How to return the clock to the Xiaomi Redmi desktop: all the ways to MIUI 12, 13 and 14

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi Redmi desktop suddenly lost a watch? This problem is familiar to many users of smartphones based on MIUI, the branded shell of Xiaomi. The widget can disappear with time and date after a system update, resetting or even accidentally touching. Fortunately, you can return it back in several ways, from basic to hidden shell functions.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for returning watches to the home screen, including recovery through theme settings, launcher reset and manual widget installation. We will focus on the nuances for different versions of MIUI 12, 13 and 14, as well as typical errors that can cause the watch to disappear again. If you are a user of Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 or newer models, the instruction will be suitable for you.

Why did the Xiaomi Redmi desktop watch disappear?

Before you restore the widget, it's important to understand why it's gone, and 80 percent of the time, the problem is with the MIUI shell settings, not the hardware breakdown, and the most common ones are:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: After installing a new version of the shell (for example, from 13 to 14), the system can reset the desktop settings, including widgets.
• 🎨 Change theme: Some themes from the Mi Theme Store don't support displaying the watch on the home screen.
• 👆 Accidental Deletion: Long-Tap on the Widget and Select “Delete” – a frequent user error.
• 🔧 Launcher Reset: If you cleared the cache or data of the Lawnchair application (alternative launcher) or standard MIUI Launcher.
• 📱 Light Desktop Activation: In some Redmi models, this mode hides all widgets.

Less commonly, the problem is damage to system files (such as after a failed rooting) or conflict with installed launchers from third-party developers. If the watch is missing after a phone drop or moisture hits, it is worth checking the display's performance - perhaps only a certain segment of the screen is damaged.

Method 1: Recovery through theme settings

The easiest method is to return the watch through standard MIUI themes, which works on all Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi 10C and newer devices.

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the section My topics → Current topic.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Restore by default.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the changes to be applied (the phone may restart).

If the watch doesn’t appear after that, try manually setting a standard theme:

• 🌙 In the Topic section, select Standard or MIUI Default.
• 🔍 Make sure that the theme settings include the option to Show widgets on the desktop.

Make sure your phone is connected to the internet.|Close all background applications|Check the vacant space (need to be checked). ≥500MB)|Turn it off. VPN (can block the loading of themes)-->

Note: On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for the European region), the standard theme may be called Classic or System Default. If you use custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), this method may not work, go to method 3.

Method 2: Manual installation of the watch widget

If the watch is not automatically displayed, you can add it manually through the widget menu, which is universal for all MIUI and Redmi versions:

1. Press and hold the empty space on your desktop (not on the icon!).
2. In the menu that appears, select Widgets (or Widgets).
3. Scroll through the list to the Watch section (could be called Clock or Time & Date).
4. Select your favorite display style (analog, digital, date) and drag it to the screen.

If there is no clock in the list of widgets, follow the following steps:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone (hold the power button) → Reboot).
• 📥 Update the Watch app via Play Market (if installed as a system, the update may not show up).
• 🗑️ Clear the launcher cache: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Clear the cache.

Important: On some Redmi models with MIUI 14, the watch widget may be hidden due to the power saving policy. To unlock it, go to Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode and turn off the option to Limit Background Activity for the Launcher app.

Method 3: Resetting the launcher settings

If previous methods failed, the problem may be a failure of the system launcher (MIUI Launcher), resetting its settings will return the desktop to factory status, but will not delete your applications or data.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type Launcher and select an app (usually called MIUI Launcher or Lawnchair for custom firmware).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear Data (not to be confused with Clear Cache!).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the launcher to restart (the phone will not turn off, but the desktop will be updated).

After discharge:

• 🔄 The watch must appear automatically (if a standard theme is used).
• 📱 If not, add the widget manually (see Method 2).
• 🔧 Configure the desktop again (location of icons, folders).

💡

Before resetting the launcher, take a screenshot of the current location of the icons – this will help to quickly restore their order after the procedure.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), a launcher reset can cause all widgets, including weather and notes, to disappear. If you use an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher), this method will not work – delete it and return to the standard one.

Method 4: Configure through the MIUI Lab (for advanced)

MIUI has a hidden Lab (or MIUI Optimization) section where you can manually enable the display of system widgets, which is suitable for experienced users and requires caution:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times in a row on the MIUI Version until you become a developer!

Settings

Additionally.

For developers

MIUI Laboratory

MIUI Optimization

Desktop

Widgets

Showing the clock

If the Lab section is not in the settings, try an alternative path:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings (cog icon) → Show system processes → Find “MIUI Optimization” and turn on

Warning: Changes to MIUI Labs can affect system stability. Do not activate unknown options unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, disabling MIUI Optimization will cause shell failures.

💡

The method through the MIUI Laboratory is the most reliable for Xiaomi.EU firmware and custom assemblies, where standard methods do not work.

Method 5: Reinstall the Clock system application

In rare cases, the widget disappears due to damage to the system APK-The application file is Clock. You can restore it through ADB (for experienced users) or reinstall the update:

Option 1: Through the Play Market (if the app is updated)

1. Open the Play Market and find the Watch app from Xiaomi Inc.
2. Click Update (if the button is active) or Remove Updates → Update.
3. Reboot the phone.

If the clock disappears after each MIUI update, turn off the automatic update installation:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Turn off the option of Automatic download via Wi-Fi.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions