Functionality of modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO It allows owners to do business internationally without losing touch with local time, and the ability to display the time of two cities simultaneously becomes critical for those who regularly communicate with relatives abroad or do business with partners from other time zones. This scenario can be implemented in several ways, built right into the shell. MIUI or hyperos.
The standard interface often hides useful options in the submenu that are not obvious when first introduced. Unlike some other manufacturers, Chinese engineers have provided native support for the second time zone without the need to install third-party applications. This not only saves battery power, but also provides deeper integration of the widget into the system, allowing it to work correctly on the lock screen and in Always On Display mode.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the available methods for activating double time, from standard clock settings to desktop widgets. You’ll learn how to sync data properly to avoid confusion, and what hidden features Xiaomi’s interface offers for customizing time display. A deep understanding of these settings will turn your smartphone into an effective tool for time management.
Setting up the native app “Clock”
The most reliable and resource-intensive way to access second city time is to use the built-in system application, which is already pre-installed on all devices of the brand and optimized for running in the background without significantly affecting autonomy. To get started, you need to run a standard application, which is usually located in the Tools folder or on the home screen.
Once you open the interface, go to the World Time tab, which is often indicated by the globe icon, and here you will see the current location, determined via GPS or network. To add a second city, click on the plus icon or add button, then enter the name of the desired locality in the search bar, and the system will offer a list of options from which you need to choose the right one, so that the time zone is determined automatically.
Importantly, you can set the app's settings to a priority city that will be displayed larger, and if you want the lock screen to show the time of another region, you need to move that city to the top of the list or assign it to the main one, and synchronization is automatic when you connect to the Internet, which ensures that there are no discrepancies even when you switch to daylight saving time in other countries.
☑️ Checking the time settings
⚠️ Note: When manually changing the time in the system settings, the automatic second city function may not work correctly. It is recommended to leave the option "Auto-Time" in the main parameters of the phone enabled.
Use of desktop widgets
For those who need to see both cities without unlocking their phone, the ideal solution is widgets. The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer a wide range of watch widgets that can be placed on the desktop. To add them, swipe to the right or pinch the screen to go into editing mode, and select "Widgets".
In the menu that opens, look for the Watch or Tools category. You'll find classic analog dials, digital scoreboards, and combination options. Some of them support two time zones at once. Choose a suitable design that fits your theme and drag it to the free screen space.
Once you have a widget on your desktop, you often need to customize it further, press and hold your finger on the widget, then select Settings or tap the gear icon. In the menu that appears, you can choose which city will be displayed second, and also adjust the time format (12 or 24 hours), which allows you to create a personalized space where the right information is always at hand.
Consider that the number of widgets on the screen affects energy consumption, especially if they are updated frequently. However, watch widgets are a category of lightweight elements that are updated once per minute. Using dynamic wallpaper together with the widget can create a “live” interface, but will require a more powerful processor for smooth rendering of animations.
Always on Display for two cities
Always On Display (AOD) technology allows you to display important information on the screen off without consuming much charge thanks to the features of AMOLED arrays. In Xiaomi devices, this feature also supports second city time. To activate it, go to the settings, then to the Lock Screen section and find the "Always On Display" item.
Inside the AOD menu, you'll see different display styles, some of which, especially digital and combined, have a second time zone option. Choose a style, click on it to preview, and find a switch or settings associated with displaying extra time. Here you can choose a city that will be shown continuously.
This feature is especially useful because it allows time by simply picking up your phone or tapping on the screen without turning the device on completely, but remember that the constant glow of pixels, even minimal, still consumes the battery. You can optimize consumption by setting the AOD schedule or turning on the “Raise to Activate” mode.
The Effect of Always On Display on the Battery
Comparison of time display methods
The choice of how to display double time depends on your smartphone usage habits and device model. Each method has its advantages and limitations that should be considered when setting up. Below is a comparison table to help determine the best option.
| Method | Battery consumption | Accessibility | Visualization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annex "Clock" | Minimum | Requires unlocking. | Accurate data, calendar |
| Widget on the table | Low. | Always in sight. | Diversity of designs |
| Always On Display | Medium. | Instant (without unlocking) | Concise, monochrome |
| Third-party annexes | High-pitched | Depends on the app. | Maximum customization |
As you can see from the table, native features provide a better balance between functionality and energy efficiency. Third-party solutions can offer more visual effects, but often require unnecessary resolutions and work less stable. For everyday use, a combination of a desktop widget and an in-app setting is enough.
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Native MIUI/HyperOS tools provide better stability and lower power consumption compared to third-party counterparts from Google Play.
Time zone solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the time in the second city is displayed incorrectly, this can be due to a misdefinition of daylight saving time or errors in the time zone database. First of all, check if the automatic time change option is enabled. If the problem persists, try to remove the city from the list and add it again, carefully selecting the option from the proposed list.
Another common problem is post-travel desynchronization, so if you're back from a trip and your time is lost, reboot your device, force your location and time zone data to be updated via your cellular network, and check the date and time settings in the system's general menu to make sure you've chosen the right region.
In rare cases, older versions of Android may experience a bug in which the widget shows the time in 12 hours instead of 24, which is solved by changing the time format settings in the “Additional” section of the watch app or through the global system settings in the “Date and Time” section.
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If you travel frequently between time zones, turn on Adaptive Time in your battery settings, which will allow the system to switch background processes faster and synchronize the clock with abrupt changes in location.
⚠️ Attention: When in use VPN-A smartphone may misidentify your location and suggest an incorrect time zone for the second city. VPN at the initial setting of time.
Third-party alternatives and customization
If Xiaomi’s standard functionality isn’t enough, Google Play offers a variety of alternatives, with apps like World Clock Widget or Dual Clock allowing you to display tens of cities at once, use complex skins, and even add background images for each time zone.
However, installing third-party software requires careful attention to permissions, and applications often request access to geolocation, auto-run and background work, which can negatively affect device performance. Be sure to read reviews and check developer ratings before installing.
For advanced users using third-party launchers (such as Nova Launcher), there are additional options for customizing widgets, and you can change the font size, background transparency and element layout to create a unique interface that displays double time exactly as you like.