Users around the world have faced unexplained problems with their devices, with complaints on forums and social media about sudden reboots, loss of cellular signal and incorrect display of system time becoming more frequent, and many owners of Xiaomi and Redmi are panicking about what happened to their gadgets and whether this was the result of a hacker attack.
The problem is complex, affecting both the software and network settings of operators, most often when Google’s background services or Android system components are automatically updated, and it is important to understand that in most cases the device is not physically damaged, but requires the correct setup or reset of network settings.
In this article, we will discuss the main symptoms of failures that have been observed recently, you will learn why the date for 1970 is lost, how to return a missing IMEI and what to do if Google Play stops working.
The 1970 Date Problem and the Time Reset
One of the most common symptoms reported by users is a sudden reset of the system date to January 1, 1970.This epochal time in Unix systems often indicates a critical time synchronization error or damage to the system files responsible for timers. When the date is reset, many applications, including browsers and instant messengers, stop working due to SSL security certificate errors.
The reason for this behavior is often to drain the motherboard’s internal battery or to have a software conflict when updating the firmware. If your phone shows 1970 immediately after turning on, try forcefully synchronizing time over the network. To do this, go to Settings → Additional settings → Date and time and activate the “Use Network Time” switch.
⚠️ Warning: If after manually setting the correct date and time, the problem returns after each reboot, it is possible that the file persist or section is damaged. NVRAM, where calibration data are stored.
In some cases, cleaning the cache of the system application "Settings" helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find "Settings", click "Clean" and select "Clear all data". This action will reset system preferences, but will not delete your personal files or contacts.
Why 1970?
Network loss and loss of IMEI code
A bigger concern for POCO and Redmi smartphone owners is the total disappearance of the cellular signal. The status bar may display a crossed-out SIM card icon or the words "No service", even if the SIM card is working. In the worst case, the About phone settings instead of the unique IMEI number display zeros or dash marks, indicating the loss of connection of the modem to the system.
This often happens after a failed HyperOS or MIUI update, when new modem drivers conflict with the current version of the carrier's base station, and the carriers may change frequency bands, causing the phone to "not see" the available towers. For diagnostics, try to remove the SIM card, wipe the contacts and paste back, making sure that the tray sits tight.
☑️ Network diagnostics
If standard methods don't work, check if the flight mode is activated and if the traffic savings in the background are turned on. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred network type. Try to select "Only" option. LTE" or "Only." 3G", to force the communication module to reconnect to the tower.
Errors of Google Play and Google Services
Global smartphone owners often find that the Google Play app store stops downloading or updating programs, and the error can be expressed in the endless download process or the message that “the device is not compatible” This is due to the update of Google Play Services components that stop interacting correctly with the cached data of older versions.
To solve the problem, you need to clear your Google service data. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Google Play Services. Click “Clean” and select “Clean all data.” Fear not, this won’t delete your accounts, but will reset your sync and license settings, which often eliminates the error.
It is also worth checking the correct setting of the date and time, as Google security certificates are sensitive to desynchronization. If the time on the phone differs from the real one even by a few minutes, the connection to Google servers will be blocked for security reasons. Make sure that the settings are automatically synchronized through NTP-server.
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If Google Play doesn’t work, try to remove updates to the Play Store app itself through the app settings menu, and then run it again – the system will download the current version itself.
Conflicts after upgrading to HyperOS
The switch from MIUI to the new HyperOS has raised a lot of questions: the new system requires more resources and has a changed file structure, which can cause conflicts with user data left over from the old firmware. Once upgraded, the phone can run slower, warm up or discharge quickly in the early days of use.
The system takes time to optimize databases and re-index files. Within 2-3 days after a major update, it is recommended not to load the device with heavy games and give it background processes. If problems persist for longer than a week, you may need a complete reset to factory settings with all data cleaned.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Phone's warming up. | Indexing files | Waiting 2-3 days |
| Quick discharge. | Background processes | Checking battery statistics |
| Lags of the interface | Lack of RAM | Memory Cleansing/RAM Extension |
| Entry errors | Mi Account crash | Re-entering the account |
It’s important to note that some older device models may not get full optimization for the new shell.If you notice a critical performance drop on your older device after the upgrade, consider rolling back to a stable version of MIUI via your computer.
Problems with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules
Unstable wireless interfaces are another frequent guest on the complaint list: The phone can permanently lose connection to the Wi-Fi router or spontaneously turn off the Bluetooth headset, often due to power saving settings that aggressively “kill” the background processes of communication modules to save battery power.
To fix this, look for Battery or Energy Savings in the settings. Make sure that system services and frequently used applications have a No Limits limitation. Also try resetting the network settings, which will return Wi-Fi and Bluetooth configurations to factory values without deleting personal data.
⚠️ Note: Resetting your network settings will remove all saved Wi-Fi passwords and associated Bluetooth devices.
If the Wi-Fi problem is only seen at 5GHz, try switching the router to mixed mode or using the 2.4GHz band, which has greater penetration. In some cases, static DNS settings in Wi-Fi connection settings (for example, Google 8.8.8.8) help.
How to perform a full reset (Hard Reset)
If none of the software methods helped fix the failures, the radical but effective method remains – a complete reset.Be sure to back up all the important data to the cloud service or computer before starting the procedure, as all information from the internal storage will be irretrievably deleted.
You can reset the recovery menu. Turn off the phone completely. Then press the power and volume buttons at the same time. When the logo appears, release the power button, but keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears. Select the language (English), then press "Wipe Data" and confirm the action.
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A full reset eliminates 95% of the software errors associated with file conflicts after updates, but takes time to reconfigure the device.
Once you've finished, select Reboot to restart the system. It can take up to 10 minutes to start up the first one, which is fine, you're setting up the system. Don't interrupt the process and wait for the welcome screen to appear.