How to put a clock on Android Xiaomi desktop: all methods

A ​​clock on the desktop Xiaomi is not only a convenient way to keep track of time, but also an element of interface personalization. Many users MIUI face a problem: standard clock widgets are either not in the list or look too simple. In this article we will look at all the current ways to add a clock to the home screen - from built-in functions to third-party applications with advanced settings.

The peculiarity of the firmware MIUI (even in the latest versions based on Android 13/14) is a limited set of standard widgets. For example, on some models Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 the clock widget may be hidden in the depths of the menu. We will show you exactly where to look for it, how to activate it, and what to do if it is not displayed at all in the list of available ones.

If you prefer a non-standard design - with animation, additional data (date, weather, steps) or theme support Always On Display (AOD), then you cannot do without third-party applications. We tested the top solutions from Google Play and selected those that work stably on Xiaomi without conflicts with the shell MIUI.

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

On most smartphones Xiaomi (including Redmi i POCO) the clock widget is built into the system, but its location depends on the version. MIUI. In the latest updates (starting from MIUI 14), the adding algorithm has changed - now it is hidden in the "Additional widgets" menu.

Here are step-by-step guide for current versions:

1. Press and hold your finger on an empty space on the desktop.
2. A panel will appear at the bottom of the screen - select Widgets.
3. Scroll down the list to the section Advanced or System.
4. Find the widget Clock (can be called Analog clock or Digital clock).
5. Hold widget and drag it to the desktop.

If there are no clock widgets in the list, this may mean:

• 📱 Outdated version of MIUI (before MIUI 12) - update the firmware via Settings → About phone → System update.
• 🔧 Disabled system widgets —check the launcher settings (long press → Desktop settings → Widgets).
• 🛠️ Modified firmware (custom or "cut off" by the manufacturer for some regions).

Press an empty space on the desktop|Open the "Widgets" section|Scroll to the end of the list|Check the "Advanced" or "System" section-->

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite or Redmi K50) the clock widget can be linked to Alarm Clock application. In this case:

1. Open the application Alarm Clock (icon with bell).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Widget.
3. Add it to the desktop through the standard widget menu.

What to do if the widget clock is missing in MIUI 14?

On some devices (for example, POCO F5), the clock widget has been removed from the system ones. In this case, there are two options left:

1. Install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher), which supports third-party ones. widgets.

2. Use one of the applications for watches described in the next section.

2. The best applications for watches on the Xiaomi desktop

If the standard widget does not suit you (or it simply does not exist), then third-party applications from Google Play offer much more features: from minimalistic digital watches to animated 3D models. We have selected 5 proven applicationsthat work stably on Xiaomi and do not conflict with MIUI.

Application	Features	Cons	Compatible with MIUI
Clock Widget	100+ styles, weather support, customization of colors and fonts	Advertising in the free version, some styles are paid	✅ Works without lags
Digital Clock Widget	Minimalistic design, support Always On Display, widgets of different sizes	Limited settings in the free version	✅ Optimized for Xiaomi
Chronus	Integration with calendar, weather, steps, support Android Wear	Complicated interface for beginners	✅ Requires notification permission
UCCW	Full customization (you can create a watch from scratch), support for skins	Difficult to set up without experience, outdated interface	⚠️ Possible bugs on MIUI 14
Transparent Clock & Weather	Transparent design, animation, theme support AOD	Paid themes, sometimes slow	✅ Works stably

To install any of these applications:

1. Download the application from Google Play.
2. Open the widgets menu (long press on the desktop → Widgets).
3. Find the widget of the installed application in the list (usually named by the name of the app).
4. Add it to the desktop and customize the appearance.

Analog (with arrows)|Digital (electronic)|Minimalistic (time only)|With weather and date|Other-->

Important nuance: on Xiaomi s MIUI 14+ some widgets may not update in real time. To fix this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
2. Find the application with the clock and allow it Autostart i Run in the background.
3. Restart smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, UCCW) require permission to Overlay on top of others applications. Without this, the widget will not be displayed. To enable it, go to Settings → Accessibility → Overlay.

3. Always On Display (AOD) style clock on Xiaomi

If your smartphone Xiaomi supports the function Always On Display (AOD) (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi K60 or POCO F4 GT), then the clock can be displayed on the locked screen. This is convenient, since the time will be displayed even when the phone is on the table.

How to turn on AOD:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Always On Display.
2. Turn on the switch Always On Display.
3. Select a clock style (analogue, digital and custom options available).
4. Set up a display schedule (always or timed).

If your model Xiaomi does not have built-in AOD, you can use analogous applications:

• 🌙 Always On AMOLED - supports animation and customization, but consumes battery power.
• 🔄 AOD Notify - shows the clock, notifications and charge level.
• ⚡ Glance Plus —optimized for Xiaomi, works even on budget models.

On models with AMOLED screens (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50 Pro) the AOD function consumes minimal charge thanks to the technology of displaying only active pixels. On IPS screens (for example, Redmi Note 11), constant display of the clock significantly reduces battery life.

4. Customizing watches through MIUI themes

The shell MIUI allows you to change the appearance of the watch through themes. This is relevant for those who want to keep the standard widget, but at the same time change its design. In themes you can find styles for iOS, Samsung One UI or unique author's options.

How to change the style of the clock through themes:

1. Open the application Themes (icon with a brush).
2. Go to section My themes → Lockscreen (or Desktop).
3. Select a topic that has custom clock (usually indicated in the description).
4. Apply the theme and check the changes on the desktop.

Some popular themes with custom clocks:

• 🎨 iOS 17 Style - clock in the style Apple with animation.
• 🌌 Dark Universe — futuristic design with effects.
• 📱 Material You — adaptive clock to match the color of the wallpaper (requires Android 12+).

⚠️ Attention: When using themes, some widgets may be reset. Before installing a new theme, take a screenshot of the current arrangement of icons and widgets to quickly restore them.

If you want to save the current clock widgetbut change only its style, use themes marked Clock only or Minimalistic changesSuch themes change only individual interface elements, without affecting the wallpaper and. icons.

5. Clock with additional information: weather, calendar, steps

Standard widget hours in MIUI shows only the time and date. If you need advanced data - weather, upcoming events from the calendar, number of steps, or even exchange rates - you will have to use specialized applications.

Top 3 applications for multifunctional watches:

1. Another Widget - minimalistic watches with weather support (data is taken from OpenWeatherMap), calendar and even battery level. There is a free version with basic styles.
2. KWGT Kustom Widget Maker - an advanced tool for creating custom widgets. It takes time to set up, but allows you to add any data: from weather to statistics. from: from weather to statistics from Google Fit.
3. Zoom Widget — widgets with animation, support Always On Display and integration with Google CalendarSuitable for Xiaomi with AMOLED screens.

An example of setting up weather widgets in Another Widget:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Select a clock style (for example, Minimal Clock + Weather).
3. Customize the weather source (recommended OpenWeatherMap —free and accurate).
4. Add a widget to your desktop through the standard menu.
5. Long-press the widget and select Edit widgetto customize the data displayed.

For integration with Google Calendar or Mi Fit:

• 📅 In the widget settings, select Calendar and give permission to access the data.
• 👟 For steps, install Google Fit or Mi Fit and link it to the watch application.

💡

Applications like KWGT require manual configuration, but allow you to create a unique widget with any data - from the Bitcoin rate to the forecast for the week.

6. Solving problems: the clock does not update, disappears or slows down

Users Xiaomi often encounter bugs with clock widgets: time “freezes”, the widget disappears after a reboot or does not update when changing topics. Let's consider the main causes and ways to eliminate them.

Problem	Cause	Solution
The clock is not updated	Battery limits for the application	Allow auto-start and background work in the battery settings.
The widget disappears after reboot	Reset MIUI launcher	Install an alternative launcher (for example Nova Launcher).
The clock slows down or twitches	Conflict with MIUI animation	Disable animation in Settings → About phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the version, then select Window animation 0.5x).
Widget from Google Play is not displayed	MIUI restrictions for third-party widgets	Enable resolution Overlay in accessibility.

If the clock widget has completely disappeared from the add menu:

1. Check if it is disabled application responsible for the clock (for example, Alarm clock or System widgets).
2. Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear cache.
3. Update the firmware via Settings → System update.

⚠️ Attention: On some models Xiaomi (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO M3) due to performance limitations, third-party widgets may be unstable. In this case, it is recommended to use built-in solutions or lightweight applications (for example, Digital Clock Widget).

7. Alternative methods: clock on the lock screen and in the notification shade

If you don’t need to see the clock on your desktop, you can move it to lock screen or notification curtain. This is relevant for users who prefer a minimalistic home screen.

Clock on the lock screen:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Select Style hours and customize the appearance.
3. Enable the option Show date or Additional information (if you need weather or notifications).

Clock in the curtain notifications:

• 🕒 By default, MIUI the time is displayed in the upper right corner of the curtain.
• 🔧 If it is not there, check the settings: Settings → Notifications and status bar → Line status.
• 📱 On some models (for example, Xiaomi 11T), you can add a clock widget directly to the curtain via Edit notification panel.

For models with Always On Display (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) you can configure the display of the clock even when the screen is off:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Always On Display.
2. Select the clock style (animations, digital and analogue options are available).
3. Set up a schedule or enable constant display.

💡

Displaying the clock on the lock screen and in AOD does not require additional widgets and does not affect the performance of the smartphone.

8. Hidden features: animation, voice control and gestures

Few people know, but MIUI there are hidden functions related to time display. For example, you can add clock animation, control them with your voice, or even set up gestures for quick access.

Animated clock:

• 🎞️ In some themes (for example, Live Earth), the clock is displayed with an animation of the background image (for example, the rotation of the Earth).
• 🖼️ Applications like KWGT allow you to create animations of hands or numbers.

Voice control:

Using Google Assistant or Alice from Yandex you can find out the time by voice:

1. Activate the voice assistant (for example, say Okay, Google).
2. Ask: What time is it? or Say time.
3. The assistant will announce the current time and can show it on the screen.

Gestures for quick access:

On Xiaomi you can set up a gesture to open the clock or alarm:

1. Go in Settings → Additional functions → Gestures.
2. Select Double tap or Swipe up from the bottom edge.
3. Assign an action Open Alarm Clock or Show clock.

On models with infrared sensor (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11), you can set the clock display when you bring your hand to the screen - even if the phone is face down.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions questions

Is it possible to add a clock to the Xiaomi desktop without widgets?

Yes, but only as an application shortcut Alarm Clock or Clock. To do this, hold down the application icon on the desktop and select Create shortcut. However, this will open the application itself, and will not show the time on the screen.

Why is the clock widget slow or jerky?

This is due to optimization MIUIwhich limits the background activity of widgets. Solutions:

1. Disable animation in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → MIUI version → press 7 times → Window animation 0.5x).
2. Add the clock application to battery exceptions (Settings → Battery → Battery mode → No restrictions).

How to make the clock transparent?

Standard widget MIUI does not support transparency. Use applications:

• Transparent Clock & Weather - specializes in transparent styles.
• KWGT - allows you to create a completely transparent widget manually.

Is it possible to put an Apple style clock on Xiaomi?

Yes, there are two method:

1. Install the theme iOS 17 Style from the application Themes.
2. Use the widget from the application Clock Widget (there are styles under iPhone).

Why after updating MIUI Has the clock widget disappeared?

This is a known problem. MIUI 14+. Solutions:

• Clear the launcher cache (Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear cache).
• Install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher).
• Roll back the update via Settings → System update → Three dots → Update package (if available).