Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO offer users a huge opportunity to personalize the interface, but the standard design does not always suit all owners. Often there is a situation when large dials overlap the wallpaper or simply do not fit into the minimalist style that the user prefers. In the MIUI operating system and the new HyperOS, the clock is the central element of the lock screen, and fully “cut” them with standard means, the developers did not provide, since this is the basic element of navigation.
However, there are proven ways to minimize their impact on the visual range or replace the standard widget with a more subtle counterpart. Complete removal is only possible with third-party lockscreen applications or deep modification of system files, which requires caution. In this article, we will discuss all the available methods, from simple theme settings to advanced manipulation of the system interface.
It's worth noting that the approach to the problem will vary depending on the shell version and the model of your device. If you want to just make the watch less noticeable, you can use the built-in customization tools. For those who are willing to go further, there are methods for replacing system components. It's important to understand that the standard settings menu does not contain a "turn off the clock" switch, so all solutions are workarounds.
Limitations of the standard MIUI and HyperOS interface
Users who first encountered Xiaomi’s shell are often surprised by the lack of a direct shutdown function. The company’s engineers assume that time is critical information that the device should always display. So in the Settings → Lock screen menu, you will find many options to change the style, but not to remove it.
In recent firmware versions, especially HyperOS, display algorithms have become even more aggressive, automatically selecting font size and dial position based on the orientation of the wallpaper and the presence of a cutout under the camera, making it impossible to simply shift elements into the free zone of the screen without using special tools.
⚠️ Warning: Attempts to modify theme system files without prior backup can result in a cyclic device restart (bootloop). Always have a working theme on hand to roll back changes.
However, understanding the shell architecture helps to find loopholes: the standard lock launcher tightly integrated with system time and notification services. Simply “turn off” the process responsible for the clock, you can not, as this will disrupt the notifications of missed calls and messages, which are often grouped around time.
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Before experimenting with themes or system files, make sure to back up your data through Mi Cloud or local storage.
Replacement of theme with minimalist
The safest and most effective way to remove a watch is to replace it with a transparent or very small one, using the functionality of the theme store. Themes' official catalogue contains thousands of works of authorship, where the dial is either missing or made in the form of a barely noticeable dot. This method requires no root rights and is safe for warranty.
To find the right design, use the keywords in the search for the theme store: "No clock", "Minimal", "Clean", "Invisible". Often authors create themes where only the fingerprint scanner or unlock button remains on the lock screen, and the time is hidden or moved to a status bar, which can also be masked.
The installation process is as follows:
- 🎨 Open the Themes app on the main screen.
- 🔍 In the search bar, type "No clock" or "Minimal lockscreen".
- ⬇️ Select your favorite theme and click the Download button and then Apply».
- 🔒 Check the lock screen: if the watch is transparent or gone, the problem is solved.
It is worth considering that some themes may not work properly withAlways On Display (AOD). If you AMOLED-screen, make sure that the selected theme supports the permanent display mode or correctly disables it so as not to cause the matrix to burn out. Also, free themes in the Xiaomi store often contain ads that you will have to view before using.
Using third-party applications to block
If the built-in MIUI shell features don't suit you, you can completely replace the system lock screen with a third-party counterpart. There are many applications in the Google Play Market that intercept the event of the screen turning on and show their interface instead of the standard one.
Popular solutions like Niagara Launcher (in lock mode), KLCK (Kustom Lock Screen Maker) or Hi Locker allow you to create a lock screen from scratch. In KLCK, you can simply not add a watch widget, leaving the screen completely clean or filled with only weather widgets and pedometer.
However, this method has its own nuances of working in the background:
- 🔋 Battery consumption: Third-party applications consume more power, as the system has to keep two locking processes (system and third-party) in memory.
- 🔒 Security: Third-party blockers often cannot fully replace system protection with biometrics.You still have to unlock your phone systemically after unblocking the application.
- ⚙️ Access settings: The application will need to give broad permissions, including “Above Other Applications” and access to data usage, which may trigger security alerts.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party blockers, make sure that in the battery settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → [Your appendix] → Battery) is selected mode "No restrictions", otherwise the system will constantly unload the process, and the lock screen will not work.
For users who value aesthetics over autonomy, this is the perfect method: you get complete control of every pixel on the screen, you can customize the appearance of a tapoo-only watch or make it time-dependent.
Always on Display (AOD) as an alternative
Owners of smartphones with AMOLED-You can consider shifting the focus from the main lock screen to Always On Display mode, and while you can't completely remove the watch from the main screen, you can make it less meaningful by adjusting it. AOD It displays all the information you need when the phone is on the table.
In the Always On screen and Lock settings, you can choose a style where the time is displayed minimalistically or as a pattern. Some AOD styles in HyperOS allow you to hide the watch when closing the case or at night, which creates a “digital detox” feeling.
Comparison of time display modes:
| Parameter | Standard lock screen | Always On Display (AOD) | Third-party launcher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possibility of removing hours | No (only subject change) | Partly (depending on style) | Complete. |
| Impact on the battery | Minimum | Medium/High | High. |
| Difficulty setting up | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Stability of work | Tall. | Tall. | Medium |
Using AOD in conjunction with a dark theme allows you to reduce the contrast of the dial, making it less catchy, a compromise option for those who do not want to install dubious software, but want to change the visual style of the device.
How to extend the life of the AMOLED screen when using AOD?
Advanced Methods: Editing theme files
For advanced users who are not afraid to work with the file system, there is a method of editing active theme files, which allows you to physically remove the graphic element of the watch from the theme file, making it transparent, which requires a file manager with access to system partitions or root rights.
Xiaomi theme files have the.mtz extension and are essentially re-named ZIP-Inside the archive, in the lockscreen folder, graphical resources are stored and XML-Finding the file that renders the dial (often called the dial) clock.xml or contains the word time, you can change its alpha channel parameters to 0, make the watch invisible.
Algorithm for modification:
- 📂 Download the theme you want to modify and find its file in the folder MIUI/theme.
- 🗄️ Rename the file extension from.mtz to.zip and unpack the archive.
- 🔍 Inside the lockscreen folder, find files associated with the watch (usually pictures or xml diagrams).
- ✏️ Replace the image of the watch with a fully transparent one. PNG-file of the same size or edit the code.
- 📦 Pack the folder back in. ZIP, Return the.mtz extension and install the theme through the Local Themes menu».
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing XML-Theme files can cause the lock screen to stop loading (black screen).Be able to enter Safe Mode or recover the phone via Fastboot if something goes wrong.
This is a technique that gives you the most flexibility, but it requires care, and you can not only remove the watch, but you can move it to any corner of the screen by changing the coordinates in the screen. XML-It's the only way to get a unique result that doesn't depend on the author's imagination.
☑️ Checking before editing the topic
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you remove the watch in the “Do Not Disturb” mode?
Does removing the clock affect the alarm clock?
Why did the clock come back after the update?
Is it safe to use apps from the Play Market to change locks?
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Complete removal of the watch is possible only through the replacement of system files or the installation of a third-party lock launcher, while standard means they can only be masked with the help of themes.
To sum up, removing the watch from the Xiaomi lock screen is a solvable task, but it requires a choice between security/stability and the desired visual effect. For most users, the best solution is to search for a minimalist theme in the official store, which ensures that the device is stable, notification functionality is maintained and there are no autonomy problems.
If you are an enthusiast and willing to sacrifice some battery power for the perfect design, third-party launchers and customization through KLCK will open up endless possibilities, remember that any interference with system files must be conscious, and the availability of a recovery point is a prerequisite for experimentation.