How to display a clock on the screen of a Xiaomi phone

The question of how to display the clock on the screen of a Xiaomi phone arises for most users immediately after unpacking a new device or updating the firmware. Modern MIUI shells and the new HyperOS provide many ways to display the time, but they are often hidden in non-obvious menu sections. The standard appearance of the lock screen may differ from what you saw on friends with a similar smartphone, which causes confusion.

For device owners Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, setting the time display is not just a cosmetic change, but an important part of personalizing the interface. You can choose between classic large numbers, a minimalist font, or even a timeless live wallpaper. Correctly setting these parameters makes using the gadget more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for activating the watch. We'll cover lock screen settings, Always On Display, and home screen widgets. You'll learn to control the size, color, and position of the time indicator to suit your style and needs.

Customize the clock on the lock screen

The most common way to see the time is on the lock screen. By default, large numbers are displayed here, but users often want to change their style or position. To do this, you need to go to Settings your device and find the section responsible for the appearance.

Go to the menu Wallpaper, and then select the item Lock screen. Here you will see a preview of the current design. By clicking on the pencil icon or the edit button, you can change Clock style. The system will offer several options: from strict digital indicators to artistic fonts.

⚠️ Attention: Some clock styles are only available when using certain themes or wallpapers. If the desired font is not active, try changing the background image to the system one.

In new versions of the shell HyperOS it has become possible to overlay a clock on photographic objects, creating the effect of depth. To do this, select a photo with a clear subject in the foreground, and the system will automatically suggest placing time behind it. It looks very impressive, but requires careful selection of the picture.

Don't forget that the date and notifications are also displayed on the lock screen. Make sure the clock style you choose doesn't block important information from apps. The balance between aesthetics and functionality is the key to comfortable use of a smartphone.

Always On Display (AOD)

Always On Display technology allows you to display the clock on the screen even when the phone is locked and in standby mode. This is an extremely useful function that allows you to find out the time with a glance without pressing buttons and without wasting power to fully turn on the display.

To activate this option, go to Settings → Lock screen. Find the switch Always On Display and turn it on. Here you can select the operating mode: display the time always, according to a schedule, or only when receiving notifications. Scheduled mode is best for saving energy.

In the AOD settings, you can choose one of the preset styles or create your own. Options are available with seconds, date, battery level and even a pedometer. For models with AMOLED screens, this function has virtually no effect on autonomy due to the features of black pixel display technology.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with IPS screens, the Always On Display function may be absent or work in a limited mode due to the high power consumption of such a matrix with a constant glow.

If The standard options do not suit you, you can download additional styles from the theme store. In the section Theme Store → Profile → Lock screen there are often unique clock designs from third-party developers that add animation or non-standard shapes of numbers.

Adding a clock widget to the home screen

In addition to the lock screen, the clock can be displayed directly to your desktop. Widgets provide more freedom in choosing size and shape. This is especially convenient for those who use their smartphone as a desk clock or want quick access to world time.

To add a widget, long-tap on a free area on the home screen. In the menu that appears, select Widgets. Find the category Clocksin the list. The system will offer several options: from simple dials to complex panels with weather and exchange rates.

Drag the widget you like to the screen. Once placed, it can be scaled by dragging the edges if the interface allows it. In the settings of the widget itself (usually accessible through a long tap on it), you can change the time zone, which is important for travelers or those who work with foreign partners.

Some widgets support changing the background transparency. This allows you to integrate the clock into the wallpaper design so that it does not look like an alien element. Experiment with transparency to achieve the effect of “floating” numbers above your favorite image.

Displaying time in the status bar

The status bar (status bar) at the top of the screen is a permanent location for time. However, even here there are opportunities for customization. Users often wonder if it is possible to move the clock or change its display format in this zone.

In standard settings Xiaomi moving the clock from the center to the left or right corner is often not available without third-party launchers. However, you can change the time format. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Date and time. Here you can enable or disable the display of seconds, as well as select a 12- or 24-hour format.

Settings → Additional settings → Date and time → Time format

For more in-depth adjustment of the clock position in The status bar will require the use of launcher applications such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. They allow you to completely rebuild the interface of the top panel, moving the clock to the center or hiding it completely, leaving only notification icons.

Remember that the time in the status bar should be readable on any background. If you use light wallpapers, make sure that the system theme is set to a dark color for icons and text, otherwise the clock will become invisible.

Using themes and third-party applications

If standard functionality is not enough, themes and specialized applications come to the rescue. The MIUI Theme Store is a powerful tool that allows you to change not only the wallpaper, but also the system clock, icons, and even notification sounds.

When searching for a theme, pay attention to the lock screen screenshots. Often, theme authors create unique animated clocks that respond to touches or change color depending on the time of day. Installing such a theme applies to the entire system, so check if you like other elements of the new design.

⚠️ Warning: Third-party themes may contain advertising or require access to unnecessary permissions. Download content only from the official Xiaomi theme store to avoid malware.

For advanced users, there are applications like KWGT Kustom Widget Maker. They allow you to create a clock widget from scratch, setting any font, color, shape and animation. This takes time to set up, but the result will be completely unique and not similar to any standard option.

How to install fonts for the clock?

To change the system clock font, you often need ROOT access or the use of a special theme containing modified system files. Without superuser rights, the choice of fonts is limited to the offers in the theme store.

There are also “Big Clock” applications that turn the smartphone screen into a full-fledged wall clock with huge numbers. This is convenient when you place the phone on the stand while working or using it as an alarm clock.

Display problems and solutions

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the clock disappears from the screen or is displayed incorrectly. This could be caused by a software glitch, a theme conflict, or an error in the power saving settings. Understanding the reasons will help you quickly resolve the problem.

One ​​of the common reasons why the clock disappears from the lock screen is the activation of the Do Not Disturb mode or specific privacy settings. Check whether hiding content on the locked screen is enabled in the notification settings.

If the clock is displayed but goes out too quickly, check the screen timeout settings. In the Settings → Display → Sleep mode section, set the time to at least 30 seconds. Turning off the display too quickly can create the illusion that the watch is not working.

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The clock is not visible on a bright background	Color mismatch between text and wallpaper	Change the theme to dark or change the wallpaper
AOD does not turn on	Energy saving or IPS screen	Disable ultra-energy saving, check matrix type
Incorrect time	Synchronization is disabled	Enable "Automatic time adjustment" in date settings
The widget has disappeared from the screen	Launcher failure	Restart the phone or add the widget again

In rare cases, resetting the lock screen to factory settings helps. This will not delete your data, but will return the default appearance. To do this, delete the current theme and apply the standard "Classic" theme through the theme store.

⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS. If you do not find an item, use the search in the settings by entering the name of the function.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why did the clock on the lock screen become small after the update?

Firmware updates often reset the design settings to standard or change the logic of the theme. Try reselecting the clock style in the lock screen editing menu or reinstalling your favorite theme from the store.

Is it possible to display seconds in the status bar?

In standard Android and MIUI settings, displaying seconds in the top status bar is usually not provided to save space. However, seconds can be enabled in widgets on the desktop or in Always On Display mode.

Why does the Always On Display feature quickly drain the battery?

This is normal for older models or IPS screens. On AMOLED screens, consumption is minimal, since black pixels do not consume energy. If consumption is high, configure the AOD schedule or disable the display of complex animations.

How to change the date language under the clock?

The date language depends on the general system language. To change it, go to Settings → Advanced settings → Language and input and select the desired language. The date under the clock will change automatically.

Can I put my photos on the background of the AOD watch?

Yes, in some versions of MIUI and HyperOS there is a “Photo Carousel” function or the ability to select a specific image for the Always On Display background in the settings of this function. This allows you to personalize the idle screen.