How to bring a watch to the desktop Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways from standard widgets to custom solutions

The Xiaomi Redmi Home Screen display is a basic feature that makes it easier to control schedules and saves time on unlocking your phone. However, in recent versions of MIUI (especially 13-14), the manufacturer hid some settings, and standard watch widgets do not always suit users by design or functionality. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to bring your watch to the desktop, from built-in tools to third-party applications with advanced capabilities.

Many owners of Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5 or Redmi 10 face a problem: after the update, the watch widget is lost or it is displayed incorrectly. The reasons can vary from a failure in the shell to a conflict with the design topic. We tested the solutions on MIUI 14.0.5 (Android 13) and collected working methods, including bypassing restrictions for models with Always-On Display (AOD).

If you want more than just time, weather, date, stopwatch or timer in one widget, there's a section on multifunctional alternatives, and for minimalist fans, we'll tell you how to remove the extra elements and leave only the dial.

1. Standard watch widget in MIUI: where to look and how to add

The MIUI watch widget is built in by default, but it needs to be activated correctly. On newer versions of the firmware, the path to settings has changed, and it's now hidden in the screen personalization menu.

Step-by-step:

1. Press and hold the empty space on your desktop until the menu appears.
2. Select the item "Widgets" (icon with squares).
3. Scroll down to the Clock block (usually at the beginning or in the Systems section).
4. Press the widget icon and drag it to the free screen space.
5. Release your finger and a size setting window (e.g. 4×2 or 2×1) will appear.

If the widget doesn’t appear in the list, check:

• 🔄 Update MIUI: In older versions (below 12.5), the watch widget may not be available. → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🎨 Current Design Theme: Some Custom Themes from Theme → Online, you remove system widgets. Return the standard theme.
• 🔧 Launcher settings: if you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), the widget MIUI It might not work. Go back to the standard.

Limitation: On models with Always-On Display (such as Redmi K50 or POCO F4), the standard clock widget on the desktop can duplicate information from a locked screen. To disable the take, go to Settings → Screen → Always-On Display → Watch Style and select “Disabled” option.

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If the watch widget is too small, try increasing the size of the desktop cell. To do this, press the empty space → Screen Settings → Grid Size and choose 5×6 instead of 4×5.

2. Alternative watch widgets: top-5 Applications for Xiaomi Redmi

The standard MIUI widget is limited in settings: no second hand, scant font selection, and no animations. If you need more features, install one of the apps you've tested:

How to install a third-party widget:

1. Download the application from the table and open it.
2. Follow the instructions for adding the widget (usually click "Add to desktop").
3. Return to the home screen, press the empty space → “Widgets” → find the widget of the installed application.
4. Drag it on the screen and adjust the size/style.

1. Check the free space on the screen (remove unnecessary shortcuts)

2. Disable battery optimization for the widget application

3.Reboot the phone after installation

4. Check permissions (access to time, location for weather)-->

Important for Xiaomi Redmi MIUI 14: Some widgets (like Chronus) may not update the time in the background due to aggressive battery optimization.To fix this, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Name of the widget] → Battery and select "No restrictions».

Watch in Always-On Display (AOD): How to turn on and configure

If your Xiaomi Redmi supports Always-On Display (model list: Redmi K50, POCO F4, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, etc.), you can display the watch on the locked screen without additional widgets.

Activation of AOD:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Always-On Display.
2. Turn the switch on to the "On" position.
3. Choose the style of the watch (the options are available: “Digital”, “Analog”, “Minimalist”).
4. Set up a display schedule (for example, only at night or always).

Challenges and solutions:

• ⚡ AOD Not enabled: check if the function is activated in Settings → Battery → Battery mode (should be selected "Performance" or "Balanced»).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: limit your operating time AOD (for example, from 20:00 to 8:00) or reduce the brightness in the screen settings.
• 🎨 Don’t like the style of the watch: set theme with custom watches for AOD theme-wise → Online (search by tag «AOD»).

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi Redmi with LCD-screens (e.g. Redmi) 10 note 11) function AOD It's different, because the screen doesn't turn off completely, it lights up dimly, and it increases the battery consumption. 10-15% For these models, it is better to use a standard widget on the desktop.

4.Castomic watches via KWGT: for advanced users

If you want a unique watch with animations, gradients or integration with other data (such as battery power or steps), use KWGT Kustom Widget Maker. This app lets you create widgets from scratch or download pre-made templates.

Instructions for installing custom watches:

1. Download KWGT and KWGT Pro Key (to unlock all features) from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select “Add widget to the main screen”.
3. In the template list, find the category “Clock” or “Time”.
4. Select your favorite design (such as “MIUI Style” or “Neumorphic Clock”) and click “Save”.
5. Return to your desktop, clamp the empty space → “Widgets” → find the KWGT widget and add it.

Where to download the ready-made templates:

• 🌐 Official repository KWGT: kustom.rocks (filter by tag "Xiaomi»).
• 📱 Telegram channels: search by request «KWGT for MIUI» or "Redmi widgets».
• 🎨 DevianArt: Many designers are posting free.kwgt files.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 KWGT If after adding custom watches, the standard widgets have disappeared, restart the phone or reset the launcher settings through Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

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KWGT is the only solution for creating watches with dynamic elements (for example, changing background depending on the time of day or weather).

5.Clock on the lock screen: an alternative to the desktop

If you don't really want to see the watch on your desktop, you can display it on the lock screen, which is convenient for quickly viewing the time without unlocking it.

Set up the clock on lock:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select "Clock Style."
3. Scroll through the available options (e.g., Digital, Analog, Minimalist).
4. Press "Apply."

Additional settings:

• 🔐 Show seconds: activate the same "Style of Watch" menu».
• 📅 Date and weather: include in Settings → Lock screen → Additional information.
• 🎨 Color of the watch: change through Settings → Lock screen → Color of text (not available on all models).

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi Redmi with IR-Infrared port, some of the clock styles on the lock can be shifted. MIUI, corrected by resetting the themes of the design to the standard.

6. troubleshooting: the watch does not display or does not work correctly

If the watch widget is missing after updating or doesn’t update the time, try these solutions:

If none of the methods helped, try resetting the desktop settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the “Luncher” (or “MIUI Launcher”) and open it.
3. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Data”.
4. Reboot the phone.

Last chance: if the problem occurred after the MIUI update, roll back to the previous firmware version via Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three points → Select an update package (you need a firmware file from the xiaomi.eu forum).

7 Hidden chips: stopwatch, timer and world time on the desktop

In addition to the standard watches, Xiaomi Redmi can display:

• ⏱️ Stopwatch: Use the Timer and Stopwatch widget from the system (not available on all models).
• 🌍 World Time: Add the "Clock" widget» → Set up additional time zones in Settings → Additionally. → Date and time → Time zones.
• 📅 Calendar with clock: widget "Calendar" from the system shows the time and the nearest events.

For advanced functionality, install Google Clock and add its widget to the desktop.

• A few alarm clocks with tags.
• Voice-controlled timer (OK, Google, set a timer for 5 minutes)
• Integration with Google Assistant for Reminders

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi Redmi with shell MIUI Global Market (Global) ROM) Google Clock widget may conflict with the system clock. To avoid duplication, disable the system widget via Settings → Annexes → The clock → Shut down.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the clock on Xiaomi Redmi