How to install a watch on the screen of the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 9: all the ways from standard to hidden

Displaying time on the home screen Xiaomi Redmi 9 — one of those little things that greatly simplify the daily use of the smartphone. Despite the seeming simplicity of the task, users often face difficulties: the widget of the watch disappears after updating. MIUI, If you can't change the size, the standard settings don't offer the format you want, this article covers all the actual ways to set the watch, from basic to little-known tricks using the use of the watch. ADB and third-party launchers.

We'll not only learn how to add a watch through a standard menu, but also how to customize it to suit your needs: change the font, add a stopwatch or even integrate the weather. MIUI 14 -- it's different from the previous versions, and if you're looking for a way to reset your watch after you reset, or if you want to hide it from prying eyes, you'll find a solution here, too.

Before you start, make sure your Redmi 9 has the latest firmware installed. → The phone. → Update: Relevance affects the availability of certain features, especially if you use custom widgets.

📊 What version? MIUI You're using Redmi 9?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
I don't know.
other

1. Standard method: Adding a watch widget through the widget menu

The most obvious and safe method is the use of built-in functionality. MIUI. It's suitable for most users and doesn't require any extra software. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Unlock the screen and make a long tap on any free spot on the home screen, and at the bottom, a toolbar with three tabs will appear: Wallpaper, Widgets, and Settings.

Step 2. Go to the Widgets tab. Here you'll see a list of all the mini-programs available, including the clock. MIUI 14 watch widgets can be in the "Tools" or "System" section».

  • 🔍 If the watch is not on the list, try to scroll through the tab to the left – sometimes it hides on the second page.
  • ⚙️ On the Redmi 9 with the shell POCO The launcher path may be different: first select Add widget, then find Clock in the alphabetical list.
  • 📱 On some firmware, the watch widget is called Analog Watch or Digital Watch – not to be confused with the Watch app (com.android.deskclock).

Step. 3. Hold your finger on the icon of the watch and drag it to the main screen. Release your finger when the outline of the future widget appears. MIUI 13/14 You can choose the size immediately: small (2×1), middle-class (3×2) large (4×2).

⚠️ Warning: If the widget does not appear after dragging, check if the Easy Mode mode is activated (Settings) → Special facilities → Light Mode. This mode has widgets disabled.

Step 4. Click on the installed widget to open its settings. Here you can select:

  • 🕒 Time format (12/24 hour)
  • 🎨 Style (analog, digital, minimalist)
  • 🌍 Time zones (to display time in another city)
  • 🔄 Auto-update (synchronization interval)

The Watch Widget is available in the list|There is enough free space on the screen (minimum) 2×1 cell)|Easy Mode is offline|Phone is not in power saving mode (can block the update widget)-->

2. Alternative method: clock through lock screen settings

Few people know, but on Xiaomi Redmi 9 you can duplicate the clock from the lock screen to the main screen. This method is useful if the standard widget does not suit the design or functionality.

Step 1. Open the Settings. → Lock screen. Scroll down to the "Clock Style" section».

Step 2. Select your favorite style (e.g., Classic or Digital) and click Apply. Importantly, this style will appear on both the lock screen and the home screen (if you activate the next feature).

Step 3. Go back to Settings → Main screen and enable the option "Show the clock on the home screen." MIUI 14 this paragraph may be called "Duplicate the clock with locking».

⚠️ Warning: If the watch doesn't appear after activating this feature, restart the phone. Sometimes it takes up to 5 minutes to apply the changes.

Advantage of the method:

  • ✨ Uniform style of watches on lock and main screen.
  • 🔄 Automatic time synchronization without manual updates.
  • 🎨 More design options (up to 12 styles in the MIUI 14).

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ You can’t change the size or position of the watch – it’s fixed at the top of the screen.
  • ❌ No support for additional functions (weather, stopwatch).

3.Using third-party launchers for flexible setup

If built-in capabilities MIUI You don't want to be satisfied with the alternative launcher, which will not only add the watch, but also completely customize the home screen:

LauncherAdvantagesDeficienciesLink (Google Play)
Nova LauncherFlexible widget setting, icon support, gesturesPremium version for some functionscom.teslacoilsw.launcher
Microsoft LauncherWindows integration, minimalist designLimited watch stylescom.microsoft.launcher
Action LauncherUnique Quickpage widgets, adaptive iconsDifficult for beginnerscom.actionlauncher.playstore
POCO LauncherOptimized for Xiaomi, lightweightFewer customization optionscom.mi.android.globallauncher

Instructions for Nova Launcher (recommended option):

  1. Install the launcher from Google Play and select it as the main one in the settings (Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher).
  2. Make a long tap on the main screen → Widgets.
  3. Find the Watch widget (in Nova it is called "Chronus" or "Clock Q").
  4. Drag it on the screen and adjust the size (up to) 5×5 cell).
  5. Click on the widget to open the advanced settings: fonts, colors, display date, weather.

Important: When using third-party launchers, standard widgets MIUI They might disappear. To get them back, you'd have to temporarily switch back to the system launcher.

💡

If after installing the launcher, the clock began to slow down, turn off the animation in its settings (Nova Settings). → Animation. → Speed of animation → Quickly).

4. Hidden settings: hours through ADB (advanced)

This method is suitable for those who are willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge allows you to unlock hidden watch options that are not available in the standard interface.

Step 1: Activate the Developer Mode:

  1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
  2. Press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI». You will receive a notification saying, “You are a developer».
  3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.

Step 2. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and open the command prompt (Win) + R → (cmd) Enter:

adb devices

Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).

Step 3: Enter a command to unlock hidden clock settings:

adb shell settings put global clock_widget_customization_enabled 1

Step 4. Reboot your phone. Now, when you click on the watch widget, you'll see an extended menu with options:

  • 🎭 Changing background transparency.
  • 📏 Manual size assignment (in pixels).
  • 🔧 Millisecond mapping (for accurate measurements).
  • 🌙 Night mode (automatic color change).

⚠️ Attention: After application ADB-If the clock is gone, reset: adb shell settings put global clock_widget_customization_enabled 0

What if the ADB can’t see the device?
1.Make sure Xiaomi drivers are installed USB Drivers (download from official website). 2. Try another one USB-cable (preferably original). 3. In the developer settings, turn on "Debugging by USB (Security settings)" and "Allow debugging in charge mode. 4. Restart your PC and phone.

5. watch with additional functions: weather, calendar, stopwatch

If you want a full-fledged information hub, consider widgets from third-party apps that offer integration with weather, currency rates, reminders, and even smart home management.

Top.-3 supplant 9:

  • 🌤️ Weather & Clock Widget (com.devexpert.weather): + 100+ clock-style. + Weather with AccuWeather or OpenWeatherMap. + Widgets with a forecast for 10 days. − Advertising in the free version.
  • 📅 Another Widget (another.widget): + Minimalist design. + Integration with Google Calendar. + Free without advertising. − No analog watch.

Instructions for Weather & Clock Widget:

  1. Install the app from Google Play.
  2. Open it and select the style of the watch (e.g., “Elegant Digital”).
  3. Return to the main screen, make a long press. → Widgets → Find "Weather & Clock" (size) 4×2).
  4. Drag the widget to the screen and confirm permissions (location access for weather).
  5. Press the widget. → «Settings» → set up: City (autodetermination or manual) Temperature format (°C/°F. Color scheme (dark/light) Displayed data (humidity, pressure, wind).

💡

Weather widgets consume more power due to background synchronization. To save charge, increase the refresh interval to 2-3 hours in the application settings.

6. Problem Solving: The watch does not display or disappears

If the clock is missing after the update MIUI Or reset your settings, take advantage of these tips:

Problem 1: The clock widget disappeared after upgrading to the MIUI 14

  • 🔄 Restart your phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
  • 📱 Remove the launcher cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
  • 🔧 Reset the launcher settings: in the launcher settings (long press) → «Settings) find “Reset settings».

Problem 2: The clock is not updated (frozen)

  • ⚡ Check if the energy saving mode is activated: Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime.
  • 🔄 Add the Watch app (com.android.deskclock) to the battery optimization exceptions.
  • ⏱️ Manually synchronize time: Settings → Additionally. → Date and time → Synchronize.

Problem 3: You can't change the size of the widget

  • 📏 Make sure there is enough space on the screen (widget) 4×2 demand 4 cell-width 2 high-altitude).
  • 🔧 Check if a fixed-size screen grid is used (in the launcher settings).
  • 🔄 Try another launcher (like Nova Launcher) where the size changes freely.

Problem 4: The clock is not displayed correctly (time is lost)

  • 🌍 Check the time zone: Settings → Additionally. → Date and time → Time zone.
  • 🔄 Turn off and enable automatic timing.
  • 📡 If there is a problem after the shift SIM-Maps, update operator data: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Update profile.

💡

If the clock only shows the wrong time in one app (like WhatsApp), check the sync settings of that app – it may be using its own time server.

7 How to hide the watch from outsiders (privacy)

If you want only you to see the screen, there are a few ways:

Method 1: Disabling the display on the lock screen

  1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
  2. Turn off the option “Show the clock on the lock screen”.
  3. On the main screen, remove the watch widget (long press). → «Delete»).

Method 2: Using the “Hidden Mode” in the MIUI

  • Activate Second Space: Settings → Special facilities → Second space.
  • In the main space, remove the clock, and in the second, adjust it to suit yourself.
  • Switch between swipe spaces by clicking the Home button (configure in Settings). → Main screen screen → Switching spaces).

Method 3: Applicants for disguise

  • 🔒 App Hider (com.app.hider) – hides widgets under a password.
  • 🕵️ Nova Launcher with Sesame Shortcuts plugin – allows you to hide widgets behind gestures.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 The “Second Space” function may conflict with some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the clock on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Can I set the clock on the screen of the always-on display (AOD)?
Redmi 9 is always-on display (AOD) It is not officially supported because of AMOLED-But you can use analog applications like, Always On. AMOLED (com.alwayson.amoled - imitates AOD Glance Plus (com.miui.glance) is a modified version of the standard AOD Xiaomi. ⚠️ These apps consume an extra battery (up to 5–7% per hour).
Why does the Redmi 9 show time 1-2 minutes late?
It's a typical problem. MIUI, Solutions: Add the Watch app (com.android.deskclock) to the exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → The clock → Do not optimize. Enable time synchronization over the network: Settings → Additionally. → Date and time → Network: Install alternative clocks (like ClockSync) that force the time to update every minute.
How to Get Back an Old Watch From MIUI 12 on MIUI 14?
Unfortunately, Xiaomi does not provide an official option to roll back the widget design. But you can use workarounds: Install an old version of the launcher (for example, install an old version of the launcher, MIUI Launcher 4.20.0.2181) through APK. Risk: compatibility errors are possible. Use themes MIUI: Some themes (like "Classic") restore the old style of the watch. → Topics. Create a custom widget in KWGT (org.kustom.widget) with design under MIUI 12.
Can I put my watch on the notification panel?
Yes, but only in the form of a text line. ⚙️ («Settings. Enable the option to Show Time and Date. Select the display format (e.g., 24-hour or Date»). ❌ Full-fledged clocks (analog/digital) can not be added to the notification panel – this is a limitation of Android.
How to make the watch automatically change color depending on the wallpaper?
And you need dynamic color widgets. You need better options: KWGT Kustom Widget Maker – allows you to tie the color of the watch to the wallpaper through variables. UCCW (in.vineetsirohi.customwidget) – supports scripts for automatic palette change. Another Widget – has a built-in function “Adaptive color». 🔧 Instructions for KWGT: Download a widget that supports dynamic colors (like Dynamic Clock in Play Market). Add it to the screen and open the editor (Tap to Edit). $wi(background_color)$ And tie it to the color of the wallpaper.