How to install and configure the watch widget on the Xiaomi smartphone: all ways

The Xiaomi home screen watch widget is not just a design element, but a handy tool for quickly controlling time without unlocking your phone. However, many users face difficulties when adding it: the standard widget does not appear in the list, then after updating MIUI user settings disappear. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install watch widgets on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – from basic to hidden functions for power users.

The feature of MIUI firmware is that the widget interface can be very different depending on the version (12, 13 or 14) and the model of the smartphone. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, animated watch with the paralax effect is available, and on the budget Redmi Note 10 only static options. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will suit most devices. If your smartphone runs on Android 12+ with the shell of MIUI 13/14, you will also find solutions for new features here, such as dynamic widgets based on weather.

Before you start, check your firmware version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This will help you to more accurately determine the options available. Also note that some widgets may be blocked in regional versions of MIUI (for example, for Russia or the EU) - in which case we will offer workarounds.

1. Standard method: Add widgets through the menu

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14, and is suitable for installing both standard Xiaomi watches and widgets from third-party applications (such as Google Watch or Clock Widget).

Instructions:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the home screen (not the icon!).
2. At the bottom of the screen will appear toolbar – select “Widgets” (icon with squares).

Click on the widget you like and, without letting go, drag it to a free space on the screen.

Release your finger, the widget will set up, and if necessary, resize it by pulling corners.

If there is no Watch section in the widget list, this could mean:

• 🔄 Your firmware. MIUI modified (castomy or global beta).
• 📱 Your device has a lightweight version of the shell (for example, on the POCO M3 or Redmi 9A).
• 🔧 Widgets disabled in system settings (less commonly found on Chinese firmware).

2. Alternative method: installation through "Themes"

If standard widgets don’t suit you, you can download additional styles through the Themes app, which works even on devices with stripped-down features that don’t have built-in clock widgets.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the “Themes” app (icon with brush).

Please note:

• ⚠️ Some widgets from the "Tems" require a subscription to MIUI (Only basic options can be used for free).

If you don’t like built-in widgets, consider third-party apps. For example, Clock Widget or Digital Clock Widget from Google Play offer more customization options: changing font, color, adding a stopwatch or timer directly to the widget.

3. Google Watch Widgets: How to Add and Configure

Xiaomi devices with Google services (not Chinese firmware) can use a widget from the Google Clock app, which syncs with other Android devices and supports the functions of Alarm, Timer and Stopwatch right from the home screen.

How to determine:

1. Make sure that the phone has Google Watch installed (download from the Play Market if it doesn’t).
2. Click and hold the free space on the home screen → “Widgets”.

Advantages of Google widgets:

• 🔄 Sync alarm clocks with other devices (e.g. Google Nest Hub).
• 🌙 Automatic switching to a dark topic depending on the time of day.
• ⏱️ Quick access to the timer and stopwatch directly from the widget.

⚠️ Attention: On Chinese firmware MIUI (This widget is not available without Google services, and to install it, you will need to flash the global version of the software or use Google Installer (an informal solution that can disrupt the stability of the system).

4. Hidden functions: dynamic widgets on MIUI 14

Recent versions of MIUI 14 (based on Android 13/14) have dynamic widgets that change the appearance depending on the time of day, weather or user activity, for example, the watch can automatically switch from light to dark after sunset or display animations of rain if it snows.

How to enable dynamic widgets:

1. Make sure that the phone has MIUI 14 installed (check in Settings → About phone).
2. Add a standard watch widget to the home screen (as in the first method).
3. Press and hold the widget → select “Set up the widget”.

Examples of dynamic effects:

⚠️ Attention: Dynamic widgets consume more power because they constantly update data. If you notice increased battery consumption, turn off this feature in the widget settings or reduce the frequency of updates in Settings → Battery → Optimization.

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If dynamic widgets don't work, check if weather sync is enabled in Settings → Apps → Weather → Permissions. Without geolocation access, no animation will be displayed.

5. Problem Solving: The watch widget doesn't show up or disappears

Sometimes users find that the watch widget disappears after a reboot or update to MIUI. Let's consider the typical causes and ways to eliminate them.

Problem 1: The widget disappeared after the firmware update.

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – often it helps to restore widgets.
• 📱 Remove the widget and add it again through the widget menu.
• 🔧 Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data (this won’t delete your apps, only return the standard view of the home screen).

Problem 2: There is no Watch section in the widget list.

• 🌍 Check the firmware region: on the Chinese versions MIUI Some widgets are hidden, so the solution is to flash global firmware or use third-party apps.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📦 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher) that supports watch widgets.

Problem 3: The widget does not update the time.

• ⏱️ Check the time settings: Settings → Additionally. → Date and time → Autodetermining date and time (must be included).
• 🔄 Restart the Clock app: Settings → Annexes → The clock → Forced to stop.
• 📵 If you use a third-party widget, check the application permissions (internet access and exact location).

Reboot the phone|Check the date and time settings|Update MIUI last-minute|Clear the launcher's cache|Install a third-party widget-->

6. Advanced settings: changing the style and functions of the widget

The standard widgets on Xiaomi have additional customizations that allow you to change the look and function of the watch.

Configure the standard widget:

1. Press and hold the watch widget on the home screen.
2. In the menu that appears, select “Configure widget” (or “Change”).

Save the changes.

Additional features for MIUI 14:

• 🔄 Animation when changing minutes (smooth movement of arrows).
• 📊 Display steps (integration with Mi Fitness).
• 🔔 Quick access to alarm clocks (one tap on the widget).

For power users: If you need more flexibility, you can use apps like KWGT Kustom Widget Maker. It allows you to create fully customized watch widgets with unique design, animations, and even integration with other services (for example, displaying currency rates or data from a fitness tracker).

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On MIUI 14, the watch widgets support gestures: double tap opens alarm clocks, swipe up timer, which speeds up access to frequently used functions.

7. Watch widgets on lock screen

Xiaomi devices can display time not only on the home screen, but also on the lock screen. This is convenient if you often check the time without unlocking the phone. MIUI.

For MIUI 12/13:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select "Clock Style"

For MIUI 14:

• 🔄 Added the option “Dynamic clock” that changes color depending on the wallpaper.

⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 with a LCD-Always-on Display is not available due to hardware limitations, and it quickly drains the battery if it is constantly on.

8.The Best Third-Party Watch Widgets for Xiaomi

If built-in widgets don’t suit you, consider third-party apps, which offer more customization options and often have unique features.

Top.-5 watch-appendix:

How to install a third-party widget:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and select the style of the widget.
3. Return to the main screen, press and hold the free space → “Widgets”.

On devices with Chinese firmware without Google Play, you will need manual download to install third-party widgets APK-However, this can compromise the security of the system - use this method only if you are sure of the source.

Frequently asked questions