How to remove Moscow time on the lock screen Xiaomi: all ways

Xiaomi’s lock screen often displays not only the main time, but also additional time zones – for example, Moscow time, even if you are in another region. This feature can be useful for travelers or businessmen working with different time zones, but many users are annoyed by the duplication of information. MIUI 12-15, Time settings are more “smart” but less flexible.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to remove Moscow time from the lock screen, from standard settings to hidden settings and even commands via ADB. You’ll learn why the system automatically adds a second time zone, how it relates to Google and Xiaomi Cloud services, and what to do if time returns after a reboot. Instructions are suitable for most models, from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 13/14.

Why does Moscow time appear on the lock screen?

The reason for displaying extra time is automatic synchronization with Xiaomi and Google servers, which determines your location by several parameters:

• 📍 Geolocation data (GPS, Wi-Fi networks, cell towers)
• 🌐 IP-address of your device
• ☁️ Mi Account settings (if Russian region is tied)
• 📱 Language of the system (Russian is often associated with Moscow)

If at least one of these parameters indicates Russia, MIUI automatically adds Moscow time zone (UTC+3) as "home time." This behavior is embedded in the firmware and does not always depend on your real location. For example, if you bought a smartphone in Russia but now live in Kazakhstan or Belarus, the system may continue to show Moscow time due to the location of the sale.

Interestingly, some versions of MIUI (e.g., MIUI 13 for global firmware) show this bug even when geolocation services are disabled, because of cached region data that is stored in system files and not reset when settings change.

Method 1: Turning off extra time in standard settings

Let's start with the simplest method that works on most MIUI 12-15 devices, and you don't need root rights or special programs, but you need standard tools.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Lock Screen (or Lock and Password → Lock screen settings on some models).
3. Find the option "Extra Time" or "Second Time" (in English firmware - Dual Clock).
4. Turn off the switch next to the inscription Moscow time or select No in the drop-down list.
5. Save the changes and restart the device (this is important – without restarting the settings may not apply).

If you don't have the option "Extra Time" on your menu, you're not setting up. This is typical for Android 12+ firmware, where Xiaomi has simplified the interface by removing the rarely used options, so move on to the next way.

Check out the MIUI version in the About Phone section.

Turn off automatic time determination in "Date and time"

Make sure your smartphone is at least 30% charged.

Backup important data (in case of failure)-->

Method 2: Reset time and region settings via Date and Time

If Moscow time returns after the shutdown, the problem may lie in incorrect regional settings, and the system continues to consider Moscow a "home" time zone because of the data stored.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Date and time.
2. Turn off the Automatic (network) or Auto-Time Definition option.
3. Manually select your real time zone (for example, UTC+6 for Almaty or UTC+2 for Minsk).
4. Click on Select Region and set the country that matches your location (not Russia!).
5. Return to the main settings menu and restart the phone.

After the reboot, check the lock screen, if Moscow time is gone, the problem is solved, if not, then the data about the region is stored in the cache of the system, in which case the cache reset will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. Find the Settings app (com.android.settings) and clear its cache.
4. Repeat the same for the Watch app (com.android.deskclock).

Method 3: Using hidden settings through ##

Some MIUI firmware (especially Redmi and POCO with global ROMs) have a hidden test menu where you can reset regional settings, a technique that doesn’t work on all devices, but it’s worth a try.

Enter the following code in the Phone application:

##4636##

Then the Test menu will open. Go to the Phone Information tab and find Set time zone. Select your region manually. If this is not the case, try the alternative code:

##2432546##

This menu is responsible for setting energy saving and regional settings, and you can reset the Moscow time, but be careful not to change other settings so as not to disrupt the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: ## codes may vary depending on version MIUI If nothing happens after you enter the code, your firmware doesn't support this method. Don't try to type random combinations, it can cause the system to crash.

Method 4: Edit system files via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods fail, you’ll need to use manual editing of system files via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB)
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original)

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put global auto_time_zone 0


adb shell settings put global auto_time 0

1. Now remove the time zone cache:

adb shell pm clear com.android.providers.settings

1. Reset the device:

adb reboot

After the reboot, Moscow time should disappear. If not, try manually setting your time zone through ADB:

adb shell settings put global time_zone < Your clock belt >

For example, for Almaty (UTC+6):

adb shell settings put global time_zone Asia/Almaty

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-If you are not sure about your actions, skip this method or seek help from a specialist. MIUI settings may reset.

💡

Before working with ADB, back up your important data via Mi Cloud or locally to your computer, and MIUI has a built-in backup feature in the “Additional → Backup and Reset” section.

Method 5: Install custom firmware (extreme case)

If none of these methods worked, the radical solution is to install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which is only suitable for advanced users, because it requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (on Xiaomi it takes up to 7 days of waiting)
• 🛠️ Established TWRP Recovery or other custom Recovery
• 💾 Backup of all data (firmware erases internal memory)

The advantage of custom firmware is that it's not tied to Xiaomi's regional settings, so you can manually adjust the time mapping without any extra time zones, but consider the risks:

If you’re considering this, check out the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums for your model, like the Pixel Experience for the Redmi Note 10 Pro and ArrowOS for the Xiaomi 12T.

💡

Installation of custom firmware is a last resort, and in 90% of cases, the problem with Moscow time can be solved using standard methods or through ADB.

What if Moscow time returns after the update?

Many users are faced with the fact that after the MIUI update, Moscow time again appears on the lock screen, this is because the firmware resets the regional settings to the default values, to prevent the return of the unwanted time zone:

1. Use it. ADB-commands (from Method 4) after each update to reset time zone cache.

If you don't want to give up on the updates, you can try installing global firmware instead of Russian firmware.

1. Download Fastboot-ROM for your model from the official Xiaomi website (choose the Global version, not Russia).

Global firmware is less likely to suffer from the Moscow time reference, as they are not initially focused on the Russian market.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Moscow time on Xiaomi