How to Put Time on the Screen: The Complete Guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to fine-tune system time, especially after resetting settings or changing region. Correct display of the watch is critical for messengers, banking applications and data synchronization in the cloud. Incorrectly set time can lead to errors when logging into a Google account or the inability to establish a secure connection with servers.

The MIUI shell interface and the new HyperOS provide flexible tools to manage time parameters. The user can choose to manually install or entrust this task with automatic synchronization over the Internet. Understanding the intricacies of these settings avoids common mistakes when the device shows the time of another time zone or resets it after turning it off.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you set time, from standard menus to hidden engineering options, how to fix the time zone, set up a 12- or 24-hour format, and what to do if standard methods do not work, and how to display time on the lock screen and in the status bar.

Basic Date and Time settings in MIUI

To get started with the time settings, you need to go to the main system settings menu, which is the central control node where all the key configurations of your Xiaomi smartphone are concentrated. The standard path to the desired section is usually at the top of the parameters list or in the “Advanced” category.

Settings → Additional Settings → Date and time. In some firmware versions, this item may be located directly in the top settings menu or inside the System Applications section. The interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the regional shell build.

In the menu that opens, you'll see the "Use Network Time" switch, which, if activated, automatically receives the exact time from the carrier or via Wi-Fi, and turning off this option will unlock the fields for manual input. This is necessary if you are roaming or using a device without a SIM-map.

⚠️ Note: When manually changing the time in the background, security certificates may conflict. Some applications may temporarily stop working until the device is re-synchronized or rebooted.

When you turn off automatic synchronization, you can select the year, month, day, hour and minutes, use the scroll wheel or digital keyboard to enter the exact values, and also check the time format settings to avoid confusion between AM and PM.

Automatic synchronization and time zone

Automatic time setting is the most reliable way to keep your watch up to date. Xiaomi smartphones use NTP (Network Time Protocol) to get accurate data from servers, which eliminates human error and arrow translation errors.

However, automation can be disruptive when you change time zones while traveling. If you have moved to another region and the time remains the same, you need to check your time zone settings. The date and time menu often has a separate time zone item that can work independently of the main synchronization.

• 🌍 Automatic selection: the device determines the location of cell towers or Wi-Fi and adjusts the offset relative to the UTC.
• 🔧 Manual installation: allows you to fix a specific city or displacement, which is useful for working in non-standard schedules.
• 🔄 Sync on: Some models only update the time when the screen is turned on or when they are out of flight mode.

For users who change countries frequently, it is recommended to use the Automatic Time Zone feature in conjunction with geolocation, which ensures that the alarm goes off at the right time, even if you have crossed several borders in a day, otherwise you will have to make manual changes every time.

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If you travel frequently, turn on the Automatic Time Zone option, but leave manual time management off only in extreme cases to avoid out-of-synchronization with banks' servers.

Importantly, automatic synchronization requires an active Internet connection, and if the network is not available, the device will rely on an internal quartz time storage system that can give an error of a few seconds per day.

Setting the time format: 12 or 24 hours

One of the most frequent requests of users is to change the format of the display of time. In Russia and many CIS countries, the standard is the 24-hour format, but when changing the region or buying a device from China, the default 12-hour format with the designations AM and PM can be set.

To change this setting, look for the "Use 24-hour format" switch in the Date and Time menu, and turn on this option to bring the clock back to its normal form, where the day lasts from 00:00 to 23:59, which is especially convenient for planning meetings and understanding, whether it's the time of day or night.

The format change affects not only the system clock, but also widgets, lock screen and notification time. Some third-party applications may ignore the system setting and use a custom format that is customized within the programs themselves.

If the time-switch is missing or inactive, it may mean that the settings are inherited from the selected region, in which case, try changing the region in the phone settings to "Russia" or another country with a 24-hour standard.

Display time on the lock screen and Always on Display

Customizing time directly on the screen is a matter of personalization and convenience. There are many ways to make the watch visible in MIUI and HyperOS shells. The lock screen by default contains a large watch, but its style can be changed.

To access the settings, go to Settings → Lock screen. Here you will find the “Clock Format” or “Clock Style” section. The system offers several options: digital, analog, minimalist or built-in wallpaper. The choice of style depends on personal preferences and the image used on the screensaver.

The feature is always on display (AOD), accessible AMOLED-It allows you to display the time, date and notifications when the screen is off, consuming minimal power. → Lock screen → Always On Display.

• 🕒 Schedule: Set up on and off time AOD, to save battery power at night.
• 🎨 Styles: Choose the color, font and position of the clock on a black background.
• 🔋 Power saving mode: with a low battery charge AOD can be automatically switched off.

⚠️ Attention: Constant use of Always On Display increases battery consumption by approximately 1-2% It is recommended to use the "Schedule" or "On" mode. 10 seconds after touching to extend autonomy.

Newer firmware versions also offer the option of installing live clock wallpapers or using third-party widgets that overlap standard time, and be careful when installing heavy widgets, as they can slow the device to unlock.

Problem Solving: Time is lost or not saved

When time is constantly reset after turning off a smartphone or rebooting, it is most often indicated by a hardware problem: Inside the device, in addition to the main battery, there is a small battery (or capacitor) that powers a real-time clock (RTC).

But before you bring your phone to the service, you should rule out software errors, and often it's a system process that causes synchronization, and try to clear the system cache or reset the network.

Another common reason is the use of unofficial software builds or modified downloaders, in which case system time may conflict with Google or Xiaomi servers, and verification of the integrity of system files or flashing to a stable version can solve the problem.

adb shell settings put global auto_time 1


adb shell settings put global auto_time_zone 1

These ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands force automatic time-zone synchronization, and you can type them through your computer by plugging your smartphone into USB debugging mode, which helps if the graphical settings interface is not working properly.

If none of the software methods worked and time is reset even with a fully charged main battery, it is likely that an internal RTC battery replacement or motherboard repair is required.

Hidden functions and engineering menu

For advanced users, Xiaomi-based Android has hidden time settings, available through an engineering menu or special codes, and these features require caution, as misconfiguration can lead to unstable system performance.

You can log in to the engineering menu by typing the code ##3646633## (not working on all models and regions). In the Common → RTC section, you can see the current value of the system timer and make adjustments at the depth level if necessary.

It is also possible to synchronize time through GPS, This is especially true for devices without SIM-When geolocation is enabled, the accuracy of time setting is increased to milliseconds, as satellites transmit reference atomic time.

• 📡 GPS Time: Using satellites to synchronize without the Internet.
• ⚙️ Engineering Mode: Deep tuning RTC-timer.
• 📶 NITZ: technology of providing information on time by the operator.

Remember that interfering with the engineering menu can void warranty, and use these tools only if you are confident in your actions and understand the consequences of changing system settings.

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The most stable way to set time is automatic synchronization through the operator’s network, since it eliminates manual input errors and takes into account daylight saving time transitions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)