Working with multiple time zones on a smartphone is a pressing task for travelers, freelancers with international clients, or those who communicate with relatives abroad. Android offers built-in tools for displaying the second time, but their functionality depends on the OS version and the manufacturer's shell. In some cases, standard capabilities are not enough, and you have to resort to third-party solutions.

Not all users know that on most modern devices you can display second time without installing additional apps. However, the interface of this function is often hidden in the depths of the menu, and in some firmware (for example, Xiaomi or Samsung) the algorithm of actions is different. Today we will analyze all the available methods - from basic settings to advanced applications with advanced options.

It is important to understand the difference between second time and automatic switching of time zones. The first allows you to simultaneously see the time in two locations (for example, Moscow and New York), while the second simply changes the main time when crossing borders. We will focus on the first option, since it is in demand for constant monitoring of several time zones.

📊 Why do you need a second time on your smartphone?
To work with foreign clients
Communication with relatives abroad
Travel and flight planning
Just wondering
Other

Method 1: Built-in Android settings (pure Android and Pixel)

Devices with pure Android (for example, Google Pixel or Motorola) offer the easiest way to add a second time. Here the function is integrated into the standard application Clock and does not require the installation of additional software.

To activate the display of the second time zone:

  1. Open the application Clock on the main screen.
  2. Go to the tab World (or World Clock in the English version).
  3. Click on the icon + in the lower right corner.
  4. Enter the name of the city in the search bar (for example, London or Tokyo).
  5. Select the desired city from the drop-down list - the time will be automatically added to the list.

Now when you open the tab World you will see the time in the selected city next to the local time. However, there is a nuance: on the main screen or in the status bar, the second time will not be displayed —only inside the application ClockFor display on the lock screen or panel. notifications will require additional manipulations (more on this below).

☑️ Preparing to set up the second time

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Settings on Samsung smartphones (One UI)

Shell One UI from Samsung offers advanced options for working with time zones, including displaying the second time directly on lock screen or notification panel. Here's how to set it up:

1. Go to Settings → General settings → Date and time.

2. switch Automatic date and time (if it is turned off, the second time function will not work).

3. Return to the main settings menu and select Lock screen → Widgets.

4. Click Clock and select a style that supports a second time zone (usually marked with an icon +1 or Dual time).

5. Click on the label Select a city under the main time and specify the desired location.

After this, the lock screen will display main time (for example, Moscow) and second time (for example, New York) in a reduced format On some models. (Galaxy S22 and newer) you can even configure color indication for the second time through the menu Style clock.

What to do if the second time widget is not displayed?

If after setting the second time does not appear on the lock screen, try:

1. Restart your smartphone.

2. Delete and re-add the clock widget.

3. Update the firmware to the latest version (in older versions of One UI the function may have worked unstable).

⚠️ Attention: On some models Samsung with version One UI 4.0 and lower, the display of the second time on the lock screen may conflict with the function Always On DisplayIf the time disappears. when activating AOD, try disabling this option or updating the firmware.

Method 3: Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (MIUI)

In the firmware MIUI the second time function is implemented differently than in pure Android or One UI. There is no separate widget, but you can add second time zone in the status bar (next to the main time). Here's how to do it:

1. Open Settings. → Advanced → Date and time.

2. Enable the option Second time (or Double hour belt in new versions).

3. In the menu that appears, select the city for the second time from the list or find it through the search.

4. Activate the switch Show in status bar.

Now in the upper right corner of the screen (next to the battery indicator) will be displayed main time i second time in format MOW 12:30 | NY 04:30. This method is convenient because it does not require opening additional applications - time is always in sight.

However, the method there are limitations:

  • 🔹 The second time is displayed only in status bar, but not on the lock screen.
  • 🔹 On some models (Redmi Note 10 and older), when the second time is activated, the temperature display disappears and other widgets in the status bar.
  • 🔹 In MIUI 13 and newer you can configure color difference for the second time through themes, but this option is hidden in the menu Theme settings → Additionally.
💡

If you need to quickly switch between time zones, add the Google Clock widget to your home screen. It supports swiping between cities and even works on Xiaomi with MIUI.

Method 4: Third-party applications for a second time

If the built-in functions of your smartphone are not satisfactory. (for example, there is no display on the lock screen or the choice of cities is limited), you can use third-party applications. They offer flexible settings, including:

  • 🌍 Multiple time zones at the same time (3 or more).
  • 🎨 Customization of appearance (fonts, colors, animations).
  • 🔔 Notifications about the difference in time. time (useful for calls to another country).
  • 📱 Widgets for the home screen and lock screen.

Top 3 applications for the second time:

Application Features Cons
World Clock Widget Minimalistic widgets, support for 12/24-hour format, automatic city detection by GPS. Advertising in the free version, limit on 2 widgets.
Time Buddy Convenient interface for comparing time in several cities, support for plus time zones (UTC+3, UTC+8, etc.). Paid premium version to unlock all functions.
ClockSync Synchronization with atomic clocks, support for non-standard time zones (for example, Antarctica). Complex interface for beginners, high battery consumption.

To install the second time widget:

  1. Download one of the applications (for example, World Clock Widget) from Google Play.
  2. Add the widget to home screen: hold your finger on an empty space → Widgets → find the application widget.
  3. Customize the appearance and select cities in the widget settings menu.
  4. If necessary, provide permissions to access the location (for automatic city detection).
⚠️ Attention: Some applications for the second time (for example, ClockSync) request permission to Changing system settings. Be careful: grant such permissions only to trusted apps with high ratings Google Play.

Method 5: Using Bixby Routines (for Samsung)

Owners smartphones Samsung can automate time zone switching using Bixby Routines. This is useful if you need the second time to be activated at a certain time of day or when connected to a specific Wi-Fi network (for example, at work).

Setting algorithm:

  1. Open Settings → Advanced → Bixby Routines.
  2. Click + to create a new rule.
  3. In the If section, select a condition (for example, Time or Connect to Wi-Fi).
  4. In the section Then add an action Change date and time settings.
  5. Select Add a second time zone and specify the city.
  6. Save the rule and activate it.

Now, when a condition is triggered (for example, connecting to a working Wi-Fi network), the lock screen will automatically display second time. This method is convenient for those who regularly move between two locations (home and office in different time zones).

💡

Bixby Routines allows you not only to add a second time, but also to automatically switch the main time zone. For example, you can set up a rule so that when connecting to Wi-Fi at an airport, the smartphone itself switches to local time.

Solving problems with the second. time

Sometimes after setting the second time does not work correctly: it is not updated, shows the wrong time zone or disappears after a reboot. Here are the problems and their solutions:

Problem 1: The second time is not synchronized.

  • 🔄 Check if the option is enabled Automatic date and time in the settings.
  • 🌐 Make sure that the smartphone is connected to the Internet (synchronization occurs via NTP servers).
  • 📱 Reinstall the application Clock (resetting the cache helps on some firmware).

Problem 2: The second time gets lost after a reboot.

  • 🔋 This is typical for some custom firmware. Try disabling Battery optimization for the application Clock.
  • 🛠️ Update the firmware to the latest version (in new ones) MIUI and One UI builds, this error has been fixed).

Problem 3: The required city is not in the list.

  • 🏙️ Try entering the city name in English (for example, Saint Petersburg instead of St. Petersburg).
  • 🌍 If the city is small, select the nearest large one (the time zone will be the same).
  • 📲 In applications like Time Buddy you can manually specify the UTC offset (for example, UTC+3 for Moscow).
⚠️ Attention: On devices with root access (root), you can manually edit the file /system/usr/share/zoneinfo/ to add non-standard time zones. However, this is risky: incorrectly changing system files can lead to loss of warranty or "brick" of the device.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the second time on Android

Is it possible to display the second time on the lock screen on pure Android?

On pure Android (for example, Pixel) there is no such function by default. However, you can use third-party application widgets (for example, World Clock Widget) or shells like Nova Launcher, which support customization of the lock screen.

Why is the second time displayed with an error of 1 hour (for example, it shows UTC+2 instead) UTC+3)?

This is due to the settings summer time in your region. Some firmware does not correctly handle the transition to summer/winter time for the second time zone Solution:

  1. Update the time zone data in the date and time settings. time.
  2. Manually enter the UTC offset instead of the city name.
  3. Use applications that ignore daylight saving time settings (for example, ClockSync).

How to remove the second time if it is no longer needed?

The method depends on the method of adding:

  • If you used built-in settings (MIUI/One UI): go to Settings → Date and time and disable the second time option.
  • If used widget: remove it from the home screen or lock screen.
  • If used application: delete it or deactivate the widget in settings.

Is it possible to set up notifications about time differences (for example, "It's 3:00 in New York - you can call")?

Yes, but only through third-party applications. For example, Time Buddy allows you to create reminders like "Notify when it's 9:00 in London." this:

  1. Add the desired city in the application.
  2. Click on it and select Create a reminder.
  3. Specify the time and text of the notification.

Why is there no second function on some smartphones time?

It depends on the manufacturer's policy and the version of Android:

  • 📱 Budget models (for example, Redmi 9A or Samsung Galaxy A03) are often deprived of this function to save resources.
  • 🛠️ Outdated versions of Android (below 8.0) do not support the second time at the system level.
  • 🔄 Some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) require manual configuration via ADB.

In such cases, you can only use third-party applications.