ClockSync - synchronize device clock via NTP

[Guest JetSerge]

Synchronizes system time via NTP automatically or manually. Will be useful if your operator doesn't support automatic time synchronization via NITZ (mine doesn't and device clock lags).

ROOT is required for synchronization.

Features:

• Displays atomic reference time, system time, clock offset and current date or last synchronization time
  
• Gets atomic time from the user specified NTP server
  
• Update offset by tapping on the Atomic time or Local offset values on the screen
  
• Tapping on the system time will synchronize the device clock with the atomic clock
  
• Update/Synchronize actions are also available from the application menu
  
• Automatic synchronization on user specified interval (battery efficient!)
  
• Options to synchronize only via Wi-Fi or when device is already awake
  
• Optional Haptic feedback when tapping on the active screen elements
  
• am/pm and 24-hour time display based on the system setting
  
• Compatible with Android 1.5 and higher version including FroYo (2.2)
  

More details:

http://amip.tools-for.net/android/clocksync

Download:

Background:

I've noticed that my system clock lags ~5 seconds every hour. Last time I checked it was 5 minutes behind the atomic time.

First I thought that it was SetCPU with custom underclock profiles when sleeping, so I've disabled the SetCPU profiles and even uninstalled it. Rebooted the phone, still the same issue.

Now I think that it may have something to do with the TCK 0.8 kernel or other tweaks used in the MDC ROM. My friend with the stock ROM doesn't have this problem.

I should note that you may not notice this issue at all if you have Automatic mode (use network-provided values) enabled in the phone settings and your provider supports NITZ. Unfortunately, it's not the case for me. Providers here do not support NITZ so this option does nothing, the phone can't correct its time OTA.

I had to write an app to synchronize phone clock via NTP (requires root to work). Using this app I've noticed how severe the drifting is. Will have to make it sync automatically every hour or so.

Ideas?

UPDATE1: the issue is more severe when WiFi is connected. When left overnight with WiFi off, it lagged only 0.3s, however when I've enabled WiFi it lags 5s/hour.

UPDATE2: Happens when any data connection is enabled, even 3G. However when disabled with APNdroid/Toggle Data, the time doesn't lag that much. Radio related bug?

UPDATE3: Clock lags much more when connected via USB/charging. With WiFi turned on it lagged ~1 second in 8 hours while when USB connected it lags ~5s/hour.

Edited May 29, 2010 by JetSerge

[Guest gcgspain]

It is happenning to me too. Would you care to share that app?? Thanks!!

[Guest Chicaned]

Yes! I have exactly the same thing!!! Are you on Vodafone by any chance? It might be because Vodafone only send their time signal out over GPRS. I remember reading it on somewhere. Could do with an app that updates the time from t'interweb. It 'could' be the ROM/Radio though.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Chicaned

[Guest JetSerge]

Nope, I'm on MTS in Russia and one of my friends with Nexus and MDC ROM is having the same issue too.

[Guest gcgspain]

Yes! I have exactly the same thing!!! Are you on Vodafone by any chance? It might be because Vodafone only send their time signal out over GPRS. I remember reading it on somewhere. Could do with an app that updates the time from t'interweb. It 'could' be the ROM though.

I´m on vodafone Spain but I have the "use providers time" unmarked, because they´ve already cocked up with the time on a few ocassions. So for me its nothing to do with vodafone.

[Guest Chicaned]

I´m on vodafone Spain but I have the "use providers time" unmarked, because they´ve already cocked up with the time on a few ocassions. So for me its nothing to do with vodafone.

You mean it's everything to do with Vodafone right? :)

[Guest Breece]

You mean it's everything to do with Vodafone right? :)

Having the same issue with IntersectRaven kernel and cyanogen 5.0.6 ...

[€dit]

And I am not on Vodafone ;)

Edited May 12, 2010 by Breece

[Guest JetSerge]

It is happenning to me too. Would you care to share that app?? Thanks!!

http://amip.tools-for.net/android/ClockSync

Edited May 25, 2010 by JetSerge

[Guest JetSerge]

I've updated ClockSync to 1.0.1. 1.0.0 users will need to remove old version before updating because of the key change.

[Guest bobtentpeg]

I've updated ClockSync to 1.0.1. 1.0.0 users will need to remove old version before updating because of the key change.

Only have a ~.78 sec lag after running for 40+ hours without a reboot w/ wifi enabled and everything. Nifty nevertheless

[Guest JetSerge]

Now available in Android Market!

Edited May 25, 2010 by JetSerge

[Guest JetSerge]

I've updated to FRF50 (Froyo) and system clock doesn't lag anymore! So it looks like the issue was specific to the MoDaCo Nexus One ROM.

[Guest Karolis]

Well, I'm on froyo with CM's tweaked kernel and your app said I had 70 seconds delay.

So I'm keeping it :rolleyes:

I hope you're going to maintain it even though you feel you don't need it any more.

[Guest Chicaned]

I've updated to FRF50 (Froyo) and system clock doesn't lag anymore! So it looks like the issue was specific to the MoDaCo Nexus One ROM.

Agree! I'm a happy camper.

[Guest navahoo]

awesome app, u r the man, thanks a lot!

[Guest Mux_Mux]

Great app!!!

Thanks!

[Guest JetSerge]

version 1.0.3 is now available in Market

[Guest JetSerge]

Updated to 1.0.4:

• fixed service for automatic synchronization
  

[Guest JetSerge]

1.0.5

• don't keep the service running
  
• increased default NTP timeout to 10 seconds
  
• automatic sync will try connecting to NTP server 3 times if first attempt fails
  
• added Log with diagnostics for automatic sync problems
  
• added 6 hours interval
  

[Guest entei]

Very good and simple app, respect & yvagyxa! ))))

[Guest Uxian]

Nice work. I just switched from Sytrant which is a lot less friendly and doesn't seem to have a very reliable NTP client implementation.

[Guest JetSerge]

Just released ClockSync 1.0.6 with the following list of changes:

• 3 color schemes: ClockSync (Default), Android (Black), Palm Pre (Light)
  
• tap on the Atomic time to get the details about NTP server and packet travel times
  
• tapping now works not only on digits, but also on the captions
  
• option to override default language (only English/Russian at the moment)
  
• cosmetics
  

New color schemes:

Edited June 23, 2010 by JetSerge

[Guest fishywang]

This is great. Thank you!

But if I'm not wrong, you can get the atomic time by GPS, and this is the source of some of the NTP servers. So if there're an app can sync time via GPS, it would be even more great!

Edited June 24, 2010 by fishywang

[Guest JetSerge]

This is great. Thank you!

But if I'm not wrong, you can get the atomic time by GPS, and this is the source of some of the NTP servers. So if there're an app can sync time via GPS, it would be even more great!

Indeed, it's possible, however it would require you to have GPS turned on, to have open sky to get signal from at least a couple of satellites and you should also not move to make the data more precise. Considering all of these, it would make automatic synchronization almost impossible (because GPS will not work in your office or at home) and will also drain the battery quickly. Turn on GPS, wait for satellites, get the data, turn it off, it's a plenty of time and battery.

I plan to add the GPS mode in one of the next updates, but it will be manual only. Imagine you are in Siberia or lost in a jungle with no network coverage and need to synchronize your clock with the precise time (it would be the last thing you need, but it's still cool =).

[Guest fishywang]

Indeed, it's possible, however it would require you to have GPS turned on, to have open sky to get signal from at least a couple of satellites and you should also not move to make the data more precise. Considering all of these, it would make automatic synchronization almost impossible (because GPS will not work in your office or at home) and will also drain the battery quickly. Turn on GPS, wait for satellites, get the data, turn it off, it's a plenty of time and battery.

I plan to add the GPS mode in one of the next updates, but it will be manual only. Imagine you are in Siberia or lost in a jungle with no network coverage and need to synchronize your clock with the precise time (it would be the last thing you need, but it's still cool =).

yep, I agree that it can't be automatic sync'ed. but a manual sync by GPS will be cool ;)

thanks for your great work!