Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco are known for their functionality, but sometimes standard settings are puzzling for users, especially if the device is bought in the Chinese version or just reset to factory settings. One of the most common problems is displaying the wrong holidays, the absence of red calendar days or intrusive notifications about traditional Chinese dates.
The process of replacing the calendar does not require root rights or complex flashing of the device. All the configuration is done by regular means of the Android operating system and the shell MIUI or HyperOS. You only need Internet access and a Google account that synchronizes the schedule between devices. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to get rid of unnecessary dates and adjust the display of weekends according to your region.
It's important to understand that the standard Calendar app is just a shell for displaying events. The real magic happens in account settings and subscriptions. Changing the calendar source on Google Calendar automatically removes Chinese holidays and adds your country's current weekends. This is a key point that beginners often miss when trying to manually delete unnecessary events one by one.
Basic settings for displaying holidays
The first thing to do after you buy or dump a smartphone is to check your region's settings, which determines which public holidays will be displayed on the grid of the month by default. If you're in Russia, Belarus or Kazakhstan, and the phone is brought from China, the system will prompt you to celebrate the birthdays of emperors or moon festivals.
To correct this, go to your device settings. Find the Additional → Date and Time section or immediately open the calendar app and click on three dots in the corner. Here you should select the option "Holidays" or "Birthdays." In the list that opens, you will see check boxes opposite different countries, and your task is to check the checkbox from China and set it in front of the country you want.
If your country is not on the list, it means that the system calendar does not have a database for your region, in which case you need to switch to using the cloud service. Xiaomi’s standard application allows you to connect external event sources, this action will automatically tighten up the current information about weekends, including workday transfers, which are typical for CIS countries.
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If your country is not on the holiday list, immediately switch to sync with Google Calendar – this will solve the problem of no local weekends.
Synchronization with Google Calendar
The most reliable way to organize your time is to be connected to the Google ecosystem, which not only solves the holiday problem, but also ensures that data is saved in the event of a phone loss. To activate this feature, make sure that your Gmail account is added to the device. Without this step, synchronization of events is impossible.
Open the Calendar app and go to the account management menu, which is usually hidden under the profile button or in the app settings. Find Calendar Management or Sync. Here you will see a list of all available calendars, including Holidays in your country of residence. Make sure that the switch is activated for that particular item.
Once sync is enabled, it can take a few minutes to download the data, during which time the app will go to Google servers and update the grid of events. If you see that the old Chinese holidays are still there, try clearing the app's cache through your phone's settings: Apps → Calendar → Memory → Clean. Then restart the device.
☑️ Checking Google Syncs
It's worth noting that Google Calendar automatically takes into account time zones. If you're traveling, the schedule events will be displayed in the local time of your location, which is extremely convenient for business people.
Removing Chinese Holidays and Extra Events
A common problem with global firmware or Chinese devices is having two sets of holidays at the same time. Even after setting up a Google calendar, the system can continue to broadcast dates on the lunar calendar, which creates visual noise and confusion. You can't manually delete them just by clicking on an event, because they're part of a system subscription.
To get rid of intrusive notifications, you need to turn off the source of these events. Go to your calendar settings and find the Subscriptions or Other Calendars section. Often there is a clause called Chinese Holidays or Chinese Calendar that is hidden. Uncheck the box. If there is no such item, try deleting your Mi Account and leaving only Google, then re-authorizing by selecting your region when you first set up.
⚠️ Note: When deleting your Mi Account, make sure you remember the password from it, as it may be required to unlock your device in the future (Mi Cloud Lock).
In some cases, especially on older versions of MIUI, Chinese holidays are embedded in the system application and not disabled by standard methods. Then the only way out is to install a third-party calendar application from the Google Play store. Once you install an alternative application, assign it to the default default settings of the system.
Use of third-party applications
If a full-time app doesn’t meet your functionality or design requirements, the market offers a variety of alternatives. Third-party developers often provide more flexible widget and design settings than standard Xiaomi tools. Popular options include Business Calendar 2, DigiCal or Simple Calendar.
The advantage of third-party apps is that they can fine-tune the week, monthly view and color schemes. You can make weekends more visible or, conversely, hide them by leaving only work tasks. In addition, such applications often have built-in widgets that look more modern on the home screen.
To install, go to the Google Play Store and search for “Calendar.” Select a high-ranking app and install it. Once you first run, the app will request permissions to access contacts and events. Grant these permissions to see all your records. Then, in the phone settings in the Apps section → By default, select a new app to open calendar links.
Remember that when using third-party software, sync is still done through your Google account, so your data will not go anywhere when you change your phone.
Set up widgets on the desktop
Once the calendar has been set up and cleared of excess debris, it makes sense to display it on the home screen for quick access. Widgets on MIUI and HyperOS allow you not only to see the date, but also add events directly from the desktop.
In the menu that appears, select "Widgets." Find "Calendar" in the list. The system will offer several options for design, from a minimalist date digit to a large monthly view. Choose the appropriate size and style. Note that some widgets may require certain permissions to display details.
If the widget displays information incorrectly (e.g., shows yesterday), try removing it and adding it again. Also check if you have power saving mode on for a calendar app that can block the widget from updating in the background. Allow autostart and backup for stable operation.
Problems with widgets after the update
Comparison of Calendar Configuration Methods
Different approaches to time management have their pros and cons, depending on how deep you are willing to dive into settings and whether you need cross-platform access. Below is a table comparing the basic methods of working with a calendar on Xiaomi devices.
| Method | Difficulty | Availability of holidays of the Russian Federation | Synchronization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard + Mi Account | Low. | Often absent | Only Xiaomi. |
| Standard + Google Sync | Medium | Automatically. | Full (Android) |
| Third-party annex | Tall. | Depends on the app. | Depends on the settings. |
| Manual setting | Very high. | Manually. | Absent. |
As the table shows, the best option for most users is a combination of a standard Google Sync app, which strikes a balance between the convenience of Xiaomi’s interface and the relevance of Google’s data. Manual event setting is only recommended in exceptional cases where automated systems fail.
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Google’s Standard Calendar + Synchronization is the gold standard for keeping holidays up-to-date and data safe.