How to Make a Bigger Watch on Xiaomi Redmi 9: From Standard Settings to Hidden MIUI Features

Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners often face the problem of too small a watch on the home screen or in the status bar, especially for users with impaired vision or those who are used to quickly glance at time. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not provide direct adjustment of the size of the system clock in the standard MIUI settings, but there are several workarounds – from simple to technically complex.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods to increase the time display on Redmi 9, including launcher settings, using third-party themes, ADB-Each method is illustrated with screenshots and warnings about possible risks. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights — we will specify separately where it is necessary.

If you are looking for a solution specifically for the Redmi 9 model (codenamed Lancelot), note that the instructions may differ for other Xiaomi devices due to the versions. MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5 vs MIUI All steps described below were tested on firmware V12.5.1.0.RJCMIXM newer.

1. Increase hours through MIUI launcher settings

The safest and easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI launcher options, which do not require administrator rights and is suitable for most users, but the options are limited: you can only change the size of the clock on the home screen, but not in the status bar.

Here's how to do it:

• 📱 Long pressing in the free place of the main screen → Select Screen Settings.
• 🎨 Go to Style and Size of Badges (in some versions) MIUI It's called desktop style).
• 🔍 Scroll down to the clock widget (or time display).
• 📏 Choose one of the sizes offered: Small, Medium or Large.

Note that this method only works for the clock widgets added to the desktop. If you use a standard Watch/Weather widget, its size will change globally. Other widgets (such as the Clock Calendar) may need to be customized separately.

⚠️ Attention: In versions MIUI 13+ If the clock widget does not exist, try updating the launcher through Google Play (the app is called the "Widget" watch). MIUI Launcher).

2.Use of MIUI themes with large clocks

Xiaomi’s official Dark Store (Mi Themes) offers thousands of themes, many of which include enlarged watches. This method requires no root rights and is reversible: you can return a standard theme at any time.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. In the search bar, enter the query: large watch or large watch (in English: big clock).
3. Choose a topic with a rating not lower ⭐4.5 and look at the screenshots – it should be visible what the watch looks like.
4. Click Apply and wait for the installation to be completed.

Recommended themes for Redmi 9:

• 🌙 Dark Mode Big Clock is a dark theme with a clock 2 times larger than the standard one.
• ⏰ Minimal Big Time – Minimal Big Time Design with Time Emphasis.
• 🎨 Colorful Giant Clock – Colorful Giant Clock is a larger color watch (suitable for coloring). AMOLED-screen).

Important: After applying the theme, check if other interface elements (images, fonts) have changed in size. Some themes scale everything in a row, which can worsen usability.

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Before you install the theme, back up your current settings in Settings → Additional → Backup. This will help you quickly return to the standard look if the new theme is uncomfortable.

3. Installation of a third-party launcher with customizable clock

If the built-in MIUI options don't suit you, consider alternative launchers that allow you to flexibly adjust the size of watches, fonts and even animations.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – supports scaling widgets up to 150%, including watches.
• 🎯 POCO Launcher – optimized for Xiaomi devices, has built-in large watches.
• 🔧 Apex Launcher – allows you to change the font size of the watch separately from the system.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Long press on the desktop → Settings → Size and style of icons.
3. Select the size of the widget and move the slider to the maximum value.
4. Add a watch widget (like Chronus or Digital Clock Widget) and scale it manually.

The advantage of this is flexibility, and you can adjust not only the size, but also:

• 🎨 Color and style of numbers (analog/digital).
• 📍 The position of the watch on the screen (including placing on top of other widgets).
• ⏱️ Display seconds, dates, weather in one widget.

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (like Nova Launcher) require Nova Launcher Prime (paid version) to unlock all zoom options.

Remove the cache of the standard launcher|Download APK official website|Disable battery optimization for launcher|Set up permissions for the watch widget-->

4. Change the size of the watch through ADB (for advanced)

If you're willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can manually change the system interface settings, which is a method that's good for extending the hours in the state bar, where standard settings are powerless, requiring a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times), then go back to Additional → For Developers.
2. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put system status_bar_clock_size 24

Where 24 is the font size in sp (scalable pixels).

• 🔢 16 - Standard size.
• 🔢 20 - increase by 25%.
• 🔢 24 - 50% increase (maximum without distortion).

To apply the changes, restart the device:

adb reboot

Critical information: Not all versions MIUI They're supporting this team. MIUI 13.0.4 You may need an additional parameter. status_bar_clock_custom_size.

5 Modification of system files (root only)

This is the most radical method, requiring an unlocked bootloader and root rights, which allows you to resize the clock at the system file level, but risks "bricking" the device, we recommend only to advanced users.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install Magisk and get root access.
2. Download a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
3. Go to /system/media/theme/default/.
4. Find the file. system_ui_twilight.xml Open it in the text editor.
5. Find a line: <dimen name="status_bar_clock_size">16.0sp</dimen> and change the meaning to 24.0sp (or).
6. Save the file, set the rights 644 (rw-r--r---).
7. Reset the device.

Warnings:

• 🚨 Changing system files can lead to bootloop (a looped reboot).
• 🚨 After updating MIUI all changes will reset.
• 🚨 Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) may stop working due to root.

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Modifying system files is the only way to change the size of the clock in the notification bar on MIUI versions older than 12.5.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier, we've compiled a comparative table of all the ways we've described, so focus on your technical skills and your goals.

For most Redmi 9 users, the best solution is a combination of a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) and theme. MIUI It gives you maximum risk-free flexibility, but if you want to increase your watch in the notification bar, try it. ADB-Reversible and does not require root.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up a Redmi watch 9