How to return the clock to the Xiaomi desktop: all ways in 2026

Have you noticed that after updating MIUI or resetting the settings from the Xiaomi desktop, the usual watch disappeared? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones - the time widget can disappear after installing a new firmware, changing the themes of design or even accidentally removing. Unlike standard application icons, the system widget of the watch can not always be returned simply by holding a finger on the screen.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to return a watch to the home screen, from basic actions in the theme settings to manually adding through hidden MIUI settings. We will focus on the nuances for different shell versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and smartphone models. If you find that time is displayed only in the notification bar, but not on the desktop, here you will find a solution.

Why is the clock on Xiaomi’s desktop missing?

The disappearance of a time widget is rarely an accident, usually due to system changes, and here are the main reasons why a watch may disappear from the home screen:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: New versions of the shell (for example, transition from MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) frequently reset desktop settings, including widgets.
• 🎨 Change of theme: Some topics from the topic → My themes do not support displaying system clocks.
• 🧹 Resetting: Even a partial reset (for example, through Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings) can remove widgets.
• 🖱️ Screen editing error: Long-term clicking on the clock followed by dragging it to the cart (Delete icon) removes the widget permanently.
• 📱 Features of the model: On some devices (for example, POCO F5 Redmi Note 12: The default clock is hidden in favor of alternative widgets.

Interestingly, Xiaomi with Android One (like the Mi A3) has a less frequent problem, using Google’s standard launcher, where a time widget is added through the widget menu, but MIUI has its watch integrated into the system launcher, which creates difficulties.

⚠️ Note: If the watch is missing after manual removal (dragging into the cart), standard addition via widgets will not work – you will need to reset the launcher settings or install an alternative starter.

Method 1: Recovery through theme settings

The easiest method is to return the watch through standard MIUI themes, which works if the widget has disappeared after a change in design or minor changes to the system.

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the section My topics → Choose the current active topic.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Apply in full.
4. Confirm the action – the system will restart the launcher and the clock should appear.

If this method doesn’t work, try to set a standard theme for a while:

• In Topics → Online, find the default theme (usually the first one on the list).
• Use it and check if the watch is available.
• If so, go back to your topic and repeat the steps above.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 11) standard theme may be called MIUI Look for options without third-party modifications.

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If the watch appears after the theme change, but looks different than before, go to Settings → Screen → Watch Style and select the appropriate format (digital / analog).

Method 2: Adding widgets through the menu

If the watch is not part of the theme, it can be added manually as a widget, a method that is suitable for most Xiaomi models, except for devices with a heavily modified launcher (such as the POCO Launcher).

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select Widgets (or Widgets in English firmware).
3. Scroll down the list and find the Watch widget (an icon with a dial).
4. Drag it to your desktop. Select a size if necessary (usually available 2×1 or 4×1) options.

If the Watch Widget is not listed:

• 🔍 Check if it is hidden: press three dots (⋮) in the widget menu and select Show All.
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes widgets don’t show up due to a temporary crash.
• 📥 Update the Watch app via Google Play (if available for update).

On devices with MIUI 15 (HyperOS), the watch widget may be called System Information and include in addition to the time, the date, weather and notifications.

Method 3: Resetting the launcher settings

If previous methods failed, the problem may lie in the system launcher settings, resetting the desktop back to factory status, but not removing apps or personal data.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press three points (⋮) and select Show Systems.
3. Find the MIUI Launcher (or MIUI Launcher) app.
4. Go to Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After the reboot:

• 🔄 The desktop will return to the standard look with a clock in the upper left corner.
• 📱 You will have to re-arrange the icons of applications (they will not be deleted, only their location will be reset).
• 🎨 The theme can be reset to standard – it can be returned in the application Themes.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 12.5 and below) a launcher reset can cause app folders to disappear. Take screenshots of the current icon location in advance to quickly restore them.

Take screenshots of the desktop | Remember the location of the folders | Check backup of the themes | Close all applications-->

Method 4: Installation of an alternative launcher

If system methods don't work, you can use a third-party launcher that supports time widgets, which is suitable for users who want to not only return the clock, but also customize the desktop.

Recommended launchers for Xiaomi:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher: Allows you to add any widgets, including watches from Google or third-party developers.
• 🎨 Lawnchair: Lightweight launcher with support for adaptive icons and widgets.
• 🔧 POCO Launcher (official): Optimized for devices POCO, It works for other Xiaomis as well.
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher: Integration with Windows and support for time widgets.

How to install and configure:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click Home and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. Press and hold the empty space on the screen → Widgets.
4. Select a watch widget (like Google Watch or Clock Widget).
5. Set up the size and style of the display.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Flexible adjustment of the appearance of the watch (color, font, animation).
• ✅ Ability to add multiple time widgets (e.g. for different time zones).
• ✅ It works even on custom firmware or after unsuccessful updates.

⚠️ Note: Some functions are disabled when using third-party launchers MIUI, These are: Super Wallpaper gestures, integration with Xiaomi Smart Assistant, quick notes through swipe down on the desktop, and to get them back, you'll have to go back to the standard launcher.

Method 5: Manual Addition via ADB (for Power Users)

If none of the above methods worked, you can try to return the clock through ADB debugging. This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or qualitative analogue).
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (its serial number should appear).

After the reboot, the watch should appear on the desktop. If this does not happen, try an alternative command:

adb shell settings put secure sysui_qs_tile_default 1

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB You can reset all the launcher settings, including: Icon and folder location, gesture settings (e.g. swipe up to open menus), hidden apps on the menu, backup via Settings before you execute commands. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

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Use ADB only if other methods have not worked, and incorrect commands can cause system failures.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to return a clock to a desktop, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common errors and their solutions.

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 🛠️ System Integrity: Use the built-in verification utility via ##6484## (enter in the dialer number).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions