Modern smartphones Honor and Huawei are equipped with high-quality OLED screens that allow information to be displayed even in sleep mode. The Always On Display (AOD) function has become a standard, but standard settings often seem boring or monotonous to users. Many device owners want to personalize their gadget so that it reflects their personal style, starting from the very first glance at the screen.
Changing the color of the watch is not just a cosmetic change, but a way to improve readability of information in different lighting conditions. Customizing your watch face's hue can make a big difference in how you perceive time and notifications. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods to change the color of the clock on the screen of your Honor smartphone, from basic system settings to advanced customization methods.
It is worth noting that the shell interface MagicOS or EMUI is constantly updated, and the location of some menu items may differ depending on the software version. However, the general principle of working with themes and widgets remains similar on most current models. Let's take a closer look at each available method for transforming the appearance of your device.
Setting the Always On Display function
The first and most obvious way to change the color of your watch is to use the built-in Always On Display function. This option allows you to see the time, date, and notifications without unlocking your phone. To access the settings, you need to go to menu Settings → Display and brightness → Lock screen. This is where the main settings that control the appearance of the sleep screen are hidden.
In the lock screen settings section, you will find a switch to activate the function Always On Display. After enabling this option, the system will prompt you to select a display style. Standard watches are often white or gray, but many models offer a choice of color schemes. Depending on the firmware version, the color may change automatically depending on the time of day or the selected design theme.
⚠️ Attention: Constant operation of the screen in AOD mode increases battery consumption. On OLED matrices, black pixels do not consume energy, so dark dials are more energy efficient.
If the standard options do not suit you, you can try changing the theme of the entire system. The color of the clock on the lock screen often depends on the selected theme. Go to the application Themes, select the design you like and apply it. This will change not only the icons, but also the font style, as well as the color of the indicators on the locked screen.
Use dark themes with bright accent colors for the clock to combine energy saving and good readability in the dark.
Using the "Themes" application for customization
App Store Themes (Themes) is the central hub for changing the appearance of your Honor smartphone. Here you can find thousands of free and paid design options that radically change the appearance of the system. To find the style you want, use the search bar and enter queries like “digital clock”, “neon” or “minimalism”.
When choosing a new theme, pay attention to the lock screen preview. Often, developers create unique animated watch faces with changeable colors. After installing the theme, the color of the clock on the lock screen and home screen widgets will change according to the design concept. This is the easiest way to get a complex gradient or custom font.
- 🎨 Open the application Themes on your desktop.
- 🔍 Enter a keyword in the search, for example, "Clock" or "Time".
- 👁️ View previews of lock screens in theme cards.
- ⬇️ Download and apply the design you like.
It is important to understand that some interface elements may be strictly tied to a specific theme. If you want to keep your icons but only change the clock, look for themes that only modify the Lock Screen. The description of such topics usually indicates which components they cover.
Creating your own watch face in Health
For owners of smart watches and fitness bracelets from Honor or Huawei the application Health (Health) is familiar. However, few people know that the functionality of creating watch faces (Watch Face) in this application can also be used for inspiration, although these watch faces are rarely installed directly on the phone. However, there are third-party applications that allow you to create custom widgets.
Within the Honor ecosystem, creating your own styles often requires the use of specialized PC tools such as Watch Face Studio. This software allows you to draw any design, choose any color for each number and arrow. The finished file is then downloaded to the health app and installed on the device.
⚠️ Note: The Health app interface and available features may vary depending on the model of the connected wearable device. For smartphones without a clock, this method may be limited.
If your goal is to change the clock widget on the desktop, and not the lock screen, then this is more difficult to do using standard system tools. However, by creating or downloading a unique watch face, you can use its screenshot as wallpaper, imitating the desired color and style.
Installing third-party application widgets
The most flexible way to change the color, font and shape of the clock on the home screen is to use third-party widgets. The store Google Play Market or AppGallery presents many applications specializing in widgets. They allow you to ignore system limitations and customize every pixel.
Popular applications such as HD Widgets, Overdrop or Widgetsmithoffer deep settings. You can choose the color of the numbers, background color, transparency, font and even animation. After installing such a widget, it replaces the standard clock on the desktop, providing full control over visualization.
Installing the widget:1. Hold your finger on an empty space on the desktop.
2. Select "Widgets" or "Services".
3. Find the installed clock application in the list.
4. Drag the selected widget size onto the screen.
After placing the widget on the screen, the settings menu will usually open. Here you can set the exact color code (HEX or RGB), if the application supports such a function, or choose from a rich palette. This is an ideal option for those who like complete control over the interface.
☑️ Check before installing the widget
Comparison of color changing methods
The choice of method depends on what exactly you want to change: the lock screen or desktop, and how deeply you are willing to dive into the settings. System methods are safe and stable, but limited in choice. Third-party applications give you freedom, but can consume more resources.
The table below compares the main ways to customize the time on Honor devices. This will help you quickly navigate and choose the appropriate option for your situation without much experimentation.
| Method | Where the color changes | Difficulty | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settings AOD | Lock screen | Low | Medium |
| Change theme | Everywhere (system) | Low | Low |
| Third-party widgets | Desktop | Medium | High |
| Specialized launchers | The entire interface | High | High |
If you prefer system stability, it is better to limit yourself to built-in themes. If a unique design is important to you and you are willing to put up with possible additional energy consumption, then widgets will be the best solution. Combining methods allows you to achieve the most impressive results.
The optimal balance between beauty and autonomy is achieved by using dark system themes with minimalist widgets.
Advanced customization through launchers
For users who are not satisfied with standard shell capabilities MagicOS, it is possible to install a third-party launcher. Applications like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher completely replace the desktop and lock screen (if plugins are available), providing limitless customization possibilities.
By installing a third-party launcher, you get access to thousands of icon packs and widgets that may not work on the standard interface. In the settings of such launchers you can often change the color of signatures, folder backgrounds and, of course, integrate clock widgets of any color and shape. This turns the smartphone into a unique tool.
However, you should be careful: replacing the system launcher may lead to unstable operation of some gestures or security features, such as the on-screen fingerprint scanner (in rare cases). Before installation, it is recommended to create a restore point or simply be ready to return the standard launcher through application settings.
How to return the standard launcher?
If after installing the new interface the phone does not work correctly, go to Settings → Applications → Default applications → Desktop and select "System."
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why doesn't the color of the clock on the lock screen change?
It is likely that the selected theme does not support changing AOD colors, or the Always On Display feature is disabled in the settings. Also check if the power saving mode is activated, which may limit the functions of the screen.
Is it possible to make the watch transparent on Honor?
It is impossible to make the watch completely transparent using standard means, since it must be readable. However, by installing a widget with a transparent background from a third-party application, you can achieve the effect of floating numbers above the wallpaper.
Does the color of the clock affect battery consumption?
Yes, it does. On OLED screens, white and bright pixels consume more power than black pixels. Using a dark dial with colored accents will help save battery in Always On Display mode.
Where to download safe themes for Honor?
The most secure source is the official "Themes" application from Huawei/Honor. Downloading themes from unknown sources on the Internet can lead to the installation of malware or unstable operation of the system.
How to return all the clock settings back?
To return to the factory appearance, just reset the theme to the standard one in the "Themes" application or delete installed widgets from the desktop by holding your finger on them and selecting "Delete."