Owners of Xiaomi smartphones are often faced with the need to fine-tune the time, since the correct operation of notifications, banking applications, and data synchronization depends on this parameter. In the shell MIUI or new HyperOS the process may differ from the standard Androidwhich raises questions among users. It is especially important to set the time zone correctly if you are traveling or using virtual SIM cards another region.
Incorrect settings can lead to incorrect data being displayed on the desktop, and some services will refuse to start. In this article we will look in detail at all the ways to set the time, from automatic synchronization to manual widget configuration. You will learn how to manage these parameters as efficiently as possible.
Basic system time settings in MIUI
First, you need to make sure that the system time is set correctly, since widgets on the desktop simply broadcast data from the system. Go to menu Settings → Additional settings → Date and time. Here are the main switches that control the timing of your device.
By default, automatic detection mode is activated. This means that the smartphone itself requests the exact time from the mobile operator or via the Internet. If you are roaming or using Wi-Fi only, this option may not work correctly. In such cases, you have to switch to manual mode.
Manual setting requires care. You must select the year, month, day, hours and minutes yourself. An error of even one hour can disrupt the operation of SSL certificates, causing browser pages or applications to stop opening.
There are several important parameters that are worth checking:
- 🕒 Use network time —the main switch for automatic synchronization through the operator.
- 🌐 Time Zone —a critical setting for travelers that allows you to leave the time in your home region.
- 📅 Date format —allows you to select the order in which items are displayed (day-month-year or month-day-year).
- ⏰ 24-hour format —switch between AM/PM and 00:00–23:59.
⚠️ Attention: When you disable automatic time in some versions of MIUI, the alarm time may be reset. Check your alarm settings after changing the system time.
After making changes, the system may require a reboot for all settings to apply. This is normal behavior that ensures the stability of background services.
Setting the time zone and synchronization
Setting the time zone deserves special attention, especially for those who often change locations. There is an option in the date and time menu Time Zonethat can work in two modes: automatic and manual.
Automatic mode determines your location by cell towers or Wi-Fi IP address. However, if you use a VPN, the system may incorrectly determine the country and shift the time. In this case, you must force select your region from the list.
The list of cities and regions is extensive. Find your region's capital or major city in the same time zone. For example, for Moscow you need to choose Moscow, and for Kyiv - Kyiv. Do not rely only on the name of the country, as large countries may have several time zones.
For businessmen, the function of displaying the time of a second time zone is useful. It allows you to see what time it is in the office while you are on a business trip. This option is activated in the standard Clock application.
Adding a clock widget to the desktop
After setting the system time, the next step is to display this information on the home screen. Widgets in the shell MIUI are distinguished by a high degree of customization. To add them, swipe right to the farthest screen or pinch the screen with two fingers.
In the menu that opens, select the item Widgets. There is a huge selection of watches here: from simple digital to complex analog movements with a second hand. Some widgets show only the time, others also show the date, weather or battery charge.
The installation process is simple:
- Find the "Clock" or "Time" category.
- Select the design you like and click on it.
- Drag the widget to an empty space on the desktop.
- Release your finger to lock the element.
Some widgets require additional permission to access geolocation to display the weather. If you don't want to share your location, choose widgets without weather modules. It is also worth considering that complex animated widgets may consume more battery power.
☑️ Installing a widget
Customizing appearance and fonts
The standard look of the clock may not fit into the design of your desktop. The Xiaomi shell allows you to change not only widgets, but also system fonts, which affects the display of time in the status bar and on the lock screen.
To change the style, go to the application Themes. Find the profile icon in the lower right corner, then go to the Fontssection. Here you can download and apply new fonts that will change the appearance of numbers throughout the system.
The lock screen also has its own time settings. Go to Settings → Always-on screen and Lock screen. Here you can select the watch style, its position (top, center, bottom) and color. Dozens of design options are available, from minimalism to complex graphics.
| Widget type | Description | Impact on battery |
|---|---|---|
| Digital (Basic) | Simple display of numbers | Low |
| Analog | Classic dial with arrows | Average |
| Double | Two time zones at the same time | Average |
| Multimedia | Time, weather, calendar, music | High |
⚠️ Attention: Installing fonts from third-party sources (not through the Theme Store) may lead to incorrect display of characters or even require resetting the phone settings.
Problems with time display and their solutions
Xiaomi users sometimes encounter a situation where the time “runs away” or is displayed incorrectly even after setting. Most often this is due to desynchronization of the system time server NTP.
If the automatic setup does not work, try changing the time server. To do this, in the date and time menu (if the option is available) or through the engineering menu, you can enter the address of a reliable server, for example time.google.com. However, in the standard MIUI interface this option is often hidden.
An alternative solution is to reset the network settings. Go to Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. This action will not delete your personal data, but it will update network configurations, which often helps restore synchronization.
Another reason is energy saving. Xiaomi's aggressive algorithms can put the time synchronization process to sleep if the phone is not used for a long time. Add the Settings or Google Play Services application to the battery exclusion list.
Hidden time settings via ADB
For advanced users, the adb shell settings put global auto_time 0 command is available, which forcibly disables auto-time, even if the slider in the menu does not work. However, use this with caution.
Lock screen and Always On Display
On modern Xiaomi smartphones, the time is displayed not only on the desktop, but also on the screen that is turned off. The Always On Display (AOD) function allows you to see the time, date and notifications without unlocking the phone.
You can set up AOD via Settings → Always-on screen and Lock screen. Here you select the display format: scheduled, always on, or on for 10 seconds after touching. For models with AMOLED screens, this is the best option.
It is important to distinguish between the lock screen and AOD. The lock screen is activated when you wake up your phone, but before you enter your password. AOD runs on a completely black background. The clock style on these two screens can be adjusted independently of each other.
To save battery, it is recommended to use the “Schedule” mode. Set the turn-on time, for example from 8:00 to 23:00, so that the screen does not light up at night. This will save the matrix resource and battery charge.
Use dark wallpapers and widgets on Xiaomi AMOLED screens - black pixels do not consume energy, which significantly extends battery life.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Why the time gets lost after a reboot phone?
Most likely, the internal battery responsible for storing time when turned off has run out, or the communication module has malfunctioned. Try to force the time to reset and enable automatic synchronization.
How can I make the time show seconds?
Seconds are not displayed in the standard status bar. To do this, you need to install a digital clock widget with seconds on your desktop or use a custom theme that supports this format on the lock screen.
Is it possible to display the time of another city permanently?
Yes, for this use the “Double Clock” or “World Clock” widget. In the widget settings, select the second city whose time you want to see on the main screen.
Why is the time widget not updated?
Check that you have an active Internet connection. If the widget shows the weather, make sure that the Weather or Security application has permission to access geolocation and work in the background.
Correct time settings are not just numbers on the screen, but the key to the correct operation of the entire smartphone, from instant messengers to banking applications.