Xiaomi’s smartphone desktop screen is not just a set of icons, but a personal space that can be customized to suit your needs. One of the most popular elements is the watch, which not only shows the time, but also serves as a stylish accent of the interface. However, many users face difficulties when adding this widget — especially after updating MIUI or resetting settings.
In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to install the clock on the home screen of Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO, including models 2023-2026 base MIUI 12-14. You will learn how to add a standard widget, customize its appearance, and what to do if the Suddenly watch disappears or does not appear. MIUI, This allows you to return the clock even on firmware with limited functionality.
Why does Xiaomi not have a default home screen clock?
Unlike many Android smartphones, where the watch is displayed in the status bar or on a locked screen, MIUI has traditionally not placed it on the desktop, which is due to the philosophy of the Xiaomi interface, which prioritizes minimalism and free space, but this feature often confuses new users, especially those who have switched from Samsung or iPhone.
The main reasons for the absence of watches:
- 📱 Version. MIUI: In firmware before MIUI 12 watch widget was hidden in the depth of the menu, and in new versions it was added to the list of standard widgets, but not activated by default.
- 🔄 System updates: After major updates (e.g. with MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) widget settings may be reset.
- 🛠️ Launcher Customization: If you use third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or HyperOS Launcher), standard Xiaomi widgets may not be available.
- 📦 Restrictions of regional firmware: On some global and Chinese versions MIUI The functionality of widgets is reduced (for example, on Xiaomi). 13T Pro for the European market).
Interesting fact: In the early versions of MIUI, 8-9 watches could only be added through a hidden developer menu, and their appearance was limited to two styles, now the choice has expanded to 10+ options, including animated and themed widgets.
Method 1: Standard watch widget in MIUI (the simplest)
This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13/14 and other models. The instruction is universal and does not require superuser rights.
Steps to add:
- Unlock your phone and go to the main screen (any desktop that has free space).
- Make a long tap on an empty section of the screen until the settings menu appears.
- At the bottom of the screen, select the Widgets tab (the icon with squares).
- Scroll down to Tools or Systems – there should be a Watch widget (an icon with a dial).
- Hold the widget and drag it to a vacant space on your desktop. Release your finger to hold it.
If the Watch widget is not on the list, check:
- 🔍 Update your firmware to the latest version (path: Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
- 📲 Make sure you use a standard launcher MIUI Launcher (not third-party).
- 🌍 Check the firmware region: some Chinese versions have widgets disabled (solution – change region through Settings) → Additionally. → Region).
Make sure there is free space on the screen |
Check out the MIUI version (relevant to MIUI 12+) |
Disable third-party launchers (if you use)|
Restart your phone if there is no widget in the list-->
Method 2: Customization of the appearance of the watch
The standard watch widget in MIUI supports several styles of design, including digital, analog and minimalist options.
Instructions:
- Add the watch widget to the screen (see Method 1).
- Touch the widget with one finger – a frame with an icon will appear. ⚙️ Settings in upper right corner.
- Click on the gear to open the customization menu.
- Choose one of the available styles: 🕒 Digital watches (classic version with date). ⏰ Analog (dials with arrows). 🌓 Minimalistic (only time without date). 🎨 Thematic (change depending on the wallpaper or theme) MIUI).
widget size
Ready.
Some models (such as Xiaomi 12S Ultra or POCO F5) have additional settings:
| Parameter | Description | Available on |
|---|---|---|
| Colour of text | Automatic (under the topic) or manual selection | MIUI 13+ |
| The widget background | Transparent or dark | MIUI 14 |
| Second mapping | Switching on/off the second hand | All versions. |
| Time format | 12/24-hour mode | All versions. |
| Date and day of the week | Full format or number only | MIUI 12+ |
💡
If after changing the MIUI theme, the watch reset to a standard look, try removing the widget and adding it again - this will reset the display cache.
Method 3: Watches through the Themes app (Advanced Styles)
If you don’t like standard widgets, MIUI has a hidden option to set a themed clock through the official Themes app, which allows you to choose from hundreds of designs, including animated and interactive options.
Step-by-step:
- Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
- Go to the Widgets section (bottom of the screen).
- Choose the category of clock or time.
- Scroll through the list of available styles. Pay attention to the labels: 🆓 Free – you can download without restrictions. 💎 Premium – require purchase (price from 50 to 300 Mi Credits). 🔄 Dynamic – change color depending on the time of day.
Apply
Method 1
Advantages of this method:
- 🎨 Unique designs that are not in the standard set.
- 🔄 Automatic Style Update When Changing Theme MIUI.
- ⏱️ Animated watches (for example, with smooth movement of hands).
⚠️ Attention: Some themed widgets may slow down the interface if they use complex animations. If you have lags after installation, remove the widget and choose a simpler style.
Method 4: Third-party watch applications (maximum customization)
If the built-in MIUI features don’t suit you, you can install third-party watch widgets from Google Play, which is relevant for users who want to:
- 🕐 Non-standard time formats (e.g., binary clocks or time zone displays).
- 🌈 Full customization (fonts, colors, animations).
- 📊 Additional information (weather, battery, steps).
Top.-5 Verified applications for Xiaomi:
| Annex | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Chronus | Minimalist widgets with weather and calendar | Google Play |
| UCCW | Creating custom widgets from scratch | Google Play |
| Transparent Clock & Weather | Transparent clock with animation and forecast | Google Play |
| Minimalist Clock Widget | More than 5,000 styles, MIUI support | Google Play |
| Another Widget | Watches with Google Fit Integration and Calendar | Google Play |
How to install a third-party widget:
- Download and install the application from the table above.
- Add the widget to the home screen via a long press (as in Method 1, but select the widget from the installed application).
- Customize the appearance in the app menu (usually opens by tap on the widget).
⚠️ Note: Some widgets from third-party developers require additional permissions (e.g. access to geolocation to display weather).Before installing, check reviews and rankings on Google Play to avoid malware.
How to remove unnecessary widgets from your smartphone?
Method 5: Recovering the hours after a reset or update
After resetting, updating MIUI or installing custom firmware, the watch widget may disappear. In most cases, this is due to a launcher cache reset or a conflict of topics.
Method 1: Resetting the launcher settings
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the Launcher (or MIUI Launcher) and open its settings.
- Click Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
- Restart your phone. After you turn on, try adding the watch again.
Method 2: Re-installation of topics
- Open the settings → design → Themes.
- Choose a standard Default theme or MIUI.
- Apply it and restart the device.
- Try adding a watch widget.
Method 3: Manual addition via ADB (for advanced)
If the watch is missing after installing custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU or Pixel Experience), you can try to restore them through ADB:
adb shell settings put secure widget_allowed_on_keyguard 1
adb shell pm grant com.miui.home android.permission.BIND_APPWIDGETAfter completing the commands, restart the phone.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB requires on-set debugging USB It can cause the system to run incorrectly when you're not sure, refer to the instructions for your particular firmware.
💡
If the watch has disappeared after the MIUI update, try resetting the launcher cache first – this solves the problem 80% of the time.
Problem Solving: The clock is not displayed or is not working properly
Even after a successful installation, the watch widget can be unstable, and let's look at some of the most common problems and solutions.
Problem 1: The clock doesn’t update the clock.
- 🔄 Check the automatic time synchronization in Settings → System system → Date and time. Turn it off and turn it back on.
- 📶 Make sure that your mobile network or Wi-Fi is enabled (for synchronization with time servers).
- 🔋 Restart your phone – sometimes background processes get confused.
Problem 2: The clock widget disappears after the reboot
- 🛠️ This is a problem for MIUI 13-14 Some models (e.g. Redmi Note) 11). Solution: Remove the widget and add it again. Turn off battery optimization for the Launcher app (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Launcher → No restrictions).
Problem 3: The clock is not displayed correctly (with artifacts or cropping)
- 🎨 Try changing the size of the widget (pull around the corners).
- 🔄 Change the subject. MIUI Standard and check the display.
- 📱 If the problem persists, install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) and add the watch through it.
Problem 4: No option to add a widget (button is inactive)
- 🔒 Check if the child mode or guest mode is enabled (Settings) → Special facilities → Regime for children).
- 📦 Make sure there is enough free space on your phone (widgets may not be added when memory is full).
- 🔧 Update Google Play Services in the Google Play Store.
💡
If the watch widget refuses to be added, try creating a new desktop (swipe right on the home screen) and placing it there.