How to spend time on the desktop of the smartphone Xiaomi: all the ways

Displaying time on the Xiaomi desktop is a seemingly simple feature, but many users have difficulty setting it up. Depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14 or 15) and the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.), the ways to add watches may differ. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from standard widgets to hidden theme settings.

It's important to understand that desktop time is not just an aesthetic element, but also a functional part of the interface. In MIUI 14+, for example, a watch can interact with system notifications, display weather, or even serve as a shortcut for quick access to alarms. If you recently updated your firmware or reset your settings to factory settings, you may have to reconfigure your time display.

Why Time May Not Show Up on the Desktop

Before you go to the setting, it is worth understanding the possible reasons for the absence of the clock:

• 🔄 Resetting: After returning to factory settings, all widgets, including watches, are removed from the desktop.
• 📱 Update MIUI: New firmware versions can change the location of system widgets or hide them in other menu sections.
• 🎨 Third-party topic: Some topics from the topic → Online removes standard watches, replacing them with their own elements (which may not work correctly).
• ⚙️ Disabled System Applications: If you manually disabled the Watch or Weather app through Settings → Applications, widget will stop working.

The problem can also be in regional settings, for example, if the smartphone has an incorrect time zone (Settings → Additional → Date and Time), the system clock on the desktop may not display correctly or disappear altogether. Check if the Auto-Date and Time option is enabled - without it, the widget can "reset" after rebooting.

Method 1: Adding a standard watch widget

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI widget.It is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, but its layout on the menu may vary.

Instructions:

1. Press and hold the empty space on your desktop (not on the icon!).
2. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a toolbar, and you'll tap Widgets (or Widgets in global firmware).
3. Scroll down to Systems (or Tools) and there should be Clock and Weather & Clock widgets.
4. Select your favorite option (such as a 4×2 Analog Watch or a 4×1 Digital Watch) and drag it to your desktop.

If the Watch widget is not listed, it could mean:

• 🔧 The Watch app is disabled in settings (enable it in Settings) → Annexes → Application management → The clock).
• 📲 Installed custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience), where widgets MIUI Replaced with standard Android.

The "Clock" app is included in the settings |

Time Auto-Determination Activated |

There is a free space on the desktop (at least 4×1 cell)|

The phone is not in power saving mode (can block widgets)-->

Method 2: Configure through MIUI themes

If you don't like standard widgets, you can install a custom watch theme, which is suitable for users who want not only functionality, but also a unique design.

How to do this:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Online section and enter the clock or clock in the search bar.
3. Choose your favorite theme (such as iOS Clock, Minimal Clock, or Neumorphic Widgets).
4. Click Apply and confirm installation. After that, a new watch widget will appear on the desktop (sometimes you need to restart).

Note that some themes can replace the system clock completely, including its style in the notification bar. If after applying the theme, the time on the desktop has disappeared, try:

• 🔄 Return to the standard topic (themes) → Mine. → Standard).
• 🛠️ Manually add the watch widget from the Widgets section (as in Method 1).

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in solutions don't suit you, you can install third-party watch widgets from Google Play.

• 🕒 Chronus: Home & Lock Widgets – Supports custom styles and weather integration.
• ⏰ Digital Clock Widget – Minimalistic digital watch with font setting.
• 🌡️ Transparent Clock & Weather – a weather and clock widget in one block.
• 🎨 KWGT Kustom Widget Maker – for advanced users, allows you to create a unique watch from scratch.

How to install a third-party widget:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like Chronus).
2. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop → Widgets.
3. Find the widget of the installed application (for example, Chronus 4×2) in the list.
4. Drag it to the screen and adjust the look through the app menu.

⚠️ Note: Some third-party widgets may drain the battery due to constant internet sync (e.g., for weather display). → Battery → Select applications and add a widget to exceptions if it is updated frequently.

Method 4: Manually creating a label for a watch

If the widget doesn't work for some reason, you can create a shortcut for the Watch app that opens it with a single tap, which won't replace the display of time on the screen, but will give you quick access to alarm clocks and timers.

Instructions:

1. Tap and hold the empty space on the desktop → Shortcuts (or shortcuts).
2. In the list, find the Clock app.
3. Select an action (e.g., Open alarm clocks or Show World Time).
4. The label will appear on the desktop. If you want, you can change its icon with a long press → Change.

This method is useful if:

• 🔋 You want to save battery power (shortcuts don’t consume energy in the background).
• 📱 You're an old model. 4X, Mi A1), where widgets are unstable.
• 🎯 You need quick access to a specific function of the watch (e.g. a stopwatch for training).

Solving Time Display Problems

If the desktop time is not updated, is displayed incorrectly or disappears after a reboot, use this table for diagnosis:

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher app (or MIUI Launcher).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: Clearing the launcher data removes all widgets and icons on the desktop, and after restarting, you have to reconfigure the screen!

💡

If the problem persists after all the manipulations, check the integrity of system files through the Security → Scanner application.

Additional chips: the clock on the lock screen and always on the display

In addition to the desktop, Xiaomi can configure the display of time on:

• 🔒 Lock screen: go to Settings → Lock screen → Watch style and choose the design.
• 🌙 Always-On Display (AOD): available on models AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K60 Included in Settings → Display. → Always-On Display.
• 📱 Notification panels: time is always displayed here, but its style depends on the chosen theme.

On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5 Xiaomi 12T) into AOD can be tuned:

• Color and font of the watch.
• Date and weather display.
• Animation when unlocked.

If the Always-On Display option is not available in the settings, it means that your model does not support this feature at the software level, in which case you can use third-party applications like Always On AMOLED (but they consume additional power).

💡

On models with MIUI 15, Always-On Display has a Dynamic Watch feature, animated dials that change depending on the time of day. To activate it, update your firmware to the latest version.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up time on Xiaomi