How to add and change text on the lock screen Xiaomi: all the ways

Xiaomi’s lock screen is not just a random click protection, but also a convenient place to display important information. Many users don’t know that it can be placed on random text, from the owner’s name to a motivational quote or contacts to contact in case of loss of a phone. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to add text, both through standard MIUI settings and using third-party applications.

It is important to understand that the configuration options depend on the firmware version (MIUI 12/13/14) and the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.). For example, in older versions of MIUI (up to 12.5), the functionality is limited only to displaying the owner’s name, while in newer ones, advanced options have appeared.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (without third-party applications)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for most modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with firmware version 12.5 and higher.

  • 📛 Owner's name - displayed under the clock on the lock screen.
  • 📄 Additional information – appears when swiping up (in some versions) MIUI).

To set the owner's name:

  1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
  2. Select Owner Name (or Text on the Lock screen in new versions).
  3. Enter the text you want (up to 30 characters in most models).
  4. Click Ready and check for changes on the lock screen.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Make sure the lock screen is not hidden (turn off Hide notifications)

Use Latin or Cyrillic – emojis may not show up

Save the changes before leaving the menu-->

Note: In some regional firmware (e.g. India or Europe), the menu item may be called Lock screen text or Owner info. If you don't find this section, upgrade to the latest version of the MIUI or use alternative methods from the following sections.

MIUI 14

MIUI 13

MIUI 12.5

Old version (up to 12)

I don't know.-->

Method 2: Using the Notes widget on the lock screen

MIUI 13 and MIUI 14 firmware now allow you to add widgets to the lock screen, including Notes widget, which allows you to place up to 100 characters of text that you can see when you swipe to the right.

  1. Open Settings → Lock screen → Widgets.
  2. Activate the Widget switch on the lock screen.
  3. Select Notes from the list of available widgets.
  4. Click on the widget and enter text (emoji and line transfers are supported).
  5. Save the changes and check the display.

The advantage of this method is that you can edit text without unlocking your phone, but there are limitations.

  • ⚠️ The widget only appears after the swipe, not immediately on the main screen.
  • ⚠️ In some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) The widget may be missing.

💡

If the Notes widget doesn’t show, try resetting the lock screen settings: Settings → Lock screen → Additional → Reset settings.

Method 3: Third-party applications for customization

If standard MIUI capabilities are not enough, you can use third-party applications that allow you to:

  • 🎨 Customize the font, color and size of the text.
  • 📍 Place text anywhere on the screen (not just under the clock).
  • 🔄 Add animation or change text to schedule.

The best applications for this task:

AnnexFeaturesCompatibility
Always On DisplayAllows you to add text to AOD-screen, supports animationMIUI 12+ requires root for full functionality
Lock Screen WidgetSimple widget with customizable text and fontsAll versions of MIUI, without root
KLWP Live WallpaperComplete lock screen customization (requires skills)Android 8.0+, works for all Xiaomi

Example of settings through Always On Display:

  1. Download the app from Google Play.
  2. Grant permissions to Overlay over other applications.
  3. In the application menu, select Add text and enter the desired phrase.
  4. Set the position, font and color.
  5. Activate the display on the lock screen.
How to check the compatibility of the application with your Xiaomi model?
Open the app page on Google Play and scroll to the Device Compatibility section. If your model (Redmi Note 11, POCO X3, etc.) is not listed, the app may not work properly.

Important: Lock screen customization apps may conflict with MIUI system updates, and after the firmware update, they will have to be reconfigured.

Method 4: Editing system files (for advanced users)

This method is suitable for those who are ready to work with system files and have root rights or ADB-It allows you to change the text that is displayed by default (for example, "Swipe up to unlock").

Instructions for MIUI 13/14:

  1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode).
  2. Use an ADB or root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer).
  3. Go to /system/priv-app/SystemUI/SystemUI.apk/res/values/.
  4. Open the file. strings.xml and find lines with the text of the lock screen (for example, lockscreen_carrier_default).
  5. Change the text, save the file and reboot the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to interface crash or cyclical reboot.Before changes, back up the file strings.xml.

Alternative way without root:

  • 📱 Use the MiXplorer app with Root mode enabled (requires unlocking the bootloader).
  • 🔧 Change the text in the file /data/system/users/0/settings_system.xml (look for parameters with lock_screen).

Method 5: Text on the lock screen via AOD (Always On Display)

If your Xiaomi smartphone supports Always On Display, you can add text directly to it. AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi K50 Pro, POCO F4 GT etc.).

How to set up:

  1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Always On Display.
  2. Activate the function and select the display style.
  3. In the AOD Settings section, find the text or signature option.
  4. Enter up to 20 characters (the limit depends on the model).

Features of AOD:

  • 🔋 Increased battery consumption (about) 1-3% per hour, depending on the model).
  • 🌓 Text is visible only on the screen turned off (when active). AOD).
  • 🎨 You can combine with hours, dates and notifications.

💡

Always On Display is only available on devices with AMOLED-On smartphones with screens. IPS (For example, Redmi 10 or POCO M4 Pro) this function is not available.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you set up text on the lock screen, users often encounter common errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Text does not appear after saving.

  • 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes changes only apply after a reboot.
  • 📱 Check if the text is hidden behind the wallpaper or widget (try to change the wallpaper to the standard ones).
  • 🛠️ Update. MIUI Up to the latest version – there may be bugs in old firmware.

Problem 2: You can’t enter more than 30 characters.

⚠️ Note: The 30 character limit for the owner's name is a system restriction MIUI. To get around it, use the Notes widget (up to 100 characters) or third-party apps.

Problem 3: The text is displayed incorrectly (cut, unread).

  • 📏 Try to reduce the font size in the lock screen settings.
  • 🔤 Replace complex symbols (emojis, hieroglyphs) with standard letters.
  • 🎨 If you use custom font, return system (Settings) → Screen. → font).
Can I add text to the lock screen on Xiaomi without root?
Yes, in most cases root is not required. You can use: MIUI Standard settings (owner's name section); Notes on the lock screen (MIUI 13/14); Third-party applications like Lock Screen Widget. Root will only be needed for deep customization of system files.
Why did the text disappear from the lock screen after the MIUI update?
This is typical of major updates (e.g. MIUI 12 to MIUI 13) Reasons: Reset the lock screen settings to standard, change the structure of system files (if you used manual editing), conflict with third-party customization applications. Solution: reconfigure the text. If you used third-party applications, reinstall them.
How to make the text on the lock screen color?
In standard MIUI settings, text is color-fixed (usually white or gray). To change it: Use applications like KLWP or Always On Display. Set a custom theme from the Theme (some themes change the color of system text). For advanced users, edit colors.xml files to /system/framework/framework-res.apk (root required).
Can I add animated text to the Xiaomi lock screen?
Yes, but only with the help of third-party tools: Always On Display - supports simple animation (shimmering, changing colors). KLWP — It allows you to create complex animations, but requires skills to work with Kustom. + AutoNotification plugin – for dynamic text changes (e.g. time of day) in standard settings MIUI text animation is not provided.
How to remove the standard text “Swipe up to unlock”?
This text is system-based and not deleted through normal settings: 🔧 Use it. ADB To disable the prompt: adb shell settings put global lock_screen_show_unlock_hint 0 📱 Install custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) where this text can be disabled. 🎨 Then put your text over it with the help of KLWP (It will visually hide the standard hint. ADB It is impossible to remove this text.