How to Make Double Watches on Xiaomi: Full Setup

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to track time in different regions, which is important for those who often travel, work with foreign partners or have relatives abroad. The standard Android system, which underlies the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, allows you to implement the double-hours function without installing third-party software.

The built-in dual-time mechanism works at the system settings and widget level, which means that switching between time zones is instantaneous and does not require rebooting the device. It is important to understand that this feature does not duplicate the arrows on the lock screen, but adds a second dial to the desktop widgets and notification curtain.

To function properly, you need a stable Internet connection at least once to synchronize data with the time server. MIUI and HyperOS use network time by default, which eliminates the accumulation of error in seconds. Before setting up, make sure that the device is geolocated, as some system services use it to determine the current position.

Activation of the function through system settings

The first and most reliable way to activate the second time display is to use the deep date settings, which is a basic method, because it forces the system to take into account the second time zone in all system processes. Go to the Settings menu, then select the Additional section and find the Date and Time item.

In the menu that opens, you need to find the option for adding a second time zone, which can be called Double Clock or Second Time Zone, depending on the firmware version, activate the switch and select the country or city where you want to track time in parallel with the local time zone.

⚠️ Note: Once this option is enabled, some calendar apps may display time with the second belt in mind unless their settings indicate otherwise.

The system will automatically calculate the difference by taking into account the daylight saving time in a selected region, if such a transition is practiced there, which eliminates the need for the user to manually translate hands twice a year, a feature especially useful for freelancers working with customers from Europe or the United States.

Changing the settings in this menu also updates the data for the Double Watch widget. If you don't see the changes right away, try switching the desktop widget or restarting the launcher. These settings are given priority by the system, so they override the settings of individual applications.

Setup of the double clock widget on the desktop

The most visually convenient way to see time in two cities is to use a special widget that is available on the home screen and allows you to read information with one glance. To add a control, you need to pinch an empty area on your desktop or pinch two fingers to call the edit menu.

At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a toolbar where you can select Widgets. In the list, look for a watch or a tool category. In the list, select a widget called Double Watch or Two Cities. Drag it to the free screen space.

Once you have the widget on the screen, tap it to open the configuration menu, where you can select a second city from the list or enter its name in the search box, and the system will offer options based on the typed letters, which makes it easier to find settlements with the same name in different countries.

The widget supports a variety of design styles, from minimalist digits to analog dials. You can resize an item by pulling beyond its boundaries if the launcher supports resizing widgets, and it allows you to fit the watch into the interface design harmoniously without cluttering up the useful space.

Use of the “Clock” app to control time

Xiaomi’s built-in Shell Watch app offers advanced functionality beyond just an alarm clock, the World Time tab, which allows you to create lists of cities to monitor, and is ideal for those who need to track time in more than two locations at the same time.

Open the app and go to the tab with the image of the globe. Click on the plus sign in the corner of the screen to add a new city. You can add as many cities as you want, and they will appear as a list with the current time and date.

The World Time tab is a feature that allows you to set an alarm clock for a selected city, for example, you can set an alarm clock for 9:00 New York time, and it will work at the appropriate time on your local clock, which eliminates confusion when you call early.

The app also displays moon phases and sunrise for selected locations, which can be useful for photographers or travelers.The data is updated in the background and does not require a constant active Internet connection after initial synchronization.

Displaying the second time in the notification curtain

For users who prefer minimalism on the desktop, the function of displaying second time in the status bar or notification curtain will be useful. Depending on the version of HyperOS or MIUI, this functionality can be implemented through the About Me widget or the standard watch widget in the notification area.

To activate this, lower the notification curtain completely down. Click on the edit button (usually three dots or a pencil in the corner). In the list of available widgets, find the block with the clock and add it to the active zone. In the settings of this widget, you can often choose to display two cities.

The advantage of this arrangement is that you can see the time when you unlock your phone or when you get a notification, and that eliminates the need to swipe around the screen, but it's worth remembering that widgets in the curtain can take up useful space that fast switches could take up.

⚠️ Note: In some models with AMOLED-The constant display of widgets in the curtain can have a slight effect on battery consumption if you use Always On Display mode.

If standard systems fail to bring the second time zone to the top of the status line (where the charge and network), it is a security limitation for Android. Third-party applications can simulate this effect, but require special permissions to draw on top of other windows.

Solving problems with synchronization and display

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the double clock shows the wrong time or stops updating. Most often the problem lies in the conflict of automatic synchronization and manual settings. Make sure that the date and time settings include the item "Use network time".

If time is frozen, try to switch flight mode for a few seconds to update the connection to the cell tower. Also helps to clear the cache of the app "Clock" through the application management menu. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Watch → Clear cache.

adb shell pm clear com.android.deskclock

This command resets the watch app completely via ADB, which can help in difficult cases, but use it with caution, as all alarm clocks and timers will be deleted.

It is important to check for system updates. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that correct time zone errors, especially after changes in winter/summer time legislation in different countries.

Third-party applications for extended functionality

If standard MIUI functionality isn’t enough, Google Play offers a variety of alternatives, with apps like World Clock Widget or Dual Time Zone allowing you to create complex combinations of dials, add background images of cities, and customize the display format to seconds.

These applications are often less weighted and work independently of system constraints, and can display time as a text string in a status bar, which is impossible to do with standard tools without root rights, which gives flexibility in customizing the interface.

When choosing third-party software, consider the permissions you ask for. Watches don't need access to contacts or microphones; excessive permission requests may indicate hidden data collection; and open-source or high-ranking applications.

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Use widgets with a transparent background to blend into your live wallpaper, which will create a depth effect and make the interface more stylish.

Some widgets support automatic theme switching (light/dark) depending on the time of day in the city you choose, which is convenient if you are following a city where it is night and want to visually understand the context, but these heavy widgets can consume more RAM.

The effect of double clocks on the autonomy of the device

Many users fear that constant monitoring of the second time zone will quickly land the battery. In practice, the effect of this feature on power consumption is minimal.

The main energy consumption occurs when the data is updated, that is, several times a day or when changing the network. If the widget does not use real-time animation (moving arrows every second), then its effect on battery power can be considered statistically insignificant.

More critical to the battery is the brightness of the screen and the use of communication modules. If you are worried about autonomy, you should give up widgets with second hand and complex animations. Simple digital widgets have little impact on battery life.

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The double clock function is a software add-on and does not require additional hardware resources, so its use is safe for the battery.

To maximize energy savings, you can turn off automatic network time synchronization and leave only a manual update or update when connected to Wi-Fi. However, this will require periodic checks of the clock’s accuracy manually.