Brand smartphones Redmi work on an operating system Android with a proprietary shell MIUI or a new one HyperOS, where time setting is a basic function critical for the correct operation of applications and network connections. Correct display of the clock on the main screen is not just an aesthetic detail, but a necessity for synchronizing notifications, alarms and messengers. Many users are faced with a situation where the time gets lost after traveling or requires manual adjustment due to the cancellation of daylight saving time in some regions.
In this article, we will look in detail at how to change the time and date settings so that they are accurately displayed on your device. You'll learn how to switch between automatic online synchronization and manual mode, and understand why a desktop widget might show incorrect data. We will look at the hidden nuances of setting time zones and eliminating common errors that prevent the gadget from showing the correct time.
Basic ways to set the time and date in MIUI
To start working with time settings, you need to go to the corresponding system menu. The fastest way is to use the application Settingswhich is usually located on the home screen or in the notification shade. Inside the settings section, you will need to find an item responsible for additional system parameters, since in modern versions of shells Xiaomi this option is often hidden in a submenu.
Navigate along the path Settings → Additional settings → Date and time. This is where all the timing control levers for your device are concentrated. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version Android and the specific model Redmi, but the logic of the arrangement of elements remains unchanged. If you cannot find this section right away, use the search bar at the top of the settings menu by entering the query “time”.
In the menu that opens, you will see the “Use network time” switch. This feature is key for most users, as it allows the phone to independently obtain accurate data from the cellular operator or Internet connection. Automatic synchronization ensures that your watch will be perfectly accurate, even taking into account leap seconds and changes in time laws.
If you often travel between timepieces zones, leave the “Use network time” function turned on - the phone itself will reset the clock when connecting to a new cell tower.
However, there are situations when the automatic mode does not work correctly. For example, when you are in an area of poor signal reception or when using two SIM cards from different operators in roaming. In such cases, the system may incorrectly determine the time zone, causing the time to shift several hours forward or backward. Then the only correct solution is to disable automation and switch to manual control.
Manually setting the time and selecting a time zone
When automatic synchronization does not give the desired result, you need to switch the "Use network time" slider to the inactive position. Immediately after this, fields for manual entry will become available. You can independently indicate the current date by clicking on the corresponding line and selecting the day, month and year on the calendar that appears.
Particular attention should be paid to choosing the time zone. Users often forget that time depends not only on the arrows, but also on the geographic location. If you are in Moscow, and the phone thinks that you are in London, the difference will be three hours. In the settings menu, find the "Time Zone" item and make sure that the correct city or region is selected from the list.
- 🌍 Select your city from the list so that the system automatically sets the desired offset relative to UTC.
- ⏱️ Set the exact time using the scroll wheel or the numeric keypad that appears on the screen.
- 📅 Check the date format: in Russia the standard is DD.MM.YYYY, but it can be changed to an American or European format.
After making all changes, do not forget to click the "OK" or "Save" button if it is provided by the interface of your firmware version. Changes usually take effect instantly, and you'll immediately see the updated numbers in your status bar and widgets. If the time continues to “run away” or reset after a reboot, the problem may lie deeper, in system failures or a low BIOS battery (although this is rare in smartphones).
☑️ Checking the manual settings
Setting the time display on the main screen
It is important to distinguish between the system time, which works in the background, and its visual display on the desktop. On smartphones Redmi the clock widget, which is located on the main screen by default, is most often responsible for displaying the time. If you changed the time in the settings, but it remains old on the screen, the widget may be frozen or requires updating.
To check the widget's operation, try removing it from the screen and adding it again. To do this, long press on an empty space on the desktop, select Widgets and find the application in the list Clock. Drag the design you like onto the screen. There are several display styles: digital clock, analog (with arrows), as well as compact options in the status bar.
Sometimes users want to change not the time itself, but its display format. In the shell MIUI you can switch between 12-hour and 24-hour format. This setting is located in the same menu Date and time. Activating the "24-hour format" item will change the display from "14:00" to "2:00 PM" or vice versa, which is convenient for those who are accustomed to a certain number system.
Why does the widget show a different time?
Sometimes the widget takes data from the cache and does not updated instantly. Try clearing the cache of the Clock application in the application settings or simply reboot your smartphone to synchronize the interface with the system kernel.
⚠️ Attention: If, after changing the theme, the clock on the main screen disappeared or became unreadable, return the standard theme in the Themes application. Third-party themes may conflict with system time widgets.
Automatic synchronization via the Internet and network
The automatic time setting function is based on the NTP (Network Time Protocol). When you activate this option, your Redmi sends a request to the time server specified by your telecom operator or Internet provider. This is the most reliable way to maintain accuracy, since the servers are synchronized with atomic clocks.
A stable network connection is required for this function to work correctly. If you are on an airplane or in an area without coverage, the phone will not be able to get the latest data and will use the last known value or internal quartz time, which may be inaccurate. As soon as the connection is restored, the system will automatically correct the deviation.
It is worth noting that when automatic synchronization is enabled, manually changing the time becomes impossible - the input fields will be blocked (grayed out). This is done intentionally to avoid conflicts between user actions and network data. If you need to set a specific time (for example, for an application test), first disable "Use network time".
| Option | Automatic mode | Manual mode |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | High (up to milliseconds) | Depends on the user |
| Change zones | Automatic | Requires manual input |
| Network dependence | Internet/SIM required | Not required |
| Customizable | Locked | Full access |
Automatic synchronization is the best choice for everyday use, as it excludes human factor and errors when changing seasons.
Solving problems with resetting the time on Redmi
Sometimes users encounter an unpleasant situation when the time on the phone is reset to factory values (for example, to 2015) after each reboot or shutdown of the device. This may indicate more serious problems than just a configuration glitch. Most often, the reason lies in a software failure or damage to the system files responsible for storing the configuration.
The first step in diagnosis is checking for system updates. Go to Settings → About phone → MIUI version and click "Check for updates". Developers Xiaomi regularly release patches that correct errors in the operation of the system clock and communication modules. Installing fresh firmware often solves the problem without the need for complex manipulations.
If the update does not help, try resetting your network settings. This action will not delete your personal files, photos or contacts, but will return your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile network settings to their original state. Path to this function: Settings → Connectivity and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. After the reset, reconfigure the time synchronization.
- 🔄 Completely restart your smartphone by holding the power button and selecting "Restart".
- 📶 Check if it is active whether the SIM card is installed and whether the phone can see the operator's network.
- 🗑️ Clear the Clock application data through the app management menu.
⚠️ Attention: In rare cases, a constant reset of the time may indicate a hardware malfunction of the motherboard or the battery responsible for volatile memory. If software methods do not help, contact the service center.
Frequently asked questions and additional settings
In addition to the basic time setting, the date and time menu contains several useful functions that not all owners know about. Redmi. For example, the ability to turn on the stopwatch directly in the status bar or configure the date format for different regions. These little things allow you to personalize the device to suit your own habits.
It is also worth mentioning the “Automatic time zone change” function. In some versions of the software, it is placed in a separate switch next to the main time. If you travel by car or train across regional borders, enabling this option will save you from having to constantly go through the settings. The phone itself will understand that you have moved to another zone and will move the arrows.
Why does the time go 1 hour forward or backward?
This often happens due to incorrect settings for summer/winter time. Although this transition has been reversed in many countries, the old time zone profile may remain active in your phone settings. Go to the time settings and manually select a city without taking into account seasonal changes, or turn on automatic detection so that the phone downloads the current rules for your region.
Is it possible to set the time from another country?
Yes, you can manually set any time and date by disabling synchronization with the network. This may be needed to test applications that run on a schedule, or to bypass time limits in games. However, remember that site security certificates and instant messengers may not work correctly.
How to add a second clock for another city?
In the standard "Clock" application on Redmi there is a "World Time" tab. You can add several cities there, and their times will be displayed in the application. Only one current time is usually displayed on the main screen as a widget, but there are third-party widgets from the store GetApps or Play Marketthat support displaying two time zones simultaneously.
Does changing the time affect the operation of the alarm clock?
When manually When the time changes, alarms may not work correctly if you move the arrows back or forward significantly. The system tries to adapt scheduled events, but in case of sudden changes (for example, when flying across the ocean), it is better to double-check the set alarms manually so as not to oversleep an important event.
⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interface may differ on different Redmi models (Note, K, C series) and firmware versions (MIUI 12, 13, 14, HyperOS). If you do not find the described item, use the settings search or check the official manual for your specific model.