How to change the format of the watch on Xiaomi: 12-hour or 24-hour mode

Time display format on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones POCO β€” One of those little things that can really affect the usability of a device. 24-clock-form (13:45, 22:30), more comfortable 12-clock-signature AM/PM (1:45 PM, 10:30 PM). Fortunately, the shell. MIUI This allows you to flexibly configure this option – but it is not always obvious where exactly the desired option is hiding.

Complicating the problem is that different firmware versions (MIUI 12, MIUI 14, HyperOS) and different models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5) may have different paths to settings. In addition, after updating the system or resetting to factory settings, the time format is sometimes reset to the default value - and the user has to re-find how to change it. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the format of watches, including hidden nuances for specific devices.

Where is the time format setup in MIUI?

In most cases, the format of the watch can be changed through the standard settings menu, but its location depends on the shell version. In MIUI 14 and later (including HyperOS), the algorithm is as follows:

  1. Open the Settings app** (cog icon).
  2. Go to the section Additional β†’ Language and Entering β†’ Date and Time Format.
  3. Slip on the β€œTime Format” line** and choose the desired option: 24-hour or 12-hour (AM/PM).

On older versions (MIUI 12/13), the path may look different:

  • πŸ“± Settings β†’ System system β†’ Additionally. β†’ Date and time β†’ Time format
  • βš™οΈ Settings β†’ All settings β†’ System and device β†’ Additionally. β†’ Regional settings β†’ Time format

If you don't have a "Time Format" item on your menu, don't panic. It might be hidden behind other options. POCO This is hidden in the system's language settings. Try changing the interface language to English. β†’ Additional settings β†’ Language & input β†’ Language – sometimes this will unlock additional formatting options.

πŸ“Š What time format do you use on your smartphone?
24-hour (13:00)
12-hour with AM/PM (1:00 PM)
Depends on the device.
I don't know how to change.

Why the selected format of the watch is not saved

One of the common problems is when a user chooses a 24-hour format, but after rebooting or updating applications, the time is again displayed in 12-hour mode.

  • πŸ”„ Reset regional settings: Some apps (e.g. Google or Mi Fit) reset regional settings, including the time format, when updated.
  • πŸ“± Theme from Mi Theme Store can redefine system fonts and watch format.

To fix this, try:

  1. Remove the Settings cache** (Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management β†’ Settings β†’ Clear the cache).

⚠️ Note: If the display in the status bar (top bar) has not changed after changing the time format, restart the device. Some system processes (e.g. com.android.systemui) require restarting to apply new parameters.

How to change the format of the clock on the lock screen

Sometimes the time format on the lock screen is different from what is displayed in the status bar or on the home screen, which is because MIUI uses different rendering mechanisms for these elements to synchronize the display:

  1. Open the Settings β†’ Lock screen.
  2. Select β€œClock Style” (or β€œClock Setup” in HyperOS).

If the "Time Format" option is not on the lock screen menu, then your theme is blocking it.

  • 🎨 Set a standard theme MIUI (Settings β†’ Theme β†’ My subjects. β†’ Standard).
  • πŸ”§ Use third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher) that allow you to customize watch widgets.

On Always-On Display devices (such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi K70 Pro), the time format on the off screen may inherit the main display settings, but sometimes requires a separate setting in the Settings menu β†’ Screen β†’ Always-On Display β†’ Watch Style.

β˜‘οΈ Check before changing the format of time

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Features for specific Xiaomi models

Some devices have unique nuances when changing the format of time, and here are the most common cases:

Model of the deviceFeatureDecision
POCO F3/F4/F5There is no β€œtime format” item in the settingsChange region to India or the USA in Settings β†’ About phone β†’ Additional β†’ Region, then go back to the time settings.
Redmi Note 10/11/12After upgrading to MIUI 14, it is reset to a 12-hour format.Set the time zone manually (Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Date and time β†’ Time zone).
Xiaomi 12T/13TThe time format of AOD does not change.Turn off and turn on Always-On Display again in Settings β†’ Screen β†’ Always-On Display.
Black Shark 5/6No option in standard settingsUse it. ADB-command (unlocked bootloader required): Adb shell settings put global time_12_24 24

For HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the path to settings can be: Settings β†’ System β†’ Language and input β†’ Additional β†’ Regional settings β†’ Time format. If you don’t see this item, upgrade to the latest version of the firmware – it may not have been available in the early builds of HyperOS.

What to do if there is no β€œtime format” item?
If your Xiaomi does not have the option to change the format of the watch, this may be due to: 1. Regional restrictions – some firmware for China or India blocks this setting. 2. Castile firmware – informal builds (for example, xiaomi.eu) can have their own formatting rules. 3. System error – try resetting through Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ Resetting β†’ Reset all settings (without deleting data).

Change the time format through ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not work, you can resort to ADB-This is a method that works for devices that unlock the bootloader or enable debugging. USB. You'll need it:

  • πŸ–₯️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Platform Tools.
  • πŸ“± Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) β†’ The phone. β†’ Version. MIUI β†’ 7 times to tap according to the version β†’ Back to Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers β†’ Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

  1. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command in the terminal: adb devices Make sure that the device is determined.
  2. For installation 24-Enter adb shell settings put global time_12_24 24
  3. For 12-Adb shell settings put global settings time_12_24 12
  4. Reboot the device: adb reboot

On HyperOS devices, the secure namespace can be used instead of global. Check the current value with the adb shell settings list global. | grep time_12_24.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the service center or use standard settings.

Problems with displaying time in applications

Even if you successfully change the format of time in your system settings, some applications may ignore it.

  • πŸ“… Google Calendar – uses Google account settings, not systems.
  • πŸ’¬ WhatsApp/Telegram β€” The format of chat time depends on the language of the application.
  • πŸƒ Mi Fit/Zepp Life – syncs with Xiaomi servers and can reset settings.

Decisions:

  1. For Google Services: Open your Google account settings and set the format in the Language and Input section.**
  2. For instant messengers: change the language of the application in its settings (for example, in Telegram: Settings β†’ Language).
  3. For fitness trackers: untie and re-tire the device in Mi Fit.

If the problem persists, check if the device has applications to automatically change the region (such as Fake GPS or Mock Locations) that may conflict with system time settings.

πŸ’‘

If the status bar displays an incorrect value after changing the time format (for example, 13:00 instead of 1:00 PM), try turning on and off Automatic Time Detection mode** (Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Date and Time β†’ Automatically).

Resetting time settings to factory

If all attempts to change the format of the watch have failed, the last option is to reset the time and region settings to the factory settings, which will not delete your data, but will return all the date/time parameters to the β€œout of the box” state.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings β†’ About the phone β†’ Reset settings.
  2. Select β€œReset Network, Time, and Region Settings”** (or similar).
  3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After discharge:

  • πŸ”„ Set the time zone manually.
  • πŸ“΅ Turn off automatic timing (if it is turned on by itself).
  • πŸ”§ Re-apply the desired format of the clock.

⚠️ Note: On some HyperOS devices, resetting regional settings may cause you to temporarily lose communication with Xiaomi servers (e.g., stop working cloud services or Mi Account.

πŸ’‘

If none of the methods worked, the cause may be a damaged firmware, in which case it is recommended to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (for power users only!) or contact the service center.

Frequently asked questions

Can you change the format of the time only on the home screen without affecting the status bar?
No, in MIUI, the time format is a global setting that applies to all system elements, but you can use third-party clock widgets (such as KWGT or UCCW) that allow you to customize the time display regardless of the system.
After upgrading to MIUI 15, the time format has dropped. How do I fix it?
It's a known problem. MIUI 15 and HyperOS. Try: Set the time zone manually (Settings) β†’ Additionally. β†’ Date and time β†’ Time zone. Turn off and turn on automatic timing again. Clear the Settings cache. β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Settings β†’ If it doesn’t work, wait for a patch from Xiaomi or roll back to the previous firmware version.
My POCO X3 Pro doesn't have the option to change the time format. What do I do?
This model has limited settings in global firmware.Solutions: Install custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) where the option is unlocked. ADB-Change the region of the device to the United States or the United Kingdom in the settings.
How to make the lock screen time is displayed in 24-hour format, and in the status bar – in 12-hour?
In standard MIUI, this is not possible β€” the time format is synchronized for all elements of the system. Alternatives: Use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) with support for different widgets. Set a design theme that overrides the display of the clock on the lock.
After the time format change, Mi Fit stopped displaying sleep data. Is that related?
Yes, Mi Fit sometimes conflicts with regional settings. To fix: Open Mi Fit and sync data manually. Reinstall the app. Check that the Xiaomi account settings are in the correct region.