How to show seconds on Xiaomi watches: all ways for MIUI

Your Xiaomi displays time but no seconds? This is the standard MIUI firmware behavior, where the default watch only shows hours and minutes — ostensibly for "interface cleanliness." However, many users need seconds to accurately control time, synchronize actions or just out of habit. Fortunately, there are several ways to return seconds to the lock screen, status bar or even desktop.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), including hidden settings, third-party applications and bypassing manufacturer restrictions. You will learn how to turn on seconds on the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and other models, and what to do if the Suddenly option disappeared after the update. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights - we will honestly warn about the risks.

Before you start, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. It depends on which method will work. Also note that Xiaomi regularly changes the location of options - if the instruction indicates the Settings path → Lock screen and you do not have one, search by settings (the magnifying icon in the upper right corner).

1. Standard method: MIUI settings (without root)

In some versions of MIUI, the second display option is hidden, but not removed.

Open Settings → Lock screen. Scroll down to Watch Style and select any style other than Digital (like Analog or Text) and then an additional Show Seconds switch may appear.

If you don’t have an option, try another way:

1. Press the empty space on the lock screen (without unlocking the phone).
2. In the menu that appears, select the Settings of the clock.
3. Check for the "Time Format" item - sometimes there is a second switch hidden there.

Limitation: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and later (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13), this method often doesn’t work – the manufacturer has removed the option from the interface.

2. Developer secrets: hidden time settings

MIUI has a hidden menu for developers where you can turn on the display of seconds even where it is not provided by default.

Activate the Developer Mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click on the MIUI version 7 times in a row (you will be notified "You are a developer!").
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new section → For developers.

Now look for the option "Show seconds in the status bar" (or similar in meaning). If it is not, try searching through the search bar in the settings on request of the second.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) Turning on this option can cause the system clock to crash, they will start to lag or rush.

3. Third-party applications: widgets and alternative watches

If standard methods don't work, install one of the specialized apps that not only show seconds, but also offer additional features like customization of style, animations and desktop widgets.

The best options from Google Play:

• 🔹 Digital Clock Widget is a minimalist watch with seconds for the desktop. Supports transparent background and color setting.
• 🔹 Chronus is a powerful widget with seconds, weather and notifications.
• 🔹 Seconds Clock – an application that replaces the system clock in the status bar (required) ADB-activation).
• 🔹 UCCW (Ultimate Custom Clock Widget – for those who want to create a unique style of watches with seconds.

For installation of widgets:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Add a widget to the desktop (clutch your finger in the free space → Widgets).
3. Set up the display of seconds in the widget settings.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Seconds Clock that replace the system clock may conflict with the system clock. MIUI If after installation the phone starts to brake, disable optimization in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Threefold → Special access → Battery Optimization and Select No Limits for Problem App.

Make sure that security settings allow installation from unknown sources

Check the Android version (some apps don't run Android 13+)

Backup your current widgets (via Settings → Additional → Backup)

Disable battery optimization for new app

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4. ADB-commands: forced inclusion of seconds

If you're ready for more complex manipulations, you can turn on seconds via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works even on the latest versions of MIUI 14, but requires connecting the phone to a computer.

Instructions:

1. Install. ADB-Drivers on PC (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. Enable USB debugging on your phone: Settings → Additional → For developers → USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell settings put global status_bar_clock_seconds 1 To apply the changes, restart your phone: adb shell reboot

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell settings put secure clock_seconds 1

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) post-execution ADB-Second commands only appear in Always-on Display, not in the status bar. This is a feature of the firmware, and it can only be fixed through modification of system files (root required).

5 Modification of system files (root only)

If none of the previous methods worked, the most radical way is to edit system files, which requires an unlocked bootloader and superuser rights (root).

Instructions for experienced users:

1. Install Magisk and get root access.
2. Download a root-enabled file manager (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Go to /system/cust/prop/local.prop (or create a file if you don’t have one).
4. Add a line: ro.config.status_bar_clock_seconds=true
5. Save the file, set the rights to 644, and restart the phone.

Alternative method (for MIUI 13/14):

• Install the MIUI Clock Mod for Magisk.
• Select Enable Seconds in Status Bar.
• Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the phone. TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery. Also note that after the update, MIUI All changes will be reset and the procedure will have to be repeated.

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If after receiving root phone stopped updating "over the air", download firmware manually from the site Xiaomi Firmware and install via TWRP or Fastboot.

6 Always-on Display (AOD): How to add seconds

Many Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro) have a Always-on Display (AOD) feature that shows the time even when the screen is off. There are no seconds by default, but you can turn them on.

Methods of activation:

• 🔹 Standard Method: Go to Settings → Always on screen. → Watch style and choose the option with seconds (if available).
• 🔹 Through themes: Set a theme with a clock supporting seconds (e.g., Digital) AOD with Seconds" from MIUI Theme Store).
• 🔹 ADB-Enter: adb shell settings put secure doze_always_on_clock_seconds 1

If no seconds have appeared after applying the changes, try:

1. Turn off and re-enable Always-on Display.
2. Change the style of the watch to another and then return it back.
3. Reboot the phone.

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On some models (such as the POCO F4 GT), AOD is disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings → Battery → Sleep Mode and turn off the option to turn off the screen when you lock it.

7 Problem Solving: Why don't seconds come up?

If you have followed all the instructions but the seconds never show up, check out the following points:

Frequent causes and solutions:

• 🔸 Firmware blocks changes: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) Xiaomi specifically disables the ability to show seconds, in which case only custom firmware (for example, xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience) will help).
• 🔸 Conflict with optimization MIUI: Turn it off. MIUI Optimization in developer settings or add a watch app to battery exclusions.
• 🔸 Time synchronization error: Go to Settings → Additionally. → Date and time and enable Autodetermination (or manually set the correct time).
• 🔸 Resetting settings: If after updating MIUI seconds gone, try resetting the lock screen settings: → Lock screen → Resetting settings.

If nothing works, check if your model is on the Xiaomi blacklist, where the seconds are off at the kernel level, and you can find a full list of these devices on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums.

FAQ: Frequent questions about second on Xiaomi