The modern smartphone has become the main information center, which we check dozens of times a day. For owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, the issue of personalization of the interface is especially acute, because the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS provide huge opportunities for customization. One of the most popular elements is the dial on the home screen or locked display, which allows you to instantly read the time without unlocking the gadget.
The installation process can vary depending on the operating system version and regional firmware. Time widgets come in many formats, from classic analog hands to complex digital compositions with weather and calendar. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for activating and adjusting the clockwork on your device.
Some users confuse the usual desktop widgets with the Always On Display feature, which displays the time on the screen turned off. AMOLED-We'll touch on both aspects so you can customize your device as conveniently as possible. Follow the instructions below to transform your smartphone's interface.
Basic setting of time widgets on the desktop
The easiest way to add a watch is to use the standard set of widgets preinstalled in the system, which requires you to go to desktop editing mode, holding the empty area with your finger for a few seconds, and at the bottom of the screen, a menu will appear where you need to select Widgets or Add widgets.
In the list that opens, you should scroll the tape to the Watch section, and here you can find a few different design options: simple digital, analog with arrows, or combined with a date. Click on the favorite version and drag it to the free space of the screen. You can change the size of the widget by pulling the edges of the frame after installation.
If the standard options seem boring, many shells allow you to download additional themes. Go to the Themes app, find a widget section, or select a theme you like and apply it. Often, the desktop clock changes with the theme, becoming more stylish and functional.
It is important to consider that some widgets may consume more resources when updating real-time data. If you notice accelerated battery drain after installing a complex widget, try replacing it with a more static version without a second hand.
Always on Display (AOD) for a locked screen
Owners of smartphones with AMOLED or Super AMOLED screens have the unique ability to use the Always On Display feature, which allows you to display time, date and notifications on the screen off, while consuming minimal energy, since only individual pixels burn.
To activate this feature, go to Settings and find the Lock Screen or Always On. Depending on the version of MIUI, the path may vary slightly. After entering the menu, activate the switch Enable AOD. Here you can choose the time of operation: constantly, on a schedule or 10 seconds after touching.
⚠️ Warning: Always on Display can increase battery consumption 1-3% daily depending on the brightness and style chosen. To maximize energy savings, it is recommended to use the schedule mode».
The design of the clock on the locked screen is also customizable. In the AOD settings menu, you can choose the color of the dial, the display format (vertical or horizontal), and even add a caption or image. Some models support smart AOD, which responds to the approach of the hand to the phone.
Why is the AOD not working on my phone?
Use of the “Clock” application and third-party widgets
The standard Xiaomi shell watch app is often underrated, but it contains a built-in dial store. Open the app, go to the Dial tab (usually on the far right), and here is a catalog of free and paid designs that can be installed on both the home screen and as a screensaver.
For more advanced users, you can install third-party widgets from Google Play. Popular applications like Google Watch, Overdrop or HD Widgets offer thousands of design options. Once installed, the widget will appear in the general list of widgets of the system and install similarly to the standard ones.
When using third-party widgets, you need to give them permissions, usually require location access (for time zones) and application background operation, without these permissions, the widget may not update or show incorrect time.
☑️ Checking the widget settings
It is worth noting that third-party widgets can conflict with the design theme of the system. If after installing a new widget, the interface began to look unnatural, try changing the theme to a standard one or finding an alternative widget that is better compatible with your version of Android.
Comparison of time display formats in MIUI and HyperOS
With the release of the new HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has redesigned its approach to widgets, which are more interactive and lightweight. Unlike the old MIUI, where widgets were static images, in the new system they can support live animation and deep integration with system services.
The table below compares the capabilities of the watch across different shell versions to help you understand what to expect from your device after the upgrade.
| Function | MIUI 12-14 | HyperOS 1.0+ | Third-party launchers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animation of seconds | Only on paid topics. | Supported natively | Full support |
| Widget size | Fixed | Dynamic change | Depends on the app. |
| Font style | Depends on the topic. | Global font settings | Manually configured |
| RAM consumption | Average. | Optimized | High. |
Users who upgrade to HyperOS often notice smoother time widgets, more efficient memory management, unloading inactive widgets, but instantly updating them when they return to the desktop, especially for mid-range devices.
💡
Tip: If you upgraded to HyperOS and the old widgets are gone, try pressing the blank screen space for a long time and selecting “Add widgets” – in the new system they are sorted by application, not in a common pile.
Solving problems with display and timing
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the clock on the screen shows the wrong time or completely stops updating. Most often the problem lies in the sync settings. Make sure that the Settings menu → Additional settings → Date and time activated item Use network time.
Another common cause of failure is aggressive energy saving. The system can freeze the widget process to keep the battery power. Go to Settings → Battery → Activity Control (or “Apps”) and find the Clock or Desktop app. Set Unlimited mode.
⚠️ Note: If you use a widget from a third-party manufacturer, make sure it has permission to work in the background.Without this, after locking the screen, the widget may stop showing the current time.
In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Desktop or System Launcher application helps.This won't delete your data, but will reset the interface display settings to factory values, which often eliminates visual bugs. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find the launcher and select Clear Cache.
💡
The main cause of time errors is time zone desynchronization. Always check if the time zone auto-check is in the date settings.