How to sync your watch on your Xiaomi 4 phone: all ways + error solving

Xiaomi Redmi 4 (or Redmi Note 4 – both models are often referred to simply as β€œXiaomi 4”) is still popular among users due to its reliability and simplicity. However, over time, many people face the problem of late clock synchronization: the phone shows the wrong time, does not update the date after switching to winter/summer time or resets after rebooting. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of synchronizing time on Xiaomi 4 – from automatic to manual, and also solve typical errors that interfere with the correct operation of the system clock.

The 2016-2017 models (which include Redmi 4/4X/Note 4) are all about NTP (Network Time Protocol) server dependency and possible firmware conflicts. If your phone suddenly lags behind for hours or is in a hurry, the problem is either network settings or system files, and we tested all methods on current versions of MIUI 12-14 (including custom builds) and put together working solutions.

Why Xiaomi 4’s Watches Are Going Down: 5 Reasons

Before you set up synchronization, it is important to understand what is causing the failures, and 80% of the time the problem is due to one of the following factors:

  • 🌐 Lack of Internet connection or blocking NTP-The phone cannot get current time through the network.
  • πŸ”‹ Reset settings after battery discharge. On Xiaomi 4, some system settings, including time, are reset at full discharge (below 3.
  • πŸ“‘ Incorrect region or time zone if the settings are GMT+0 instead GMT+3 (In Moscow, the clock will be 3 hours behind.
  • πŸ› οΈ Damaged system files after a failed update or manual intervention (e.g., deleting system applications via a system application). ADB).
  • πŸ”„ Conflict with battery-saving apps that force background syncs to go off (e.g. Greenify or Battery Doctor).

If your Xiaomi 4 shows time with a 1-2 hour error, it’s probably the time zone to blame. If the difference is a day or more, it’s a problem with a typical date reset. And if the time changes arbitrarily (correctly, then not), check network settings and permissions for system services.

πŸ“Š How often do you have a clock on Xiaomi 4?
Once a week.
After the reboot.
Only after the battery is discharged.
Never lost it.

Method 1: Automatic Internet Synchronization (NTP)

The most reliable and recommended method is synchronization through servers. NTP. He works without him. SIM-If you have a card, if your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, here's how to set it up:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Date and time.
  2. Activate the switches: ⏱️ Autodetermining date and time (include) 🌍 Time zone autodetermination (insert)

network

Restart the device so that the changes take effect.

If after these actions, the time is still not synchronized, check:

  • πŸ“Ά Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data should be stable).
  • πŸ”’ Firewall settings/VPN. Some applications (such as AdGuard or 1.1.1.1) block access NTP-server.
  • πŸ”„ Updates MIUI. On older versions of firmware (below) MIUI 10) there may be synchronization bugs.

β˜‘οΈ Checking before setting up NTP

Done: 0 / 4

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) have standard servers. NTP Xiaomi may not work, and in this case, you will have to manually prescribe alternative servers through the ADB or applications like ClockSync.

Method 2: Manually adjusting time and date

If automatic synchronization doesn’t work (for example, due to lack of internet), you can set the time manually, which is also useful if you’re traveling and want to avoid automatically switching to your local time zone.

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Date and time.
  2. Turn off the options: ❌ Autodetermining date and time ❌ Time zone autodetermination

"Set a date"

"Set the time."

Time belt.

GMT+3:00 Moscow

Important: After manually setting the time on Xiaomi 4 will not automatically update until the next reboot or internet turn on.If you forgot to return the automatic mode, the clock may go off again in a few days.

Problem.Reason.Decision
Time is lost after turning off the phoneSettled battery CMOS (responsible for time storage)Replace the battery or calibrate it with Engineer Mode
The clock is in a hurry / behind 1-2 minutes a dayHardware failure of a quartz generatorUse Automatic Synchronization (NTP) only
Date resets to January 1, 2016Resetting settings after firmware or resetRestore backup via Mi Cloud or manually set a date
The time zone changes on its own.Conflict with applications such as Dual Clock or World ClockRemove third-party apps for time or disable their permissions

Method 3: Synchronize over GPS (for exact time)

If you have internet problems but need a precise time (e.g. for sports training or photos with the correct tag) you can use the right time. GPS-synchronization. This method works slower. NTP, but does not require a network connection.

How to set up:

  1. Turn on GPS in the notification curtain or through Settings β†’ Location.
  2. Open any application that uses geolocation (for example, Google Maps or Yandex.Maps).
  3. Wait 1-2 minutes until the phone determines your location, at which point it also synchronizes time with your phone. GPS-satellite.
  4. Check the clock – it should be updated to the exact time (the error is no more than 1 second).

How to set up ClockSync:

  1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
  2. Open it and click "Select Server" - select the server closest to you (for example, en.pool.ntp.org for Russia).
  3. Press "Synchronize" and wait for the time update.
  4. Turn on the option "Auto Sync" (in settings) so that sync occurs automatically once a day.

⚠️ Attention: Some time synchronization apps require root rights to run in the background.On unrooted Xiaomi 4, they can be reset after a reboot.

Solving problems: The clock goes off after rebooting or discharging

If your Xiaomi Redmi 4 is reset after every battery shutdown or discharge, the problem is hardware failure or corrupted system files.

  • πŸ”‹ Check the battery. On worn-out batteries (capacity below 60%), the phone can shut down completely at 10-15% charge, resulting in a time reset. Use the AccuBattery app to check battery status.
  • πŸ”„ Reset the settings to the factory. Go to Settings. β†’ The phone. β†’ Reset settings and select Reset all settings (the data on the memory card will not be affected).
  • πŸ› οΈ If the reset didn't work, install the clean firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions for Redmi 4 are available on the forum). 4PDA).
  • πŸ”§ Replace. CMOS-The Xiaomi 4 board has a small battery that saves time when you turn off, and can be replaced at a service center.

Critical information: if after replacement CMOS-Battery time is still out of order, the problem is the chip. RTC (In this case, the repair will cost more than the cost of the phone itself, it is more rational to consider buying a new model.

How to check battery wear without applications?
Turn off your phone and leave it for 12 to 24 hours. If after turning on time reset to default (for example, January 1, 2016), then the battery is completely discharged and does not hold the charge for power. CMOS-module.

More tips: how to avoid time problems in the future

To ensure that the Xiaomi 4 watch always shows the right time, follow these guidelines:

  • πŸ“Ά Use a stable Internet connection. If you have problems with mobile Internet, connect to Wi-Fi to sync.
  • πŸ”„ Update the firmware. MIUI 12+ Many of the bugs have been corrected. NTP-synchronization.
  • ⚑ Keep your phone charged at 10-15% charge to avoid resetting.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Turn off battery optimization for system applications. Go to Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Battery Optimization and Add Google Play Watches and Services to Exceptions.
  • 🌐 Check the operator's settings. Some mobile operators (like Tele2) send incorrect time zone data, in which case it's better to use Wi-Fi to synchronize.

If you travel frequently, install the World Clock widget on the home screen, which shows time in multiple time zones simultaneously and automatically updates when you connect to the Internet.

πŸ’‘

On Xiaomi 4 with custom firmware (like LineageOS), Xiaomi’s standard NTP servers may not work, in which case manually prescribe the europe.pool.ntp.org server or time.google.com in the ClockSync application settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about time synchronization on Xiaomi 4

Why does the battery change time still go down?
The problem is probably not the battery, but the RTC chip on the motherboard, which is responsible for the countdown and can fail over time, and in this case, only changing the board or buying a new phone will help.
Can you synchronize time without the internet?
Yes, there are two ways: GPS (as described in Method 3. SMS Some operators (e.g. MTS) send a message with the exact time when sending USSD-request *100#.
How to fix the error "I failed to synchronize time"?
This error is caused by: Blocking NTP-Firewall servers (disable) VPN/Incorrect date settings (set the current date manually, then enable automatic sync) malfunction of Google Play Services (update them to Google Play Store). If nothing helps, reset your network settings in Settings β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks β†’ Resetting network settings.
Why is the Xiaomi 4 clock 3 hours ago?
This is a problem with the wrong time zone. Most likely, the settings are GMT+0 (London) instead of GMT+3 (Moscow). Correct this to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Date and Time β†’ Time Zone.
Can you roll back changes if the timing is wrong after synchronization?
Yes. If you've lost time after auto synchronization: Turn off date and time autodetection in your settings. Set time and date manually. Reboot your phone. If the problem recurs, check if any third-party application (e.g. Dual Clock Widget) is in conflict with the system.