Changing the time on a smartphone from Android 13 seems like a simple task - until you come across the nuances. The operating system offers several ways to adjust the date and clock, but not all of them are equally convenient or stable. For example, automatic synchronization via the network may fail when the signal is weak, and manual setup requires taking into account the time zone and switching to winter/summer time. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, including hidden functions for experienced users, and explain why sometimes the time is reset by itself.

The peculiarity Android 13 is that smartphone manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel etc.) often modify the standard time setting interface. This means that the path to the settings you need may differ even on devices with the same OS version. We took these differences into account and prepared universal instructions that are suitable for most models. You will also learn how to fix common errors - for example, when the time on the lock screen does not match the system time or is reset after a reboot.

1. Automatic time adjustment over the network

The easiest way is to entrust time synchronization to a telecom operator or servers Google. In most cases, this method works flawlessly, but there are some nuances:

  • 📶 A stable connection to a mobile network or Wi-Fi is required. Without the Internet, automatic setting is impossible.
  • ⏱️ The time is not updated instantly, but with a delay of up to 5-10 minutes after connecting to the network.
  • 🌍 The time zone is determined by location, which can cause problems when traveling (for example, on an airplane).

To enable automatic synchronization:

  1. Open Settings (gear icon in the application menu).
  2. Go to section System → Date and time (on some devices the path may be Advanced → Date and time).
  3. Activate the switches:
    • Auto detection date and time (or Network)
    • Auto-detection of time zone (or Network time zone)
⚠️ Attention: On devices Huawei s HarmonyOS (even if they are updated to a version similar to Android 13), the path to the time settings may differ. Look for the section Device management → Date and time.

☑️ Checking automatic synchronization

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2. Manually setting the time and date

If the automatic mode fails or you are in an area without coverage, you can set the time manually. This method is also useful for testing applications where you need to simulate a different time period.

Instructions for manual settings:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Date and time.
  2. Disable automatic detection switches (see previous section).
  3. Tap on the fields:
    • Date —select the desired day in the calendar.
    • Time —set the hours and minutes using the dial or keyboard.
    • Time zone —find your region in the list (for example, Moscow, GMT+3).
  • Save changes (on some devices the button OK appears automatically).
    • Manufacturer Features of manual setting
    Samsung (One UI) In the menu Date and time there is a separate item Use 24-hour format. When manually setting, the time zone is selected from the list of cities, not abbreviations (for example, "New York" instead of "EST").
    Xiaomi (MIUI) After disabling the automatic mode, a warning appears about possible failures in the operation of some applications (for example, Google Paythe time zone can be selected on the map.
    Google Pixel (Stock Android) Minimalistic interface without unnecessary warnings When manually setting the time, a hint appears about the risk of skipping. notifications.
    Realme/Oppo (ColorOS) There is an option Synchronize with Realme servers even in manual mode. The time zone is displayed indicating the current offset (for example, UTC+3:00).

    On devices with root access, manually setting the time may cause Google services to fail (for example, to the error "Unable to verify the authenticity of the device" in Google Play). If you use custom firmware, it is recommended to return automatic mode or install a synchronization application time (for example, ClockSync).

    📊 Which method of setting the time do you use more often?
    Automatic (over the network)
    Manual
    Depends on the situation
    I don’t know how it’s configured for me

    3. Why is the time reset or displayed incorrectly?

    If the time on your smartphone is periodically reset or displayed incorrectly, the reasons may be either software or and hardware. Let's consider the most common scenarios:

    • 🔋 Reset after battery discharge: On some devices (especially budget ones), time settings are reset when completely discharged. This is due to the lack of backup power for the real time clock (RTC).
    • 📡 Network settings conflict: If you often move between countries or use a VPN, automatic synchronization. may get lost.
    • 🛠️ Error after update: After installing major updates (for example, from Android 12 to 13), the date and time settings are sometimes reset.
    • 📱 Problems with the firmware: On custom or beta versions of Android, bugs are possible in operation of the time service.

    To diagnose the problem:

    1. Check whether the time is reset after rebooting the device. If so, the problem may be in the hardware (for example, in the RTC chip).
    2. Disable the VPN. and check whether it blocks access to synchronization servers (for example, time.google.com).
    3. Install an application to check time accuracy (for example, Network Time Protocol). If the discrepancy with the reference time exceeds 1-2 seconds, the problem is in the device settings.
    ⚠️ Attention: On some devices MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 11) after resetting the time, the mobile network may disappear. In this case, rebooting or manually selecting the operator in the SIM card settings will help.
    How to check the operation of the RTC chip?

    If the time is reset even in manual mode and after replacing the battery, this is may indicate a malfunction of the real time chip (RTC). To check:

    1. Set the time manually.

    2. Turn off the device for 10-15 minutes (do not reboot!).

    3. Turn on and check if the settings are saved.

    If the time is reset, there is a hardware problem and repair is required.

    4. Setting the time for individual applications

    Some applications (for example, Google Calendar, Zoom, or Microsoft Outlook) may use their own time settings that differ from the system ones. when events in the calendar are displayed in the wrong time zone, or notifications arrive at the wrong time.

    How to synchronize time in popular applications:

    • 📅 Google Calendar:
      1. Open the application and tap on the avatar in the upper right corner.
      2. Select Settings → General.
      3. Check the item Sentry belt —it should match the system one.
    • 💼 Microsoft Outlook:
      1. Go to Settings → Account.
      2. Select your account and check Hourly belt in the section Calendar.
  • 🎮 Games with online events (for example, Genshin Impact):
    1. In the game settings, look for the item Server time or Local time.
    2. If the game uses server time, the smartphone system settings will not affect it.

      3. For applications that ignore system time (for example, some instant messengers or financial services), you may need to:

      • Update the application to the latest version.
      • Clear the application cache in the settings (Settings → Applications → select the application → Storage → Clear cache).
      • Reinstall the application.
    💡

    If in the application Google Meet or Zoom meetings are displayed in the wrong time zone, check your browser settings (if you are using the web version) or update the application. Often the problem is solved by changing the interface language to English and back.

    5. Using ADB to force time synchronization

    For experienced users who experience constant time failures, there is a way to force time synchronization. via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method is useful if:

    • Automatic synchronization does not work despite the settings being enabled.
    • The time is reset after each device restart.
    • You are using custom firmware, where standard methods do not work. work.

      • Instructions for forced synchronization:

      1. Install ADB on your computer (you can download from the official website Android Developers).
      2. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About phone → tap 7 times on Build number, then return to Settings → System → For developers → enable USB debugging).
      3. Connect your smartphone to the computer and run terminal command: 
        adb shell su -c 'date -s YYYYMMDD.HHmmss'

        where YYYYMMDD.HHmmss is the current date and time in the format yearmonthday.hoursminutesseconds (for example, 20261015.143000 for October 15, 2026, 14:30:00).

      4. To synchronize with the server Google use: 
        adb shell su -c 'settings put global auto_time 1'
      ⚠️ Attention: ADB commands require root access. Their use may disrupt the operation of some applications (for example, banking or with DRM protection) and lead to loss of warranty. Use this method only if other methods have not helped.
      💡

      Forced synchronization via ADB is a last resort. In most cases, the problem can be solved by standard means or by resetting the network settings.

      6. two SIM cards

      If your smartphone supports two SIM cards, setting the time can become more complicated. The fact is that each SIM card can be tied to different operators that transmit different time data. As a result, the device may get confused and display incorrect data.

      How to set the time on dual-SIM devices:

      • 📱 SIM card priority for time:
        1. Go to Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks (or Connections → SIM card manager).
        2. Select the SIM card that will be used for time synchronization (usually the main card with the tariff).
      • 🌐 Manual operator selection:
        1. If the automatic time is confused, try manually selecting an operator for each SIM card (Settings → Mobile network → Network operators).
        2. Disable automatic selection and select the operator manually.
    • ⚙️ Disable synchronization for the second SIM:
      1. If the second The SIM card is rarely used, disable automatic time synchronization for it in the SIM manager settings.

    • On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy with Exynosprocessor), when using two SIM cards from different operators, a notification may appear: "Network time conflict"In this. case:

    • Reboot the device.
    • Disable automatic time, then enable it again.
    • If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer's support service - this may be a software bug.

      • 7. Time in safe mode and after resetting the settings

      If you booted your smartphone into safe mode (Safe Mode) or reset it to factory settings, the time may be lost. This is normal behavior, since in safe mode many system services are disabled, including time synchronization.

      What to do in such cases:

      • 🔄 After exiting safe mode:
        1. Reboot the device in normal mode.
        2. Enable automatic time synchronization (see section 1).
        3. If the time has not been updated, set it manually and reboot your smartphone again.
    • ⚙️ After resetting the settings:
      1. When you connect to the network for the first time, the device should automatically synchronize the time.
      2. If this does not happen, check whether mobile data or Wi-Fi is turned on.
      3. On some devices, after a reset, you need to re-authorize your account Google for the time services to work correctly.

    If the time continues to go wrong after a reset, this may indicate:

    • Damage to system files (solved by flashing the firmware).
    • Faulty battery or power controller (time is reset when turned off).
    • Conflict with installed applications (try removing recently installed apps).
    ⚠️ Attention: On devices with an unlocked bootloader (bootloader) after After resetting the settings, you may need to unlock it again for the services to work correctly Google, including time synchronization.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about setting the time on Android 13

    Why does the time on the lock screen differ from the system time?

    This can happen due to:

    • Errors in the launcher (try changing the wallpaper or theme).
    • Conflict with the clock widget (delete the widget and add it again).
    • Bug in the firmware (update your device to the latest version).

      • If the problem persists, check the time display settings in the section Lock screen (sometimes there is a separate switch for the time format).

    Is it possible to set the time forward or backward to trick applications?

    Technically yes, but:

    • Many applications (for example, games or banking services) check the time through their servers and block access if discrepancies are detected.
    • On devices with Google Play Services artificially changing the time can lead to synchronization errors (for example, in Google Drive or Gmail).
    • Some applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) can block an account if time manipulation is suspected.

      • To test applications, it is better to use emulators (for example, BlueStacks) or special tools for developers.

    How to change the time format (12-hour or 24-hour)?

    The time display format can be changed in the settings:

    1. Open Settings → System → Date and time.
    2. Find item Use 24-hour format (or Time format).
    3. Enable or disable the switch.

      4. On some devices (for example, Samsung), this option may be under Language and input → Regional settings.

    Why does the time show incorrectly after updating to Android 13?

    This is a common problem when upgrading to a new version of the OS. Possible reasons:

    • Resetting the time settings to default values (check the time zone).
    • Conflict with the saved data of the old version (try clear the application cache Settings in the section Storage).
    • Error in the new firmware (check for updates or roll back to the previous version).

      • If the problem persists, reset the network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings).

    Is it possible to synchronize time with an external server (NTP)?

    Android 13 by default uses servers Google to synchronize time (time.google.com). However, on devices with root access, you can change the NTP server:

    1. Install the application ClockSync from Google Play.
    2. Select an alternative server (for example, pool.ntp.org or time.windows.com).
    3. Configure the synchronization frequency (it is recommended not more than than once every 10 minutes).

    Without root access, you cannot change the NTP server, but you can use applications that forcefully update the time via ADB (see section 5).