How to turn on the stopwatch on the Xiaomi phone: 5 ways for all models

Launching a stopwatch on a Xiaomi smartphone seems like a simple task — until you encounter the unobvious nuances of the MIUI interface or the new HyperOS. Unlike the iPhone, where the Watch app is always in sight, on Redmi, POCO or Mi devices, the stopwatch can be hidden in unexpected sections of the menu. Moreover, its location changed with each new version of the shell: in MIUI 12 it was in one place, and in HyperOS it was already in another.

This article will help you figure out how to quickly find and activate a stopwatch on any Xiaomi phone, including the 2020-2026 models, and we’ll look at all the possible ways from the standard Watch app to voice commands and desktop widgets. And if your stopwatch suddenly disappeared after the upgrade, here’s the solution to this problem.

1. Standard method: through the app "Clock"

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Clock app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and contains not only alarm clocks, but also a stopwatch with a timer.

1. Open the application menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find the Watch icon (usually an analog watch with a white background) and if you can't see it, search by app (the magnifier at the top of the menu).
3. In the bottom panel of the application, select the tab “Secundomer”** (icon with dial and arrow).
4. Click on the big green Start button to start counting. Use the same button (it turns red) to pause, and the Reset icon (circle arrow) to reset.

If you have MIUI 14 or HyperOS, the interface may be slightly different: instead of a green button, there will be a round button with a triangle (like in the player), and the functionality remains the same.

Important: On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), the Watch app can be hidden in the Google folder or Utilities. Check these folders if you don't find the icon.

2. Quick access through the notification panel

Not everyone knows, but on Xiaomi, you can run a stopwatch directly from the notification bar without opening the Watch app, which is convenient if you need to quickly pick up the time while you're training or cooking.

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Swipe down again (or tap the gear icon) to reveal the extended panel.
3. Find the Stopwatch tile. If it's not there, click on the pencil icon and add the tile to the active ones.
4. Slap the tile, the stopwatch opens in a miniature window, press "Start" to start counting.

This works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 11 Pro and other popular models. However, on some firmware (e.g. global versions for Europe), the stopwatch tiles may not be available - then use the following method.

3. Voice Launch via Google Assistant

If you're too lazy to look for an app or a notification bar, you can turn on the stopwatch with a voice command. This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones with Google Assistant installed (it's on global firmware by default).

1. Activate Google Assistant by saying “OK Google” or holding the Home button (on older models).
2. Tell one of the teams: 🗣️ «Run the stopwatch»** 🗣️ «Turn on the stopwatch for 1 minute"** (indicates the time of automatic stop) 🗣️ «Start countdown»**

The assistant will open the stopwatch in the Clock app and start counting. To stop, say "Stop" or "Pause."

This is especially useful when you’re playing sports or when your hands are busy, but note that on Chinese firmware (without Google services), voice launch may not work – you’ll need to install Google Play Services manually.

4. Stopwatch widget on the desktop

If you use a stopwatch a lot, it makes sense to add a stopwatch widget to the home screen, so you don't have to open the Watch app every time.

1. Press and hold your finger in the free space of the desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select "Widgets"** (or Widgets).
3. Scroll through the list to the Clock section.
4. Select the Stopwatch widget** (usually a square 2×2 or 4×1) icon and drag it to the screen.
5. Click on the widget to start or stop the countdown.

To install any of these applications:

1. Open the Play Market.
2. Enter the name of the application in the search.
3. Click “Install”** and wait for the download to be completed.
4. Launch the application and provide the necessary permissions (if required).

The advantage of third-party apps: they often offer additional features such as:

• 🔊 Voice alerts at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 30 seconds).
• 📤 Exporting results to Excel or Google Sheets.
• 🎯 Customizable design (colors, fonts, button sizes).

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If you need a millisecond stopwatch (for accurate measurements), install Precision Stopwatch, which shows the time to 0.001 seconds.

6. Problem Solving: Stopwatch is not working

Sometimes users find that the stopwatch on Xiaomi does not start, freezes or disappears from the menu, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Stopwatch is missing from the Watch app, try resetting the app. → Annexes → The clock → Warehouse → Data reset. It'll bring back the standard settings without removing alarm clocks.

If none of these methods worked, try clearing the Clock app cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Clock → Storage.
2. Click Clear Cache** (Do not delete data, otherwise alarm clocks will reset!).
3. Restart the phone and check the stopwatch.

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If the problem occurred after the MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot or wait for a patch from Xiaomi.

7. Secret stopwatch chips on Xiaomi

Few people know, but the stopwatch on Xiaomi hides a few useful features that can be useful in everyday life.

• 🔄 Circular measurements: Click on the Circle icon** (or Laps) in the upper right corner to record intermediate results (useful for measuring laps in the stadium).
• 📱 Background: The stopwatch will continue counting even if you turn off the Clock app or lock the screen (except for the power saving mode).
• 🔊 Voice prompts: In some versions MIUI You can also play the timeline every time. 5/10 Seconds (setting hidden in the Settings of the Watch) → Additionally).
• 🌙 Dark theme: The stopwatch automatically adjusts to the system theme (light/dark), but in applications like Stopwatch & Timer you can choose your own style.

HyperOS has a new feature called Training Mode, which if you turn it on in the stopwatch settings, the app will display additional information: average lap time, total lap time, and final time forecast, which is useful for runners or swimmers.

Another life hack: if you need to pick up the time but your hands are busy, use the "Raise to Activate" gesture** (includes in Settings → Lock Screen → Raise to Activate) and pick up your phone and a quick stopwatch button will appear on the locked screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the stopwatch on Xiaomi