Customizing the time display on Xiaomi smartphones is a seemingly simple task, but many users face unexpected challenges. From the 12/24 hour format to the style of the dial on the lock screen, each element can be adapted to their preferences, especially for owners of Redmi, POCO and flagship Mi models, where the MIUI interface offers advanced customization options.
In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to change the appearance of the watch – from the basic settings in the system menu to hidden functions that are not obvious at first glance. You will learn how to change the format of the time, adjust the widget of the watch on the home screen, and adapt the display of date and time on the lock screen. MIUI (12 to 14) and popular models such as Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.
1. Basic time and date settings in MIUI
Before you start customizing your look, make sure the basic time settings are set correctly, which is especially important if your Xiaomi watch is straying after a reboot or upgrade.
To open the time settings menu:
- Go to Settings → System → Date and time.
- Activate Automatic Date and Time (recommended for network sync).
- If the automatic setting doesn’t work, select Time Zone manually.
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) when automatic synchronization is disabled, the time may be lost after restarting. GPS and network services.
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If the MIUI update shows the wrong time, try manually switching the time zone to another and then back again, which will reset the cache of system services.
2 How to change the format of 12/24 hours
One of the most common queries is to switch between a 12-hour (AM/PM) and a 24-hour frame of reference, which is done in two clicks in MIUI, but the location of the option may vary depending on the version of the shell.
Instructions for MIUI 12-14:
- Open Settings → Additional → Regional settings.
- Select the time format item.
- Switch between 24-hour and 12-hour (AM/PM) switches.
On some models (e.g. Redmi 10 with MIUI 13), the path may look different:
- 📱 Settings → System system → Language and input → Additionally. → Time format
⚠️ Note: After changing the time format, it may be necessary to restart the device so that the changes apply to the watch widget on the home screen and in the status bar.
3. Setting the clock on the lock screen
The lock screen in Xiaomi allows you to customize not only the style of the watch, but also their location, size, as well as additional elements (date, weather, notifications). MIUI and smartphone models.
To change the style of the clock on the lock screen:
- Go to Settings → Lock screen.
- Select the Clock Style (in some versions – the Dial).
- Scroll through the options available and select the one you like. Click Apply.
The following styles are available in MIUI 14:
| Style. | Description | Supported models |
|---|---|---|
| Classical. | Standard digital format with date | All models. |
| Minimalist | Only time without date, large print | From the Redmi Note 11 and newer |
| Analog | Dial with arrows (not available on all devices) | Xiaomi 12/13, POCO F4 |
| Weather + time | Time with integrated weather widget | Only on flagships with MIUI 13+ |
⚠️ Note: On budget models (e.g. Redmi) A1) Style selection may be limited due to hardware limitations.
How to get back to the old style of watches after the update?
4. The watch widget on the main screen: installation and customization
The watch widget on the home screen is not only a convenience, but also a design element. In MIUI, you can add several types of widgets, including analog and digital watches, as well as combined widgets with weather and calendar.
How to add a widget:
- Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
- Select Widgets from the bottom menu.
- Scroll through the list to the Watch section and select the appropriate option.
- Drag the widget onto the screen and adjust its size.
Available types of widgets:
- ⏰ Digital watches are the standard version with a date.
- ⏱️ Analog watches – dial with hands (available not on all models).
- 🌤️ The clock + weather - time with weather forecast.
- 📅 The clock + calendar - extended widget with a month.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12 and below analog watches may not display correctly when using themes from third-party developers.
☑️ Setting up the watch widget
5. Hidden clock settings in MIUI (for power users)
In addition to the standard options, MIUI has hidden settings that allow you to fine-tune the display of time, for example, you can change the color of the clock on the lock screen or turn off seconds in the status bar.
How to change the color of the watch on the lock screen:
- Install a third-party theme from the Theme → Online (such as Dark Clock or Neon Time).
- Some themes allow you to choose color manually through theme settings → Colors.
How to remove seconds from the status line:
- Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Find the option Show seconds and turn it off.
In the models with AMOLED-Disabling seconds in the status bar with screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) can increase battery life by 2–5%, as it reduces the number of updated pixels.
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Using themes is the easiest way to radically change the style of the watch without manual adjustment.
6. Solving Time Display Problems
Sometimes the Xiaomi watch will start to crash, showing the wrong time, not updating or disappearing from the lock screen.
Frequent problems and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The clock is knocked off after the reset | Unsynchronized time zone | Enable Automatic Date and Time in Settings |
| The watch widget is not updated | Energy saving blocks background processes | Add widget to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization |
| The clock on the lock screen is missing | System launcher failure | Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache |
| The style of the dial does not change. | Limitations of the subject of design | Set a standard theme and reset the setting. |
If none of the methods helped, reset the lock screen settings:
- Go to Settings → Lock screen → More.
- Choose Style Reset.
- Confirm the action and restart the device.
⚠️ Note: On devices with unlocked bootloader, the time display failures may be due to improperly installed modified firmware.
7. Features of setting up the watch on Xiaomi smart watches (Mi Band, Watch)
If you use a Xiaomi smartwatch or fitness bracelet (such as the Mi Band 7 or Xiaomi Watch S3), the time setting there syncs with the smartphone, but has its own nuances.
How to change the format of the time on the Mi Band:
- Open the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models).
- Go to the Device Profile → Display settings.
- Select the time format and set the desired option.
On the Xiaomi Watch (for example, Watch 2 Pro) there are additional options:
- 🕒 Change the style of the dial through Mi Fitness → Dials.
- 🔄 Time synchronization with the phone (included in Settings) → Additionally).
- 🌙 Do not disturb mode with the time display at night.
⚠️ Attention: Some Mi Band firmwares may be desynchronized with the bracelet when manually changing the time on the smartphone, in which case reconnecting the device via Bluetooth will help.