How to Move the Watch on Xiaomi Lock Screen: All Ways

Xiaomi's lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone, and the location of your watch can have a significant impact on usability. Some people prefer a classic centered location, some want to make room for widgets, and some want to hide time away from prying eyes. Unfortunately, standard MIUI settings do not always allow you to flexibly adjust the position of the watch — but there are workarounds.

In this article, we’ll break down all the working methods of shifting clocks on the lock screen for Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices (including models on MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS). From simple settings to hidden features and third-party applications, you’ll find a solution for even the most stubborn firmware. And if your model does not support moving clocks out of the box, we’ll show you how to get around this restriction without root rights.

Why can’t you just drag your watch with your finger?

Unlike some custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), where lock screen elements can be moved intuitively, MIUI rigidly captures the position of the watch.

• 🔒 Xiaomi aims to bring uniformity of interface across all devices to simplify support.
• 📱 Optimization for AMOLED-On some models (for example, Mi 11 Ultra or Redmi) K50 Pro) the watch is tied to a constant-light zone to avoid pixel burnout.
• 🛠️ Restrictions MIUI Launcher: Standard launcher does not provide API Free movement of the locking elements.

But that doesn't mean that there's nothing that can be done, and then we'll look at the formal and informal ways, including those that work without root rights.

Method 1: Use of MIUI themes (official method)

The safest and easiest way to move a watch is to set a theme where it is originally placed differently. Many users don't know that MIUI Themes has hundreds of themes with alternative lock screen designs.

How to do this:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Lock Screen section.
3. In the search bar, enter the requests: 🔍 left-hand 🔍 clock down 🔍 minimal lockscreen

Choose your favorite theme and apply it. The watch will automatically move according to the theme design.

⚠️ Warning: Some themes can change not only the position of the clock, but also the font, color scheme and even unlock animation.If you don't like the additional changes, return the standard theme and try another one.

Make sure the theme is compatible with your version of MIUI| Read theme stability reviews | View lock screen screenshots |Save the current theme to your favorites in case of rollback-->

Method 2: Editing system files (for advanced)

If you're willing to take risks and have an unlocked bootloader, you can manually edit the system theme files.

• 🔓 Ruth-Right (Magisk or SuperSU).
• 📂 File Manager with root access (e.g., Solid Explorer or Root Explorer).
• 💾 Backup copies of system files.

Instructions:

1. Download and install MT Manager (available on XDA Developers).
2. Go to /system/media/theme/default/lockscreen
3. Find the files. clock_layout.xml or lockscreen_clock.xml (The name may vary depending on the version. MIUI).
4. Open the file in the text editor and find the lines with coordinates: <item name="clock_x">50</item> <item name="clock_y">20</item> Here. 50 and 20 — This is the percentage of the width and height of the screen, respectively.
5. Change the values (for example, clock_x="10" Move the clock to the left and save the file.
6. Reset the device.

Critical information: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop.Before making changes, create a full backup through TWRP!

Method 3: Applications for customization (without root)

If you don't have root rights and standard themes don't work, you can use third-party apps, which don't change system files, but instead put their own interface on top of the lock screen.

The best applications for this task:

• 🎨 Always On Edge - allows you to add widgets on top of the lock, including a clock anywhere on the screen. MIUI 12-14, but requires permission to overlay other applications.
• ⏰ Lock Screen Widget specializes in moving watches and notifications, supports transparency and font customization.
• 🔄 KLCK Kustom Lock Screen is an advanced lock screen designer with the ability to place the clock in any corner.

⚠️ Note: Applications for customization of blocking may conflict with MIUI Optimization (optimization) MIUI). If the clock disappears or blinks after installation, turn off optimization in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Turn off optimization MIUI).

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Before installing third-party apps to block, check their rating and reviews on 4PDA or XDA. Some apps may contain ads or collect screen unlock data.

Method 4: Configure via ADB (no root, but with PC)

If you do not want to install additional applications, but are ready to connect your smartphone to your computer, you can use it. ADB-This method works for most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12+.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) → Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
6. Execute the command to change the position of the clock (example for shifting to the left): adb shell settings put global lock_screen_clock_position 0 Where 0 — top-left, 1 — centre, 2 — top-corner.
7. Reset the device.

📌 Note: Not all versions MIUI If nothing has changed since the reboot, try the alternative:

adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_clock_position 1

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ADB-commands are the safest way after that, because it doesn't require root rights or modify system files.

Method 5: Castom firmware (for enthusiasts)

If none of these methods worked, the last option is custom firmware.

• 🌍 Pixel Experience – pure Android with the ability to configure lock via Substratum.
• 🔧 LineageOS – supports Xposed modules for customization.
• 📱 Havoc-OS – has built-in clock position settings.
• 🎯 crDroid – allows you to drag and drop lock elements with your finger.

🚨 Warning: Installing custom firmware voids warranty, can cause data loss and requires unlocking the bootloader:

1. Create a backup through TWRP.
2. Make sure the firmware is compatible with your model (check for XDA or 4PDA).
3. Charge your phone at least 70%.

After installing the firmware, moving the watch is usually available in the Settings menu → Lock screen → Layout or through the Substratum app.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing the position of the clock on the lock screen Xiaomi users often face the following problems:

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 📋 Version MIUI: On some older versions (below) MIUI 12) movement of the clock is blocked at the firmware level.
• 🔄 Firmware Region: Global (Global) and Chinese (China) versions MIUI The locking settings may differ.
• 🔒 Security Policy: On some corporate devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A3 Android One: Customization of the lock is limited.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions