How to increase the hours on the Xiaomi desktop: from standard settings to hidden chips MIUI

Are you tired of squinting while trying to make out the time on your Xiaomi screen? Standard watches in MIUI often look too small, especially on the larger displays of Redmi Note 12 or POCO F5 smartphones. Fortunately, the manufacturer has envisioned several ways to scale this wigetta - from obvious settings to little-known tricks for power users.

In this article, we’ll break down all possible ways to increase your Xiaomi desktop hours, including:

  • 🔧 Standard settings of widgets in MIUI
  • 📱 Use of themes of design with large hours
  • 🛠️ Manual modification of system files (for advanced ones)
  • 🤖 Alternative launchers with flexible settings
  • ⚙️ Hidden Developer Parameters for Scaling

Important: Not all methods are equally safe. We have marked the risk options with special warnings - read carefully!

📊 What kind of Xiaomi model do you have?
Redmi Note 10/11/12
POCO F3/F4/F5
Xiaomi 12/13/14
Black Shark
Another model

1. Standard method: changing the size of the watch widget

The simplest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer is suitable for most users and does not require root rights or technical knowledge.

Instructions:

  1. Press and hold your finger in the free desktop space until the menu appears.
  2. Select Widgets (or Widgets in English firmware).
  3. Find the Watch widget (usually in the Xiaomi or System section).
  4. Drag him to the desk.
  5. After placing, touch the widget - you will be able to change its size.

Note that some versions of MIUI have multiple options for displaying watches (analog, digital, date) and choose the one that visually seems larger, for example, an analog watch with hands often takes up more screen space than a digital one.

Make sure there is a free space on the desktop.

Check the MIUI version in settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version)

Close all background applications for smooth interface operation

Take a screenshot of the current location of the icons (in case of resetting)-->

2. Use of design themes with large hours

If a standard widget, even at maximum size, seems too small, try changing the theme. Many of the themes for Xiaomi include alternative time display options.

How to do this:

  1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
  2. In the Popular or Recommended section, find themes tagged Big Clock, Large Widgets, or Max Display.
  3. View previews – look for options where the watch takes up a significant portion of the screen.
  4. Download and apply your favorite topic.

Tip: Pay special attention to themes from Mi Fan developers — they are often optimized for large displays. For example, DarkNite or PixelExperience themes offer enlarged widgets.

💡

If the clock hasn't changed after the theme change, try restarting your smartphone. Sometimes the system widgets are only updated after the reboot.

3. Manual editing of system files (for advanced)

This method requires root rights and can cause the system to run in an unstable way. Use only if other methods have not worked!

For power users, you can resize your watch by editing your system theme files.

  • 📱 Root access (unlocked boot loader)
  • 🛠️ File Manager with support for root (for example, MiXplorer)
  • 💾 Backup of the system (required!)

Instructions:

  1. Open MiXplorer and go to /system/media/theme/default.
  2. Find the file com.android.systemui (may have the extension.apk or be in the folder).
  3. Copy it on. SD-map and edit with the help of APK Editor.
  4. In the section res/layout Find the files with the names clock_widget_*.
  5. Change the parameters. android:layout_width and android:layout_height large values (e.g. with 120dp on 200dp).
  6. Save the changes, overwrite the original file, and restart the device.
What happens if you make a mistake in editing?
If you change system files incorrectly, you can: - Permanent interface failures (FC errors) - Disappearance of widgets from the desktop - Looped reboot (bootloop) - Loss of warranty (if the device is guaranteed) You can restore the operability only through flashing.

4. Alternative launchers with customizable clocks

If you don’t like the limitations of the standard MIUI launcher, install a third-party launcher with advanced customization options.

LauncherThe possibilities of the clockCons
Nova LauncherFull customization of size, font, color, support for widgets from third-party developers.Premium version for some functions.
Action LauncherAdaptive widgets, automatic zooming to the screen size.A complex interface for beginners.
LawnchairOpen source, support for Pixel-style with large watches.Rare updates.
Apex LauncherFlexible size adjustment of icons and widgets.Outdated interface design.

How to set up a clock in Nova Launcher:

  1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
  2. Press and hold on the desktop → Widgets → Nova Clock.
  3. Place the widget on the screen and tap it for settings.
  4. In the Size section, select Large or Custom and set the desired settings.

💡

Third-party launchers allow not only to increase the hours, but also to completely change the style of the interface, add gestures and remove MIUI advertising.

5. Hidden developer settings for scaling

MIUI has hidden parameters that allow you to scale all the interface elements globally, including the clock, which doesn't require root, but it does work on the entire system.

How to turn on:

  1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
  2. Find the MIUI version and click on it 7 times until you become a developer!
  3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
  4. Find the minimum width (or smallest width) option.
  5. Reduce the value from 360dp to 320dp or 280dp, which will increase all interface elements.

💡

After changing the Minimum Width setting, restart the device and the effect will be visible on all screens, including menus and apps.

Warning: Reducing the value below 280dp may cause some apps to display incorrectly.The optimal range for Xiaomi is 300-340dp.

6. Specialized applications for customization of watches

If you need to not just increase, but completely remake the display of time, use the apps from Google Play:

  • 🕒 UCCW (Ultimate Custom Clock Widget – a widget designer with script support.
  • ⏰ Chronus – weather and calendar watches that scale to full screen.
  • 📱 KWGT Kustom Widget Maker – an advanced tool for creating unique widgets.
  • 🎨 Zoom Clock Widget – a special solution for increasing time.

Example of settings in KWGT:

  1. Install KWGT and download your favorite watch template from the Explore section.
  2. Place the widget on the desktop.
  3. Tap it and select Edit.
  4. In the editor, find the Scale parameter and increase the value to 150-200%.
  5. Save the changes and apply the widget.
How to return the standard watch after experiments?
If you have used third-party widgets or launchers but want to return to the standard view: 1. Remove all third-party widgets from the desktop. 2. In the launcher settings, select Reset Settings. 3. Reboot the device. 4. If necessary, return to the standard MIUI launcher in the application settings.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing the size of the watch, Xiaomi users often encounter errors.

⚠️ If the clock has disappeared completely after editing the system files, check the integrity of the file. com.android.systemui.apk. It's likely that there was a saving error: Restore the original version from backup or reflash the device.

Problem 1: The watch widget does not scale when dragging.

  • 🔹 Make sure there is enough space on your desktop (remove the extra icons).
  • 🔹 Try a different style of watch (for example, replace digital with analogue watches).
  • 🔹 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (old versions limited widget functionality).

Problem 2: After the theme change, the watch remains the same size.

  • 🔹 Restart the device – sometimes changes only apply after a reboot.
  • 🔹 Check that theme supports customization of widgets (not all themes change the system clock).
  • 🔹 Remove the current watch widget and add it again.

Problem 3: The alternative launcher slows down or flies out.

  • 🔹 Turn off animations in the launcher settings (Performance section).
  • 🔹 Clear the launcher cache in the application settings.
  • 🔹 Try another launcher (for example, Lawnchair is lighter than Nova for weak devices).
Can I increase the clock on a locked screen?
Yes, but the options are limited. In MIUI, the system theme is the size of the clock on the lock screen. Try: Change the theme in the Themes app (look for options marked Big Lockscreen); Use third-party apps like Lock Screen Widgets (requires special permissions); edit the framework-res.apk file (for root-only power users). Note: on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11), the lock clock size is rigidly fixed and not changeable.
Why is the MIUI update making the clock small again?
System updates often reset widget settings. To avoid this: Before upgrading, take a screenshot of the widget layout. Use backup via Settings → Additional → Backup. If the clock is reset, remove the widget and add it again - sometimes this helps restore the previous size. Some firmware (such as MIUI Global) after major updates (from 13 to 14 version) may require reconfiguration of all widgets.
Is there a difference between POCO and Redmi?
No, there is no fundamental difference - and POCO, And Redmi's working on it. MIUI (or its modifications, like POCO However, on POCO F4/F5 defaulted POCO Launcher, where watch widgets may have additional options (e.g., selecting from a different set of options) 5+ styles instead 3 standard MIUI). The Redmi Note series often has customization restrictions due to simplified firmware for budget models. Black Shark features unique themes with large watches optimized for gamers. Always check the version for fine-tuning. MIUI In Settings → The phone.
Can I increase my hours without losing my warranty?
Yes, unless you use methods that require root access or editing system files. Safe methods: Standard scaling of the widget (section 1 of article); Change of the subject (section 2); Install a third-party launcher (section 4); Use of widgets from Google Play (section 6). All these methods do not violate the Xiaomi warranty terms, as they do not affect the system files.
How to make a watch full screen?
Full-screen watches can be implemented in two ways: via KWGT: Download the Full Screen Clock template from the Explore section. Place a widget on your desktop. In the widget settings, select the Max size (usually 4×4 or 5×5 cells). Through Live Wallpaper: Set live wallpapers with a clock (such as Clock Live Wallpaper). In the wallpaper settings, turn on the time display and increase the font. Disable standard clocks to avoid duplication. Please note: full-screen watches can overlap the icons with the app table separately.