Proper display of time on the smartphone screen is not just a matter of interface aesthetics, but a basic necessity for comfortable use of the device. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco phones running on the shell of MIUI or HyperOS can face a situation where the clock on the lock screen or in the status bar shows incorrect data, this can occur due to manual resetting, travel between time zones or software failures.
In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to set the exact time on the screen of your gadget. You will learn how to activate automatic synchronization over the network, how to manually change the time zone and display format (12 or 24 hours), and how to set up beautiful clock widgets on the home screen. The correct configuration of system time is critical for the operation of instant messengers, banking applications and calendar.
Before we get into the technical details, itβs worth noting that the menu interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. However, the logic of the Android operating system in conjunction with the shell from Xiaomi remains the same for most models. We will consider universal action algorithms that will suit both the budget Redmi Note and the flagship Xiaomi Mi.
Automatic time synchronization through the network
The most reliable and easiest way to get an accurate time is to trust the Internet. A smartphone requests data from your carrier's servers or Google services, excluding human error. To activate this feature, go to the system settings. Open the Settings app and find the Additional or Advanced Settings section where the Date and Time item is located.
In the menu that opens, you'll see a "Use Network Time" switch (or "Date and Time Autoset"). If the slider is gray, the function is turned off, and the phone relies on an internal clock that may have an error. Turn on this switch, and the device will instantly pull up the current data. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be immediately in the main settings menu if you use Simple mode.
β οΈ Note: If the automatic setup switch is inactive (gray) and cannot be pressed, check if flight mode is on, and the function can be blocked if the device has third-party time management applications installed or the developer mode is running debugging. USB, clock-inducing.
Once synchronization is enabled, look for the time zone. Even if the time is set correctly, the region may be incorrectly specified, which will lead to future errors when changing location. Make sure that the time zone selects your current city or standard time (eg GMT+3 for Moscow), which is especially important for those who often travel, as automatic geolocation detection sometimes fails.
Manual setting of time and time zone
There are situations where automatic configuration is not possible or desirable, such as if you are in an area with unstable network coverage, or you need to set a specific time for testing applications. In such cases, Xiaomi allows you to manually set up, and in order to do this, you must first turn off the option βUse Network Timeβ in the Date and Time menu.
Once the automatic mode is deactivated, the manual input fields will become active, you can choose the year, month, day, and exact time in increments of up to a minute, which gives you full control over the device's system timer, but it's worth remembering that after you reboot your phone or lose communication with the base station, time can again go off if you haven't done the initial synchronization.
The time zone is worth noting, and hundreds of cities are available on the list. If your city is not on the list, Android suggests choosing the nearest major metropolis in the same time zone. For example, Kaliningrad often chooses London or Paris at a shift time, depending on the season and daylight saving time, although Russia now lives on constant winter time.
βοΈ Checking the time settings
Setting the time format: 12 or 24 hours
One of the most frequent questions users have about the format of displaying time. 24-The clock format is popular in the United States and some European countries. 12-clock-signature AM/PM. On Xiaomi smartphones, this setting can be changed in the same Date and Time menu.
Find the item "Time Format" (or "24-hour format"). Here you will be offered two options. Choosing a 24-hour format will save you from the confusion of a half day, which is especially convenient when planning meetings and setting alarms. If you are accustomed to foreign standards, the switch will allow you to instantly convert the display.
It's worth noting that changing this setting affects not only the status bar at the top of the screen, but all system widgets, call logs and messages. This is a global interface setting. Sometimes, after updating the HyperOS firmware, the format settings can be reset to the standard region specified in the Mi Account, so they are worth checking after a major system update.
π‘
If you travel between time zones often, leave automatic synchronization on. The phone will detect the region change by cell towers or GPS and transfer the clock, you do not have to do it manually.
How to add and customize the watch widget on the screen
The lock screen and home screen are the places where we most often look at time. Xiaomi's standard widgets offer a variety of design options, from minimalist digits to complex analog weather dials. To add a widget, swipe your desktop or tap and hold your finger on an empty section of the screen, then select the widget (or Add).
In the menu that opens, find the Clock category, and you can choose a variety of styles that depend on the theme you have set, and you can choose a second-hand widget that displays the date, the phase of the moon, or even a transparent background, and drag the selected item to your desktop and release your finger.
Many widgets support deep customization. By clicking on the installed widget (or selecting "Edit" in the context menu), you can change the font, color of numbers, background image and even the display style (digital or analog), which allows you to create a unique interface that will please the eye.
| Type of widget | Description | Wherever used | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital. | Accurate display of numbers, easy to read | Main screen, Lock screen | Basic theme |
| Analog | Classic dial with arrows | Main screen, Always on screen | Support for the topic |
| World time | Time display in several cities | Main screen (large size widget) | Network access |
| pomodoro | Countdown timer in the form of a clock | Main screen (special widgets) | Installed annex |
Problem: Time is lagging or getting lost after switching off
Users sometimes experience the unpleasant situation of a phone regularly losing time after a full battery drain or a long shutdown, indicating that the internal battery (RTC) responsible for the clock running when it is turned off may have run out or failed. In modern smartphones, this cell is usually recharged from the main battery, but when it is deep discharged, it can lose charge.
Another cause of failure may be a software conflict, such as if you installed an alarm or calendar application from an unreliable source, it can force the system time change, and problems are also observed on devices with received Root rights, where changes were made to the system files responsible for timers.
β οΈ Attention: If time is constantly lost even when the network synchronization is on, this may be a sign of a malfunction of the motherboard or the plume, in which case the software methods will not help, and you will need a diagnosis in the service center.
For a diagnosis, try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings β Connection and Sharing β Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This action will not delete your personal data, but update your network configurations, which often helps to establish communication with time servers.
Hidden time settings through the engineering menu
Using third-party applications to display time
If Xiaomi's standard functionality isn't enough, Google Play offers thousands of customization apps, popular programs like Widgetsmith, Overdrop, or the likes of the game. HD Clock Widget allows you to create unique dials that can display time as a running line, in retro electronic style, or even as a running line. 3D-facility.
Installing these widgets requires permission to display over other windows and access location (to automatically detect sunrise/sunset in watch designs). It is important to download applications only from trusted developers to avoid advertising and malicious code.
It is worth considering that complex animated widgets consume more battery power, especially if you use the Always On Display function. AMOLED-It looks impressive on screens, but it can reduce battery life on the screen. 5-10% day-to-day.
π‘
Third-party widgets offer maximum design freedom, but standard MIUI/HyperOS widgets are better optimized for energy savings and stable system performance.