How to change the clock on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi Redmi lock screen is not just a protection against accidental clicks, but also a source of important information. Time and date are displayed here always, even when the phone is locked. However, not all users know that these options can be flexibly adjusted: change the display format, sync with the network or manually adjust when crashes. This is especially true for those who often travel or experience automatic time failure after MIUI updates.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can change your clock on your lock screen, from basic settings to solving non-obvious problems. You’ll learn how to switch between 12- and 24-hour formats, why time can be lost after a reboot, and what to do if the date is displayed in Chinese. The instructions are relevant for all modern Redmi models (including Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5 and others), as well as for MIUI 13/14 firmware based on Android 12/13/14.

If you’ve ever encountered a lock clock that shows the wrong time despite the right settings in the system, this article will help you understand the reasons. We’ll also look at hidden features, such as how to display seconds or change the font of numbers (where possible).

1. Basic time and date settings in MIUI

Before you change the display of the clock on the lock screen, make sure that the main time settings in the system are configured correctly. In MIUI, the Settings section → Additional → Date and Time is responsible for this.

• 🔄 Turn on/off automatic synchronization with the operator’s network;
• ⏰ Choose a 24-hour or 12-hour format;
• 🌍 Set time zone manually (relevant for travel);
• 📅 Change the format of the date display (day/month or month/day).

It is important to understand that the lock screen Xiaomi takes data from this section. If the time is set up incorrectly, on the lock it will also be displayed with an error. For example, many users face the problem when after updating MIUI clocks are lost 3-4 hours ago, this is due to a failure of synchronization with Xiaomi servers.

How to check the current settings:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select Additional.
3. Slip it on date and time.
4. Make sure the date and time auto-select switch is active (if you want network synchronization).

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If automatic synchronization is enabled but time is still confused, try manually selecting another time server in the developer settings (more on this below).

2. How to change the format of the watch (12/24 hours) on the lock screen

Xiaomi Redmi uses a 24-hour time format by default, but it can be easily changed, which is true for users who are used to the 12-hour format (for example, in the US or some countries in Europe), Changing the format in the system settings automatically applies to the lock screen — there is no separate option for it.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Date and time.
2. Turn off the Auto-Date and Time option (if enabled).
3. Slip on the line "Time format."
4. Choose a 12-hour or 24-hour format.
5. Return to the home screen and lock the phone – the changes will apply immediately.

If the locking clock has not changed after the format change, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone (sometimes) MIUI caching old settings).
• 📱 Delete the Settings application data (in Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• 🛠️ Reset the lock screen settings (more on this in the next section).

Automatic synchronization turned off |Format changed in settings | Phone rebooted |Cache of settings cleared-->

3.Why is the lock time not the same as the system time?

One of the most common problems is when the system settings display time correctly, and the lock screen gets it confused, and this can happen for several reasons:

Main causes and solutions:

If the problem persists, try resetting the lock screen settings:

1. Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Select the lock screen.
3. Slip on Reset settings (you will need to enter the current one) PIN/password).
4. After resetting, set the time again.

4 Additional settings: seconds, font, position of the clock

In standard MIUI firmware, the options for customizing the watch on the lock screen are limited, but there are a few hidden features and workarounds.

What can be changed:

• ⏱️ Display seconds: By default, seconds are not shown, but they can be enabled through the developer settings (see below).
• 🎨 Color and font: You can only change with third-party themes from the Mi Theme Store (not all themes support customization of the watch).
• 📍 Clock position: In some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), you can move the clock up or down the screen.

How to turn on the lock clock seconds:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option Show seconds on the lock clock (or similar) and turn it on.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) may not have a second display option in standard firmware, and this will help install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) or use the watch widget.

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Seconds on the lock screen can reduce battery life by 1–3%, as the system updates the display more often.

5. Solving problems with Chinese characters on the clock

After updating MIUI or resetting, some users are faced with the date on the lock screen being displayed in Chinese characters, due to a localization failure.

Solutions:

• 🌐 Change the system language: Go to Settings → Additionally. → Language and input. Choose English (USA) or another language. Reset your phone. Go back to Russian.
• 📲 Resetting settings MIUI: Open the Settings. → About the phone. Slip on Settings Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!). Select Settings Reset. MIUI.

Manual editing of the configuration file

adb shell settings put secure sysui_languages ru,RU

This command is forced to install Russian for the system interface.

If the problem persists, check if you have global firmware installed for the Chinese region, in which case you may need to flash it to Xiaomi.eu or Global ROM.

6. Alternative ways to display time on the lock

If standard MIUI settings do not suit you, you can use alternative methods:

Customization options:

• 🎨 Third-party themes: Mi Theme Store has themes with unique watch designs (like iOS Style or Digital Clock) to apply: Download the theme from the store. Apply it to Settings → Topics, restart the phone.
• 📱 Watch widgets: Apps like KWGT or UCCW allow you to create custom watches and place them on the lock screen (requires an unlocked bootloader).
• 🔄 Always On Display (AOD): In the models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Redmi) K50) You can turn on a permanent display of time: Go to Settings → Screen. → Always On Display. Select the style of the watch. Activate the option to Show Always.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party themes and widgets can increase battery consumption by 5-15%, especially if they are actively updating the screen, and some themes may conflict with system fonts, which will lead to display errors.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When setting the clock on the lock screen, users often make common errors that lead to failures, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

Top.-5 mistake:

1. Ignoring Time Zone: Many people forget that manual time settings also require manual time zone settings, for example, if you are in Moscow but you choose UTC+0, the clock will be 3 hours behind.
2. Synchronization applications conflict: Programs like ClockSync or Automatic Time Zone can interfere with standard MIUI synchronization.
3. Incorrect resetting: Resetting only the lock screen (without resetting time) will not solve the problem if the error lies in the system settings.
4. Use of unofficial firmware: Custom firmware (such as LineageOS) may not support all of Xiaomi’s lock screen features.
5. No reboot: Many changes (such as changing the format of the time) only apply after a reboot, but users often forget to do so.

If you’re experiencing constant time glitches after each MIUI update, try rolling back the firmware to a previous version or installing Xiaomi.eu – it’s usually more stable than the global one.

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Before you manipulate your system time settings, backup your Settings → Google → Backup to help you quickly recover data if something goes wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)