Many Xiaomi smartphone owners are faced with a situation where the standard size of the dial or time font is not enough for a comfortable experience, this is especially true for people with impaired vision or those who prefer to see information about time from a distance, such as when the phone is lying on the table while working. The standard settings of MIUI and HyperOS provide flexible tools for scaling interface elements, but they are not always obvious to the average user.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can make your time as large and visible as possible, not only the basic font settings, but also the hidden features of lock screens, Always On Display widgets, and how to adjust the contrast and readability of numbers in different lighting conditions. Understanding these nuances will allow you to personalize your device without installing third-party software.
In addition, we will touch on the technical aspects of interface rendering and explain why in some cases, increasing the font can lead to incorrect display of other elements of the system. UI-elements will help to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the shell MIUI, So, we're going to take a little bit of a practical step to change the display.
Set up the font size in the system
The easiest and most effective way to increase screen time is to change the global font size in the system settings, which will affect not only the clock, but also the text in the menu, messages and applications, which will provide a uniform standard of readability throughout the interface. To do this, you need to go to Settings, then select the Screen item and find the option Text Size and display.
In the menu that opens, you'll see a slider that moves to the right will increase the characters. The system will automatically apply the changes, and you'll see the result immediately in a preview. It's important to note that over-magnification can cause some applications to display text incorrectly, cropping lines or superimposing elements on top of each other. So it's a good idea to choose a value that's comfortable for your eyes, but doesn't disrupt the layout of the interface.
⚠️ Note: As you maximize the font in some Xiaomi system applications, some of the control buttons may disappear. If you notice that the interface has become unusable, reduce the value by one division.
To fine-tune it, you can use the Screen zoom function, which works like a magnifier. It doesn't change the font size permanently, but it allows you to temporarily scale any area of the display with a double touch or a button. It's convenient for reading fine text, but less practical for constant use of the watch.
Use of widgets on the main screen
If the system font changes aren't enough, a great solution is to install a large watch widget on your desktop. MIUI and HyperOS shells offer a wide range of widgets of various formats that can be scaled regardless of system settings. To add a widget, swipe up on the home screen or hold your finger in the free area for a long time, then select Widgets.
In the list of available widgets, find the Watch category. Here are classic, digital and analog options. Digital widgets often allow you to resize the grid: just drag the widget onto the screen, then click on the edge of it and stretch it to the desired size. Some widget models support changing the style of the dial right in the editing menu, allowing you to choose the most bold and large font.
- 🕰️ Classic digital clocks – display time in large numbers, often with seconds and a date.
- 🎨 Stylized widgets – have a unique design, but can be less readable on colorful wallpaper.
- 📅 Combined widgets – show the time, weather and calendar, occupying a significant part of the screen.
For maximum visibility, it is recommended to use widgets with a contrasting background or choose wallpapers on which the numbers will read well.It is also worth considering that widgets consume slightly more battery resources than a static lock screen, but the difference is in modern Xiaomi models with a high-performance battery. AMOLED-screens are almost invisible.
💡
Use widgets with black background on AMOLED-Xiaomi screens – this not only improves readability, but also saves battery power, as black pixels are not highlighted.
Always on Display (AOD)
The Always On Display feature available on most Xiaomi smartphones AMOLED-It allows you to display the time even when the screen is locked, and it's one of the most convenient ways to always see the watch without touching the phone. AOD is on the way of settings → Wallpaper and personalization → Always On Display.
In the settings menu, you can choose from a preset style or upload your own image. Many AOD styles offer a large time that occupies the center of the screen. Moreover, some themes support animation when lifting the phone, which attracts additional attention to the dial. You can also set the AOD schedule to only turn on at certain times of the day, saving energy.
| Setup parameter | Description of function | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Display mode | Constantly or on schedule | High/Mediocre |
| Clock style | Choice of font and color of dial | It doesn't. |
| AOD brightness | Adjustment of glow in the dark | Average. |
| Display on notification | Screenlighting when a message arrives | Low. |
It is worth noting that in some models with LCD-The Always On Display function may be absent or operating in limited mode, simulating a constant glow through periodic backlighting. In such cases, it is better to rely on desktop widgets or lock screen settings.
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Always On Display is the best way to see time without unlocking, but it’s only available on devices with AMOLED-matrixes.
Personalization of the lock screen
The lock screen is the first interface you see when you turn on your smartphone, so large watches are critical here. Xiaomi has two types of lock screen: the classic and the new MIUI/HyperOS lock screen with widgets. You can switch between them in the Wallpaper and personalization menu → Lock screen.
The new lock screen format allows you to place a time widget anywhere on the screen and resize it by dragging boundaries. You can choose a serif or no font, change color and even add a depth effect if the wallpaper supports it. The classic lock screen is more conservative, but also allows you to change the style of the watch through the theme store.
To install third-party styles, open the Themes app, go to profile, and select Lock Screen. There are thousands of options where time is allocated as much as possible. After downloading the theme, remember to use the lock component, not the entire theme, if you want to save your wallpaper.
- 🔓 Standard style – minimalist design, time is located in the center or on top.
- 🖼️ Journal style – time is integrated into the image, often overlapped with photo elements.
- ⚙️ Custom style - created by the user through the editor, allows you to set any font size.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party themes from unverified sources, the lock screen time may not be displayed correctly or disappear after a reboot. Use only official themes from the Mi Store.
Scaling problems and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the enlargement of the font does not give the expected result, or the clock becomes too large, overlapping important controls. This can be due to screen resolution restrictions or bugs in a particular version of the firmware, in which cases, resetting display settings or switching to a standard theme helps.
If the clock on the lock screen stopped scaling after the system update, try clearing the Wallpaper and personalization app cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the desired app and select Clear Cache. This action is secure and will not delete your personal data or installed themes.
adb shell pm clear com.miui.themestoreThis ADB command can be useful for advanced users if a standard reset through the menu does not help. It completely cleans the theme store data, returning the display settings to the factory settings. After completing the command, you need to re-select the desired style of the watch.
☑️ Diagnostics of font problems
Additional Opportunities for the Visually Impaired
For users with severe visual impairments, Xiaomi has a High Contrast mode and special accessibility features, which are located in the Settings → Additional → Special. Features Activating these features changes not only the size, but also the color scheme of the interface, making time and other elements as visible as possible.
High contrast mode adds black or white to the letters, which greatly improves readability against any background, and the Augmenter feature is available, which works as a powerful magnifier with the ability to freeze the frame and inverse colors. These tools are built into the system and do not require additional software.
How does the inversion of flowers work?
TalkBack can also be useful, although it is primarily designed to voice actions. However, when combined with large font, it creates the most accessible environment for interacting with your smartphone. Don't be afraid to experiment with settings to find the perfect balance between functionality and convenience.