How to put a second clock on the Android screen

Many users of modern smartphones need the ability to track time in several time zones at once. This is especially true for those who work with remote teams, have relatives abroad, or simply follow the financial markets. The stock Android interface often only offers one clock, but the system makes it easy to add a second watch face. In this article we will look in detail at how to implement this function without installing unnecessary apps.

There are several ways to display additional time: from built-in widgets to third-party launchers. The method you choose depends on your operating system version and device model. We will look at universal methods that are suitable for most gadgets based on Android 10 and higher. You can customize the display so that it is convenient and aesthetically pleasing.

Before you start customizing, you should decide on the purpose. Do you just need to see the time of another city or do you need a complex alarm clock that takes into account the difference in zones? The choice of tool will depend on this. Next, we will describe step-by-step the installation and configuration process time widgets on the desktop of your device.

Using standard system widgets

The easiest and most reliable way is to use the built-in tools of the operating system. Almost all smartphone manufacturers, be it Samsung, Xiaomi or Pixelinclude a set of useful widgets in their firmware. Among them there is almost always the “Clock” element with advanced settings. This method does not require downloading additional software and does not load the device’s RAM.

First you need to go into desktop editing mode. Typically, this requires a long press with your finger on an empty area of ​​the screen or a pinch with two fingers. In the menu that opens, select Widgets. In the list, find the "Clock" category. There may be several options: analog, digital, with or without a date. Select one that supports displaying multiple cities.

After selecting the type of widget, drag it to an empty space on your desktop. In some shells, for example One UI or MIUIan additional size selection menu may appear when dragging. Enlarge the widget if necessary to accommodate a second watch face. Once placed on the screen, click on the widget itself to enter the settings. Here you can add a second city from the list of suggested ones.

⚠️ Attention: On some stock versions of Android, the default clock widget shows only local time. If you don't see the option to add a second city, try choosing a different widget style from the list or use the Clock app to create a shortcut.

Customization via the app Clock

If the widgets on the desktop do not suit you or look too cumbersome, you can use the functionality of the application itself Clock. This system application is available on any Android smartphone and it has powerful tools for working with time. You can create a shortcut for a specific city directly on the main screen, which will work as a separate clock.

Open the application Clock and go to the "Clock" or "World Clock" tab. Click on the plus sign + to add a new city. Enter the name of the desired location, for example, "London" or "New York". After adding, the city will appear in the list. Now find this city in the list and hold it with your finger for a few seconds. A context menu will appear where you need to select the option Add to home screen or Create shortcut.

This method is good because you can add as many cities as you like, creating a separate shortcut for each. They will look like mini widgets with the current time in the selected region. This allows you to flexibly layout your desktop, placing the clock in any convenient place between application icons. In addition, such shortcuts are usually updated in real time without delay.

• 🕒 Open the "Clock" application on your smartphone.
• 🌍 Go to the "World Clock" section and add the desired city.
• 📌 Long-press the city name and select "Add to Home" screen".
• 🎨 Place the shortcut that appears in a convenient place on your desktop.

Third-party applications for customization

When standard tools are not enough, applications from the store come to the rescue Google Play. Developers offer hundreds of solutions for those who want to see time in different parts of the planet at the same time. Such apps often have broader functionality, including displaying moon phases, weather and an accurate stopwatch for each time zone.

One ​​of the most popular solutions is the application World Clock Widget. It allows you to create one widget, inside which several lines with the time of different cities will be displayed at once. This saves screen space compared to placing many individual shortcuts. After installing the application, you must grant it permissions to access geolocation and run in the background so that the time is updated correctly.

Another powerful tool is Chronus. This is not just a watch, but a whole information center. The free version allows you to display up to three time zones in one widget. The application interface allows you to change fonts, colors and background transparency, adjusting the appearance to your smartphone's wallpaper. For advanced users, synchronization with the calendar and weather services is available.

Why may the widget not update?

If you notice that the time on the widget of a third-party application is “frozen,” check the energy saving settings. The system can limit the background operation of the application to save battery. Add the application to the list of exceptions or allowed apps in the battery settings.

Using Always On Display

Owners of smartphones with screens like AMOLED or Super AMOLED have a unique opportunity to use the Always On Display (AOD) function. This technology allows you to display important information, including the clock, on the screen when the screen is off without consuming significant power. On some models, you can configure the display of a second time zone directly on the screen saver.

To activate this function, go to Settings → Display → Always On Display. From the styles menu, select an option that supports dual time. Usually these are special dials with city signatures. If standard styles aren't an option, many manufacturers, such as Samsungallow you to download additional watch face packs through the theme store.

Customizing AOD requires attention to detail. You can schedule the feature to run only at night or all the time. It is also worth considering that the constant glow of pixels, even minimally, can lead to matrix burnout over time, although modern algorithms shift the image to prevent this effect.

Screen type	AOD support	Battery consumption	Possibility of second hours
AMOLED	Full	Low (~1% per hour)	Yes, through settings
IPS LCD	Limited	High	Rarely, only widgets
Super AMOLED	Full	Very low	Yes, with customization
POLED	Full	Low	Depends on the model

⚠️ Attention: The Always On Display function is not available on all smartphone models, even with OLED screens. Some budget devices may have a software limitation on this feature. Check the specifications of your device on the official website of the manufacturer.

Widgets for lock screens

Another place where you can place a second clock is on the lock screen. This is convenient, since the information is available immediately when the device wakes up. However, the ability to customize the lock screen greatly depends on the manufacturer's shell. Standard Android provides few options for changing this screen without obtaining root access. Smartphone users can use a theme. In the Themes application, you can find hundreds of options where the time of two cities is displayed on the lock screen. After applying the theme, the second clock will be displayed automatically. This is the easiest way for owners of devices of this brand. root access.

Smartphone users Xiaomi And Redmi can use the theme. In the Themes application, you can find hundreds of options where the time of two cities is displayed on the lock screen. After applying the theme, the second clock will be displayed automatically. This is the easiest way for owners of devices of this brand.

For other devices there are applications like Niagara Launcher or specialized applications for the lock screen, such as KLCK (requires complex setup). They allow you to create your own lock screen design, where you can enter any data, including world time. However, installing such launchers changes the principle of interaction with your smartphone as a whole.

• 🔓 Unlock the phone and go to the screen settings.
• 🎨 Find the "Lock screen" or "Wallpaper and style" section.
• 🌐 Try using a theme that supports dual time.
• ⚙️ If there are no standard settings, consider installing a custom launcher.

Solving problems with time synchronization

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the added clock shows the wrong time or does not switch to daylight saving time automatically. Most often, the problem lies in the date and time settings of the system itself. Make sure that in the menu Settings → System → Date and time the switch is activated Automatic time adjustment.

If automatic adjustment is enabled, the smartphone takes the exact time from the operator's network. In this case, the second clock in the widgets simply calculates the difference relative to your local time. If the local time is wrong, then all additional clocks will show incorrect data. Also check if your current time zone is determined correctly.

In rare cases, clearing the Clock app cache may help. Go to Settings → Applications → Clock → Memory and click Clear cache. Don’t be afraid to press this button, your alarms and city settings will not be deleted, only temporary technical information will be reset.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to add more than two hours to the screen?

Yes, the number of hours you can add is limited only by the size of your screen and your imagination. Using third-party application widgets or creating multiple shortcuts from the Clock application, you can display the time of at least ten cities at the same time.

Does displaying a second clock affect battery consumption?

Time widgets themselves consume a minimal amount of energy. The main impact on the battery is the type of screen (especially when using Always On Display) and the refresh rate of the widget. Standard widgets are updated once a minute and are practically invisible to the battery.

Why does the second clock not switch to daylight saving time?

This happens if the "Automatic time adjustment" or "Daylight saving time" function is disabled in the system settings. Widgets rely on system data. Enable these options in the date and time settings so that the problem is resolved automatically.

Is it possible to show a clock with seconds?

Standard Android widgets rarely display seconds, so as not to create unnecessary animation and waste resources. However, many third-party applications from Google Play, such as the "Digital Clock Widget", have the option to display running seconds.