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What are the correct Android time settings for KDS?

Android Time Settings for KDS

ANDROID 10-12:

Android uses NTP via the Network Time Protocol.

Android uses NetworkTimeUpdateService. This service:

  • Retrieves NTP time at boot
  • Re-syncs periodically (roughly every 24 hours)
  • Only uses NTP if carrier NITZ (Cellular) – Network Identity and Time Zone is unavailable or unreliable.

NOTE: Cellular Technologies (NITZ) in most situations are generally not available on AOSP KDS devices unless specifically connected to a cellular provider.

Android has default NTP servers baked into the OS:

  • time.android.com (common in AOSP)

Android 10, Android 13, and all current AOSP builds use standard NTP, which always communicates over:

UDP port 123

Direction:

  • Outbound UDP 123 → the configured NTP server

  • Response returns on UDP 123

 

Source

Required?

When Used

Notes

NITZ (carrier)

Optional

Connected to cellular network

Preferred over NTP

NTP (time.android.com)

Built-in default

When NITZ unavailable

Requires data/Wi-Fi

Manual time setting

User action

If both above unavailable

Overrides auto time

 

For time settings in the context of configuring the KDS, below are the recommendations:

If you are unsure of your networks ability to reach the default Google NTP server, it is recommended that you disable the “Use Network Provided Time” and manually set your time settings.

a10_time

If the Google NTP is supported on your network, “Use Network Provided Time” can remain enabled, but we still recommend manually setting the “Use Network Provided Time zone” option to manual and setting your correct time zone.

 

ANDROID 13:

Even though the UI labels changed, Android 13 still reads NTP settings from the same sources as Android 10. Android 13 typically shows four core toggles (wording varies slightly across OEMs):

1. Set time automatically
  • Use network-provided time (NITZ)
  • Use NTP fallback if NITZ unavailable
2. Set time zone automatically
  • Network-provided time zone (NITZ)
  • Geo-based time zone detection (location-based)
3. Use Location to set time zone
  • Wi-Fi location
  • GNSS location
  • Cell tower location to determine time zone if NITZ is missing or unreliable
4. Set time / Set date
  • Editable only if Set time automatically is turned off.

a13_time

Similar to the Android 10 KDS configuration, If the Google NTP is supported on your network, “Set time automatically” can remain enabled, but we still recommend manually setting the “Use Location to set Time zone” option to manual and setting your correct time zone.