Setting the right date and time on a Xiaomi smartphone is a seemingly simple task, but many users face unexpected difficulties. Time display errors can lead to app failures, trouble synchronizing notifications, or even blocking certain features (such as banking services). In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the date on Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi devices, from basic manual settings to solving complex cases when the system persistently resets.
Xiaomi smartphones are very well integrated with Google services and its own MIUI ecosystem, which means that date and time can be synchronized automatically over the network, but sometimes forced adjustments are required. We'll look at both options, and we'll also talk about how to avoid common mistakes, such as when the phone flashes the wrong hour or date after flashing it, and if you're faced with a situation where the device has "hang" in the past or future, here you will find a solution.
Why it’s important to set the right date and time for Xiaomi
What would seem to go wrong if your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 was on the wrong time?
- 🔒 Blocking banking applications: Many financial services (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) check the time synchronization of the device with the server, a discrepancy of even 5 minutes can lead to an authentication error.
- 📱 WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber use time stamps to sort messages, wrong date will lead to chaos in chat rooms.
- 🔄 Update issues. System. MIUI may refuse to install updates if the date on the phone is very different from the server.
- 📅 Calendar and reminders are not working properly, meetings, alarm clocks and events will go off at the wrong time.
Also, some games (like daily bonuses) block access if they detect a suspicious date change, which is designed to combat cheaters but often affects ordinary users, so time setting is not just a cosmetic feature, but a critical parameter.
⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), automatic time synchronization may not work properly. In this case, it is recommended to manually select the time zone and disable the option Auto-determining date and time.
Method 1: Automatically adjust date and time over a network
The easiest and most recommended method is to let the phone itself receive time and date data from network operators or Google servers, a method that works for most users and works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 10, POCO F4 and Xiaomi 13.
To enable automatic synchronization:
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
- Go to the Additional Settings section (some firmwares call it System and Device).
- Select the date and time item.
- Activate the switches: 🔄 Autodetermining Date and Time (using network data) 🌍 Time zone autodetermination (determined by location)
After that, the phone will contact the Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers and update the data, usually in less than 10 seconds. If the synchronization is not happening, try:
- 📶 Reconnect to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
- 📍 Enable geolocation (sometimes required to accurately determine time zone).
Autodetermining date and time included
Time zone corresponds to your region
The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi)
Geolocation activated (if required)
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If the automatic setting doesn’t work, it may be the operator’s settings or lockdown that is the problem. NTP-servers (relevant to some corporate networks) In this case, move to manual configuration.
Method 2: Manually changing date and time
When automatic sync is unavailable or crashes, you can manually set the right settings, which is also useful if you specifically want to “cheat” the system (for example, to test applications or get bonuses in games), but remember that some services can block an account for suspicious activity.
Instructions for manual adjustment:
- Go to Settings → Additional settings → Date and time.
- Disable options: Autodetermining date and time Autodetermining time zone
Set a date
Set the time
Moscow, GMT+3
| Parameter | Recommended value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Date format | DD.MM.GYG. | You can change the language settings |
| Time format | 24-hour | Recommended to avoid confusion |
| Time zone | It is appropriate for your region. | If you make an error, check the geolocation |
| Autosynchronization | Included (unless there are problems) | Turn it off only when necessary. |
Important: If you manually set a date for the future (for example, to receive in-game bonuses), some apps may block your account for fraud, especially services like Google Play, Apple App Store or banking programs.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, if you manually change the date for more than 24 hours, the system may require the entry of a Mi Account password.
Automatically over the network
Manually if necessary
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Method 3: Change the date through the developer mode
For power users who want more control over system settings, there is an alternative method through developer mode, which is useful if standard settings are locked (for example, on enterprise devices) or forced synchronization is required.
To activate the developer mode and change the date:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Find the MIUI version and click on it 7 times in a row. You will be notified of becoming a developer!
- Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
- Scroll down and find the USB Debugging option (turn it on if required).
- Find the date and network time set (may be called Network Time) and activate it.
Here’s how to fix each of the problems:
| Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|
| Resetting the date after discharge | Charge the phone to 100%, then manually set the correct time and enable autosynchronization. |
| Mistake after MIUI update | Reset the date and time settings to factory settings (Settings → System → Resetting → Reset date and time settings). |
| Wrong firmware | Fly your phone to the stable version of MIUI via the Mi Flash Tool. |
| Problems with the operator | Turn off automatic synchronization and set the time manually. |
If none of these methods work, try resetting your network settings:
- Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- Select Network Resetting.
- Confirm the action and restart the phone.
This will remove stored Wi-Fi networks and mobile internet settings, but often solves time synchronization problems.
💡
If your Xiaomi after resetting the date requires a password from Mi Account, but you do not remember it, try to restore access through the official site account.xiaomi.com. Use the linked phone number or email.
Features of setting the time on different models Xiaomi
While most Xiaomi smartphones are MIUI-based, some models have unique date-time settings, including flagship devices (Xiaomi 14, Mix Fold 3) and budget lines (Redmi A2, POCO M6).
Redmi and POCO (budget and medium-sized models)
On Redmi series devices (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro) and POCO (such as the POCO X5 Pro), the date and time settings menu is usually located along the path:
Settings → System and device → Additional settings → Date and time
Features:
- 🔄 Autosynchronization is enabled by default.
- 🌐 Time zone is defined by SIM-map.
- ⚠️ Some firmwares do not have the option to Use Network Time – only manual settings.
Xiaomi (flagship models)
On top devices (Xiaomi 13T, Xiaomi 14 Ultra) the path to settings may be different:
Settings → About the phone → All parameters → Date and time
Additional functions:
- 🕒 Double time zone support (good for travel).
- 🔄 Optional NTP-servers (e.g. time.google.com or ntp.aliyun.com).
- 🛠️ Integration with Mi Cloud to synchronize time stamps between devices.
Xiaomi on global and Chinese firmware
It is important to consider the region of the firmware:
- 🌍 Global firmware (MIUI Global: Supports all time zones, automatic settings are stable.
- 🇨🇳 Chinese firmware (MIUI China: may require manual settings for regions outside China, as it uses Beijing time by default (GMT+8).
If you are using Chinese firmware and are faced with problems, it is recommended to reflash the phone to the global version or manually set the correct time zone.
💡
Xiaomi’s flagship 13/14 series offers dual time zone features that allow you to display time in two regions at once, convenient for traveling or working with international partners.
How to check if the time is set to Xiaomi
After changing the date and time, it is recommended to make sure that the settings are applied correctly.
- Reference time comparison: Open time.is in your phone's browser. Compare the time displayed to the system clock.
- Google Check: Run Google Search and type in "current time." Compare the result to the time on the phone.
Mi Account
- Open Settings → Xiaomi Account → Synchronization.
- Make sure the last synchronization time is up to date.
If the problem repeats, reset settings through Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset date and time settings.