Why Xiaomi’s alarm clock is “hiding” and how to find it quickly
Do you wake up every day but it didn't work today? Or did you just buy a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone and can't find where the standard alarm app is hiding? This problem is familiar to many users -- especially after a MIUI update or a setting reset. The fact is that the MIUI shell (even in the latest versions 14-15) has an alarm clock integrated into the Watch app, and its icon is not always obvious on the desktop.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to find an alarm on Xiaomi phones, from basic (menu search) to advanced (restore hidden icons through launcher settings). And what to do if the Watch app suddenly disappears or doesn’t open. On models with MIUI 14+, the alarm can automatically shut down when the battery is low (less than 15%) is a new feature of energy saving that few people know about.
Whether you have a Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5, the instruction will be suitable for all MIUI-based devices (including global and Chinese firmware).
Method 1: Standard search by application menu
The fastest way to find an alarm clock is to use the built-in search bar.
- Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen to open the app menu.
- At the top of the screen will appear search field – tap it.
- Enter the request: alarm clock, clock or clock (in English).
The system will immediately show the Clock app where the alarm is hidden. If the search fails, check:
- 🔍 System language: If you have Chinese firmware, look for characters (alarm clock) or (clock).
- 📱 Availability of updates: in MIUI 12–13 Search sometimes glitched – update the software in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🚫 Profile restrictions: if the phone is managed via Google Family Link or corporate MDM, Some applications may be hidden.
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If the search doesn't find "Clock", try com.android.deskclock, which is the system name for the app, and it will work even on Chinese firmware!
Method 2: Where to look for the icon “Clock” on the desktop
On most Xiaomi smartphones, the Clock icon is placed by default on the desktop or in the Tools folder, but its location depends on:
- 📦 Versions MIUI: In the 14th and 15th versions, the icon can be hidden in the Google folder (if you use it). GMS-firmware).
- 🛠️ On the launcher POCO Launcher or MIUI Launcher with custom themes icon can be “lost».
- 🔄 Resetting: After resetting to factory settings, the icon sometimes “disappears” before the first alarm clock setting.
Check out these typical locations:
- Main screen (swipe left/right)
- Tools or Utilities folder (usually at the bottom of the screen).
- Second screen (if the option is enabled Additional screens in the launcher settings).
- Quick settings panel (swipe down → edit → look for the Watch widget).
How to return the icon “Clock” to the desktop, if it is not?
Method 3: Set the alarm clock through the watch widget
If you don't want to look for an app, you can set your alarm right through the desktop widget.
- Press and hold the blank space on the screen → select “Widgets”.
- Scroll through the list to the Clock section.
- Select the alarm widget (usually 4×1 or 2×2) and drag it to the screen.
Now you can:
- ⏰ Add new alarm clocks directly from the widget (tap on «+»).
- 🔔 Turn on/off existing ones (slider next to time).
- ⚙️ Edit settings (long press on alarm clock).
The widget is convenient because it shows the rest of the time before it is triggered and allows you to quickly turn off the alarm without opening the application. On MIUI 14+, the widget also displays the sleep phase (if integration with Mi Fitness is enabled).
Method 4: If the Clock app is gone or not opened
Sometimes users experience a Clock app disappearing from the menu or an error when they open it, and the reasons may vary:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The icon disappeared after the update | Launcher cache reset | Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Clear the cache. |
| App won't open | Damaged data | Clear the cache and the “Clock” data in the application settings. |
| The alarm clock doesn't work. | Optimizing the battery | Add “Clock” to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All Apps → Watches → No Limits |
| No alarm clock. | Do Not Disturb mode | Check your DND settings: Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb → Alarm clocks (should be allowed). |
If the application is completely removed (for example, after manual deblotting or installing custom firmware), it can be restored:
- Download the APK of the Watch app for your version of MIUI from a trusted source (e.g., APKMirror).
- Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications).
- Reboot the phone.
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On Chinese firmware (without GMS), the alarm clock may not work smoothly due to the lack of Google services, in which case use third-party apps such as Alarmy or Sleep as Android.
Method 5: Voice assistant to control alarm clock
If you are too lazy to search for the application manually, you can set the alarm through the voice assistant - Google Assistant or XiaoAI (on Chinese firmware).
- 🎤 For Google Assistant:
- 🤖 For XiaoAI (Chinese firmware):
Voice commands work even when the screen is locked (if the “OK, Google” option is on in the locked state in the Assistant settings), which is convenient if you are already lying in bed and do not want to pick up the phone.
Note: On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50), the voice alarm may not work if:
- 🔇 On the plane or do not disturb mode».
- 🔋 Battery charge less than 5% (MIUI Automatically disables background processes).
- 📵 No Internet connection (to sync time with Google servers).
The microphone is on. Google/XiaoAI|Allowed access to alarms in the settings of the assistant|The phone is connected to the Internet (for time synchronization)|Power saving mode is disabled for the Clock application»-->
Method 6: Third-party alarm applications (if the standard one does not suit)
If the built-in alarm clock in Xiaomi does not suit you (for example, too quiet sound or no feature of gradual increase in volume), you can install alternative applications.-3 tested:
| Annex | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Alarmy | Hard to turn off alarm clock (tasks to solve), integration with Spotify | Google Play |
| Sleep as Android | Smart alarm clock by phases of sleep, sleep analysis with wearable devices | Google Play |
| Timely | Beautiful design, cloud synchronization, gradual awakening | Google Play |
The advantages of third-party alarms:
- 🔔 Volume: You can choose a tune from the music on your phone or connect Spotify.
- 📊 Sleep statistics: integration with Mi Band or Google Fit.
- 🔄 Flexible settings: repeating by day of the week, delayed alarm clock, tasks for waking up.
There are, however, downsides:
⚠️ Warning: Third-party alarms can drain the battery faster, as they require constant access to location (for sunrise alarms) and background work. To avoid this, add the app to the battery optimization exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even after setting the alarm clock, Xiaomi users sometimes run into problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:
- ⏳ The alarm clock is not working in time:
- 🔕 The alarm clock doesn't ring, but the vibration is there:
- 🔄 The alarm clock is reset after resetting:
⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI for the United States (for example, Redmi Note 11 or POCO X4 Pro) The alarm clock may not work in the "Ultra-Economic" mode (Settings) → Battery → Ultra-economy mode. Turn it off before bedtime!
If nothing helps, try resetting the Clock app settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Watch.
- Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
- Reboot your phone and set your alarm again.