How to change the clock on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi 9C: all the ways

The lock screen Xiaomi Redmi 9C is not just protection against accidental clicks, but also a source of important information. Time is displayed by default in a format that depends on the regional settings of the smartphone. However, many users find that the watch shows an uncomfortable format (for example, 12-hour instead of 24-hour) or not synchronized with real time at all. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the display of the clock on the lock screen, from standard MIUI settings to hidden functions and third-party solutions.

The Redmi 9C (M2006C3LG) is a feature that has limited some options depending on the firmware version. For example, in the global version of MIUI 12.5, the path to time settings may differ from the Chinese version. We will take these nuances into account and provide current instructions for all options, and you will learn how to fix typical errors - when the watch "hangs" or will be displayed incorrectly after the system update.

Why the clock on the lock screen may not work properly

Before you change your settings, it is important to understand the cause of the problem, and most users of Redmi 9C are faced with the following situations:

⏰ Incorrect time format - displayed AM/PM opportunistic 24 clockwork.
⚠️ The clock is “lagging behind” or “hurried” – discrepancy with real time due to the lack of automatic synchronization.
🔄 Resetting settings after update — MIUI Sometimes resets regional settings when installing new versions.
📵 The watch is not shown at all – a rare bug associated with damage to system fonts or themes of design.

80 percent of the time, the problem is solved through standard date and time settings. However, if you've tried changing the format in the Settings menu → Additional → Date and Time, but the lock screen clock is the same, the reason may be deeper. For example, a bug appeared in the Redmi 9C with MIUI 13 firmware, where changes in the time settings are applied only after the device is restarted.

Method 1: Change the time format through system settings

The most obvious and safe method is to use the built-in MIUI options, which is suitable for all firmware versions, including global and Chinese.

Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
Scroll down and select the Additional section (in some versions System and Device).
Slip on the date and time item.
Activate the switch Automatic date and time if it's off, and this synchronizes the clock with the network servers.
Find the time format option below and choose 24-hour or 12-hour depending on your preferences.
Return to the home screen and check if the clock display on the lock screen has been updated.

If the clock has not changed after these actions, try to force the clock to update:

🔄 In the same menu, turn off and switch on the Automatic Date and Time again.
📡 Reconnect to a mobile network or Wi-Fi (sometimes time servers are blocked by the provider).
🔋 Reboot your smartphone – it will help if the changes did not apply due to a bug MIUI.

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) may not have time format. In this case, use Method 3 with third-party applications.

Power saving mode is turned off (can block synchronization)

Is the smartphone connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)

Is the firmware updated to the latest version (clock bugs are often fixed in patches)

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Method 2: Configure with MIUI Launcher (for advanced users)

If standard settings don't work, you can try changing the display of the watch through the MIUI launcher. This method doesn't work on all firmware versions, but it often saves you when system settings are ignored.

Hold your finger to the free space on the home screen until the launcher settings menu appears.
Select Lock screen settings (or Themes if the first item is not available).
Scroll down to the Watch section and tap it.
Here you can choose the time display style (digital/analog) and turn on or off seconds.
Save the changes and check the result.

Some versions of the Redmi 9C (e.g., with MIUI 12.0.8) may not have this path, so try an alternative method:

1. Open the "Themes" app.


2. Go to the section "Block screen".




3. Select any theme with the clock (e.g., Digital Clock).




4. Apply it, it will reset the current time display settings.

⚠️ Warning: After changing the theme of the screen, other settings, such as wallpaper or weather widgets, may reset, save the current wallpaper settings in advance to quickly restore them.

24-hour (13:45)

12-hour with AM/PM (1:45 PM)

Analog clock (dial)

I don't care.-->

Method 3: Using third-party customization apps

If the built-in methods don't work, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, allowing you not only to change the format of the watch, but also completely redesign the lock screen to suit your needs. 9C:

Annex	Functions	Compatibility with MIUI	Reference
Always On Edge	Customization of hours, dates, notifications on the lock screen	Yes (approval required)	Download
Lock Screen Widget	Adding time widgets with different styles	Yes (may conflict with MIUI 13)	Download
Digital Clock Widget	Changes in font, color and format of the watch	Yes (requires administrator rights)	Download

Instructions for setting up through Always On Edge (the most versatile option):

Install the application and open it.
Provide all permissions requested (especially Display over other windows and Device Administrator).
Go to the Clock Settings section.
Choose the time format (24H or 12H) and display style.
Activate the Show on Lock Screen option.
Reboot your smartphone to apply the changes.

Note that some applications may conflict with built-in MIUI features, especially if you have Power Saving Mode or Battery Optimization enabled for third-party programs.

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization → Select the App → Without Limits

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If after installing a third-party application, the clock on the lock screen is duplicated (both system and custom), turn off the system clock through the launcher settings (see Method 2).

Problem Solving: The clock doesn't change or reset

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be system errors, and here are the typical scenarios and solutions.

🔄 The clock is reset after rebooting — check if Quick Start is enabled in the battery settings. Turn it off for stability.
⏳ Time is “hang” and not updated – reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
📱 The watch is displayed curved or with artifacts - change the theme of the design to the standard (for example, change the theme of the design to the standard one, MIUI Default).
🔧 No “Time Format” item in the settings – upgrade to the latest version or reset settings (see below).

If the problem persists, reset the date and time settings:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
Find the process com.android.providers.settings and clear its data.
Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up this process will reset all regional settings, including the system language, number format and currency, and after rebooting, you will have to reset them.

What if the clock shows the wrong time zone?

If the clock on the lock screen displays the time of a non-local region, even after synchronization, the problem may be in the wrong time zone.To fix this: 1. Turn off Automatic Time Zone in Date and Time settings. 2. Manually select your region (e.g. Moscow, GMT+3). 3. Reboot the device. If the problem persists, check if you have a VPN or location change apps (e.g., Fake GPS) that can knock down the time zone.

Additional settings: seconds, date, display style

In addition to the time format, Redmi 9C can configure other options for displaying the clock on the lock screen:

⏱️ Display of seconds – enabled in launcher settings (see Method 2) or through themes.
📅 Date format - changes to Settings → Additionally. → Date and time → Date format.
🎨 Color and font of the watch – requires the installation of a custom theme or third-party application.
🌙 Adaptive lighting - in Settings → Lock screen → The clock can be turned on at night.

To change the font of the watch without root rights:

Download the iFont app from Google Play.
Choose your favorite font and click Set.
Apply it through Settings → Screen → Font.
Restart the device – the clock on the lock screen will be updated.

If you want to completely remove the watch from the lock screen, this can only be done through the lock screen. ADB-commands or custom firmware installation. Standard settings MIUI do not provide for such an option.

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On the Redmi. 9C firmware MIUI 13+ display seconds on the lock screen by default is disabled. To enable them, you need to use third-party applications or ADB-team.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the clock on the lock screen

Why did the clock on the lock screen reset after the MIUI update?

This is a well-known MIUI bug that occurs when you upgrade to a new firmware version. The system resets regional settings, including the time format. To fix: Open Settings → Additional → Date and Time. Turn off and re-enable Automatic Date and Time. Select the desired format (24-hour or 12-hour). Reboot your smartphone. If the problem repeats after each update, try rolling back to the previous firmware version or wait for a patch from Xiaomi.

Can I make the lock screen color?

Yes, but standard MIUI means are not possible. Options: Set a color watch theme through the Theme app. Use third-party apps like Always On Edge (see Method 3). Get root rights and edit system files (not recommended for beginners); The easiest way is to download a theme with the right design. For example, the MIUI theme store has options with neon, gradient or monochrome watches.

The clock on the lock screen shows the wrong time, even though the status bar is correct. What do you do?

This means that the problem is localized to the lock screen module. Try: Reset Launcher settings: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher MIUI → Storage → Clear Data. Install a third-party app to customize the watch (e.g. Digital Clock Widget). Check if there are two time widgets (system and third-party app) that conflict with each other. If nothing helps, reset the lock screen settings through Settings → System → Resets → Lock screen settings → Resetting.

How to return an analog watch to the lock screen?

On Redmi 9C, analog watches are available only through the themes. Do this: Open the Themes app. Go to Lock Screen. Find a theme with an analog watch (like Classic Clock or Vintage Style). Apply it and check the result. If you don't like the analog watch, return the standard MIUI Default theme.

Will the clock on the lock screen work if the internet is turned off?

Yes, but with reservations: If Automatic Date and Time is enabled, the watch may stop without internet (depending on firmware).If the time is set manually, the watch will run, but may gradually diverge from real time (due to inaccuracies in the internal timer of the smartphone). On some firmware MIUI The clock syncs with the operator’s network even without the Internet (if inserted). SIM-For maximum accuracy without the Internet, turn off automatic synchronization and set the time manually.