Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to track time in two different time zones at the same time, whether itโs because they work for an international company, have relatives abroad, or simply want to know the exact time in another city to schedule calls. The MIUI shell and the newer HyperOS feature allows you to accomplish this task in several ways without resorting to complex manipulations.
In this article, we will discuss how to put double watches on Xiaomi Redmi using built-in system tools and proven third-party utilities. You will learn how to configure desktop widgets, add second hours to the notification curtain, and even display the second city time on the lock screen. The flexibility of the Android system in conjunction with the manufacturerโs branded add-ons gives the user a wide range of options for customizing the interface.
Before you start setting up, make sure your smartphone is connected to the internet to synchronize the exact time.It is also worth checking whether automatic time settings are enabled in the main system settings to avoid desynchronization.To correctly display double time, it is critical that the main time zone is set correctly and synchronized over the network.
Use of the built-in โClockโ widget on the desktop
The easiest and most common way to display the time of two cities at once is to use a standard widget that is already preinstalled in the system. The MIUI and HyperOS shells offer several design options, including two-dial models, and you need to go to your desktop and find a free space where the information unit will be located.
Press and hold your finger on the blank area of the screen until the edit menu appears. At the bottom of the screen, select "Widgets" or "Add a widget." In the list that opens, look for the "Hours" or "Tools" category. Among the options available, look for a widget called "Double Watch", "World Clock" or a visually different block where two dials are displayed.
Once you add the widget to the screen, you can set it up first. Press the widget or hold it to call the edit menu. Here you will be asked to select the main city (which is usually taken from system settings) and the additional city, you can search for the desired town by name or choose from a list of frequently used.
- ๐ฐ๏ธ Choose the display style: analog (with arrows) or digital (numbers).
- ๐ Make sure the time zone is correctly defined for the second city, especially if there is a daylight saving time transition.
- ๐จ Some design themes may hide standard widgets, so change the theme to a standard one if necessary.
It is important to note that widget functionality may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. In newer updates, Xiaomi often changes the design of interface elements. If the standard widget does not display seconds or date the way you want, try choosing a different layout from the available list.
Set up second hours in notification curtain and status bar
If the widget on the desktop takes up too much space, you can use the function of displaying the second time in the notification curtain or in the status bar (although in the status bar space is limited, and there is often only one time displayed). MIUI There is a special function "Second clock", which allows you to see time in another city without opening any applications.
To activate this feature, go to your smartphone settings. Find the "Additional" or "Special Features" section where "Second Hours" can be located. In some firmware versions, this item is directly in the "Date and Time" menu. Activate the switch and select the city you want to display additional time.
Once the function is enabled, a block with extra time will appear in the notification center (when swiping from top to bottom. This is convenient because it does not require space on the desktop. However, it is worth considering that constantly updating the widget in the curtain can have a slight effect on power consumption, although on modern Snapdragon or MediaTek processors this effect is minimal.
You can also display the second city time on the lock screen, so you can look for the "Clock Format" or "Clock Clock Style" settings in the lock screen. Some styles support two time zones, so you can see the information you want just by picking up your phone.
โ ๏ธ Note: If you donโt find the โSecond Hoursโ item in the settings, your shell version may be MIUI does not support this feature natively, in which case it is recommended to use widgets or third-party applications.
Using the Clock App to Manage Time Zones
Each Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone has a Clock system app pre-installed, which serves as not only an alarm clock, but also a powerful tool for working with world time, adding a city to the World Time section within the app automatically makes it available for widgets and other system functions.
Open the Clock app and go to the tab, usually marked with a globe or World Time. Click on the plus or Add button to enter the name of the city you want, and then the city will appear on the list, and you can see the current time in it, as well as the difference with your local time.
The advantage of using a system application is deep integration with the operating system: time data is updated in the background, synchronized with network time and does not require additional permissions, which are often requested by third-party programs.
โ๏ธ Checking the time settings
Inside the app, you can also customize the sunrise and sunset mapping for a selected region, which can be useful for photographers or travelers. Just select the city added and the system will show the relevant astronomical information.
Third-party applications for advanced time display
If Xiaomiโs standard tools arenโt enough, Google Play offers a variety of time-reflection apps, often providing more flexible settings for appearance, fonts, and item layouts, and popular solutions include World Clock Widget, DigiClock, and other alternatives.
When installing a third-party app, pay attention to the permissions requested. Time widgets usually only allow access to location (for autodetermination) and permission to display over other windows. Avoid applications that require access to contacts or microphone without an explicit need, as this may be a sign of unfair software.
Third-party widgets often allow you to create combinations of multiple time zones in a single block. You can customize the time mapping for New York, London and Tokyo at the same time. This is especially convenient for traders or employees of international support departments.
- ๐ฑ World Clock Widget: allows you to create widgets with any number of cities and flexibly customize the design.
- โฐ Alarmy: In addition to alarm clocks, has widget functions with world time.
- ๐จ HD Widgets: an app to create unique widgets, including complex watches.
Using third-party software can increase battery consumption if the widget is updated too often.In the widget settings, it is recommended to set an update interval of at least 1 minute to balance the relevance of data and the autonomy of the smartphone.
Comparison of methods of displaying double time
To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the pros and cons of each method depending on your needs and smartphone model.
| Method | Difficulty setting up | Impact on the battery | Design flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| System widget | Low. | Minimum | Limited. |
| Notification curtain | Low. | Low. | Absent. |
| Annex "Clock" | Medium | Low. | Medium |
| Third-party widgets | Tall. | Medium/High | Maximum |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the system widget will be the best solution. It does not require the installation of unnecessary software and harmoniously fits into the MIUI interface. However, if you want a unique design or display more than two zones, it is worth looking at third-party solutions.
Why can the widget disappear?
Problem Solving and Time Synchronization
Users may encounter difficulties in setting up their double clocks, such as time may stop updating or not display correctly after traveling to another region, often because the smartphone has not automatically switched to a new time zone.
To solve this problem, go to the date and time settings. Make sure that the "Use Network Time" or "Autosync" switch is active. If you are roaming or using only Wi-Fi, the phone may not correctly determine the region, in which case you will have to manually select the time zone from the list.
Another common problem is desynchronizing the widget, which can show time that is lagging or in a hurry, often treated by restarting the smartphone or forcefully stopping the Watch app from the application management menu, and after running it again, the widget must pull up the actual data.
โ ๏ธ Warning: When you manually change your time zone, be sure to check your alarm settings. If you manually change your clock, your alarm clock may go off at the wrong time relative to real time.
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Tip: If you travel frequently, turn on the automatic GPS city detection function in the Clock settings, allowing widgets to always show the correct local time and time of your home city.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you display three or more cities at the same time?
Why are there no seconds on the widget?
Does the double widget of the watch affect the speed of the smartphone?
How to remove double watches when they are no longer needed?
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Proper setup of double watches on Xiaomi Redmi takes no more than 2 minutes and greatly simplifies communication with other regions, allowing you to always stay informed of the time of the interlocutor.