Changing the date on Xiaomi devices can be necessary in a variety of situations, from a banal error after replacing the battery to the need to test applications with a time reference. Despite the apparent simplicity of the operation, many users face unexpected problems - for example, when the date is reset after a reboot or the device refuses to sync with time servers. This article covers all possible scenarios for smartphones (Redmi, POCO, Mi), smart watches (Mi Band, Xiaomi Watch) and TVs (Mi TV).
Xiaomi’s ecosystem is very closely integrated with Google’s services and its own cloud solutions, which means that simply changing the date in the settings is sometimes not enough – additional synchronization adjustments are required, or even a cache reset of system applications. We will analyze both standard methods through the MIUI interface, and hidden features through the engineering menu, which the manufacturer does not advertise.
Why you should change the date of Xiaomi
At first glance, changing the date seems like a trivial task, but in practice, users face this need for various reasons:
- 🔄 Resetting settings after hardware repair (replacement of the battery, motherboard)
- ⏳ Testing of applications with time restrictions (trial versions, promotions)
- 🌍 Moving to another time zone with automatic time adjustment
- 🔧 Diagnosing system errors where an incorrect date blocks updates
- 🎮 Bypassing time limits in games or services (e.g. daily limits)
It is important to understand that on devices with unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), the process may be different, and some banking applications and services with two-factor authentication can block access if there is a significant difference in system time from server time.
Method 1: Standard settings via MIUI (for smartphones)
This is the most obvious and secure method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS. The interface may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but the general logic is maintained:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon)
- Go to the section Additional → Date and time
- Turn off the slider Autodetermining date and time
- Click on the Set a date and select the desired value in the calendar
- Similarly, set the time when necessary.
- Enable back automatic determination if network synchronization is required
On some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the path may be slightly different: Settings → System → Date and time. If the date is reset when you reboot after changing, this indicates a problem with the battery backup (requires a replacement capacitor on the motherboard).
Shut down the internet (Wi-Fi/mobile data)|Close all background applications|Check the battery charge (>30%)|Make a backup copy of important data-->
Method 2: Change through the Engineering Menu (for power users)
If standard settings do not work (for example, gray buttons or the inability to save changes), you can use a hidden engineering menu, which requires caution, since incorrect actions can lead to failures in the communication module.
Instructions for most Xiaomi models:
1. Open the Phone app.
2 Enter the combination: ##4636###
3. Select "Phone Information"
4. Scroll down to the "Set date and time" section
5. Enter the values in the format: GYYG-MM-DD CH:MM:SS
6. Press "Install" and restart the deviceOn some firmware (MIUI Global 14.0.4+) The engineering menu can be blocked, and then you have to use it. ADB-team:
adb shell settings put global auto_time 0
adb shell settings put global auto_time_zone 0
adb shell date -s YYYYMMDD.HHMMSSWhat to do if the engineering menu does not open?
Method 3: Set the date on Xiaomi smartwatch (Mi Band, Watch)
Xiaomi smart devices sync time automatically with your smartphone via the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app. Manual date change on the watch itself is usually impossible, but there are workarounds:
- 📱 Through Smartphone: Change the date on your phone, then sync the clock (in the app: Profile) → Settings of the device → Synchronize time)
- ⚙️ Reset hours: if time is constantly straying, reset through Settings → Reset to factory clock
- 🔌 Disable Auto Sync: Turn off Auto Sync Time in the app (not available on all models)
For the Xiaomi Watch S3 and later, there is an undocumented possibility of changing the time through the developer mode:
- Activate the developer mode (5 times click on the version of the software in the settings of the clock)
- Connect your watch to your PC via the Mi Watch Tool
- Use the command: setprop persist.sys.timezone "Europe/Moscow"
💡
If after resetting the clock time continues to be lost, check the density of the adjoining contacts of the charger - weak contact can cause malfunctions in the work. RTC-Module (real time hours).
Method 4: Solving Automatic Synchronization Problems
A common problem on Xiaomi is when the device can't sync time with Google or Xiaomi servers, which manifests itself as a constantly reset date or an error called "Failure to update date and time."
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Date resets after rebooting | Failure of the RTC capacitor on the motherboard | Replacement of the capacitor in the service center (cost) ~1500₽) |
| Gray buttons in the time settings | Device Administrator Policy (MDM) | Delete your corporate profile in Settings → Accounts |
| The error "Synchronization is impossible" | Blocking NTP servers by the provider | Use a VPN or change the time server to pool.ntp.org |
| Time is lagging / hastening for 2-3 hours | Wrong time zone | Manually select the Europe/Moscow belt instead of the automatic belt. |
For root-right devices, you can manually specify NTP-server by editing the file /system/etc/gps.conf and add a line:
NTP_SERVER=ru.pool.ntp.org💡
If the sync issue occurred after the MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous firmware version or clearing the cache of the Google Services Framework app in the settings.
Method 5: Change the date on Mi TVs
Xiaomi TVs on the PatchWall platform or Google TV have a separate logic for time management, which is important to consider that some services (such as Netflix or Prime Video) can block content on an incorrect date.
Instructions for Mi TV 4/5 and Mi TV Q:
- Press the Settings button on the remote
- Go to Preferences → Date & Time
- Turn off Automatic date & time
- Select a Set Date and specify the desired values
- To sync with the Internet, turn on the Automatic Time Zone
On models with Google TV (Mi TV Q2 2023), the path will be different:
Settings → System → Date and time → Mode: Manual control💡
If, after the date has been changed, TV Loses sound in some applications, check the settings HDMI-CEC Settings menu → Connected devices → HDMI-CEC Turn off the option "Synchronization of time by HDMI".
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Changing the date to values that are very different from the real ones (more than 2 weeks) can lead to the blocking of the Mi Account for 24 hours - this is a security measure from Xiaomi.
Common user errors:
- ❌ Changing the date without turning off automatic synchronization (leads to a settings conflict)
- ❌ Using unofficial applications to change time (the risk of installing malware)
- ❌ Missing time zone check (may cause alarm clock schedules to crash)
- ❌ Change of date during active transaction in the banking application (may block payment)
⚠️ Note: On devices with Find Device enabled, abrupt change of date for more than 30 days may trigger a device lock on suspicion of theft. → Mi Account → Find Device.