How to spend time on the desktop of the phone Xiaomi: all ways

Displaying time on Xiaomi desktop is a seemingly simple task, but many users face difficulties. MIUI (14 or 15) and smartphone models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T The ways you add the watches can be different: some want to see a classic analog watch, some want a digital one with a date, and some want a weather and calendar option in the same widget.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods, from standard widgets to hidden features of the themes, you will learn how to configure the display of time even on a locked screen, why the clock can disappear after an update. MIUI, And we'll also share customization life hacks that only 10% of Xiaomi users know.

If you just updated your firmware and you find that your watch is missing from your desktop, don't panic. 90% of the time, it's due to automatic widget resets after the update. Just re-add them through the theme menu, but there are less obvious reasons, like conflict with the installed theme or time synchronization in the system settings.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi is actively limiting the possibility of customization in new versions. MIUI. Okay, in MIUI 15, the option of adding widgets has disappeared after a long press on the desktop — now it is done differently. We will show both options (old and new) so that the instruction fits all devices.

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

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Watch widget, which is found in any Xiaomi firmware, but its location on the menu depends on the version of the shell. MIUI 14 and below widgets are added through a long press on the free space of the desktop, and in MIUI 15 algorithms changed.

For MIUI 14 and older:

1. Press and hold your finger on the empty space of the desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select Widgets.
3. Scroll down to the Tools block and find the Clock.
4. Press the widget icon and drag it to the desktop.

For MIUI 15:

1. Swipe left on the home screen to open the App Vault (if the feature is enabled).
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Settings in upper right corner.
3. Select Add Add widgets → The clock.
4. Hold the widget and move it to the desktop.

If there is no clock in the widget list, it can mean two things:

• 🔹 Your theme (Themes) → My themes) doesn't support widgets. Try changing it to a standard one.
• 🔹 Time synchronization is disabled in the settings. → Additionally. → Date and time.

2.Alternative widgets: Google, Microsoft and third-party apps

Xiaomi's built-in watch is often criticized for its poor functionality: no stopwatch, no alarm clock in one widget, no font customization, and if you don't like it, you can install widgets from other developers.

1. Google Clock (Google Watch)

• 🔹 Widget with alarm clock, timer and world time.
• 🔹 Support for dark theme and adaptive icons.
• 🔹 Sync with Google account (alarm clocks are transferred to other devices).

How do I add:

1. Install Google Clock from the Play Market.
2. Hold your finger on the desktop → Widgets → Find the Google Watch.
3. Choose a size (4×2 or 2×2) and drag it on the screen.

2. Microsoft Start (formerly Microsoft Start) MSN Weather)

• 🔹 Weather. + time + news in one widget.
• 🔹 Automatic location determination.
• 🔹 Customizable design (transparency, color of text).

3. Chronus: Home & Lock Widgets – for advanced users:

• 🔹 100+ Watch styles (analog, digital, minimalistic).
• 🔹 Display weather, batteries, notifications.
• 🔹 Works on a locked screen (requires permission to overlay).

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If it doesn't appear on the list after installing the third-party widget, restart the phone. In 30% of cases, this solves the launcher cache problem.

3. Clock on a locked screen: how to turn on and configure

Many Xiaomi users want to see time not only on the desktop, but also on the lock screen. MIUI This feature is called Always-on Display (AOD) Or the screen is always on, but it doesn't work on all models:

If your model supports you AOD, But the function is not working:

1. Check if the Settings option is enabled → Battery → Power saving mode (turn it off).
2. Update the firmware to the latest version (in) MIUI 15 corrected bugs with AOD).
3. Reset the screen settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the display settings.

It is important for owners of Redmi Note 11 and POCO M4: on these models AOD It only comes on after manual firmware updates through Fastboot. OTA-Update does not activate the function.

Time Display Problems: Why the Watch Disappears or Doesn't Update

One of the most common complaints of Xiaomi users is that the clock suddenly disappears from the desktop or lock screen, and the reasons may be both software and hardware.

1. Conflict with the subject of design

• 🔹 Some themes from the Mi Theme Store remove widgets when used.
• 🔹 Solution: Return the standard topic (Themes) → Standard) and add the watch again.

2.Reset launcher after update

• 🔹 After the update. MIUI launcher (POCO Launcher or MIUI Launcher) drops widgets.
• 🔹 Solution: Reboot your phone and add the watch again.

3. Time synchronization error

• 🔹 If the clock shows the wrong time, check the settings: Settings → Additionally. → Date and time → Autodetermination.
• 🔹 On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO C31) You need to manually select a time zone.

4. Performance constraints

• 🔹 In Energy Saving Mode, Widgets May Not Be Updated.
• 🔹 Solution: Add the Clock app to the exception list (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

Check the theme (return the standard)

Reboot the phone

Update MIUI to the latest version

Reset the launcher settings (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data)

Install a third-party widget (Google Clock or Chronus)

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If none of these methods helped, try resetting the system to factory settings (Settings). → The phone. → But remember, this will delete all the data, so back up first.

5. Hidden functions of the watch in Xiaomi: what widgets can do

Few people know, but the built-in Xiaomi watch can do much more than just show the time. Here are 5 hidden chips:

1. World time

• 🔹 Added through the "Clock" widget" → press it → Add the city.
• 🔹 You can track up to 5 time zones at the same time.

2.The alarm clock is right off the desktop

• 🔹 Keep your finger on the clock widget. → Select an alarm clock.
• 🔹 Set up time and days of repetition without opening the app.

Timer and stopwatch

• 🔹 In the Watch widget, swipe left/right to switch between modes.
• 🔹 The timer can be run by voice through Google Assistant.

4. Transparency setting

• 🔹 V MIUI 15 appeared option semi-transparent background for widgets.
• 🔹 Included in Settings → Display. → Widget style.

5.Integration with Mi Band

• 🔹 If you have a Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet 7/8, The phone clock can be synchronized with it.
• 🔹 To do this, in the Mi Fitness app, enable the option of Time Synchronization.

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Watch widgets in MIUI They can work as stand-alone mini-applications, such as having a built-in time calculator between cities (hold your finger on your watch). → "Time difference").

6. Clock Customization: Themes, Fonts and Animations

If you get bored with a standard watch, you can completely remake it. Xiaomi has a few tools for this:

1.Themes from Mi Theme Store

• 🔹 Open Topics → The clock → Choose a style (analog, digital, 3D).
• 🔹 Topics: Neumorphic Clock, Minimalist Digital, Retro Analog".

2. Font modification

• 🔹 Install custom font through the Themes → Fonts.
• 🔹 It's good for the clock "SF Pro (like on iPhone) or Roboto Condensed".

3. Animations and live wallpaper

• 🔹 In Themes → The lock screen has a dynamic clock with animation (e.g., "Particle Clock").
• 🔹 For the desktop will fit live wallpaper from WallpapersCraft.

4. Manual editing through ADB (advanced)

adb shell settings put global clock_style 2 # Installs analog watches


adb shell settings put global clock_style 1 # Returns digital watches

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB They can cause a launcher to crash.

7. Frequent questions and errors

If your question is not covered in FAQ, Check the official Xiaomi documentation for your model or contact the Mi Community app for support. Remember: settings may vary depending on the regional firmware (global, Chinese, European).

Now you know all the ways to get time to your Xiaomi desktop, from standard widgets to hidden features and customization. If the manual helped, share it with friends who are also looking for a solution! And if you encounter a rare problem, describe it in the comments, we will help you figure it out.