Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often strive to personalize their device’s interface as much as possible, and one key element of personalization is the lock screen. The standard time widget provided by the MIUI or HyperOS shell can seem boring or not informative enough for the experienced user. There are many ways to change the display of time, ranging from a simple change of theme to a complex Always On Display setting.
In this article, we will discuss all available methods for installing watches on the main screen and lock screen. You will learn to use the built-in system functions, install third-party widgets and activate constant display of time without risk to the battery. A deep understanding of these settings will allow you to create a unique interface design that will fully suit your style.
Set up a standard time widget on the desktop
The easiest way to change the look of a clock on your desktop is to use standard Android widgets, which requires you to pinch an empty area on the screen or pinch a two-finger to go into editing mode, and at the bottom of the display, you will see a menu where you need to select the Widgets item.
In the list that opens, look for the Watch or Time section, and there are usually a number of options available here: analog, digital, date and no. Choose your favorite and drag it to the free desktop space. Once you install the widget, you can click on it to change the size or color if the MIUI shell supports this option for the style you choose.
However, standard widgets are often limited in functionality, they may not display seconds, moon phase or weather in the desired format, and if built-in options are not enough, you should pay attention to installing themes that completely replace the system elements of the interface.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party app widgets, make sure they have permission to work in the background, otherwise time may update with a delay.
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Use medium or large size widgets for better readability, especially if you have vision problems or use your phone in bright sun.
Using themes to change the style of the lock
The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS have powerful customization tools through the Themes app, not just changing icons, but completely transforming the lock screen. Open the Themes app on your Xiaomi device and go to Profiles or Lock.
Here you'll find thousands of design options where watches are central to the design. Some themes offer complex animations, interactive elements, and even game mechanics when unlocked. After selecting a theme, click Download and then Apply. The system automatically replaces the standard dial with the style you choose.
It is important to note that not all themes support Always On Display. If it is critical to see time on a screen that is off, check the theme description before downloading. Often, the description indicates whether the package supports AOD (Always On Display).
For users who care about detail, there are themes with widgets that display not only the clock, but also the charge level of Bluetooth headphones, steps and notifications, which turns the lock screen into a full-fledged information bar.
Activation of Always On Display (AOD)
Always On Display allows you to display time and date on a screen that is off without having to unlock it. This technology uses the features of AMOLED arrays, where only individual pixels are highlighted, which minimizes energy consumption. To activate AOD, go to Settings → Lock Screen.
Find the "Always On Display" option and activate the switch, and you can select the "Always On", "Schedule" or "10 seconds after touch" mode to save battery power, and you should select "Schedule" mode, setting a time, for example, from 8:00 to 23:00.
The AOD settings menu also offers a choice of watch styles. You can change the color, font and position of the dial on the screen. Some Redmi and POCO smartphones allow you to upload your own images to the AOD background, creating a unique visual effect.
⚠️ Warning: Constantly activating Always On Display to maximum brightness can cause pixels to burn out on older ones AMOLED-Use automatic brightness control.
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Scheduled mode in AOD settings is the optimal balance between functionality and battery life saving.
Installation of third-party widgets from Google Play
If standard functionality isn't enough, Google Play apps come to the rescue, and there are many developers who create high-quality time widgets, and one of the most popular solutions is Widgetsmith or KWGT widgets.
To install, perform the following actions:
- 📲 Download the selected widget application from the Play Market.
- ⚙️ Add a widget to your desktop via the editing menu.
- 🎨 Customize the look through a companion app.
- 🔒 Provide the necessary permits to work in the background.
Using third-party widgets gives you complete creative freedom. You can create a retro-style dial, a futuristic interface, or minimalist numbers, but it's worth remembering that complex widgets with live animations consume more CPU resources.
When using heavy widgets, the system can kill the process more often in the background to save energy. To avoid this, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find your widget, and select No Limits mode under Battery.
Comparison of time display methods
The choice of how to install the watch depends on your priorities: aesthetics, informativeness or autonomy. Below is a table comparing the main methods by key parameters.
| Method | Battery consumption | Variability | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard widget | Minimum | Low. | Low. |
| MIUI themes | Medium. | Tall. | Low. |
| Always On Display | Medium/High | Medium | Low. |
| Third-party widgets | Depends on the widget. | Maximum | Medium |
As you can see from the table, standard system tools are the most energy efficient. Themes and third-party solutions offer better visualization, but require a more careful attitude to the charge of the device.
The Effect of Always On Display on the Battery
Solving problems with updating widgets
Often, users are faced with a situation where the clock on the screen no longer shows the current time or the widget disappears after a reboot, this is due to the aggressive energy saving system MIUI.
To solve the problem, you need to fix the widget in memory. Open the menu of running applications, find the widget process (if it is displayed separately) or the application itself that created the widget. Pull the card down or press the lock to lock it. This will prevent the system from closing the process.
Also check the date and time settings. Make sure that the Settings menu → Additional settings → Date and time activated synchronization over the network. Using NTP network time guarantees accuracy up to a second and automatic daylight/winter time transition.
⚠️ Warning: If the time widget displays the wrong time after a trip to another time zone, reset the widget settings or switch the time zone manually in the system settings.