How to remove the clock from the lock screen on Xiaomi: all the ways (including hidden)

Why users want to hide their watches on the lock screen – and can it be done officially?

Xiaomi’s lock screen is one of the most customizable Android smartphones, but even here, users face limitations: the default watch takes center stage, and its style and position cannot be changed through standard MIUI settings. Reasons for wanting to remove them vary from aesthetic preferences (for example, when using wallpaper with its own timer) to privacy considerations (the watch can give the owner a wake-up time).

Xiaomi does not officially provide options for completely removing the clock from the lock screen — neither in Settings → Lock screen nor in the Themes thematic editor. However, there are workarounds, from simple tricks with settings to deep interventions in system files. It is important to understand that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights (root), which automatically deprives warranties and increases security risks.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to hide the clock on the lock screen for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones on MIUI 12-14, including models from 2023-2026.

Method 1: Use MIUI themes (without root and risk)

The easiest and safest method is to pick up a theme where the clock on the lock screen visually merges with the background or is minimalist. Xiaomi allows you to install themes from the official Themes store, where there are options with translucent, small or even "empty" watches.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (some firmware called Themes).
• 🔍 In the search box, enter the query: minimal lockscreen, transparent clock or no clock.
• 🎨 View the suggested topics – look for those where the screen preview lock clocks are not visible or they are barely noticeable.
• 💾 Set the theme you like and apply it. Then check the result on the locked screen.

The advantage of the method is that it doesn't require technical skills and it doesn't affect the warranty, and the disadvantage is that the watch stays, it just becomes less visible. MIUI topic may be thrown off.

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If there are no suitable options in the theme store, try downloading.mtz-theme files from third-party resources (for example, Xiaomi Themes on Telegram) and installing them manually through Settings → Wallpaper → Local Themes.

Method 2: Configure wallpaper with "cheat" (for MIUI 13-14)

The latest versions of MIUI 13 and MIUI 14 have introduced Super Wallpapers, which allow you to apply dynamic effects to the lock screen, and you can use this to visually hide the watch:

1. Download wallpaper with a monochromatic dark background (for example, black or dark blue) from the gallery or the Internet.
2. Set them as a background for the lock screen: Settings → Wallpaper → Lock screen → My wallpaper.
3. Select the Digital watch style and set the color that matches the background (for example, a black watch with a black background).
4. Turn off the clock backlight: Settings → Lock screen → Watch styles → Backlight → Off..

The result is that the watch will become almost invisible, especially in the dark, a technique that works on most models, including the Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 10C) In bright light, the watch may be manifested by the backlight of the screen. AMOLED-silhouette.

Method 3: Editing system files (root required)

For advanced users willing to sacrifice the warranty, there is a way to completely remove the watch by editing system files, which works on all versions of MIUI, but requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 🛠️ Superuser rights (root).
• 📱 Installed file manager with root support (e.g. Root Explorer or Mixplorer).

Instructions:

1. Open the root file manager and go to /system/product/overlay/
2. Find files with names that contain lockscreen or clock (e.g. MiuiSystemUIOverlay.apk).
3. Copy the original files to a backup folder (in case of recovery).
4. Delete or rename the files that display the watch. e.g.: MiuiLockScreen.apk → MiuiLockScreen.apk.bak
5. Reset the device.

After this action, the watch should disappear from the lock screen, but be prepared for possible bugs, such as:

• 🐛 Disappearance of other lock screen elements (dates, notifications).
• 🔄 Reset after update MIUI.
• 🚨 Risk of "brike" (inoperability) of the device in case of error.

⚠️ Note: Before editing system files, create a full backup through TWRP or Xiaomi Tool V2. In some models (for example, POCO X5 Pro) deleting incorrect files may result in a reboot cycle.

Method 4: ADB-commands for hiding watches (without root, but with restrictions)

If you don't want root access, but you're ready to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can try turning off the watch through system settings. This method doesn't remove the watch completely, but it does make it less visible or change position.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Commands for hiding the clock:

adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_clock_style 0


adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_clock_size 1

These commands set the minimum clock size and default (digital) style. To get it back, use:

adb shell settings delete secure lock_screen_clock_style


adb shell settings delete secure lock_screen_clock_size

On some devices (such as the Xiaomi 12T), this method allows you to move the clock to the corner of the screen, making it less flashy.

Install ADB Tools on PC

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Connect your phone to your PC via cable

Check the connection with the adb device command

Backup the current lock screen settings

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Method 5: Alternative launchers and third-party applications

If you don't want radical methods, you can go the other way, using third-party apps to customize your lock screen, apps like Always On Display or Lock Screen Customizer that let you create your own lock patterns without a watch, but there are some nuances to this:

Example of settings through Always On Display:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open Settings → Lock screen → Additional settings → Always On Display.
3. Choose a style without a watch or create your own template.
4. Activate Always On (Constantly Active Screen)

⚠️ Note: Third-party blocking apps often conflict with Xiaomi system services. For example, Redmi Note 11 may notify you of calls after you install Lock Screen Customizer.

What to do if nothing works: radical measures

If none of the above methods have helped, there are two extreme options:

1. Installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) will completely remove it. MIUI The key to this is to adjust the lock screen to your liking.Cons: loss of Xiaomi features (for example, Always On Display on the Internet) AMOLED-screens), the risk of a breeze, the complexity of installation.
2. Disable the lock screen altogether via Settings → Lock screen → Lock type → No. Security-hazardous, but radically solves the problem.

To install custom firmware will require:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (officially via Mi Unlock Tool).
• 📥 Firmware compatible with your model (check on forums) XDA Developers or 4PDA).
• 🛠️ Firmware utility (TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery).

Example of commands for firmware via fastboot:

fastboot flash boot twrp.img


fastboot reboot recovery



TWRP:



adb sideload custom_rom.zip

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Custom firmware is the last chance to change the lock screen, but it voids the warranty and can cause the device to run unstable.Be sure the firmware supports your model and MIUI version before installing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the hidden watches on Xiaomi