Double watches on Xiaomi: how to remove the double on the lock screen once and for all

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi lock screen displays two sets of watches at the same time?This problem is found on many devices with MIUI firmware - from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 13. Duplicate watches not only spoil the appearance, but can also signal system settings failures or conflicting themes.

In this article, we will look at all the possible causes of double clocks and provide step-by-step instructions for removing them, from simple settings to deep changes in the system. You will learn how to fix the problem on MIUI 12/13/14, what to do if the settings do not save, and how to prevent the duplicate from appearing again. And a unique way to reset the cache of the system clock without losing data, which works even on locked bootloaders.

Why is there a double watch on Xiaomi?

Duplicating the clock on the lock screen Xiaomi is not an accident, but the result of specific user actions or failures in the MIUI.

• 🎨 Design themes conflict. Setting a third-party theme from the theme → Online themes can duplicate system elements, including hours.
• ⚙️ Error in lock screen settings: Enable the "Show clocks on both screens" option (for devices with Always On Display).
• 🔄 Failure after update MIUI. Often occurs when switching between firmware versions (for example, with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14).
• 📱 Third-party application activities: Some launchers (such as Nova Launcher) or widgets may interfere with the display of the system clock.
• 🔧 Manual editing of system files, if you have previously changed fonts or icons through ADB Or Magisk, it could have led to duplication.

Interestingly, on some models (such as the POCO F4 or Redmi Note 12), double watches only appear when using Always On Display (AOD), which is because the system mistakenly considers AOD and the main lock screen to be different "zones" for displaying time.

Method 1: Disabling the take through lock screen settings

So, to start with, the simplest method, which works 90 percent of the time, is that it doesn't require superuser rights, and it's suitable for all devices on MIUI 12 and up:

1. Open the Settings → Lock screen.
2. Scroll down and find the Additional Settings section (some models call it the Watch Style).
3. Slip the clock on the lock screen.
4. If you see the option to Show on both screens, turn it off.
5. Reset the device (required!).

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for the global version), the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Always display → AOD settings → Watch on the lock screen

Is the "Show on both screens" option disabled?

Is there a single style of watches for AOD and locking?

Are there any changes (notices will appear)?

Is the device rebooted?

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If you have a double clock left after the reboot, move on to the next way, and maybe the problem lies deeper in the conflict of systemic themes.

Method 2: Resetting themes to the factory

The side of the theme from MIUI Themes often causes visual glitches, including duplicate watches, and even if you haven't changed the subject in a long time, its cache could get damaged after the system update.

1. Go to Settings → Themes.
2. In the upper right corner, click on the profile icon (or three dots → My themes).
3. Choose a Factory Theme (usually called Default or MIUI).
4. Confirm the application and wait for the process to be completed.
5. Return to Settings → Lock screen and manually select the watch style (e.g. Digital or Analog).

If the clock returned to normal after resetting the theme, but after a while the take reappeared, the problem is in one of the established topics.

• 🔍 Remove all downloaded themes through Settings → Topics → My subjects. → Delete.
• 📥 Set themes one by one, checking after each display of the clock.
• ⚠️ Avoid topics marked "Beta" or from unknown developers.

Method 3: Cleaning the cache of the system clock (without root)

If the first two methods fail, the problem may lie in the damaged cache of the system application com.android.deskclock (responsible for displaying time), cleaning the cache will not remove your alarm clocks, but reset the visual settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search, enter the clock and select the Watch app (icon with dial).
3. Slip the vault. → Clear the cache.
4. Go back and find the MIUI (or Launcher) system interface application.
5. Clean his cache, too.
6. Reset the device.

Critical nuance: on some devices (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) after cleaning the cache of the watch, the time format (12/24 hours) may reset. Check it in Settings → Additional → Date and time.

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If the watch has disappeared completely after cleaning the cache, don’t panic! just go to Settings → Lock screen → Watch style and choose any option available.

Method 4: Reset the lock screen settings (hard method)

When the standard methods don't work, you have to reset the lock screen completely, and that will bring all the settings back to factory settings, including fingerprints and the pattern lock (they'll have to be reconfigured!).

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find Resetting (or Restore and Reset)
3. Select Reset the lock screen settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
4. Confirm the action with a password / pattern lock.
5. After the reboot, set up the lock screen again by selecting one watch style.

⚠️ Attention, on devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS this method can also reset the Always On Display settings and Face to unlock. check in advance if backups of this data are saved in Settings → Xiaomi account → Cloud.

Method 5: Manual editing of system files (for advanced ones)

If you’re willing to take risks and have an unlocked bootloader or root rights, you can manually remove duplicate clocks through system file editing, a method that’s suitable for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

You'll need:

• 📱 Device with root or TWRP.
• 💻 PC fitted ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔧 File Manager with support for root (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).

Step-by-step:

1. Back up /system/priv-app/DeskClock (adb pull/system/priv-app/DeskClock)
2. Open /system/priv-app/DeskClock/DeskClock.apk file in APK Editor.
3. Find a line. lock_screen_clock_duplicate Remove it (or change it from true to false).
4. Save the changes and overwrite the file on the device.
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention, improper editing of system files can lead to bootloop, if you are not sure about your actions, use alternative methods or contact the service center.

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Editing system files is an extreme method. Before any changes, be sure to back up via TWRP or MIUI Backup.

Table: Compatibility of methods with MIUI versions

* HyperOS may require additional cache cleanup of com.miui.home.

** In HyperOS, the path to the clock files may be different: /product/priv-app/DeskClock.

FAQ: Frequent questions about double watches on Xiaomi