How to set a clock on a Samsung phone's desktop: a complete guide

Do you want the time to always be visible, but don’t know how to add a clock to the home screen Samsung Galaxy? This task seems simple, but many users have difficulties - especially when it comes to new versions One UI or non-standard launchers. In this article we will analyze all possible methods: from standard widgets to hidden functions and third-party applications.

Let us immediately note: the process may differ depending on the smartphone model (Galaxy S23, A54, Note 20 etc.) and firmware version. However, the basic principles remain the same. If you do not find the desired item in the menu, do not rush to get upset: perhaps it is hidden under a different name or requires activation in the developer settings.

It is important to understand that the clock on your desktop is not just a decoration, but a functional element. They can display not only the time, but also the date, weather, alarms and even calendar events. Next, we will look at how to configure each of these parameters to suit your needs.

1. Standard clock widget in One UI: step-by-step guide

The most obvious way is to use the built-in widget from Samsung. It is available on all devices with shell One UI (starting from version 2.0) and supports several display styles. Here's how to add it:

1. Touch and hold any free area on the main screen with your finger until the settings menu appears.

2. At the bottom of the screen, select the item Widgets (icon with squares).

3. Scroll down the list to the section Clocks (usually it is at the beginning or in the "Samsung" category).

4. Select the clock style you like (analog, digital, with date, etc.) and drag it to your desktop.

If the widget is not displayed in the list, check:

• ⏰ Is the firmware updated — in older versions One UI some widgets might be missing.
• 🔄 Is a third-party launcher being used (for example, Nova Launcher or Action Launcher, which replaces standard widgets.
• 📱 Are system applications disabled through the settings (Settings → Applications → Three dots → Show system ones).

After adding a widget, you can scale it: press and hold the widget, then drag the corner handles. Some styles support additional settings - to do this, tap the widget and select Settings (if the option is available).

2. Alternative clock widgets: top 3 applications from Google Play

Standard clock from Samsung not users are always satisfied - some want more features, others are looking for a unique design. In this case, third-party widgets come to the rescue. We tested dozens of applications and selected the three best: Application

Application	Features	Cons	Link
Chronus	Support for themes, weather, calendar, tasks. More than 100 clock styles.	Some functions are paid. May be slow on weak devices.	Google Play
Digital Clock Widget	Minimalistic design, customizable fonts and colors, date display.	Limited functionality (no weather or events).	Google Play
Transparent Clock & Weather	Transparent background, animations, widgets for locking the screen.	Advertising in the free version. Requires many permissions.	Google Play

To install a widget from a third-party application:

1. Download and install the application from Google Play.

2. Return to the home screen, hold your finger on an empty space and select Widgets.

3. Find the widget from the installed application in the list (usually it has the same name as the application itself).

4. Drag the widget onto the screen and configure its settings.

⚠️ Attention: Some widgets require permission to access exact location to display the weather. If you do not want to provide this access, select a widget without the weather function or disable it in the settings.

Important: Widgets from third-party developers may consume more energy than standard ones. If you notice an increase in battery consumption, check the optimization settings for the application in the section Settings → Device care → Battery.

3. Clock on the lock screen: how to enable and configure

If you need to see the time without unlocking the phone, you can customize the display. clock on the lock screen. In One UI this is done like this:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.

2. Select item Clock style.

3. Scroll through the list and select the design you like. Some styles support animation when unlocking.

4. Click Doneto save changes.

Additional settings:

• 🌙 Night mode —the watch will automatically dim in the dark.
• 📅 Date and notifications —you can add a display of the date, weather or the number of missed notifications.
• 🔒 Always On Display (AOD) —if yours Samsung supports this function, the clock will be displayed even when the screen is off (available on Galaxy S and Note series with AMOLEDdisplays).

⚠️ Attention: Function Always On Display can reduce battery life by 5-15%. If you notice rapid battery drain, disable AOD in your lock screen settings.

On some models (for example Galaxy A-series, there are fewer clock styles available for the lock screen. This is due to hardware limitations. If you need additional options, consider installing a third-party application. to lock the screen (for example, Always On AMOLED).

4. Hidden settings: how to return the old clock or change its size

In some versions One UI Samsung removes or hides individual clock styles. For example, after updating to One UI 5.0 many users lost the ability to use classic ones. analog clock with Roman numerals. However, you can return them!

Method 1: through Launcher Settings

1. Touch and hold an empty space on the home screen, then select Home screen settings.

2. Scroll down and find the item Reset settings or Restore default widgets.

3. Confirm the action - this will return all standard widgets, including hidden styles hours.

Method 2: via ADB (for advanced users)

If you are familiar with the command line, you can enable hidden widgets using ADB:

adb shell cmd overlay enable-exclusive com.android.systemui/.clockwidget.overlay.ClassicClockOverlay

After running this command, restart the device. Additional styles will appear in the list of widgets.

⚠️ Attention: Usage ADB can lead to unstable operation of the system if you enter the wrong command. We recommend creating a backup copy of the data before experiments.

If you need to change the clock size, but standard scaling does not help, try the following:

• 📏 Use a launcher with customization support (for example, Nova Launcher), where you can set the exact size of widgets.
• 🎨 Create own widget in applications like KWGT or UCCW.
• 🔍 Check the theme settings — some themes One UI limit zooming.

5. Clock in the status bar: how to remove or change its display

By default Samsung shows the time in the upper right corner of the screen (in the status bar). Some users want to remove it so as not to duplicate it with widgets, others want to change the format (for example, add seconds or a date). Here's how to do it:

How to remove the clock from the status bar:

1. Install the application System UI Tuner (required Android 9.0 and above).

2. Open the application and find the section Statusbar.

3. Disable the switch Show clock.

4. Restart the device.

How to change the time format:

Without root access it is impossible to change the time format in the status bar. However, you can use a workaround:

• ⏱️ Use a widget with the desired format and hide the standard clock (as described above).
• 📱 Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), where there are flexible status bar settings.
• 🔧 Activate developer mode and try changing the parameter settings put global status_bar_clock 1 (but this does not work on all devices).

On some models Samsung (for example, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip), the time format in the status bar changes automatically depending on the screen orientation. This is a system behavior and cannot be disabled.

6. Problems and solutions: The clock is not displayed or does not work correctly

Sometimes the clock on your desktop may disappear, freeze, or show the wrong time. Let's look at the most common problems and their solutions:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The clock disappeared after the update	Resetting the launcher settings or a conflict with the new one version One UI.	Add the widget again or reset the home screen settings.
The clock shows the wrong time	Date and time settings are lost or automatic synchronization is disabled.	Go to Settings → General → Date and time i turn on Auto detection.
The clock widget is not updated	Battery optimization limits the widget's operation.	Add the clock application to the exception list (Settings → Device care → Battery → Background restrictions).
The clock freezes for 1-2 seconds	Conflict with another widget or launcher.	Remove other widgets from the home screen or change the launcher.

If none of the solutions helped, try the following steps:

1. Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Home screen (One UI Home) → Memory → Clear cache.

2. Check your device for viruses - some malware blocks widgets.

3. Reset the settings to factory settings (back up your data first!).

⚠️ Attention: If the problem appeared after installing custom firmware or receiving root access, the cause may be damage to system files. In this case, only flashing the device will help.

On devices with Android 13 and newer Samsung implemented additional protection for widgets. If the clock disappears after a reboot, check the section Settings → Applications → Special access → Battery optimization and disable optimization for the clock application.

7. instructions for creative users

If you are not satisfied with either standard or third-party widgets, you can create your own unique design. To do this, you will need applications like KWGT (Kustom Widget Maker) or UCCW (Ultimate Custom Clock Widget). Let's look at the process using an example KWGT:

1. Install KWGT from Google Play and open it.

2. Select Create a new widget and specify the size (for example, 4×2).

3. In the editor, add an element Text and enter a formula to display the time: $df(HH:mm)$.

4. Customize the font, color, background and other parameters to your liking.

5. Save the widget and add it to the home screen through the standard widget menu.

Advantages of custom widgets:

• 🎨 Unique design — you can create a clock that no one else has.
• 📊 Additional information —add weather, battery charge, data from sensors.
• 🔄 Animations and interactivity - for example, color changes depending on the time of day.

For inspiration, you can download ready-made templates (KWGT skins) from Google Play or from sites like DeviantArt. Please note that some templates require KWGT Pro (paid version).

⚠️ Attention: Complex widgets with animation and frequent data updates can significantly increase battery consumption. Track your energy consumption in the section Settings → Device care → Battery.

If you want to go even further, you can create a widget using Tasker - this application allows you to automate almost any action on Android, including displaying time in non-standard formats.

Example code for Tasker (displaying time with seconds)

Profile: Time (Event → Display → Unlocked)

Task:

1. Variable → Set: %TIME to %TIMES

2. Plugin → AutoNotification → Create a notification with the text "Current time: %TIMES"

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to put a clock on the desktop if you are using Nova Launcher?

Yes, but the process is slightly different. In Nova Launcher you need to:

1. Touch and hold the main screen → Widgets.

2. Find section Nova Actions or Clock (if installed widget from Samsung).

3. Add a widget to the screen and configure it.

If the standard clock Samsung is not displayed, install a third-party widget (for example, Chronus).

Why is the clock on the widget not updated automatically?

This is due to battery optimization. To fix:

1. Go to Settings → Device care → Battery.

2. Find the application responsible for the widget (for example, Samsung Watch or Chronus).

3. Select Do not optimize or Allow background activity.

If the problem persists, try reinstalling the widget.

How to make the clock show seconds?

Most standard widgets Samsung do not support displaying seconds. Solutions:

• Use an analog watch - it has a second hand by default.
• Install a third-party widget (for example, Digital Clock Widget Xperia), where you can enable seconds in the settings.
• Create your own widget in KWGT with the formula $df(HH:mm:ss)$.

Is it possible to put a clock on the lock screen without Always On Display?

Yes, even if your device does not support AODthe clock will be displayed when you press the power button or lift the phone (if the function is enabled Rise to wake in the settings movements).

For the clock to be displayed constantly (as on AOD), but without this function, you can use applications like Always On AMOLED (required AMOLED screen).

Why did your favorite clock disappear after the update?

Samsung Sometimes it deletes or hides old widget styles in new versions. One UITo get them back:

1. Try resetting the launcher settings (as described in section 4).

2. Install an older version of the application Samsung Clock (for example, via APKMirror).

3. Use ADBto unlock hidden widgets (for advanced users only).

If all else fails, you can only wait for something to happen. Samsung will return the deleted styles in the next updates.