Where to look for the app “Clock” on Xiaomi phones: 5 proven ways

Have you just upgraded your Xiaomi to the latest version of MIUI or bought a new smartphone, but can’t find the standard Watch app**? Don’t panic – this is a typical situation faced by users of Redmi, POCO and Mi line devices. The fact that the manufacturer often hides system utilities in the non-obvious menu or even removes their shortcuts from the home screen after updates. In this article, we will analyze all possible places where the application can “hide”, and also tell you how to return it and what to do if it is lost.

The MIUI feature is that the interface can be very different depending on the firmware version and the device model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, the path to the clock is one, and on the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5, we took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will suit most of the modern gadgets of the brand. If you did not find the answer in the first sections, be sure to read through to the end, there we covered rare cases, including failures after resets.

1. Standard Location: menu of all applications

In 90% of cases, the Watch app is simply hidden in the general list of programs, not removed.

1. Swipe your finger up from the bottom edge of the screen (on gesture devices) or click on the All Apps icon** (usually the dot/circle at the bottom of the screen).
2. In the menu that opens, enter the word “clock”** in the search bar (in English layout – clock).
3. If the application is found, hold its icon and drag it to the home screen or folder.

On some models (e.g. POCO F5), the watch icon may be called “Clock” or “Alarm clock” – it’s the same app. Also note that in MIUI 14+, application search works even if you don’t see the input bar: just start typing on the home screen and the system will open the search itself.

2. the Tools or Google folder

Xiaomi likes to group system utilities into themed folders, most often the Watch** hides in:

• 📁 Tools folder** – there can be an alarm clock, calculator, voice recorder and other standard applications.
• 🔍 Google folder** – if you have Google services installed on your device (on global firmware), the watch is sometimes integrated there.
• ⏰ Utility folder** – found on some models, for example, Redmi 9A.

If you can’t see these folders on the home screen, try:

1. Open Settings → Main screen screen.
2. Find the option “Show application folders”** and enable it.
3. Return to the main screen and check if new folders have appeared.

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On some firmware, the Tools folder is hidden by default. To see it, tap the empty space on the home screen, hold your finger, and select Home Screen Settings → Show System Folders.

3. Search through system settings

If the app doesn’t appear in either the menu or folders, try to find it through a system search:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. In the top row, enter “clock” or “clock.”
3. If the system finds the application, click on the result to open it.

This method works even if the shortcut is removed or hidden. Note that on some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Pad 6), the search in the settings may not show the applications, but only system parameters.

⚠️ Note: If the search in the settings only gives you time parameters (such as Date and Time), this means that the Clock app is either disabled or removed. Check the All Apps section in the settings (see next paragraph).

4. Checking the applications disabled

MIUI has a system application disablement feature that may accidentally work after you update or reset your settings to check:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Show all apps”**.
3. In the list, find the “Clock” (or “Clock”) and click on it.
4. If the “Enable” button is active, press it and restart the device.

Once turned on, the app should appear on the menu. If it is not listed at all, it could mean that it has been removed (which is unlikely for system software) or replaced with an alternative version from Google, in which case only manual installation of the APK (see section 6).

5. Alternative methods: widget and voice assistant

If you can’t find the app itself, but you urgently need to set an alarm clock or watch the time in different time zones, use the workarounds:

• 🕒 Watch widget: Keep your finger on the empty seat of the main screen → «Widgets» → Find the Watch or the Alarm Widget and add it. It won't open the app itself, but it will set the alarm quickly.
• 🎤 Voice assistant: say “OK Google, set the alarm for 7 a.m.” or use Yandex’s Alice (if installed).
• ⚙️ Time settings: Go to Settings → Additionally. → Date and time where you can manually adjust time zones (but not alarm clocks!).

On devices with HyperOS (the new firmware from Xiaomi), the watch widget can be integrated into the notification panel. Swipe your finger down from the top edge of the screen and check if there is a tab with alarm clocks and timers.

6. Manual installation of the app "Clock" (for advanced)

If all the previous methods didn't work, the last option is to install the application manually.

Download the original APK-The Clock application file** for your version MIUI. It is important to choose the right version:

• 📱 For MIUI 12-14 com.android.deskclock (standard application from Google).
• 🔄 HyperOS needs a modified version APK, As the structure of the firmware has changed.
• ⚠️ Avoid sites with suspicious links – only download from APKMirror or XDA Developers.

After downloading:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications and allow installation for your file manager.
2. Open the downloaded APK and follow the instructions.
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Installation of third-party APK It can lead to a conflict with system processes, especially on devices with a locked bootloader.If after installation the phone starts to brake or overheat, delete the application and perform a cache reset in Recovery mode.

Extreme measures: resetting settings

If the Watch app is gone after the update and is not restored by any of the methods, it only resets to factory settings, and this method will return all system applications, but delete your data, so:

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Setting resets are the last chance to get system applications back, but it erases all user data. Always back up before resetting!

Instructions for discharge:

1. Save important data (photos, contacts, messages) to the cloud or to your computer.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After restarting, the device will return to its original state and the Clock app** should appear.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi 11T Pro) have a “Reset Settings Only” option** that saves user files but returns system applications. Try it first.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the watch on Xiaomi