Why Moscow Time is displayed on the lock screen and how to fix it
Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 often face a situation when the lock screen in addition to the main time appears a duplicate line indicating the Moscow time zone (for example, βMoscow +03:00β). This feature of MIUI is associated with automatic geolocation or time synchronization settings through Xiaomi servers. In most cases, the problem is not critical, but can annoy users who prefer a minimalist interface.
The reasons for the second time range from firmware bugs to intentional MIUI features for travelers. For example, if youβve ever enabled the option Double Time in date and time settings, the system could save Moscow Time Zone as an additional indicator. In this article, weβll look at 5 proven ways to remove Moscow time from the lock screen, including root-free methods using ADB.
Importantly, some solutions may require a device reboot or a temporary shutdown of automatic sync. If youβre using Redmi 8 with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some of the instructions may not work, in which case, refer to the alternative methods section.
Method 1: Turning off double time in MIUI settings
The most obvious and safe method is to check for double-time settings that may have been activated accidentally or after a firmware update, which requires no technical skills and works on all versions of MIUI for Redmi 8 (including MIUI 12/13/14).
Instructions:
- π± Open the Settings. β Additional settings β Date and time.
- π Scroll down to Double Time (or Additional Hours in Newer Versions).
- β Turn off the switch if it's active. If it's gray, move on to the next one.
- π Restart your smartphone (Power) β Reboot).
If you don't have Double Time on the menu, it's another problem, so check if you have weather widgets or watches from third-party vendors (such as AccuWeather or Clock Widget) that can duplicate time on the lock screen.
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Before changing your time settings, turn off automatic sync in the same menu (Network β Turn off) to prevent resetting after rebooting.
Method 2: Resetting date and time settings to factory
If Moscow time continues to display despite the dual time shutdown, try resetting the date and time settings to default values.This method does not affect user data, but may require resetting alarm clocks and reminders.
Step-by-step:
- Go to Settings β About Phone β All settings (or Reset settings).
- Select Reset Date and Time Settings (in some firmwares, the item is called Reset Network Settings).
- Confirm the action by entering the lock password (if installed).
- After resetting manually set the correct time zone (Settings β Date and time β Select time zone).
This method is effective if the problem is caused by a sync failure with Xiaomi servers.However, in 10% of cases (according to forums). 4PDA) Moscow time returns after connecting to the mobile network. ADB.
Turn off automatic time synchronization
Remember the current time zone
Check for important alarm clocks
Connect your phone to charge (recommended)
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Method 3: Delete Moscow time via ADB (without root)
For advanced users willing to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), there is a team that forcibly removes additional time zones from system settings.This method does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the ADB tool.
Instructions:
- Activate Developer Mode on Redmi 8: Go to Settings β About Phone. 7 times click on MIUI Version. Go back to the main settings menu and open Additional Settings β Developer. Enable USB Debugging.
adb shell settings delete global auto_time_zone
adb shell settings put global auto_time_zone 0Reset the device.
If Moscow time has disappeared after completing commands, but the main time has gone wrong, manually set the correct time zone in the settings. This method works on 90% of MIUI firmware for Redmi 8, but may not work on custom builds.
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
Method 4: Change the region of the device (bypass)
If previous methods failed, you can try to trick the system by changing the region of the device to another, which indirectly affects the display of time, since MIUI links the time zone with the geolocation, and the disadvantage of the method is possible changes in the operation of some services (for example, Google Play or Mi Cloud).
How to change the region:
- π Open the Settings. β Additional settings β Language and region.
- π Click on Region and select a country with a different time zone (e.g. Germany or Turkey).
- β³ Wait 1-2 minutes and check the lock screen.
- π Return the old region if Moscow time is gone.
This trick works because MIUI resets the geolocation settings when you change region, but after another firmware update, the problem may return, and for a permanent solution, we recommend combining this method with turning off automatic time synchronization.
Official MIUI (Stable)
Official MIUI (Developer)
Custom (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.)
I don't know.
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Method 5: Remove system settings editor (requires root)
For root-right users, there is a radical method of direct editing of the system files responsible for displaying time, which is risky (may cause MIUI failures), but it is guaranteed to erase Moscow time.
Instructions:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
- Go to: /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
- Open the settings.db file in the SQLite editor (for example, via the SQLite Editor application).
- Find the global table and delete the rows with the parameters: auto_time_zone time_zone_auto_detect
- Save the changes, restart the device.
β οΈ
Warning! Incorrect editing of system files can result in a cyclical reboot or loss of MIUI functionality. Before making changes, back up via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool.
If after editing the lock screen stopped working correctly, restore the backup or reset settings through Settings β Reset settings.
Alternative solutions: widgets and themes
If none of these methods worked, consider masking Moscow time with themes or widgets. MIUI allows you to customize the lock screen through themes where you can hide unnecessary interface elements.
How to do this:
- π¨ Get into Themes. β Lock screen.
- π Choose a theme with a minimalist design (like Minimal Clock or Pure Black).
- βοΈ In the theme settings, turn off the display of additional information (if available).
- π² Install a third-party watch widget (like Another Widget) that will replace the standard time block.
You can also use applications like Lock Screen Customizer (requires root) to take full control of the lock screen elements, but remember that third-party apps can affect the security of the device.
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Changing the theme of the lock screen is the safest way to hide Moscow time, but does not eliminate the cause of the problem. For a complete solution, combine this method with turning off double time in the settings.
Table: Comparison of methods of removing Moscow time
| Method | Difficulty | Root is required. | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double time shutdown | β | β No. | 70% | Low. |
| Resetting date/time settings | ββ | β No. | 80% | Alarm-setting |
| ADB-team | βββ | β No. | 90% | Resetting time |
| Change of region | β | β No. | 60% | Changing the work of services |
| Editing by settings.db | ββββ | β Yes. | 95% | High (bootloop risk) |