How to set the exact time on the screen of the smartphone Xiaomi

Making time and date correctly displayed on Xiaomi’s screen is not just a matter of convenience, but a critical parameter for most modern applications. If your device’s clock is downed, there may be errors when connecting to Wi-Fi, messaging apps may not work properly, and banking applications may not be able to run for security reasons. MIUI or HyperOS have flexible tools to manage these settings, allowing you to configure everything in a couple of touches.

Often, users are faced with a situation where the time is displayed correctly, but the date or time zone does not correspond to your location. This is especially true for those who often travel or move between regions. In this guide, we will discuss in detail how to manually set the time, enable automatic synchronization over the Internet and what to do if the settings are lost after rebooting the device.

It is important to understand that the accuracy of system time affects the operation of encryption protocols, so if you notice that time is running away or lagging, you should not ignore this. We will consider both standard methods of setting up through the menu and the hidden features available in advanced system settings.

Automatic time synchronization through the network

The easiest and most reliable way to get the exact time is to entrust this to automation. Xiaomi smartphones are set by default to receive time data from a network operator or via the NTP Internet protocol. This eliminates human error and manual input. To activate this feature, you need to make sure that the device is connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.

To enable automatic settings, go to Settings and select Additional (or Advanced Settings), then find the Date and Time category, and you will be met by the "Use Network Time" switch, which will make manual input fields inaccessible (gray) when activated.

⚠️ Warning: If automatic synchronization is enabled but the time is still incorrect, try temporarily switching your smartphone to air mode, turning off the option, waiting 10 seconds and turning it on again.

Sometimes, the operator provides incorrect data, especially in roaming, in which case the system may suggest using network time or Internet time. The choice of “Use network time” is usually more accurate for mobile devices, since synchronization occurs directly with cell towers, bypassing potential delays of the Wi-Fi router.

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If you travel frequently between time zones, be sure to include the option of “Time Zone Auto-Detection” in the same menu, which will save you from having to manually change the region on each flight.

Manual date and time setting

There are situations when automation fails or you need to set a specific time (for example, to test applications or if you are in an area where the network catches the time of a neighboring region), in which case manual mode comes to the rescue.

Once you turn off network synchronization, the Time and Date fields will be active, and if you click on them, you will open a drum interface or calendar where you can set the exact values. Be careful when choosing a format: some regions have a 12-hour format with the designation AM/PM, while in Russia and most CIS countries, a 24-hour cycle is used.

• 🕒 Click on the current time to open a digital or analog dial to fine-tune hours and minutes.
• 📅 Select a date manually, scrolling through months and years if the automatic determination worked incorrectly.
• 🌍 Make sure you choose the right time zone, especially if you are close to the border.

After making changes, the system may request confirmation of the action. Click OK or Apply.

Setting the time format and display on the lock screen

The look of the watch on the lock screen and in the status bar is a matter of taste, but it's also a matter of convenience. In the MIUI and HyperOS shell, you can flexibly adjust how the time will look, not only in the format (24 or 12 hours), but also in the style of the font, and additional indicators, such as seconds or day of the week.

To change the format, follow the Settings → Date and Time path. Here you will find the 24-hour format switch. If it is off, the time will be displayed with pre-lunch (AM) and after-lunch (PM) indications. Also, the option to turn on the display of seconds is often available in this section, which can be useful for users who need minute-by-minute accuracy without opening the timer.

And the other thing that's worth mentioning is the lock screen styles, which don't change in the system time settings, but in the Wallpaper and personalization section, or through a long tap on the empty desktop space, and then select the Settings (cogs), where you can choose a digital, analog or minimalist style, and change the font color for better readability on the screensaver you choose.

Time zone problems and their solution

One of the most common problems Xiaomi users have is misdefining the time zone, and a smartphone can “think” you’re in Moscow when you’re already in Vladivostok, or vice versa, causing all notifications, alarms, and calendar entries to shift by hours, usually by properly geolocating and permitting location.

If the automatic definition doesn't work, you have to manually select your region. In the Date and Time menu, find the Time Zone. You'll see a list of cities or regions. You'll find your city or the nearest major city in your zone. Don't just pick a country if it's big (like Russia or the United States), because there may be multiple time zones within the same country.

⚠️ Note: When manually selecting a time zone, make sure that winter/summer time is taken into account if applicable in your area. Xiaomi smartphones usually automatically adjust the time when switching to daylight saving time, but only if the correct reference city is selected.

In rare cases, especially on re-enhanced devices (Global version on Chinese hardware or custom firmware), the list of time zones may be cropped or not work correctly. ADB, Allows the system time to be synchronized with the atomic clock.

Additional settings: alarm clocks and world time

Xiaomi’s standard Watch app has a wide range of features that go beyond simply displaying the current time, setting alarm clocks, countdown timers, stopwatches and watching time in other cities around the world, which is especially useful for those who work with foreign partners or have relatives in other countries.

World Time allows you to add up to a few dozen cities to the app's home screen or even display them in a desktop widget. To add a city, click on the + or Add icon, enter the city name and select it from the list. Now you will always see what time it is in London, New York or Tokyo, just by looking at the lock screen or widget.

• 🔔 For alarm clocks, you can choose not only melodies from memory, but also any music from your playlist.

Remember that to work the alarm, the phone does not need to be turned on – modern Xiaomi smartphones are able to turn on at a given time even from the power off alarm function.

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The MIUI Clock app is integrated with the system calendar and tasks, so setting the time correctly is critical for the timeliness of all your reminders.

What to do if time is constantly being reset

A situation where time and date are reset to default values (for example, January 1, 2020) after a full battery drain or a phone is turned off indicates a hardware or deep software problem. In most modern smartphones, an integrated memory cell is responsible for storing time, but in rare cases, it may require recharge from the main battery, which, being completely discharged, cannot save the settings.

The first step in diagnosing is to check for system updates. Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI/HyperOS. If there is an update available, install it. Often developers fix RTC (Real Time Clock) bugs in security patches.

If the update didn’t work, try resetting network and time settings. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Recover and Reset. Select “Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Internet and Bluetooth settings.” This won’t delete your personal data, but will update network configurations, which can help in properly synchronizing time through the operator.

⚠️ Note: If the time is reset even after fully charging the phone and checking the settings, this may indicate a malfunction of the motherboard or plume. In this case, it is recommended to contact an authorized service center Xiaomi.

In extreme cases, if the software methods are powerless, you may need to completely reset to factory settings (Wipe Data).Be sure to back up all important data before this procedure, as in the process all photos, contacts and applications will be deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)