ Clear the Lawnchair app cache (if you use this launcher) in Settings → Annexes.

Problem 2: The clock doesn’t update the time.

• ⚙️ Check the time settings in Settings → Additionally. → Date and time – Autodetermination must be enabled.
• 🌍 If you use a weather widget, check your geolocation permissions.
• 🔋 Transfer your phone to Plane Mode for 10 seconds, then turn it off – it will reset the network settings.

Problem 3: The widget does not respond to pressing

• 📲 Make sure the widget is not locked by the launcher. To check, hold it and try to move it.
• 🔄 Update the Clock app via Google Play or Mi App Store.
• 🛠️ Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

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If none of these things worked, check to see if Light Mode is disabled in the special feature settings. In this mode, widgets are not supported.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the clock on Xiaomi