How to remove the clock from the lock screen on Xiaomi: all working methods

The lock screen on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a protection against accidental clicks, but also an information panel that displays notifications, weather and, of course, hours. However, not everyone likes the presence of time on a locked screen. Some consider it an extra element that distracts attention, others worry about privacy (for example, when the phone is lying on a desk in a public place). In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove the lock screen on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi devices running MIUI 12-14, including hidden settings and technical methods.

It's important to understand that the manufacturer doesn't provide a direct option to turn off the watch in standard settings. MIUI, But there are workarounds, from simple design tricks to use. ADB-We tested each method on current firmware (including HyperOS) to ensure that it works.

Why can’t you use standard methods to remove the clock?

Unlike many other manufacturers (such as Samsung or Google Pixel), Xiaomi deliberately limits the ability to customize the lock screen.

• 🎨 Uniformity of design: MIUI strives for a unified user experience, where the watch is an integral part of the corporate identity.
• 🔒 Security: According to the developers, the presence of time on a locked screen helps to quickly navigate without unlocking the device (for example, when searching for a phone in a bag).
• 📊 Usage Analytics: Lock screen interaction data helps Xiaomi optimize item location in future updates.

However, the restrictions are circumvented through:

• 🖌️ Setting up theme (the easiest way, but with limitations).
• 🔧 Editing system files (requires root rights).
• 💻 ADB-Teams (working without root, but need training).

Method 1: Using themes without clocks (the simplest method)

The most affordable way to hide a watch is to set a design theme that doesn't have it visually, and many users don't know that MIUI has themes with minimalistic lock screen design, where time is displayed in a semi-transparent font or blends into the background.

How to do this:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the Lock section (the tab at the bottom of the screen).
3. In the search bar, enter the query: no clock, minimal lock or transparent lock.
4. Select a theme with a minimalist design (e.g., "Pure Black" or "Minimalist Lock").
5. Click Apply and confirm the changes.

⚠️ Warning: Some themes may only hide the watch on the main lock screen, but show it when notifications appear.To check this, send yourself a test message or call from another phone.

Set the topic from the "Blocking" section

Reboot your phone (optional but recommended)

Check the main lock screen

Check the screen with notification (comes in) SMS/ring)

Check the charging screen (if the phone is connected to the network)-->

If neither of these things works, you can create your own.

1. Download the MIUI Theme Editor app (available on Google Play).
2. Import any theme and edit the file lockscreen_clock.png, translucent PNG.
3. Save the theme and apply it through the Topic app.

Method 2: Turn off the clock through the developer settings

There are hidden options in MIUI that allow you to change interface elements that are not available in the standard menu, one of which is to turn off the time display on the lock screen through the developer settings, which does not work on all devices, but it is worth trying.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on MIUI Version (you will be notified "You are a developer!").

Settings

For developers

Drawing

Turn off the clock on the lock screen

Hide time on lockdown

Activate the switch and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) This parameter may not be available. In that case, try the following method.

Method 3: Change system fonts (for advanced users)

This method is based on replacing the system font used to display time on the lock screen, and if you replace it with a fully transparent or invisible one, the watch will disappear visually, although technically it will still be displayed (simply invisible).

What you need:

• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with unlocked bootloader (required!).
• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔧 Archive with special font (can be downloaded here).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and unpack the archive with a transparent font (for example, invisible_font.ttf).
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power).
3. Open the command line in the ADB folder and execute: fastboot devices (should display your device’s serial number).
4. Replace the system font with the command: fastboot flash font1 invisible_font.ttf
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: Incorrectly replacing fonts may result in system failure (e.g., squares will be displayed instead of letters:

adb pull /system/fonts/Clockopia.ttf

💡

If after replacing the font on the lock screen appeared artifacts (squares, hieroglyphs), return the original font with the same command fastboot flash font1 Clockopia.ttf, where Clockopia.ttf is your backup.

Method 4: ADB-commands to turn off the clock (without root)

The most reliable way to hide the watch is to use it. ADB-This method does not require root rights, but it requires connecting the phone to a computer.

Preparation:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (see Method 2).
2. Download and install Platform Tools from the official Google website (link).
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

Commands to turn off the clock:

adb shell settings put global lock_screen_show_clock 0


adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_clock_style 0

After you've done the commands, restart your phone. The watch should disappear. If that hasn't happened, try the extra command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.keyguard

⚠️ Warning: The last command turns off not only the clock, but the entire lock screen (including notifications and fingerprint unlocking:

adb shell pm enable com.android.keyguard

💡

ADB-The method is the only reliable way to hide the watch on current versions. MIUI 14 and HyperOS without loss of functionality.

Method 5: Install custom firmware (for enthusiasts)

If none of these methods worked, the radical solution is to install custom firmware, such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience, in which the lock screen is fully customizable, including the ability to turn off the clock.

Pros:

• ✅ Complete control of the interface.
• ✅ Regular security updates.
• ✅ No advertising and unnecessary services Xiaomi.

Cons:

• ❌ Complex installation procedure (bootloader unlock required).
• ❌ Possible bugs with camera or sensors (depending on the model).
• ❌ Loss of warranty if the device is new).

How to determine:

1. Unlock bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding).
2. Install the custom TWRP recavator.
3. Download the right firmware for your model from the XDA Developers forum.
4. Flush the firmware through TWRP and perform a data reset.

After installation, go to Settings → Lock screen and turn off the time display.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you try to remove a watch, users often encounter common mistakes.

If after all the manipulations the clock is still displayed, check:

• 🔄 Have you reset your phone (for example, after resetting to factory).
• 📱 Is there a third-party firmware installed (for example, EU ROM), Wherever their limitations may be.
• 🔒 Is Safe Mode activated (many settings are reset).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions