How to put time on the screen Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways + fixing errors

Why Redmi 8 may not display time – and how to fix it

Time on the smartphone screen is a basic feature that is difficult to do without. On Xiaomi Redmi 8, the clock is displayed in three key places: the status bar (top right corner), the lock screen and the main screen through widgets. However, users often face problems: time is lost after the MIUI update, resets when you reboot or does not sync with the network at all. 80% of cases are to blame for incorrect date/time settings or conflict of system applications.

This article covers all the current ways to display time on the Redmi 8 screen in 2026, including hidden MIUI 12/14 features, working with the Watch widget and fixing typical bugs. We also look at why, after resetting, time can be displayed in a 12-hour format instead of a 24-hour one - and how to change this without root rights.

Before you get to the instructions, check two things: 1. Make sure the smartphone has the current version of MIUI installed (relevant for firmware below MIUI 12.5 - there was a bug with the disappearance of the clock after the reboot). 2. If time is lost on its own, the problem may be network settings - more about this in the section on synchronization.

Method 1: Configure the time display in the status bar

By default, the Redmi 8 watch is shown in the upper right corner of the screen next to the battery and network indicators. If it goes missing, either system settings or third-party themes from the Mi Theme Store are to blame.

1. Open the Settings → Screen → Status Line.
2. Show the clock and select the option: 🕒 Right (standard version) 🕓 Left (if you use the left-hand menu) 🚫 Disconnect (if the clock interferes)

Set the time format below: 24 hours or 12 hours (AM/PM).

If the item Show the clock is inactive (grey), then the smartphone has a custom theme that blocks this function.

Remove current topic in Topics → My Topics|

Select the standard MIUI Default theme |

Reboot the phone |

Check the status bar settings again

-->

Important! On MIUI 13+ firmware, the option to Show Watches can be hidden in Settings → Additional → Useful Functions. If you don't find it, search by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

Method 2: Adding the Watch widget to the home screen

If you need more time — or with more information (date, weather, seconds), use the standard Clock widget. Redmi 8 has 4 options:

To add a widget:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
2. In the bottom menu, select Widgets.
3. Scroll to the Watch section and select your favorite style.
4. Drag the widget onto the screen and adjust the size (if supported).

If the widget does not update automatically (e.g., time is frozen at 12:00), do:

💡

Restart your phone or force the Watch app to stop in Settings → Apps → App management. This will reset the widget cache.

Method 3: Set the time on the lock screen

On the Redmi 8 lock screen, the time is displayed in the center, so you can hide it, change the font or add seconds.

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen.
2. Choose Watch Style – 5+ options are available (depending on the MIUI version).
3. Activate the option to Show seconds if necessary.
4. Turn on or off the date under the clock.

Problem: Some Redmi 8 firmwares, after upgrading to MIUI 14, lose the option of Watch Style in lock settings.

Method 4: Synchronize time with the network (if the clock is straying)

If the Redmi 8 is periodically reset or lagged, the problem is the sync settings. By default, the smartphone takes data from the carrier, but sometimes this mechanism fails.

1. Open Settings → System → Date and time.
2. Activate the switches: 🔄 Automatic date and time 📡 Automatic time zone 🌐 Use network time (if available)

If time is still confused, turn off automatic synchronization and set the date/time manually.

For advanced users: if the failure occurs due to a conflict with Xiaomi servers, you can force the time update via ADB:

adb shell settings put global auto_time 1


adb shell settings put global auto_time_zone 1

Warning:

💡

Do not turn off time syncing if you use time-restricted applications (banking, instant messengers, games) and this can lead to account locks due to time travel.

Method 5: Fixing clock bugs after MIUI update

After upgrading to MIUI 12.5-MIUI 14, many Redmi 8 users experience a loss of the status bar clock or a “fading” clock.

• 🐛 Bug in System application UI.
• 🎨 Conflict with the established topic of design.
• 🔄 Incomplete firmware update (cache not cleared).

Decisions of the order:

1. Clean System UI cache: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots (menu) → Show system. Find System UI, open Storage and click Clear Cache.
2. Reset themes: Remove all installed themes to Topics → My themes and return the standard one.
3. Forced reboot: Press the power button + volume increase for 10 seconds until the phone restarts.

If nothing helps, reset your settings (without deleting data):

Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings → Resetting all settings

Attention!

⚠️ On the firmware below MIUI 12.0.3 resetting settings can cause data loss in applications. pre-create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Additional chips: seconds, alarm on the lock screen, voice control

In addition to basic settings, Redmi 8 supports hidden functions over time:

• ⏱️ Seconds in the Status String: Activated through Settings → Screen. → Status line → Show seconds (not available on all firmware).
• 🔔 Lock alarm: Set an alarm in the Watch app and it will show up at the bottom of the lock screen 10 minutes before it goes off.
• 🎤 Voice time input: Say “OK, Google, what time is it?” or use Yandex’s Alice.
• 🌙 Night mode for watches: In the dark hours, the lock clock automatically dims (configured in Settings) → Screen. → Night mode).

For customization enthusiasts: The Mi Theme Store has themes with animated watches (like “Neon Clock” or “Minimal OS”). Note that some themes may conflict with the time display in the status bar – check compatibility before installing.

Digital (24-hour format) |

Analog (with arrows) |

Minimalistic (time only) |

With the weather and the date |

I don't care.

-->

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

We’ve collected typical Redmi 8 time mapping issues and ways to fix them:

Important! If you're still running out of time after all the manipulations, check the battery. On worn-out batteries (capacity below 70%), the smartphone can lose its time settings when it's running deep.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions