Why Redmi 7 doesn’t have a double default feature and how to turn it on
Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7 often face a problem: the smartphone does not support displaying two time zones simultaneously on the lock screen or in the status bar. Unlike the flagship models Mi 10 or Mi 11, where this feature is available out of the box, the budget Redmi 7 based on MIUI 10/11 is deprived of this option, the reason lies in the limitations of the firmware for entry-level devices – the manufacturer deliberately simplifies the interface to reduce the load on the iron.
However, there are several ways to get around this limitation: through hidden MIUI settings, third-party widgets, or even manual editing of system files (for advanced users). In this article, we will discuss all working methods, including those that do not require root rights. It is important to understand that after upgrading to MIUI 12+, some methods may stop working - this is due to a change in the shell architecture.
If you need to display time from another city (for example, to work with foreign customers or relatives abroad), or just want to see local and world time at the same time, read on. We tested all methods on Redmi 7 with MIUI 10.3.2.0 and MIUI 11.0.6.0 firmware, so the instructions are relevant for most users.
Method 1: Adding a second time zone through MIUI settings
The easiest way is to use built-in MIUI tools that allow you to add a second time zone, but do not display it on the lock screen, which is suitable for those who are willing to open the Watch app to check the time in another region.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Watch app (icon with dial on the home screen).
- ⚙️ Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Time Zones.
- ➕ Click Add City and enter the name of the desired locality (e.g. New York or Tokyo).
- 🔄 Return to the home screen of the app – now it will display time in both time zones.
Method limitation: time is not duplicated on the lock screen or in the notification bar, however, you can add the Watch widget to the home screen to quickly check both times.
- Long press on the free place of the main screen → Widgets.
- Find the 4×1 Watch widget or 4×2 Watch and drag it to the screen.
- In the widget settings, select the display of the second time zone.
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If you don't have the cities you want, try typing in the name of the country's capital or the nearest major city. MIUI uses the IANA time zone database, so even small towns are supported.
Method 2: Hidden MIUI settings for displaying double clocks
MIUI 10-12 has a hidden feature that allows you to activate double clocks on the lock screen, which is not documented, but works on most Redmi and Mi devices.
Algorithm of action:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. tap on MIUI Version 7 times until a notification appears You became a developer!
Settings → Additional → For Developers
Double clock on the lock screen
Dual clock on lockscreen
Reset the device.
Once you reboot, the lock screen will have a second time in Ch:MM (city name) format, and if the option is not on the developer menu, then your version of MIUI does not support it, in which case move on to the next method.
Work with foreign clients|Communication with relatives abroad|Tracking time in another city|Just for convenience.|The other.-->
Method 3: Third-party application widgets for double watches
If the built-in MIUI is not good, you can use third-party widgets. We tested 5 popular apps from Google Play and selected the three most stable for Redmi 7:
| Annex | Features | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Clock Widget | A simple widget with font and color settings, supports up to 3 time zones. | Advertising in the free version, sometimes slows down. | Google Play |
| World Clock & Widget | Full world watch with 4×1 and 4×2 widget, synchronization with Google Calendar. | Fee ($2.99) for a premium version without ads. | Google Play |
| Clock Widget by Droid27 | Maximum customization (color, size, time format), support for AMOLED-themes. | A complex interface settings for beginners. | Google Play |
How to install the widget:
- 📥 Download and install one of the applications at the link above.
- 🏠 Return to the main screen, make a long press. → Widgets.
- 🔍 Find the widget of the installed application (for example, Dual Clock) 4×1).
- ⚙️ Drag it on the screen and set up the cities displayed.
Download the application from the official store|Check reviews (rated above 4.0)|Clear the cache of Google Play Services|Restart the phone after installation-->
Important: Third-party widgets can increase battery consumption by 5-10%, as they constantly update the time in the background. To reduce consumption, turn off automatic synchronization in the widget settings and manually update the time.
Method 4: Editing system files (for advanced users)
This method is only suitable for users with root rights or custom firmware such as LineageOS. It allows you to manually prescribe a second time zone in the MIUI system files, forcing the phone to display double clocks on the lock screen without additional applications.
Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).We recommend backing up through TWRP before starting.
Instructions:
- Install Root Explorer or Solid Explorer with root support.
- Go to /system/csc/others.xml or (for newer MIUI versions): /system/csc/feature.xml
- Find a line: <CscFeature_LockScreen_DualClock>false</CscFeature_LockScreen_DualClock> and replace false with true.
- Save the file, set the rights 644 (rw-r--r---).
- Reset the device.
If the file others.xml If it's missing, your firmware uses a different mechanism, you can try adding a line manually:
<CscFeature_LockScreen_DualClock>true</CscFeature_LockScreen_DualClock>What if the phone doesn’t turn on after editing?
Comparison of methods: which to choose for Redmi 7
To help determine, we have compiled a comparative table of all methods taking into account their pros and cons:
| Method | Root is required. | Display on lockdown | Difficulty | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in MIUI watch | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐ Very simple. | No. |
| Hidden settings | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐ Easy. | It may not work on new versions of MIUI. |
| Side widgets | ❌ No. | ❌ No (only on the main screen) | ⭐⭐ Easy. | Increased battery consumption |
| Editing system files | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hardly. | The risk of bootloop |
For most Redmi 7 users, Method 2 (hidden settings) or Method 3 (widgets) are the best solution. If you are risk-free and ready to take full control of the system, try Method 4, but only after you have created a backup.
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On the Redmi 7 with MIUI 12+, there may be no hidden double-hour option, in which case the only working ways are widgets or manual editing of system files (requires root).
Frequent problems and their solutions
When setting up a double watch on Redmi 7, users experience typical errors, and we've collected the most common and corrective ways to do this:
⚠️ Note: If the time on the lock screen is not updated after activating the double clock in the developer settings, check the synchronization settings: Go to Settings → Date and time. Turn off and re-enable Date and Time Autodetermination. Select another sync server (e.g. time.google.com).
Problem 1: The second time zone gets lost after the reset.
- 🔹 Reason: Error in the service com.android.server.timezone.
- 🔧 Solution: Install ClockSync from Google Play and set up Forced Time Sync every 6 hours.
Problem 2: The double watch widget is not updated.
- 🔹 Reason: Optimization of the battery MIUI block out background activity.
- 🔧 Solution: Add the widget app to exceptions: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Autorun. Find your widget app and turn it on. Also add it to Settings. → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications and select No Limitations.
Problem 3: The lock screen only displays the main time, despite the option being turned on.
- 🔹 Reason: Conflict with the theme or shell MIUI.
- 🔧 Solution: Reset the theme to standard: Settings → Topics. Select Default or Classic. Reboot the device.