The issue of clock duplication on Xiaomi Redmi 9C smartphones is one of the most common user complaints: you turn on your phone, and the lock screen or notification panel displays two times at once: one on top of the other or a few minutes apart, sometimes just a visual bug, but in some cases it signals deeper MIUI failures.
In this article, we will look at all the possible causes of double watches, from common widget errors to system application conflicts, how to diagnose a problem, what settings to check first, and what to do if standard methods do not work, and focus on safe ways that do not require resetting the phone to factory settings.
Important: If the double clock came after a MIUI update or a third-party launcher was installed, the algorithm will be different. We will look at both scenarios with step-by-step instructions and visual cues.
Why is there a double watch on the Redmi 9C?
Time duplication on the Redmi 9C is never easy, and 90% of the time is due to one of five reasons:
- 🔄 Conflict of system widgets: MIUI automatically adds the clock to the lock screen and notification bar. If you manually installed an additional widget (for example, through the Themes or a third-party launcher), the system can duplicate the display.
- ⚙️ Clock malfunction: After updating or cleaning the cache, the system application may not interact properly with the shell MIUI.
- 📱 Design theme error: Some custom themes from the Mi Theme Store contain bugs that make the system display time twice.
- 🔄 Double time synchronization: if two synchronization sources are activated on the phone (for example, the Network and the Internet). GPS), there may be discrepancy.
- 🛠️ Damage to system files: after improper updates or manual interference with files MIUI (for example, through ADB rat).
Most often, the problem is software-based and is resolved without drastic measures, but if the double clock appeared after physical damage to the phone (for example, a fall or moisture), this may indicate a malfunction of the display module or time controller.
On Redmi 9C with MIUI 12.5 and later, double watches are often caused by a bug in the com.android.systemui service, which is responsible for displaying system elements, which is fixed by restarting the service or resetting its settings.
Method 1: Reboot the phone and reset widgets
Start with the simplest thing: reboot the device, and in 30 percent of cases, the double clock disappears after the system restarts, as it resets the temporary MIUI errors.
If the reboot didn’t help, check the widgets on the home screen and lock screen:
- Hold your finger in the free seat of the main screen → select Widgets.
- Check if there are duplicate widgets for the clock or weather and time.
- Remove all the extra widgets by dragging them into the basket.
- Go to Settings → Lock screen and turn off the Widget option on the lock screen (if it is active).
Once you remove the widgets, restart your phone again. If the problem persists, move on to the next method.
Remove all Clock widgets from the home screen |
Disable widgets on the lock screen |
Reboot the phone |
Check the time after the restart-->
Method 2: Reset the settings of the “Clock” application
The system app Watch (com.android.deskclock) is responsible for displaying time in the status bar and on the lock screen, and if its data is corrupted, this can lead to duplication.
To reset the settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the Clock (or Clock) and select it.
- Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
- Confirm the action and restart the phone.
If the time zone is lost after cleaning, set it again in Settings → Additional → Date and time.
⚠️ Warning: Data cleanup of the Watch app will remove all your alarm clocks and timers. Write down or take pictures of important reminders in advance.
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If time is still duplicated after resetting the watch, try temporarily installing another theme (like the standard MIUI Default) and check if the problem persists.
Method 3: Disable the double time synchronization
Redmi 9C can get time data from multiple sources: mobile network, Wi-Fi or GPS. If two sources conflict, this leads to discrepancies and duplication of display.
To fix this:
- Open Settings → Additional → Date and time.
- Turn off the Auto-Date and Time option.
- Manually set the correct time and time zone.
- Turn on Autodetermination back, but select only one source (e.g., Network).
If the problem persists, try turning off Autodetermination completely and using manual adjustment throughout the day to help you understand if the bug is synchronized.
| time-source | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile network | Quick synchronization, works without the Internet | Could be roaming. |
| Wi-Fi | Exact time, synchronized with NTP-server | Requires network connection |
| GPS | Highest accuracy | Battery discharges, only works in open spaces |
| Manual setting | Eliminates conflict sources | Requires periodic adjustments |
Method 4: Reset MIUI settings without data loss
If previous methods have failed, the problem may lie in the deep settings of the MIUI shell, in which case a soft reset that does not affect user data, but restores the default system settings, will help.
How to perform the reset:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Find the option Reset MIUI settings and confirm the action.
After the reset, the phone will restart and all system settings (including time display) will return to factory settings. Your files, photos and apps will remain intact.
⚠️ Attention: After discharge MIUI Some features, like navigation gestures or dark theme, may be disabled.
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Resetting MIUI is the most effective way to fix software bugs without losing data. Use it if other methods have not worked.
Method 5: Radical measures (for power users)
If the double watch appears even after the MIUI is reset, two options remain:
- Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
- Reverse to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot.
Both methods require unlocking the bootloader and can lead to a loss of warranty.
- 🔧 You are confident in your skills to work with ADB and Fastboot.
- 📱 Phone's not guaranteed.
- 🔄 You are ready for possible data loss (take backup!).
For firmware rollback:
- Download the official version of MIUI for Redmi 9C from Xiaomi website.
- Unpack the archive and connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when the phone is off).
- The command is: fastboot flash system.img
Warning: An improper rollback of firmware can turn your phone into a brick.If you're not sure what you're doing, contact a service center.
What if the watch disappeared completely after the firmware?
Prevention: How to avoid the recurrence of double clocks
To prevent the problem from returning, follow these recommendations:
- 🔄 Update regularly MIUI, But before installing the new version, check the reviews on the forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers) for clock bugs.
- 🎨 Avoid installing custom themes from unverified sources. use only the official Mi Theme Store.
- ⚙️ Do not clear the cache of system applications (such as Settings or Launcher) without the need to.
- 📱 Periodically check the list of auto-run applications in Settings → Annexes → Autostart and disable unnecessary.
If you are frequently exposed to MIUI bugs, consider installing an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) that allows you to flexibly configure your display of time without tampering with system files.