Changing the time display format on the smartphone screen is one of the most basic, but often questionable operations in the settings Android. Users are accustomed to a certain standard: some prefer the classic 24-hour format, adopted in most CIS countries and Europe, while others, following the American tradition, choose a 12-hour cycle marked AM and PM. Unfortunately, in the latest versions of the operating system, Google has removed the direct switch from the main menu, which causes confusion among owners of new devices.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that the settings interface is highly dependent on the manufacturer of your gadget. Shells from Samsung, Xiaomi or “clean” Android on Pixel offer completely different ways to solve this problem. Sometimes the desired parameter is hidden deep in the system menus, and in some cases it is strictly tied to the selected region or interface language. In this article we will look at all possible ways to change the format, from standard settings to hidden engineering menus.
Why the time format switch disappeared
In older versions Android, for example in 8.0 or 9.0, there was a direct toggle switch in the “Date and Time” section. However, with the release of Android 10 and subsequent versions, including Android 13 and Android 14, Google's policy has changed. The developers decided that the time format should be automatically determined based on the selected region and language to avoid confusion among tourists and new users.
This decision is logical from the point of view of globalization, but creates inconvenience for those who live in a country with one standard, but are accustomed to another. For example, a German resident may prefer the American 12-hour clock, but the system will force him to use a 24-hour clock because that is the regional standard. Therefore, now finding a setting requires diving deeper into the menu or changing the language settings.
It is important to understand that the absence of a visible switch does not mean the change cannot be made. The system simply shifted the responsibility for choosing the format to the “Language + Region” link. If you notice that after updating the software, the time has become unusually displayed, most likely your regional settings have been reset or your location profile has been updated.
⚠️ Attention: In some custom firmware (for example, MIUI or OneUI), the manufacturer may block the format change for certain language settings. If the switch is inactive, try first changing the system language to English, changing the format, and then returning the Russian language.
Standard method through date and time settings
Despite the complication of the process, in most shells the path to settings still lies through the system menu, although it has become a little longer. First of all, you need to open the main settings of the device and find the section responsible for system parameters. Usually it is called “System”, “General settings” or “Advanced”.
After entering the desired section, look for the item Date and time. In some versions Android this item may be located inside the “Date and Time Management” submenu. Here you'll see the current time, time zone, and possibly a toggle to "Use 24-hour format." If this toggle switch is present and active, the task is solved with one touch.
However, if you only see automatic time synchronization, but do not see a format selection, try disabling the “Auto-adjust time” or “Use network time” function. Sometimes the system blocks manual format changes while synchronization with a telecom operator is enabled. Disabling this option may unlock hidden settings.
☑️ Checking standard settings
Changing the format through language and input settings
If there is no coveted switch in the “Date and Time” menu, the most effective method is to change the language settings. In modern versions Android the time format is strictly tied to the locale. This means that by selecting a specific language or region, you automatically apply the corresponding time standard.
To do this, go to the section System → Language and input. Here, find the “Language” or “Language and Region” item. In the list of available languages, you can often see not only the name of the language, but also the country in brackets, for example, “English (United States)” or “English (United Kingdom)”. Selecting English (US) almost guaranteed to switch the system to a 12-hour format with AM/PM indicators.
To return the Russian interface, but keep a different time format, a trick may be required. In some smartphones Xiaomi or Samsung you can add a second language to the priority list. Try adding English (US) as a second system language. Sometimes this forces widgets and the status bar to adjust to the American standard, even if the main interface language remains Russian.
⚠️ Attention: Completely changing the system language to English may lead to some specific applications or services (for example, banking or government) starting to work incorrectly or requiring re-authorization. Be careful when changing your primary language.
It's also worth checking your keyboard settings. Sometimes the format for entering time in applications depends on the layout Gboard or other keyboard used. Go to your keyboard settings, find the "Preferences" or "Input Settings" section and check if there is a "24-hour format" option there. This affects how the time is suggested when typing, but does not change the clock in the status bar.
Setting features in the Samsung and Xiaomi shells
Large smartphone manufacturers often modify the standard one Android, adding their own functions and changing the menu layout. Owners of devices Samsung with a shell One UI may encounter the fact that the time setting is placed in a separate subsection. The path usually looks like this: Settings → General settings → Date and time.
In new versions One UI Samsung has also linked the format to the region. If the switch is missing, go to Settings → General settings → Language and input → Language. Click on the gear icon or menu next to the selected language (if available) or simply add a language English (US). After that, return to the date settings and check if the desired toggle switch appears.
Users Xiaomi with shell MIUI or HyperOS have a little more freedom. Some firmware versions have a separate “Time Format” item right in the date menu. If it's not there, try accessing the advanced settings through the Security or Themes app, although this is rare. Most often, changing the region in the settings helps: Settings → Advanced settings → Region. Changing the region to the USA often activates the 12-hour format.
Hidden setting in Samsung Good Lock
If you have a Samsung smartphone, you can use the LockStar module from the Good Lock application. It allows you to customize your lock screen, including size, font, and sometimes clock format, regardless of system settings. This is the best way to change the type of time without changing the system language.
Using third-party applications
When system methods are exhausted, and the usual time format does not return, applications from the store come to the rescue. Google Play. There are many utilities that replace the standard clock on the lock screen or in desktop widgets. These applications do not change the system time, but visually change its display for the user.
Popular applications such as Digital Clock Widget, Chronus or HD Clock Widgetoffer flexible format settings. You can select the 12-hour format, remove leading zeros, change the color and font. Some of them allow you to display the clock directly in the status bar (status bar), overriding the system clock, although this may require additional permissions.
For advanced users, there are launchers - apps that completely replace the desktop. Launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher have their own clock widgets with independent format settings. By installing such a launcher, you get full control over how the time is displayed on the main screen, ignoring system restrictions.
| Application name | Widget type | 12/24 hour capability | Requires Root |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronus | Desktop widget | Yes, flexible settings | No |
| Digital Clock Widget | Desktop widget | Yes | No |
| Good Lock (Samsung) | Lock screen | Yes (LockStar module) | No |
| SystemUI Tuner | Status bar | Depends on the Android version | Often required |
⚠️ Attention: Applications that try to replace the clock in the status bar (top bar) often require special permissions via ADB or root access. On Android 10 and higher, access to the system status bar is severely limited for security reasons.
Advanced method: change via ADB
For users who are not afraid of the command line and want to change system settings without installing unnecessary applications, there is a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to make changes to the system settings file, which is responsible for the time format, bypassing the graphical interface.
First, you need to enable “USB Debugging” in the “For Developers” menu on your smartphone and connect it to your computer. Make sure drivers and ADB utility are installed on your PC. After connecting, enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device is displayed in the list, you can proceed to modify the settings.
The command to force the 24-hour format is as follows:
adb shell settings put secure time_12_24 24And to switch to the 12-hour format, use:
adb shell settings put secure time_12_24 12After entering the command, the changes should take effect instantly. If this does not happen, try rebooting your device. This method works on most devices with “pure” Android, but on custom firmware the name of the parameter in the settings database may differ.
Before using ADB commands, be sure to back up your important data. Although changing the time format is safe, working with system settings through the console always carries a minimal risk of an input error.
Common problems and ways to solve them
Quite often, users are faced with a situation where the selected time format is reset after rebooting the smartphone. This may be caused by optimization applications that “clean up” system settings, or a conflict with Google account synchronization. Check to see if you have an application that forces the region to synchronize every time you launch it.
Another common problem is time format inconsistencies in different parts of the interface. For example, the time is displayed as 14:00 in the status bar, and as 2:00 PM in the desktop widget. This happens because widgets use their own system-independent settings. In this case, you need to go to the settings of a specific widget (usually with a long tap on it) and adjust the format.
If the time is displayed incorrectly after changing the time zone, check the “Auto-adjust time zone” setting. Sometimes, when moving between regions, the system incorrectly detects the locale and resets the time format to the default for the new geolocation. Turning off geolocation for system services can help capture your preferences.
Why did the 12/24 hour option disappear after an Android update?
Starting with Android 10, Google removed the direct toggle from the menu, making the time format dependent on the selected language and region. This was done to unify the interface. Now, to change the format, you often have to change the device region to the USA (for 12 hours) or use third-party applications.
Is it possible to change the time format only for the status bar?
This cannot be done using standard Android tools, since the system uses a single format for the entire interface. However, using applications like “SystemUI Tuner” or Magisk modules (if you have root access), you can forcefully change the display of the clock in the status bar without affecting the rest of the system.
Does changing the language to Russian affect the return of the 24-hour format?
Yes, in most cases, choosing the Russian language automatically activates 24-hour format, as this is the standard for the Russian Federation and CIS countries. If you want to use the Russian language, but the 12-hour format, you will have to use third-party widgets or launchers, since these parameters are systemically linked.
Is it safe to use ADB commands to change the time?
Yes, changing the parameter time_12_24 via ADB is a safe operation. It only changes one entry in the settings database and does not affect system files or firmware. In the worst case, if the command is entered incorrectly, it simply will not work without harming the device.
Why is the time still displayed incorrectly in some applications?
Individual applications may have their own internal time format settings that take precedence over system ones. Check the settings inside the application itself (for example, in instant messengers or calendars) to see if there is a “Time format” or “Locale” item there.