Double time on the lock screen Xiaomi: how to remove double clocks in MIUI

The double time problem on Xiaomi’s lock screen has become one of the most common user complaints since the MIUI 13/14 updates: You turn on your phone, and the lock screen displays two sets of watches at once, the main and the duplicate, often with different formatting or even time zone, which not only spoils the appearance, but also creates confusion, especially if one of the times is displayed incorrectly.

Most times, double clocks are caused by system widget conflict, time synchronization errors, or Google services malfunction. Sometimes the problem is with second-time zone settings that are activated automatically when you connect to some networks. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to eliminate double time, including hidden MIUI settings that are not obvious even to advanced users.

Importantly, the methods vary depending on the firmware version and the smartphone model. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 and Xiaomi 13, the path to settings can vary slightly, and we took these nuances into account and prepared universal solutions that work on most devices with MIUI 12-14.

πŸ“Š What version? MIUI installed on your Xiaomi?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
Another version
I don't know.

Why does the lock screen Xiaomi appears double time?

The main reason for the duplication of clocks is the MIUI architecture, where multiple system components are responsible for displaying time.

  • πŸ”„ Widget conflict: The system widget of the watch and the widget from Google (for example, from the Watch or Weather app) simultaneously try to display time.
  • ⏰ Double time zone: In the settings activated the display of time for the second time zone, which is duplicated on the lock screen.
  • πŸ“± Synchronization error: After updating MIUI or resetting the settings is a failure in the time synchronization service (com.android.server.timedate).
  • πŸ”§ Customization of the theme: Some user themes from MIUI Themes contain bugs that lead to duplication of interface elements.

On devices with MIUI 14, the problem often stems from the integration of Google services. For example, if you use a Google account and have enabled data synchronization, the system can automatically add a time widget from the Google ecosystem that conflicts with Xiaomi's native widget.

Interestingly, some models (such as the POCO F5) only have double time when using an always-on display (AOD), which is because different rendering mechanisms are used for the AOD and main lock screen.

Method 1: Disconnecting the second time zone

The most common reason for duplication is an activated second time zone, and even if you haven't set it up, MIUI sometimes turns it on automatically when traveling or connecting to a VPN, to eliminate double time:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Date and time.
  2. Scroll down to the Time Zone section and click on Additional Settings.
  3. Turn off the time switch for the second time zone.
  4. If the option is active but the second belt is not in the list, click Select the second time zone and set it identical to the main one.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13.5 for Xiaomi 12T), the option is hidden, in which case, use a search by settings by entering the "second time zone" request.

Is the second time zone off?

Are the main and additional belts the same?

Time synchronization on?

Reboot your smartphone after the changes?-->

After the second belt is turned off, the double time should disappear. If the problem persists, proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Resetting date and time settings

When system time services are not working properly, it helps to reset them to factory settings, which is a secure procedure that does not affect personal data:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
  3. Find the Watch app (com.android.deskclock) and open its settings.
  4. Click Warehouse β†’ Clear the data and confirm the action.
  5. Go back to the main settings and select Date and Time β†’ Reset settings.

Once reset, restart the device. If the double time is due to the Clock app cache or time zone conflict, this method will solve the problem 80% of the time.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13 resetting your time settings can temporarily disable automatic sync. To return it, go to Settings β†’ Date and time and enable the option Automatically.

Method 3: Remove Google widgets from the lock screen

Google widgets (such as those from the Weather or Watch apps) often conflict with native MIUI elements to remove them:

  1. Unlock the phone and swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification panel.
  2. Press and hold the empty space on the home screen, then select Widgets.
  3. Scroll down to the Google section and check if there are any time or weather widgets.
  4. If you find them, remove them by dragging them to the basket or clicking Delete.

It is also recommended to disable automatic addition of widgets:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ Main screen screen.
  2. Turn off the widget recommendation option.
  3. In the section Additionally turn off Show widgets on the lock screen.

On some devices (e.g. Redmi K50), Google widgets can be integrated into the system launcher, in which case the launcher reset will help:

adb shell pm clear com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer

This command clears the cache of the system conductor, which is sometimes responsible for displaying widgets.

Method 4: Turning off Always-On Display (AOD)

On smartphones with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F4 GT) The double time is often due to bugs in Always-On Display. AOD The main lock screen uses different display mechanisms, and sometimes they overlap.

To check if the AOD is to blame:

  1. Open the Settings β†’ Screen β†’ Always-On Display
  2. Turn off the Always-On Display switch.
  3. Restart the device and check if the double time has disappeared.

If the problem is solved, but you want to return the AOD, try the following steps:

  • πŸ”„ Update the firmware to the latest version (bugs) AOD patch-fix).
  • 🎨 Change your style. AOD Standard (e.g. Digital watches instead of Analog watches).
  • βš™οΈ Reset the settings. AOD: Settings β†’ Screen. β†’ Always-On Display β†’ Reset.
Why does AOD cause double time?
In Always-On Display mode, the system uses low-level rendering to save charge, while the main lock screen continues to work as usual. If the synchronization between these two layers is disrupted (for example, due to an error in the display driver), the interface elements can be duplicated.

Method 5: Reset the lock screen settings

If previous methods have not worked, the problem may lie in the settings of the lock screen itself. MIUI There is a hidden option to reset its configuration:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Passwords and Security β†’ Lock screen.
  2. Scroll down and click on the Additional Settings.
  3. Select Reset the lock screen settings (on some devices, the option is called Reset by default).
  4. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

This method will return the lock screen to factory settings by removing all custom widgets and styles, and if the double time was caused by a customization conflict, resetting will help.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13 lock screen reset can delete fingerprints and pattern lock.Pre-prepared backup PIN-code!

If the problem persists after the reset, it’s worth considering more radical measures – for example, a rollback to a previous version of MIUI or a reset of the phone to factory settings.

Additional methods for experienced users

If the standard methods don't work, you can try deeper customizations, which require access to ADB or developer mode.

1. disabling system widgets via ADB:

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.keyguard

Then restart the device, which will turn off the lock screen, but may cause unstable operation.

adb shell pm enable com.android.keyguard

2. Delete the cache of Google services:

Sometimes, double time is called by Google Play services.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Find Google Play Services and select Warehouse β†’ Clear Cache.
  3. Repeat for Google and Watch apps.

Change the DPI of the screen:

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 11T), double time appears due to incorrect interface scaling. Try changing the DPI through the developer mode:

  1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings).
  2. Go to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ For developers.
  3. Find the minimum width and set the value 411 or 440.
  4. Reset the device.
MethodDifficultyEfficiencyRisks.
Second time zone shutdown⭐85%Low.
Date and time reset⭐⭐70%Medium (sync may be reset)
Removing Google widgets⭐60%Low.
Disabling AOD⭐90% (for AMOLED)Low.
Resetting the lock screen⭐⭐75%Medium (remove biometrics)

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you've tried all the methods, but you've got double time left, the problem could be deep system errors.

  • πŸ“₯ Update the firmware: Go to Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Update the system and check for patches. Often lock screen bugs are fixed in minor updates.
  • πŸ”„ Reset your phone to factory settings: This is an extreme measure, but it's guaranteed to remove all conflicting settings.Be sure to back up!
  • πŸ“ž Contact Xiaomi for support: If the problem has occurred after the update, it may be a massive bug. β†’ Revocation.

On forums, Xiaomi users often share custom solutions. For example, for the Redmi Note 11, installing an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) helps to redefine the display of widgets.

πŸ’‘

Before resetting your phone, try creating a new user in the settings (Settings β†’ Users). Sometimes the problem is with the profile, and the new account double time disappears.

FAQ: Frequent questions about double time on Xiaomi

Why does double time only appear at night?
This is due to Always-On Display and Nightlight settings. In the dark, the system can activate an additional display layer for AOD that conflicts with the main lock screen. Try turning off AOD or changing the nighttime schedule in Settings β†’ Screen β†’ Nightlight.
Can you remove double time without resetting?
Yes, 90% of the time the first three methods in the article (disable the second time zone, reset the date/time or delete the Google widgets) help.
Why is there a double time after the MIUI update?
MIUI updates often make changes to system widgets and sync services. If a double watch appears after the update, you will likely conflict with the old settings with the new components. Try resetting the lock screen settings or rolling back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot.
The lock screen shows time from another city. How do you get it out?
This is due to the activated second time zone. Go to Settings β†’ Date and time β†’ Additional settings and turn off the option to Show Time for the second time zone. If the city still shows, check the settings in the Watch app (com.android.deskclock) - there may be a world time widget enabled.
Double time only comes when you use the theme. What do you do?
Some of the themes in MIUI Themes contain errors in style files that duplicate interface elements. Try: Go back to the standard theme (Settings β†’ Themes β†’ Standard). Clear the theme app cache (Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Themes β†’ Storage β†’ Clear cache). Delete the problematic theme and install it again.

πŸ’‘

If the double time occurred after installing custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu), the problem is most likely in the incorrectly assembled package. -w).