How to set up a watch on your Xiaomi phone: all the ways

Synchronizing time on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a seemingly simple task, but many users face unexpected problems: the clock gets lost after a reboot, automatic settings do not work in roaming, and manual adjustment is reset when you update the firmware. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to adjust time, from basic to hidden MIUI functions, which will help even in the most difficult cases.

Xiaomi devices are very well integrated with Google services and the company’s own sync servers, which means that the clock may require not only changing the settings in the phone’s menu, but also checking the network connection, account status, and sometimes even resetting the cache of system applications, and we’ll look at all these nuances so that you can set the time on your device once and for all.

Why it is important to set up your watch on Xiaomi

What would you think could go wrong if the phone was on the wrong time? In fact, the consequences could be far more serious than just being late for a meeting.

  • 📱 Application malfunctions: Many banking programs, instant messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) and services with two-factor authentication block access if the time on the device diverges from the server for more than 5 minutes.
  • 🔄 Synchronization problems: Photos in Google Photos, Mi Cloud notes, and Calendar events may be displayed incorrectly or duplicated.
  • 📡 Mobile network errors: When roaming or using eSIM, operators may require accurate time synchronization to authorize.
  • 🔋 Wormless alarm clocks: especially critical for smart-wake devices, where wake-up times are calculated based on sleep phases.

Moreover, on some Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), incorrect time settings can lead to accelerated battery discharge, which is due to the fact that the system constantly tries to synchronize data with the servers, spending additional resources.

⚠️ WARNING: If you use a Xiaomi smartphone to trade on an exchange or work with cryptocurrency wallets, a time discrepancy of even 1 minute can lead to transaction blocking for security reasons.

Method 1: Automatically adjusting time over a network

This is the simplest and most recommended method that works on all Xiaomi devices running MIUI 12 and later. The system automatically receives time and date data from Google servers or the mobile operator.

  1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
  2. Go to the section Additional settings → Date and time.
  3. Activate the switches: 🔄 Autodetermining date and time 🌍 Time zone autodetermination
  • 📡 Mobile operator network (recommended for roaming)
  • 🌐 Internet (more precisely, but requires a stable connection)

It is important to note that when manually configured:

  • ⏰ Alarm clocks may not work properly when switching to winter/summer time.
  • 📅 The calendar will not automatically update events taking into account the change in time zone.
  • 🔄 Software updates can be installed with a delay if the system time is very different from the server.
  • To display the seconds, activate the Show seconds switch.
Can I set up time on Xiaomi without an internet connection?
Yes, but with reservations: You can manually set the time and date, but it won't update automatically. Alarms and reminders will work, but events in Google Calendar may not show correctly. GPS-Time (available on models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and later).
How to sync time between Xiaomi and smartwatches (Mi Band, Watch)?summary> To sync time between Xiaomi smartphone and wearable devices: Make sure your phone has automatic time synchronization enabled. Open the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app. Go to your device settings and activate the Time Sync option with your phone. If time is still out of sync, reconnect the clock to your phone. On Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Mi Band 8, you can also set up automatic time zone updates when traveling.
What to do if time on Xiaomi is in a hurry or lagging behind for a few seconds a day?
This may be due to: Hardware problem: malfunction of the quartz generator on the motherboard (solved only in the service center); Software failure: conflict with applications that change the system time (for example, emulators or cheating utilities for games); Energy saving: In Ultra Battery Saver mode, some Xiaomi models pause the time update. Try: Disable all battery optimizations for system applications. Check the phone for viruses (for example, through Mi Security). Calibrate the time through the engineering menu (#4636## → Phone information → Select a network time zone).
How to change the font and clock size on the lock screen Xiaomi?
Customize the look of the watch depends on the version of MIUI: For MIUI 12-14: Go to Settings → Lock screen → Watch style. Choose one of the preset styles or download additional themes from the Mi Theme Store. For POCO Launcher: Keep your finger on the home screen → Wallpaper settings → Lock screen. Select the Watch and adjust the display. Some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T) have an animation of the watch that changes depending on the time of day.