Set up the clock on the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 4: from synchronization to customization of dials

Why setting the right time on Mi Band 4 is critical

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular activity tracking gadgets even years after its release. However, many users are faced with the problem: the watch on the wristband shows the wrong time, gets lost after the reboot or does not sync with the smartphone at all. This is not just an inconvenience – incorrect time leads to errors in sleep data, training and notifications.

In this article, we will look at all the ways to adjust the watch to the Mi Band 4, from basic synchronization through the Mi Fit app to manually adjusting the time and solving typical problems. Particular attention will be paid to hidden settings that Xiaomi does not advertise, but can save the situation if the bracelet stubbornly β€œdoes not listen.”

It's important to understand that the Mi Band 4 doesn't have its own GPS and is completely dependent on a smartphone to synchronize time, which means that the clock issues are almost always either with the phone settings or with the app running, and we'll help you identify and fix the cause -- without the technical details, but with clear instructions.

Preparation for setup: what to do before synchronizing the clock

Before you start setting the time on Mi Band 4, make sure that the basic conditions are met. Without them, the synchronization may not work properly or at all:

  • πŸ“± Update the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app to the latest version. Older versions often contain time-synchronization bugs.

Also, consider that the Mi Band 4 supports two types of connection to the phone: via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and through classic Bluetooth. For stable time synchronization, it is recommended to use BLE - it is less energy-consuming and less likely to lose connection. You can check the type of connection in the Bluetooth settings of your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: If you use an iPhone, turn off the Battery Savings feature in iOS settings before setting the time.It can block background synchronization of the Mi Fit.

πŸ“Š What version of the app you use for Mi Band 4?
Mi Fit
Zepp Life
Both in turn.
Other

Synchronize time through the Mi Fit application: step-by-step instructions

The main way to set up the watch on the Mi Band 4 is to automatically sync through the official app. Here's how to do it correctly:

  1. Open the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app and connect to the bracelet (if it isn’t already paired).
  2. Go to the Profile tab (the icon of the person at the bottom of the screen).
  3. Select your Mi Band 4 from the list of devices.
  4. Slip on the Settings item (cog in the upper right corner).
  5. Scroll down to the Additional section and select Time and Date.
  6. Activate the time autosynchronization switch, and if it's already on, turn it off and on again, it'll reset the sync cache.
  7. Return to the main screen of the application and wait for the message "Sync is complete".

Usually, the time is updated within 1-2 minutes. If this does not happen, try manually initiating sync by pulling the app screen down (refresh gesture) and you can also reboot the bracelet by holding the touch button for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.

Time on the bracelet matches phone |Date displayed correctly |Time zone corresponds to location |Warning clocks are working on schedule-->

⚠️ Note: If the time on the bracelet is lost for 3-4 hours after synchronization, check the time zone settings in the phone. Mi Band 4 does not support automatic determination of summer / winter time - this feature should be handled by the smartphone.

Manual time setting: when automatic synchronization is not working

In some cases, automatic time synchronization can be disruptive, such as if you're traveling and changing time zones frequently, or if you have custom firmware installed on your wristband, and manual timing can help:

  1. Open the Mi Fit app and go to the bracelet settings (Profile β†’ Mi Band 4 β†’ Device settings).
  2. Select Time and Date and turn off AutoSynchronization of Time.
  3. Below you will be able to manually set the Time Zone, Time Format (12/24 hours) and Date.
  4. After making changes, click Save and wait for synchronization.

If manual adjustment does not work, try the following method:

  • πŸ”„ Reset the bracelet settings to factory (Device settings) β†’ Reset).
  • πŸ“± Reinstall the Mi Fit app on your phone.
  • πŸ”— Re-register the bracelet as if you were plugging it in for the first time.

The critical feature of the Mi Band 4 is that when you manually set the time, the bracelet won't automatically change the clock when you change time zones. You'll have to adjust the time manually every time you fly.

What if the bracelet shows the time with a delay of 1-2 minutes?
This problem is related to Bluetooth synchronization delay. Solution: 1. Turn off battery savings for the Mi Fit app in Android/iOS settings. 2. Enable the "Exact Time" option in the bracelet settings (if available in your firmware version). 3. Reconnect the bracelet to your phone via "Forget Device" in Bluetooth settings.

Customization of dials: how to change the appearance of the watch

The Mi Band 4 supports interchangeable dials that can be downloaded from both the official app and third-party sources, but not all dials correctly display the time, especially if they are created by third-party developers.

  1. Open the Mi Fit app and go to the Mi Band 4 β†’ Dials section.
  2. Choose your favorite dial from the collection. Pay attention to other users' feedback - some dials may "glut" with the display of time.
  3. Click Set and wait for sync. It can take up to 30 seconds.
  4. If the dial is not displayed, reset the bracelet (hold the button for 10 seconds).

To install custom dials (not from the official catalog) you will need:

  1. Download a.bin dial file from a trusted source (e.g. AmazonFit).
  2. Use the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band or Tools & Mi Band app to download the dial onto the bracelet.
  3. Once installed, check if the time is displayed correctly.Some custom dials may reset the clock after rebooting.
Type of dialAdvantagesDeficiencies
Stock (official)Stable operation, automatic updating of timeLimited choice of designs
Custom (from Mi Fit)More design options, animation supportThey can slow down the bracelet, not always correctly show the time.
Castomy (third-party)Unique design, additional features (weather, steps)Risk of failures, possible problems with time synchronization

πŸ’‘

Before installing a custom dial, back up the current one through the Tools & Mi Band app. This will help you quickly return the working version if the new dial is glitzy.

Setting up alarm clocks and reminders by time

One of the key features of Mi Band 4 is time-sensitive alarms and reminders, which are required to work properly.

  1. Open the Mi Fit app and go to Mi Band 4 β†’ Alarm clocks.

Important nuances:

  • ⏰ Alarms only work if the bracelet is connected to the phone (even if the phone itself is turned off).

Mi Band 4 also supports inactivity reminders, which work if you don't move for a long time, and can be set up in Mi Band 4 β†’ Reminders β†’ Sedentary lifestyle, and we recommend setting the interval at least 1 time per hour to avoid draining the battery.

πŸ’‘

The alarms on the Mi Band 4 work independently from the phone, but their settings are only synchronized when you connect to the Mi Fit. If you change the alarm clock time on your phone, remember to update the data on the bracelet!

Typical Time Problems on Mi Band 4

Even after setting up correctly, the time on the Mi Band 4 can be lost.

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Time is lost by 3-4 hoursIncorrect time zone on the phoneCheck your time settings on your smartphone (Settings β†’ System β†’ Date and time)
The clock stops after disconnecting from the phoneWeak bracelet battery or firmware failureCharge the bracelet to 100% and reset it
Time is updated with a delayBattery savings block background synchronizationAdd Mi Fit to battery optimization exceptions
The dial shows the wrong time after the updateConflict of custom dial with firmwareReturn to the drain dial and update the bracelet firmware

If none of the methods worked, try updating the bracelet firmware:

  1. Open Mi Fit and go to Profile β†’ Mi Band 4 β†’ Firmware Update.
  2. If an update is available, plug the bracelet into charging and wait for the process to complete.
  3. After the update, reset settings (Device settings β†’ Reset).

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet stops turning on after the firmware update, plug it into charging and hold the button for 20-30 seconds.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about setting the time for Mi Band 4

Can I set my time for Mi Band 4 without my phone?
No, the Mi Band 4 doesn't have its own GPS module or network, so the time can only be set through sync with your smartphone.Without the phone, the bracelet will show the time that was set the last time you connected, but it won't update automatically.
Why did the battery change the time on the bracelet?
When the battery is completely discharged or removed, the Mi Band 4 resets the internal settings, including the time. After the battery is replaced, you need to re-synchronize the bracelet with the phone via Mi Fit. If time continues to go down, check the quality of the battery installed - unoriginal batteries can cause failures.
How to make the bracelet automatically translate the clock when flying?
Mi Band 4 doesn’t support automatic time transfers when changing time zones, you’ll have to manually update your time zone in your bracelet settings (Mi Fit β†’ Mi Band 4 β†’ Time and Date) or reconnect the bracelet to your phone after arrival. Alternatively, you’ll need to use apps like Notify & Fitness that force you to update your time.
Can I install a second hand dial on the Mi Band 4?
Xiaomi’s official dials don’t support second hand display, but some custom dials (such as those from the 4PDA community) can emulate it. Note that these dials can drain the battery faster and sometimes conflict with firmware.
What if, after updating the firmware, the time on the bracelet shows incorrectly?
This is a typical problem when upgrading the Mi Band 4 to the latest firmware. Try: Return the bracelet to factory settings (Device settings β†’ Reset); Set a stock dial (not custom). Disable and re-enable autosynchronization of time. If the problem persists, roll back the firmware to the previous version using Tools & Mi Band.