How to return the clock to the main screen of the Xiaomi phone: all working methods

Xiaomi’s home screen watch widget is not just a design element, but a handy tool for quickly monitoring time without unlocking the device. However, many users face the problem of a watch suddenly disappearing after a firmware update, a theme change or accidental deletion. You can restore them in several ways - from standard settings. MIUI to manual installation through alternative launchers.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of returning the clock to the desktop of Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO, including models MIUI 12/13/14 And HyperOS. We'll focus on the common bugs that might make the widget fail, and we'll give you some suggestions for how to customize the look. If you've tried standard methods without success, don't close the page: at the end, there's a section with non-obvious solutions for complex cases.

Before you start the instructions, make sure that your device has the latest firmware installed. In some cases, the disappearance of the watch is due to bugs of specific builds. MIUI, You can check the relevance of the software in the Settings menu. → The phone. → Updating the system.

It is also worth noting that on new versions of HyperOS (for example, on Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro).+) The algorithm for adding widgets has changed a little. If you have a device from 2023 to 2026, check out the section on the features of HyperOS.

Why the clock from the main screen is missing: 7 main reasons

The disappearance of the watch widget rarely happens without a reason, most often due to user actions or system changes.

• 🔄 Update the firmware after installing the new version MIUI or HyperOS desktop settings may be reset, including the location of widgets.
• 🎨 Change the theme or wallpaper. Some themes (Minimalism, Dark) automatically hide the clock or replace it with alternative elements.
• 🗑️ Delete by mistake. With prolonged pressing on the widget and selecting the option Remove the watch disappears from the screen.
• 📱 Using a third-party launcher.Apps like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher may conflict with Xiaomi system widgets.
• 🔧 Reset the launcher settings. → Annexes → The launcher is a reset option that removes all widgets.
• 🛠️ System Optimization: Memory Cleanup or Acceleration in Security App sometimes removes “extra” interface elements.
• 🐞 System bug: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) the watch is lost due to errors in specific versions MIUI.

If you don't fall into either of these categories, the problem may be deep system settings, and the Advanced Recovery section will help.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) The watch widget can be replaced with a smart panel with weather and notifications. To return the classic look, you will need to turn off the Smart Screen function in the theme settings.

Method 1: Standard Addition via MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in functionality. MIUI. It works on most Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi 9, POCO F3 And newer models. Follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Unlock your phone and go to the main screen.
2. Make a long tap on any free screen spot (not on the icon!).
3. At the bottom of the screen, a panel with options will appear. Select Widgets (or Widgets in English firmware).
4. Scroll down and find the Watch section (could be called Clock or Digital Clock).
5. Hold your finger on the right widget and drag it to the home screen. Release your finger when the green frame appears.
6. Customize the widget by pulling around the corners (if the option is available).

If there is no clock in the list of widgets, check if the Clock system application is disabled.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Watch in the list and make sure it is not disabled.
3. If the application is disabled, click Enable and repeat adding the widget.

Make sure the widget isn’t hidden in the theme settings|

Check if the "Clock" app is disabled"|

Update the firmware to the latest version|

Reboot your phone before setting up-->

On some firmware (e.g, MIUI 12.5 Enhanced) The watch widget can be hidden in System widgets. If you don't see it in the main list, tap the filter at the top of the screen and select Show All.

Method 2: Recovery through theme settings

V MIUI And HyperOS, the desktop look is closely related to the theme you've chosen, and if the clock is missing after you change the design, you can return it through the themes menu:

1. Open the settings → design (or themes).
2. Select the current topic (click on its preview).
3. Scroll down to the Desktop Settings section.
4. Find the watch widget option and turn it on if it is disabled.
5. Save the changes and return to the main screen.

If the theme used does not support the watch widget (e.g. Minimalist or AMOLED Black, try it:

• 🔄 Change the theme to standard (by default or MIUI).
• 🎨 Install custom theme with watch support from Mi Theme Store.
• 🖼️ Return standard wallpaper (sometimes widgets are tied to the background image).

💡

If the watch never came back after changing the theme, try re-applying the theme: open the settings and click "Apply again." This will reset the design cache.

On HyperOS, the path to settings may be different:

Settings → Screen → Desktop Style → Widgets

Here you can manually enable the display of the watch and adjust its position relative to other elements (for example, weather or notifications).

Features of the return of the clock on HyperOS (for new models)

HyperOS (starting with Xiaomi 13 and Redmi) K60) The desktop interface has undergone a major change, and now the watch can be integrated into a smart panel or hidden under a gesture to bring back the classic widget:

1. Swipe left on the home screen to open the widget bar.
2. Click Edit (the pencil icon in the upper right corner).
3. Find the Watch widget in the list and drag it to the main screen.
4. If the widget is missing, check the smart screen settings: Settings → Screen. → Smart screen → Deactivate “Auto-disclosure of widgets"

HyperOS also has a Dynamic Watch feature that changes style depending on the time of day, and if you don't like this effect, you can turn it off:

Settings → Design → Dynamic elements → Watch → Turn off

MIUI 12/12.5|

MIUI 13/14|

HyperOS|

Custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.)|

Method 3: Using third-party launchers

If system methods have not worked, you can use third-party launchers, which offer more flexibility in setting up widgets.

To install a third-party launcher:

1. Download an app from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. Open it and follow the setup instructions.
3. When the system prompts you to select the default launcher, select the one installed.
4. Add the watch widget through the launcher menu (usually a long tap on the screen).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO C31) Third-party launchers may not work smoothly due to manufacturer restrictions. If the clock disappears again after installing the launcher, try disabling Mi-optimization in the battery settings for this application.

For maximum customization, we recommend using KWGT Kustom Widget Maker. This app lets you create unique watch widgets from scratch or install ready-made templates from the community:

1. Install KWGT from Google Play.


2 Download your favorite template (e.g. Minimal Clock or Neumorphic Time).




3. Add the KWGT widget to the screen (size 4x2 or 5x2).




4. Select the downloaded template and set it up.

Method 4: Advanced Methods (for Power Users)

If the clock doesn't return even after the launcher changes, the problem may be in system files or cache. ADB.

Resetting the launcher settings

Sometimes the launcher data gets damaged, which causes the widgets to disappear.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Louncher (or) MIUI Launcher, POCO Launcher).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Consequences: All icons and widgets on the desktop will be reset to a standard view, and we recommend taking screenshots of the current location before resetting.

Recovery through ADB

If the watch widget is missing due to a system failure, it can be forcibly returned using the ADB. This method requires connecting the phone to the computer and enabling debugging. USB.

Instructions:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open Command Prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
4. Enter the command to reset the launcher settings: adb shell pm clear com.miui.home
5. Reset the device.

On models with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14), com.miui.home can be used instead of com.miui.hyperlauncher. Check the exact name of the package through the command adb shell pm list packages. | grep launcher.

Manual editing of theme files

For root users, it is possible to manually edit the theme files that display the watches, a method that is risky and requires backup!

The path to files:

/data/system/theme/.cache/

Look for files with the.mtz or.apk extension associated with the current theme. Delete them and restart the phone - the system will restore the standard settings.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloope (cyclic reboot) or data loss.This method is recommended only for advanced backup users!

Method 5: Alternative watch applications

If you can't restore the system widget, you can install a third-party app with a watch.

• 🎨 More design options (analog, digital, minimalistic).
• ⚡ Additional functions: alarm clock, timer, world time.
• 🔄 Synchronization with weather, calendar, steps.

Top.-5 Applications to Replace System Clocks:

To add a widget from a third-party app:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Make a long tap on the main screen → Widgets.
3. Find the widget of the installed application (for example, Chronus 4x2).
4. Drag it on the screen and adjust the look.

💡

The side of the watch app is the best option if the system widget refuses to display due to firmware bugs. They also offer more customization options than standard watches. MIUI.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and let's look at common errors and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, try resetting your phone to factory settings.Be sure to back up your data through Settings before doing so. → Additionally. → Backup.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions