How to return the watch to the home screen Xiaomi Redmi 9: from widgets to hidden settings MIUI

Why Xiaomi Redmi 9 Watches Disappeared and How to Fix It

You used to look at your smartphone screen to find out the time, but suddenly you found that the watch was missing from the Redmi 9 home screen? This problem is more common than it seems: after updating the MIUI, resetting the settings or even a random swipe, the widget can disappear. 80% of the time is due to a failure in the MIUI shell, less often - system restrictions or user actions (for example, removing the widget manually).

The good news is that you can return the watch to the screen in 2-3 minutes without resorting to complex manipulations. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods - from basic (reboot and check widgets) to advanced (set up the system clock through ADB), and you will learn why the watch can hide itself when you activate the Do Not Disturb mode or after installing third-party launchers.

If you’ve tried to reboot your phone before and it hasn’t worked, don’t worry. Here’s a look at solutions that work even when the watch disappears after upgrading to MIUI 14 or when using third-party themes.

Method 1: Checking and restoring the watch widget

The most common reason for the clock to disappear is the accidental removal of the widget from the home screen. In MIUI, the watch widget is not an "embedded" interface element (unlike iOS), so it can be removed as easily as any other widget. Here's how to return it back:

  1. Unlock the screen and go to the main desktop.
  2. Make a long tap on any free screen space to open the editing menu.
  3. At the bottom of the screen, tap the button Widgets (the icon with squares).
  4. Scroll down the list and find the Watch widget (usually called Analog Watch or Digital Watch).
  5. Press the widget and drag it to a free space on the screen.

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

  • 🔄 The system application "Clock" is disabled (check in Settings) → Annexes → Application management).
  • 📱 A third-party launcher is used (for example, Nova Launcher or a third-party launcher). POCO Launcher that does not support widgets MIUI.
  • 🔧 Failure in the shell (solved by cleaning the launcher cache, see the following method).

Make sure the system application "Clock" is not disabled

Check if a third-party launcher is being used

Restart the phone and try again

Clear the launcher cache (instruction below)-->

If there is a widget, but when dragging and drop, there is an error “Can not add a widget”, try to remove unnecessary widgets from the screen (sometimes MIUI limits their number) or create a new desktop page.

Method 2: Clearing the launcher cache and system applications

If the watch widget is present but not added or disappears after a reboot, the problem may be in the damaged launcher cache (the application responsible for displaying the desktop), cache clearing often resolves such glitches without losing data.

Cleaning instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. In the search box, type Launcher (or "MIUI Launcher" for the global version).
  3. Slip on the app, then select Warehouse.
  4. Click Clear Cache (do not click Clear Data – this will reset the location of the icons!).
  5. Return to the home screen and try adding the watch widget again.

If that doesn’t work, clear the cache for two more apps:

  • 🕒 The watch (com.android.deskclock)
  • 📱 System interface MIUI (com.miui.home)

💡

Once the launcher cache is cleared, the background animation on the lock screen may disappear. Don't worry, it will recover after the reboot.

If the watch still doesn’t show up, try restarting your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → Restart in Safe Mode).In this mode, all third-party apps are turned off, and if the watch appears, one of the software you installed (most often launchers or optimizers) is to blame.

Method 3: Configure time display through the system clock

MIUI has a hidden feature that allows you to force time to be displayed in the status bar or on the lock screen, even if the widget is missing. This method is useful if you just need to see the time, not necessarily in the form of a widget.

How to turn on:

  1. Open the Watch app (usually located in the Tools folder).
  2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
  3. Scroll down to the Time Display section (or "Block Screen" in newer versions of MIUI).
  4. Activate options: 🔘 Show the clock on the lock screen 🔘 Double timeline (if you want to see the date) 🔘 Show seconds (optional)

Save the changes and check the lock screen.

If these options are not available, then your MIUI version does not support them (relevant for Redmi 9 on MIUI 12.5 and below).

What to do if there is no “time display” section?
In older versions of MIUI (below 12), this section may be called “Clock Style” or “Block Screen.” If it’s not there, try installing Xiaomi’s Weather app — sometimes it will unlock additional time settings.

MIUI versionAvailability of the "Time Display" sectionAn alternative path
MIUI 14 and newer✅ Yes.Settings → Lock screen → Watch style
MIUI 12.5 - 13⚠️ Partially (depends on regional firmware)Settings → All settings → Lock screen
MIUI 12 and older❌ No.Use a widget or a third-party clock (e.g. Google Clock)

Method 4: Resetting launcher settings (without data loss)

If previous methods failed, the cause could be a deep glitch in the launcher settings, and unlike a complete phone reset, a launcher reset would only return the standard layout of icons and widgets without affecting personal data.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find MIUI Launcher (or simply "Luncher").
  3. Slip it on it, then select Warehouse.
  4. Click Clear Data (NO Cache!) Confirm action.
  5. The phone will automatically reboot and you will see a standard desktop.

💡

Resetting the launcher will remove all your icon folders, widgets and wallpaper. Take screenshots of the icons' location in advance if you want to restore them later.

After discharge:

  • 🔄 The watch widget should appear in a standard place (usually in the upper left corner).
  • 📱 If there is no Again watch, add it manually (see Method 1).
  • ⚙️ Configure the desktop again (wallpaper, icons, folders).

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi 9 firmware (especially custom ones), a launcher reset may result in the loss of the themes. If you use a non-standard theme, save it to Settings before resetting. → Topics.

Method 5: Advanced Solutions (ADBs and Third Party Launchers)

If none of the above methods worked, it’s time for advanced tools, and this section is for users who are not afraid of the command line or are willing to install third-party software.

Method A: Enabling the clock through ADB

Sometimes the watch is lost due to a system settings failure, and you can force it to turn on via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

  1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
  2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global status_bar_clock 1 This command includes displaying time in the status bar.
  4. For forced widget reset use: adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

Method B: Installation of a third-party launcher

If the problem is with MIUI Launcher itself, try an alternative launcher, such as:

  • 📱 Nova Launcher (allows you to add watch widgets from Google).
  • 🔄 POCO Launcher (optimized for Xiaomi devices).
  • ⚡ Lawnchair (light launcher with support for widgets) MIUI).

After installation:

  1. Assign a new launcher by default (a request will appear at the first start).
  2. Add the watch widget through the new launcher widget menu.
  3. If the watch is still not displayed, check the launcher settings (usually there is an option to "Show widgets").

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (such as Hyperion Launcher) may conflict with MIUI, Check the reviews for your model before installing (Redmi) 9 s MIUI 12-14).

Restore the widget (Method 1)

Clearing the launcher cache (Method 2)

System Clock Configuration (Method 3)

Launcher reset (Method 4)

ADB or third-party launcher (Method 5)

Nothing helped.-->

Additional Advice and Frequent Mistakes

Even after a successful return to the screen, the watch may disappear again.

  • 🔄 Don’t update themes from unreliable sources – they can drop widgets.
  • 📱 Avoid “optimizers” (e.g. Clean Master or Clean Master). DU Speed Booster – they often remove the launcher cache, which leads to crashes.
  • ⚙️ Clean the cache regularly (once in a week) 1-2 month through Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
  • 🔋 Keep an eye on free memory – if your phone has less than 1GB of free space, MIUI Can automatically remove widgets.

If the clock is only missing at a certain time of day, check:

  • 🌙 Do Not Disturb – In some firmware, it hides widgets.
  • 🔋 Energy saving schedule (can disable background launcher processes).
  • 📡 Geofencing settings (if you use automation through Google Assistant or Mi Home).

If the problem recurs after each MIUI update, consider rolling back on an older firmware version or installing custom firmware (such as Pixel Experience) where there are no such bugs.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

The watch is missing after the MIUI update.
First, try clearing the launcher cache (Method 2). If it doesn't work, reset the launcher settings (Method 4). 90% of the time, this solves the problem after the updates. If the watch never shows up, check if the system application is disabled.
Can I return the watch without resetting the settings?
Start with Method 1 (widget check) and Method 3 (system clock display setup) only if these methods don't work, move on to launcher reset or ADB.
Why does the clock disappear on its own?
This is a typical MIUI bug that involves: Automatic Cache Cleaning System, Conflict with Installed Themes, Third Party Optimizers (e.g. Security or Cleaner) Solution: Turn off Automatic Cleaning in Settings → Battery → Optimization and remove unnecessary themes.
How to fix the clock so it doesn’t disappear?
Do this: Add the watch widget to the screen. Press it and drag it to the folder (e.g. create a folder for "Widgets"). Secure the folder on the screen (in MIUI, this is done with a long press → Secure). This will prevent the system from accidentally removing the widget.
There's a clock, but it's not updated. What do we do?
If the time on the widget is frozen, the problem is sync: Open Settings → Additional → Date and Time. Turn off and enable Date and Time Auto Determination again. Select another sync server (e.g. time.google.com). Reboot your phone. If that doesn't work, clear the Clock app cache (see Method 2).