Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face the question: how to add a watch to the home screen so that time is always at hand? MIUI Offers a few non-obvious ways to place time widgets, from standard solutions to hidden features.This article will help you understand everything from choosing the style of watches to solving typical display problems.
We will look not only at the basic methods through the widget menu, but also at alternative options: installation through themes. MIUI, Using third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, as well as manually configuring transparency effects for translucent watches, we will pay special attention to the problems when the watch widget suddenly disappears after a system update or wallpaper change - these bugs are characteristic of Redmi. 9 on MIUI 12-14.
Important: instructions are valid for all Redmi modifications 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T) version MIUI lower 11. If you have an older firmware, first update the system through Settings. β The phone. β Update MIUI.
1. Standard method: Add widgets through the menu
The easiest method is to use the built-in watch widget from Xiaomi. 3 size (4Γ1, 4Γ2, 2Γ2) and 5 I've got a lot of different display styles (analog, digital, minimalist:
- Press and hold the empty space on the desktop until the menu appears.
- Select the Widgets (three-square icon).
- Scroll through the list to the Watch section (usually at the beginning).
- Choose your favorite style and drag it to the screen.
β οΈ Note: On some versions MIUI The watch widget may not be on the main list:
- π Check the tab All widgets at the top of the screen.
- π₯ Update theme app through Play Market.
- π Restart your phone β sometimes widgets βdisappearβ after a long time.
Make sure there is a free space on the screen (minimum) 4Γ1 cell)
Close all background applications (for smooth operation)
Turn off the power saving mode (may block the time update)
Check that the system time is synchronized with the network-->
After adding the widget, you can:
- π¨ Change size (stretching or narrowing boundaries).
- βοΈ Set up the information displayed (date, day of the week, seconds) with a long press β Widget settings.
- π Move to another screen or folder.
| Clock style | Size | Features | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analog classics | 4Γ2 | Arrows, Roman numerals, animation | Vintage style lovers |
| Digital minimalist | 4Γ1 | Just time, fine print. | Minimalists and owners of small screens |
| Weather + time | 4Γ2 | Temperature, weather icon, date | Those who follow the forecast |
| Transparent neon | 2Γ2 | Glowing numbers, semi-transparent background | Dark themes of design |
2. Alternative method: watches through themes MIUI
If you donβt like standard widgets, you can set the clock through the Themes app, which gives you access to hundreds of designs from the Xiaomi community, including animated and interactive options.
Instructions:
- Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
- Go to the Widgets section in the lower menu.
- Select the Watch category.
- Click on your favorite design β Apply.
- Return to the desktop and add the widget via a long press (as in the first method).
π‘ Check the rating and reviews before installing the designs β some designs may contain ads or work incorrectly on the Redmi 9.
How to return the standard watch after installing the theme?
Advantages of this method:
- π¨ Unique designs (including: 3D-clock and animation).
- π Automatic Style Updating.
- π² Synchronization with weather and calendar.
Disadvantages:
- β οΈ Some topics are paid (from 50)β½).
- β³ Can be braked on weak devices.
- π After updating MIUI topics can be dropped.
Classical analogue
Digital minimalist
Weather watch
Animated/3D
My own version (I will write in the comments)-->
3. Use of third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex)
If built-in capabilities MIUI You don't like it, you can install an alternative launcher, and the popular ones are Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, or Microsoft Launcher:
- ποΈ Flexible adjustment of widget sizes and positions.
- π± Support for widgets from third-party applications (such as Clock Widget or Chronus).
- π Ability to fix widgets from accidental removal.
Instructions for Nova Launcher:
- Install a launcher from Play Market.
- Assign it as the default launcher in the settings.
- Press and hold your finger on the desktop. β Widgets.
- Select Nova Clock or install an additional watch widget (like Beautiful Widgets).
- Customize the look through a long press on the widget.
β οΈ Attention: Redmi 9s MIUI 12+ There may be a conflict between system services and third-party launchers if the Nova watch is not updated after the installation:
1. Go to Settings. β Annexes β Permits β Autostart. 2. Enable Autostart for Nova Launcher. 3. In Settings β Battery β Energy saving mode add launcher to exceptions.
π‘
To save battery life in Nova Launcher, turn off transition animations in performance settings.
4. Hidden features: transparent watch and always on screen (AOD)
Few people know, but on Redmi 9 you can set a translucent clock or display time on the off screen (Always On Display, AOD). These functions are hidden in the depths. MIUI.
Transparent watch:
- Set the watch widget in the standard way.
- Long tap on the widget β Style.
- Choose the Transparent or Minimalist option.
- In the theme settings (Settings) β Screen. β Colors) select Transparency for interface elements.
Redmi 9s. MIUI 13+ Transparency only works with wallpaper from the βLive Wallpaperβ collection or dark themes.
Always On Display (AOD):
Redmi 9 doesnβt support the system AOD, but there's a workaround:
- Install the application Always On AMOLED Play Market.
- Provide all necessary permits.
- In the application settings, select the style of the watch and turn on the option to Show when blocked.
- B Settings β Screen. β Block Disable Disable Hide Notifications.
π‘
Always On Display significantly reduces battery life. Use this feature only when connected to a charge.
5. Problem Solving: The watch doesn't update or disappear
Typical issues with watch widgets on Redmi 9 and how to solve them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The clock doesn't update the time. | Time synchronization disabled | Enable in Settings β Additionally. β Date and time β Network |
| Widget disappeared after update | Resetting MIUI settings | Reinstall the widget through the themes menu |
| The clock is not displayed correctly | Wallpaper conflict | Change the wallpaper to standard or dark |
| You can't change the size. | Fixed size in the subject | Set another theme or launcher |
If the watch widget is completely missing from the menu, reset the cache:
- Go to Settings β Applications β Application Management.
- Find the Launcher (or MIUI Launcher).
- Press Warehouse. β Clear the cache.
- Reboot the phone.
β οΈ Note: On some Redmi 9 firmware (especially custom) watch widgets may conflict with the com.android.systemui module:
1. Install. APK-file MIUI Clock Widget from apkmirror.com. 2. Grant permission to install from unknown sources. 3. Reboot the device.
6. Top.-3 clock-size
If standard solutions are not satisfied, consider these applications:
- Chronus: Home & Lock Widgets β Pluses: 100+ styles, weather support, calendar, promotions. β Cons: paid premium version (290β½).
- Clock Widget by Maize β Pros: minimalist design, low power consumption. β Cons: few customization options.
- Always On Edge β Pros: imitation AOD, background. β Cons: Can heat the processor.
π‘ Tip: Before installing third-party widgets, check their compatibility with the MIUI forum 4pda.ru β Some apps are optimized for pure Android only.
7. Battery optimization when using widgets
Watch widgets, especially those with animation or weather, can increase battery consumption. 5-15%. Minimize the impact:
- π Turn off animation in the widget settings.
- β³ Install weather updates once in a while 3-6 hours (not every hour) 30 minute).
- π΅ Add a widget to battery optimization exceptions (Settings) β Battery β Optimization).
- π Use dark themes β AMOLED-Redmi 9 screen spends less energy on black.
To check the actual effect on the battery:
- Install the widget and use the phone 2-3 hour.
- Go to Settings β Battery β Battery Use.
- Check the System application consumption UI or launcher.
If the cost exceeds 20%, try:
- Reduce the size of the widget.
- Turn off background synchronization in Google account settings.
- Go to a static clock without animation.