Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone owners often face the desire to personalize their gadget, making it not just a utilitarian device, but a stylish accessory. One of the most popular interface elements is a lock screen watch that allows you to instantly recognize the time without unlocking the phone. However, the standard MIUI settings offer many options that are easy for a beginner to get confused. In this article, we will detail all the available ways to display time, from classic widgets to advanced features Always On Display.
Modern users are used to the fact that the smartphone should be informative even in sleep mode. Xiaomi Redmi 9, running the shell MIUI, implemented a flexible lock screen control system. You can choose an analog dial, strict digital watch or even animated themes with live wallpaper. It is important to understand that the choice of a particular method depends on what you want to get: constant glow of the screen or displaying time only when you wake up.
Before we get into the details, it’s worth noting that the menu interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. However, the basic principles remain the same for all devices in the Redmi 9 line. We’ll look at both the built-in tools and third-party solutions that will help make your screen unique.
Use of built-in design themes for the lock screen
The easiest and most effective way to change the look of a Redmi 9 watch is to use the Themes app, a system tool that allows you to download thousands of designs created by Xiaomi and independent developers, and when you choose a new theme, you change not only the wallpaper, but also the style of fonts, icons, and most importantly, the lock screen dial.
To get started, you need to open the Themes app on your desktop. In the search box, type in keywords like “clock,” “time,” or “digital” to find the right options. After selecting a theme, click “Download” and then “Apply.” The system will automatically install all components, including the new watch style. If you are only satisfied with the time design and the rest of the the theme elements do not fit, you can apply selectively.
- 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to the Profiles or My Pages section».
- ⏱️ Select the set theme and click “Tune theme».
- 📲 In the list of components, find the “lock screen” and select the style of the watch from the available options.
- ✅ Click “Apply” to save the changes only for the lock screen.
Note that some premium themes may be paid or require a Mi Account to be activated, and when installing third-party themes, the system may request permission to display over other windows, a standard Android security procedure required for time widgets to work properly.
⚠️ Warning: When installing themes from unreliable sources outside the official Theme Store, you risk getting malware or encountering unstable system operation.
Using a built-in theme store is the safest customization method, without needing root rights or deep knowledge of the system. You can always go back to standard design in one click if you don’t like the new design.
Customize the Always On Display function and its analogues
The feature is Always on Display (AOD) It allows you to display time, date and notifications on a screen that is off without fully waking up. On Redmi 9, this feature is implemented with some limitations due to the type of matrix. IPS, And this is the model that's used in this model. AMOLED-screen, IPS It can’t be lighted by individual pixels, so the classic AOD It works differently or is emulated programmatically.
Current versions of MIUI for Redmi 9 have the Always Screen On or Signature Lock Screen feature. To activate it, go to Settings → Lock Screen. You can turn on the sleep mode display here, but keep in mind that the constant backlighting of the screen significantly increases battery consumption.
| Parameter | Description | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Always mode** | The screen is always on. | High. |
| Scheduled. | Incorporation at the specified time | Average. |
| 10 seconds. | After the lockdown | Low. |
| Tapus. | Only when you touch. | Minimum |
To save energy, we recommend using Schedule mode or 10 seconds after locking, in which case the clock will be visible immediately after the screen is turned off, but after a given interval the screen will go out completely, a compromise solution that allows you to maintain a balance between functionality and autonomy.
Why is Redmi 9 not a real AMOLED AOD?
If the standard settings don't meet your needs, you can experiment at intervals, for example, only set the display during business hours from 9:00 to 18:00, which allows you to see the time when the phone is lying on the table, and save charge at night.
Adding time widgets to the main screen
In addition to the lock screen, the watch can be placed directly on the desktop. The MIUI time widgets have a wide range of features and can display not only the clock, but also the weather, date and even steps. To add the widget, you need to go to the desktop editing mode.
Make a pinch with two fingers** on the free area of the screen or pinch the empty space until the menu appears at the bottom. Select "Widgets." In the list that opens, find the "Clock" category. The system will offer several options, from simple digital to complex analog mechanisms.
- 🕰️ Click on your favorite widget to see the available dimensions (2x1, 4x2 etc.).
- 📍 Drag the selected element to the free desktop space.
- 🖌️ Click on the widget to open the style and color settings of the dial.
- 🔒 Lock the position so that you do not accidentally remove the item when using.
Some widgets require an internet connection to display the exact time and weather conditions. Make sure the widget has the necessary permissions in the application settings. If the time on the widget gets lost, check the date and time settings in the main menu of the system.
☑️ Checking the watch widget
It is important not to overload the desktop with heavy widgets, as this can lead to a decrease in the performance of the interface. Redmi 9 is a mid-segment device, and an excess of animated elements can cause micro-latency when scrolling through screens.
Use of third-party applications for customization
If MIUI isn't enough, apps from the Google Play Store will come to the rescue. There are many programs specializing in creating unique lock screens and widgets. One of the most popular solutions is the Lock Screen & Notifications app or specialized launchers.
When you install a third-party app for the lock screen, it will request a number of critical permissions, you will need to allow display on top of other apps and access to notifications, without these rights, the program will not be able to intercept the moment the screen is turned on and show your watch.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party screen blockers may conflict with Xiaomi’s system protection, in some cases resulting in the inability to unlock the phone or a failure of the fingerprint scanner.
Advanced widgets are often installed using Widgetsmith or the same app available in the marketplace, which allows you to create watches of any shape and color, integrate them with calendar and tasks. Once you create a widget in the application, it is added to the desktop in a standard way through the widget menu.
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Before installing a third-party screen blocker, back up your critical data. In case of software conflict, this will quickly restore the device's functionality through safe mode.
Using third-party software opens up endless possibilities for creativity, but it requires caution. Always read reviews about the app before installing it and check the developer rating.
Solution: The clock goes out or doesn't show
Often, users are faced with a situation where the clock on the lock screen stops burning or is displayed incorrectly. The most common reason is the aggressive energy saving system MIUI. It can force the processes responsible for displaying time to save charge.
To fix this, you need to go to the battery settings. Find the Lock Screen system process or the watch app you installed in the application list. In Energy Saving, select No Limits mode, which will prevent the system from unloading the process from memory.
Problems can also arise when Pocket Mode is enabled. If the proximity sensor is contaminated or closed with a protective film, the phone may think it is in your pocket and not turn on the screen when you receive a notification or look.
Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Management → [Your Watch App] → Energy Savings → No LimitsIf the clock is not showing the right time, check your time zone settings. Automatic Network Synchronization (NTP) is usually trouble-free, but there may be discrepancies when the time server fails, and manual time zone selection in date and time settings helps.
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The main reason the watch disappears from the screen is aggressive battery optimization, and setting the "No Limits" mode for the system processes of the screen solves the problem 90 percent of the time.