How to display a watch on a Xiaomi TV: all the ways (including hidden)

Why Xiaomi TV doesn’t have a default clock and how to fix it

Xiaomi’s Android TV or MIUI TV (including Mi TV 4S, Redmi Smart TV X, Mi TV Q1/Q2) doesn’t display time on the home screen out of the box, due to the minimalist interface philosophy, where the manufacturer tries not to clutter the screen with unnecessary elements. However, for many users, the constant display of the watch is a critical feature, especially if the TV is used as an information panel in the kitchen, office or bedroom.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to bring your watch to the screen, including:

  • 🔧 Built-in settings MIUI TV (for models 2020-2026.)
  • ⚙️ Use of Android widgets TV (including Google Assistant)
  • 📱 Google Play Apps Support Always-On Display
  • 🖥️ Screen screensaver mode with clock (hidden function)
  • 🔌 Alternative solutions for older models (until 2019)

Each method is tested on current Xiaomi firmware (including MIUI TV 3.0 and Android TV 11/12). If your TV hasn’t been updated since 2021, some items may differ – we will warn you about this separately.

📊 What kind of Xiaomi TV is you?
Mi TV 4S/4A
Redmi Smart TV X
Mi TV Q1/Q2/Q2 Pro
Mi TV A Pro
Another model

Method 1: Enable the clock through MIUI TV settings (official method)

The easiest way is to use the built-in time display feature available on most Xiaomi models after upgrading to MIUI TV 2.5+. The instructions are relevant for Mi TV 4S (2020-2023), Redmi Smart TV X and later.

To activate the clock:

  1. Press the Settings button on the remote.
  2. Go to Settings → Personalization → Screen and wallpaper.
  3. Select Time Display (or Watch on Screen in new versions).
  4. Activate the switch and select the position: Upper right corner or Lower left corner.
  5. Set the time format (12/24 hours) and font color.

Important: On some models (e.g. Mi TV A Pro), this item may be called Screen Widgets → Watch. If you don’t have an option, your TV requires a firmware update (see the update section).

Check out the version of MIUI TV in Settings → About TV

Connect your TV to the Internet (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)

Update the firmware to the latest version (if available)

Restart the TV before setting up-->

Method 2: Watch Widget via Google Assistant (for Android TV)

If your Xiaomi is running on pure Android TV (Like Mi. TV Q1 2022 or Redmi Smart TV X2022), You can use the Google Assistant widget to display time, and this method is suitable if you have setups. MIUI TV no built-in option.

Step-by-step:

  1. Hold the Google Assistant button on the remote to open the voice assistant.
  2. Say, “Show the clock on the home screen” or “Add the time widget.”
  3. If the voice command does not work, manually go to Settings → Home screen → Widgets.
  4. Select Google Watch and drag it to the desired area of the screen.

On models with MIUI TV 3.0+, Google widgets may conflict with the built-in clock, in which case, disable the official feature (Method 1) before adding the widget.

What to do if the widget is not displayed?
If the watch doesn’t appear after adding the widget: 1. Reboot the TV (Power button → Reboot). 2. Update the Google app to Play Market. 3. Reset the home screen settings: Settings → Apps → Google → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 3: Applications for Permanent Time Display

If the built-in methods don’t work (e.g. on older Mi TV 3S or Mi TV 4 models until 2019), you can install third-party apps from Google Play.

AnnexFeaturesSupport for Always-OnReference
Clock for Android TVMinimalist watch with font, color, positioning setting✅ (only OLED-screen)Download
Floating ClockFloating clock over any content (movies, games)❌Download
Ambient ClockWatch with the effect of screen saver (analogue Always-On)✅ (partly)Download

How to install and configure:

  1. Open Google Play on your TV.
  2. Find one of the apps above and install it.
  3. Launch the app and follow the on-screen instructions (usually permission to display over other windows is required).
  4. Set the style of the watch in the app menu.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with LED-panels (not OLED) Always-On can cause pixels to burn out over long periods of time, and we recommend turning off the clock at night or using dark themes.

Method 4: Update firmware to appear as a clock function

If your TV settings don't have a time display option, it could be an outdated firmware. Xiaomi added watch support to MIUI TV 2.5 (2021) and later.

Automatic update:

  1. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
  2. Click Check for updates.
  3. If a new version is available, confirm the installation.

Manual update (if automatic does not work):

  1. Download the latest firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi Support website.
  2. Copy the.zip file to a flash drive (FAT32 format).
  3. Connect the flash drive to the TV and go to Settings → About TV → Update via USB.

💡

Before upgrading, check the TV model in Settings → About TV → Model. Download the firmware ONLY for your model – the wrong version can bring the TV down!

⚠️ Attention: On Mi TVs TV 3S (2017–2018) after updating to MIUI TV 3.0 may lose sound in some applications. In this case, reset settings: → Preferences → Reset to factory.

Method 5: Alternative solutions for older models (until 2019)

If you have a Xiaomi TV before 2019 (Mi TV 3, Mi TV 4 early revisions), the built-in feature of the watch may not be even after the update.

  • 📺 HDMI-A set-top box (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Box S) with a watch app installed, plug it into the TV and use it as a signal source.
  • 🖥️ Screen saver mode (hidden function) activated via Settings → Display. → Screenshot → Watches (not available on all models).
  • 🔌 Outside USB-a module with a clock (for example, based on a Raspberry Pi), connected to a port USB television.

For Mi TV 2 models (2015-2016), the only reliable way is to use an external device, as their firmware is no longer updated and third-party applications may not work stable.

💡

On Xiaomi TVs older than 5 years (until 2019), the built-in clock may not be available due to hardware limitations. HDMI-prefix.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting up a watch on Xiaomi TV, users encounter common errors.

  • ❌ The watch does not appear after setting up Solution: Restart the TV (Power) → Reboot) or reset the home screen settings in Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Clear the data.
  • ❌ Time is lost after switching off Solution: Activate time synchronization over the network: Settings → System system → Date and time → Automatically.
  • ❌ Watches interfere with movie viewing Solution: In the settings of the app clock (Method 3) enable the option to Hide while playing.

If after all the manipulations the clock did not appear, check:

  • 🔌 Internet connection (without a network, time may not synchronize).
  • 📱 Updates for the Google app (if you use a widget).
  • 🔧 Root rights (some firmware required for third-party watches).
Can I put my watch on the screen while watching movies or games?
Yes, but only with third-party apps (Method 3). The built-in MIUI TV watch is automatically hidden when you play content. To permanently display, install Floating Clock and enable the option to Show over all windows.
Why do the clocks go off after the TV is off the network?
This is due to the lack of a CMOS (non-energy-dependent memory) battery in most Xiaomi TVs. Solution: Enable network time synchronization (Settings → System → Date and Time → Automatically). Use Smart Plug to keep the TV always connected to power in standby mode.
How to change the size or color of the watch?
Depending on how you display: Built-in Watch (Method 1): settings to Personalize → Screen and Wallpaper → Watch. Google Widget (Method 2): hold the widget → Change the size. App Party (Method 3): settings within the app itself (Appearance or Style section).
Can you put a second or a date next to the time?
The built-in MIUI TV watch only shows hours and minutes. To display seconds or dates: Use the Clock for Android TV app (in the settings, turn on Show seconds and Show date). Set up the Google Assistant widget with an extended format (this may require changing the region to the US in the TV settings).
The clock is displayed, but it's not updated. What do we do?
The problem is that time is not synchronized. Check: Internet connection (watches are updated via NTP-Time settings: Settings → System system → Date and time → Time zone (should match your region) Google servers (if you use a widget) Try switching to another one. NTP-server (e.g. time.google.com) If the problem persists, reset your network settings: Settings → Network → Resetting network settings.