Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where, after updating the firmware or random action from the desktop, the watch widget disappears. This can be both the standard Watch widget and the Always On Screen (AOD) element, which displays the time on the locked display. The absence of this information on the home screen reduces the usability of the device, forcing the user to unlock the phone each time or look for time in the status bar.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to restore time widgets on the MIUI desktop, as well as settings for displaying time when the screen is off, you will learn how to change the appearance of the watch, choose the desired display format, and correct typical interface errors when the widget is not added or disappears after a reboot.
The customization process may vary depending on the version of the MIUI 12, 13, 14 or new HyperOS shell. However, the basic principles of working with widgets remain unchanged. We will look at universal methods that will suit most current Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models.
Widgets vs. AOD: What is the difference in display time
Before you start setting up, it’s important to understand the difference between the two main ways you display time on the screen: the first option is a widget on the desktop that is only visible after unlocking the device; the second is Always On Display (AOD), which shows the time, date and notifications on the black screen that is off.
Many users confuse these concepts by trying to configure the "always on screen" through the widget menu, or vice versa. Desktop widgets consume less power when active, but do not work when the phone is lying on the table with the display gone out. AOD, in contrast, requires support for a screen matrix (AMOLED) and consumes battery power even in standby mode.
In the MIUI shell, there are different system components that perform these functions. Time widgets are part of the launcher (desktop shell), while AOD is controlled by the system settings of the display and lock. If you have a lost watch on a locked screen, you need to look for settings in the lock screen section, not in the widget menu.
⚠️ Note: Always On Display is only available on smartphones AMOLED-On screens, on models with IPS-Matrices (often budget Redmi series) time on the off screen will not be displayed, no matter how much you configure.
To save charge, MIUI has a smart AOD algorithm that can shut down when the phone is in your pocket or when it's on the screen down, and it's not a bug, it's a regular energy saving operation.
How to Add a Standard Watch Widget to Your Desktop
The easiest way to return time to the home screen is to use the standard MIUI widget menu, which works the same on all firmware versions, including the latest HyperOS. The widget can display not only the time, but also the date, weather or phases of the moon, depending on the style chosen.
You need to start by going to desktop editing mode, and you need to do this by pressing your finger for a long time on an empty part of the screen, or by using a pinch gesture, and you'll see a control panel at the bottom of the screen where you want to select Widgets.
☑️ Checking before installing the widget
In the list that opens, find the Watch category. The system will offer several design options: digital, analog, minimalist. Click on your favorite option, and it will automatically add to the desktop. If the widget does not stand up, check if the grid cell is occupied by another application.
Once added, you can move the widget around the screen or resize it. To do this, press the widget and drag it to the desired area. Some widgets allow you to resize by pulling special markers around the edges, but standard MIUI watches are often fixed in size.
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If you don’t like standard MIUI widgets, try installing a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which offer more flexible time widget settings.
Setting up Always On Display (Always on screen)
If your goal is to see time on a black screen without unlocking, you need to activate AOD, which turns the display off into an information bar, and you can set it up through the system menu, not through desktop widgets.
Go to Settings, then select Lock Screen or Always On and Lock. Depending on the version of MIUI, the path may be slightly different. Find the Switch Always On and activate it. Here you can choose the display style of the watch: classic, vertical, with an image or animation.
| Setup parameter | Description of function | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Mode of work | Selecting the time of activity (always, on schedule, 10 seconds) | High under "Always" mode. |
| Style of design | Digital, analog, with picture | Average (depending on complexity) |
| Schedule | Automatic on/off at a given time | Low (optimized) |
| Display on notice | The screen only lights up when a message arrives. | Minimum |
Pay special attention to setting the schedule. To keep the battery running, it is recommended to set schedule mode, for example, turn on from 8:00 to 23:00. At night, while you sleep, you do not need to keep the screen active.
Some versions of MIUI have a Smart AOD feature that uses a front-facing camera or sensors to understand when you're picking up your phone, and only turns the screen on at that point, a perfect trade-off between functionality and autonomy.
Use of the "Themes" application for customization
Standard widgets can seem boring, and here comes the help of Xiaomi’s proprietary Themes app. The theme catalog features thousands of designs that completely change the look of the desktop, including unique watch widgets.
Open the Themes app and go to the Widgets section, where you can download individual watch packets that are not available in the standard menu, and once you download the widget, it will appear in the general list, and you can add it to the desktop in the usual way.
Be careful when installing third-party themes and widgets. Some design decisions can be overloaded with animation, which will lead to increased energy consumption and slowing down the interface. Choose widgets with high ratings and a lot of downloads.
⚠️ WARNING: When installing widgets from third-party sources or unofficial themes, make sure they are compatible with your version of Android. Version conflict can cause a desktop crash.
You can also create custom combinations in the Themes app, so you can mix elements from different themes, leaving the system clock, but changing the background or font, and you can create a unique interface that is completely tailored to your preferences.
Widget problems: why the clock disappears or doesn't work
When a watch widget spontaneously disappears from the desktop or stops showing current time, it is rare, but it does happen, most often due to the operation of the MIUI memory optimization system, which kills the background processes of widgets to save resources.
To prevent the widget from being deleted by the system, you need to fix it in memory. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find the Watch or Widgets system application (may be called MIUI Home) in the list. Go to the Battery section and select No Limits mode.
Hidden widget settings
Another reason widgets are missing is a crowded launcher cache. If the desktop is unstable, try clearing its cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Find Desktop (or System Launcher) → Memory → Clear. Importantly, choose Clear, not Reset, so you don’t lose the location of the icons.
If the widget shows the wrong time, check the date and time settings. Make sure network sync is enabled. Go to Settings → Additional → Date and time and activate Use Network Time.
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The main reason widgets disappear is the aggressive energy saving of MIUI. The setting of the "No Limits" mode for the Watch application solves the problem in 90% of cases.