Duplicating time on the screen of an Android smartphone, when the clock is displayed simultaneously in the status bar and on a large desktop widget, is most often caused by interface settings, themes, or the Always-On Screen feature, rather than a system failure. To remove extra numbers and return a clean look to the display on Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor or pure Android devices, you need to check the active weather widgets, disable duplicate elements in custom launchers or adjust the Always On Display parameters in the settings menu.
Setting up the lock screen and Always On Display
Often the “two times” problem occurs on the lock screen or when using functions Always On Display (AOD). In this case, one time can be displayed large in the center, and the second in the status bar or in the corner of the screen. This is typical for branded devices Samsung, Xiaomi and Oppo, where manufacturers add their own layers of personalization.
To eliminate duplication, go to the lock screen settings. The path usually looks like this: Settings → Lock screen → Clock or Settings → Wallpaper and style → Lock screen. Here you can select the time display style. Many users do not know that you can choose the “Minimalism” style or completely disable the display of the clock if they are duplicated with AOD.
If you enabled Always On Display, check its settings separately. Go to Settings → Display → Always-on screen. Try changing the display style or turning off the time display in this mode. Sometimes resetting AOD settings to factory settings helps remove visual artifacts and overlays.
Try temporarily disabling the AOD feature to see if it is causing the second time. If the problem goes away, adjust the display style in the AOD menu.
On some devices with Android 12 and above, the clock on the lock screen may be covered by notifications or widgets. Try changing the font size in the display settings - sometimes this shifts the interface elements and eliminates the visual overlap that is perceived as double time.
| Smartphone brand | Path to watch settings | Ability to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy | Settings → Wallpaper and style | Full (change style) |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Settings → Lock screen | Partial (style only) |
| Google Pixel | Settings → Lock screen | Limited |
| Honor / Huawei | Settings → Screen and brightness | Full |
The influence of themes and third-party launchers
Use of third-party themes from stores like Galaxy Store, GetApps or Google Play often leads to interface conflicts. Themes can forcefully add their own time widgets, which overlap with the system ones. This is especially true for users who like to frequently change the visual style of their device.
If the problem appeared after installing a new theme, try resetting the theme to the standard one. Go to the Themes or Wallpapers & Style app and select a default theme. After rebooting the device, check if the second time disappears. If yes, then the problem lies in the code of a specific theme, and the developer should report the error.
Third-party launchers also have their own settings for the notification panel. In some cases, they duplicate the clock in their "dock" or at the top of the desktop. Go to the launcher settings (usually a long tap on the desktop → Settings) and find the section responsible for the status bar or widgets. Disable time display inside the launcher.
Why do themes break the interface?
Third-party themes often modify system markup files (XML). If the theme version does not match your firmware version, elements may overlap each other, creating the effect of double time or other graphical glitches.
It is worth noting that some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) allow you to flexibly customize the status bar. If you are using such software, check out the Status Bar section in Advanced Settings. There you can hide the clock, leaving only notification icons.
⚠️ Attention: Shell interfaces (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS) are updated regularly. The location of menu items may change with each major update Android. If you do not find the specified item, use the search in the settings.
System date and time settings
It is rare, but it happens that the second time is displayed due to incorrect time zone settings. The system can show local time in the status bar and another region's time in the calendar or world clock widget. This often happens after traveling or resetting network settings.
Check your date and time settings. Go to Settings → System → Date and time. Make sure the "Use network time" switch is active. If it is turned off, the system may use outdated data, while widgets pull up the current time from the Internet, creating desynchronization.
Pay attention to the “Time Zone” section. If automatic mode is selected there, but the network displays an incorrect region, the time may jump. Try manually selecting your city. Also check if the “Double Clock” mode is enabled in the calendar or widget settings, which is intended for business travelers.
- 🌐 Automatic network time is synchronized with the telecom operator.
- 🕰️ Manually setting the time can lead to out of sync with the servers.
- 🗓️ Calendar widgets often have independent time zone settings.
☑️ Diagnosing a time problem
Specific settings for Samsung and Xiaomi
Device owners Samsung often encounter the “Double” function clock" in the alarm or calendar menu. Go to the Clock app, tap the three dots in the corner and select Settings. Find the "Dual Clock" option and disable it if it is active. This will remove the second time from system application widgets.
On smartphones Xiaomi with shell MIUI or HyperOS there is a “Second Space” function or a “Do Not Disturb” mode, which can change the time display. Also check the “Pedometer” settings on the lock screen - sometimes it displays the time of activity, which can be confused with the current time.
Device Honor and Huawei are characterized by the “Simple Screen Mode” function, which changes the font size and the location of widgets. Exiting this mode to the standard one often solves the problem of overlapping elements. Use a combination of buttons or settings in the menu System → Simple screen mode.
On Samsung devices, the “Dual Clock” function in the “Clock” application is a common reason for the appearance of a second time in widgets, even if everything is configured correctly in the system.
Resetting settings and eliminating software failures
If none of the above methods helped, there may be a software failure in the system interface (System UI). The system application cache may have become corrupted, resulting in elements not being rendered correctly. In this case, clearing the cache or resetting the settings completely will help.
Try clearing the cache of the “Settings” and “System Interface” applications. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Show system processes. Find the apps you want, select Storage, and click Clear Cache. Do not click “Clear data” if you do not want to reset all phone settings.
As a last resort, if the problem is critical and interferes with use, reset all settings to factory settings. Important: Before doing this, be sure to back up your contacts and photos. A reset will return the phone to its out-of-the-box state, guaranteed to remove any software build-ups and theme conflicts.
Settings → System → Reset settings → Delete all data⚠️ Attention: Full factory reset Reset) will remove all your personal data, applications and accounts from the device. Use this method only if other methods have not helped and you have a fresh backup.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to hide the time in the status bar without root access?
On most modern smartphones, it is impossible to hide the time in the system status bar without root access, since it is a system element. However, you can remove all other widgets from the desktop, leaving only one time at the top.
Why did two times appear after updating Android?
Updating the operating system often changes the structure of widgets and default themes. Old widgets may conflict with new system fonts or padding. Solution: Delete old widgets and add new ones from the widget menu.
Does power saving mode affect the clock display?
Yes, in hard power saving mode, some phones simplify the lock screen, leaving only a large clock, while the status bar can remain active or disappear, creating a visual imbalance.
How to remove time from Always On Display on Samsung?
Go to Settings → Display → Always-on screen. There you can choose a “Tap to Show” style or disable the feature completely. You can also choose an option without digital time display in clock styles.
Why is the time on the lock screen different from the time in the system?
This indicates desynchronization. Check if the Auto Date and Time option is enabled. If it is enabled, but the time is incorrect, try changing the network (Wi-Fi to mobile data) for correct synchronization with the time server.