Xiaomi fitness bracelets and smartwatches are some of the most popular activity tracking gadgets, but even they sometimes fail to sync time. It looks like this: the device displays the wrong time, the date “backlogs” for a few days or the clock suddenly starts to rush. The reasons can be different, from a banal communication failure with the phone to errors in the time zone settings. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to adjust the time on Xiaomi devices: from automatic synchronization through the application to manual adjustment on the wristband itself.
It's important to understand that the configuration algorithm depends on the model of the gadget and the firmware version. For example, in Mi Band 7 and later, time syncs automatically when you connect to a smartphone, whereas in older models like Mi Band 3 you may need to manually adjust, and the choice of the application also affects the official Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit) or Zepp Life (for Xiaomi Watch), We will consider both options, and also tell you what to do if time is constantly lost.
Why is Xiaomi’s fitness bracelet the wrong time?
Before you get to the setup, you should understand the reasons for the failure, and here are the most common scenarios that cause the Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch to show incorrect data:
- 📵 If Bluetooth is disabled or the gadget has not connected to the phone for a long time, time can freeze on the latest current data.
- ⏰ Incorrect time zone, especially when traveling: if the belt on the phone changes and the bracelet does not, the time difference is guaranteed.
- 🔄 Firmware failure: After updating the software or resetting the device may "forget" the current time.
- 📱 Mi Fitness or Zepp Life cache could have been damaged, which means that data is no longer transmitted to the wristband.
- 🔋 At critically low charge, some functions (including time synchronization) are turned off to save energy.
If your bracelet shows a time several hours or days apart, first check the date and time settings on your smartphone. For example, on Android go to Settings → System → Date and Time and make sure that AutoDate and Time Detection and AutoDay Auto Detection options are enabled. On iPhone, similar settings are in Settings → Basic → Date and Time.
⚠️ Warning: If your phone is disabled automatic time synchronization, Xiaomi fitness bracelet will not be able to get up-to-date data, even if connected via Bluetooth.
Method 1: Automatic time synchronization via Mi Fitness (for Mi Band)
Most Mi Band models (starting with version 4) sync time automatically when you connect to the Mi Fitness app.
- Make sure the bracelet is connected to your phone via Bluetooth. Open the Mi Fitness app and check the connection status at the top of the screen.
- Update the data. Pull the screen down to update the information. If the bracelet is plugged in, the time should be synchronized for 10 to 20 seconds.
- Check the settings of the application. Go to Profile → Device Settings → Date and time and make sure Auto Sync is enabled.
If the time is not updated, try forced synchronization:
- 🔄 Go to Profile. → Your device. → Synchronize data.
- 📱 Close the application and restart it.
- 🔋 Reset the bracelet (press the touch button 10 seconds before vibration).
Bluetooth is on on the phone
Mi Fitness has location access (for time zone)
Bracelet charged at least 20%
The app has been updated to the latest version-->
If automatic sync doesn’t work, go to manual settings (see next section). Also check if the power saving mode on the phone blocks Mi Fitness in the background. On Android, add the app to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All apps → Mi Fitness → Not Optimize.
Method 2: Manually adjusting time on the bracelet (without the phone)
Some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi Band 3/4 or Amazfit Bip) allow you to set the time directly on the device. This is convenient if you do not have a smartphone at hand or sync is constantly confused.
- Wake up the bracelet screen (raise your hand or press the touch button).
- Fly the menu swipes up/down to the Settings item (cog icon).
- Select Additional → Date and time.
- Turn off automatic sync (if you have an option) and enter the time manually:
Save the changes.
On the Xiaomi Watch (such as the Watch S1 or Watch 2 Pro), the process is similar, but the menu may differ:
- 🔧 Press the screen to call the Quick Settings menu.
- 🕐 Find the Settings icon → System system → Date and time.
- 🔄 Turn off Auto Sync and set the time manually.
⚠️ Attention: On the Mi Band 5/6/7/8 manual time setting may not be available - these models are designed for automatic synchronization. If the menu does not contain the date and time, use the method with the application (see Method). 1).
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If the time is lost again after manual settings, try resetting the bracelet to factory settings. To do this, go to Settings → Reset (on the device) or in the Mi Fitness app, select Untie the device.
Method 3: Set up time with Zepp Life (for Xiaomi Watch)
Xiaomi Watch smartwatches (such as the Watch S1, Watch 2 Pro or Watch Color) are controlled via the Zepp Life app (formerly Amazfit).
- Open Zepp Life and make sure the watch is connected (the Bluetooth icon at the top should be active).
Update the data
Pull the screen down, or restart the application.
If the time is still incorrect, try Forced Synchronization:
- 🔄 In Zepp Life, go to Profile → Your device. → Synchronize.
- 📱 Turn off and reconnect the clock in your phone’s Bluetooth settings.
- 🔋 Reset the clock (press the side button for 10-15 seconds before the Xiaomi logo appears).
For Xiaomi Watch models with Wear OS (such as the Watch S3), the time setting is done through the standard Watch on the phone app. Make sure that the Wear OS settings include the option to sync time with the phone.
Mi Band 7/8
Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro
Mi Band 6
Xiaomi Watch S1
Another model-->
Table: Compatibility of Xiaomi models with time setting methods
| Model of the device | Autosynchronization with Mi Fitness | Manual setting on the bracelet | Management through Zepp Life | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 3/4 | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | Manual settings in the menu Additional |
| Mi Band 5/6/7/8 | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | Only automatic synchronization |
| Xiaomi Watch S1 / Watch 2 Pro | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Set up via Zepp Life or the watch menu |
| Xiaomi Watch Color / GTS | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Time zone is set up manually |
| Amazfit Bip / Bip U | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Use Zepp Life or Mi Fitness (depending on firmware) |
Important: Starting with the Mi Band 7, Xiaomi removed the ability to manually adjust the time on the device itself.If your bracelet doesn't sync the time automatically, the only solution is to reset it to factory settings and reconnect it to the phone.
What if time on Xiaomi is constantly lost?
If the time on Xiaomi’s wristband or watch is knocked off regularly (for example, after rebooting or disconnecting from the phone), the problem may be deeper than it seems.
- 📲 Update the bracelet firmware. Go to Mi Fitness or Zepp Life, find the Software Update section and install the latest version.
A common cause of constant crashes is an application conflict, for example, if both Mi Fitness and Zepp Life are installed on a phone, they can interfere with each other, delete the unnecessary app and leave only the one recommended for your model.
How to check the firmware version on Mi Band?
⚠️ If after resetting the bracelet stopped synchronizing the time, check whether the antivirus or the antivirus is blocking. VPN Mi Fitness app work, add it to exceptions or temporarily disable protection.
Setting up a time zone for travel
When traveling to another time zone, the Xiaomi bracelet should automatically update the time, but this does not always happen.
- Update your data to Mi Fitness or Zepp Life after you arrive in a new region.
- If time has not changed: 🔄 Reset the bracelet. 📱 Turn off and reconnect Bluetooth. ✈️ Manually select the time zone in the device settings (if the option is available).
On some models (for example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) you can add a second time zone:
- 🌍 In the menu of the clock, find the settings → The clock → Additional belt.
- 🕒 Choose a city (for example, Moscow or New York).
- 🔄 Now on the dial you can switch between local time and the time of the second belt.
If you travel frequently, set a double time zone dial on the bracelet.
- In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Dials.
- Select a design marked Dual Time Zone.
- Set up the second belt in the clock menu.
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For proper time zone operation on Xiaomi Watch, be sure to turn on the phone geolocation (GPS) and allow Zepp Life to access the location.