Xiaomi Mi Band 2: How to set time – automatic and manual synchronization

The 2016 Xiaomi Mi Band 2 fitness bracelet is still popular with users due to its simplicity, reliability and low price, but many owners face the problem that the screen time of the bracelet does not match the real one or completely gets lost after disconnecting from the smartphone. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust the time on the Mi Band 2 – from automatic synchronization through the application to manual methods and eliminate typical errors.

It is important to understand that the Mi Band 2 does not have its own. GPS-The module is completely dependent on data transmitted from the smartphone, which means that any problems with time usually associated with either the settings of the phone or the operation of the Mi Fit application (or its analogues). We will look at solutions for all current versions of the software, including bypassing common bugs that occur after updates.

If your bracelet is showing the wrong time, don't be quick to blame it for the failure. 90% of the time, the problem is solved software-just follow the instructions below. And for those who want to get deeper, we've added a section with the technical details of the Mi Band 2.

Why Mi Band 2 is getting lost in time: the main reasons

Before you start setting up, you should understand why the watch on the bracelet may not work properly.

  • 📱 The bracelet only updates the time when it connects to the phone via Bluetooth, and if the connection is interrupted, the watch can freeze on the last value.
  • ⚙️ Mi Band 2 copies data from the device, so if the smartphone has downed time zones or disabled automatic time update, the bracelet will show incorrect values.
  • 🔄 Mi Fit app crashes. Sometimes, after updating the program or changing the account, time synchronization stops.
  • 🔋 At a charge level below 10%, the bracelet can start saving energy by turning off background processes, including time updates.
  • 📲 Conflict with other fitness apps: If you have Google Fit, Apple Health or similar devices on your phone, they can block Mi Fit access to system data.

Also, consider that the Mi Band 2 does not support automatic winter/summer time switching. If there are time zone changes in your area, the bracelet will not update the data itself - manual synchronization will be required.

📊 How often do you have time to play Mi Band 2?
Never strayed.
Once a month
Once a week.
Every day.
I don't know, I don't.

Preparation for setup: what to check before synchronization

Before you change the settings on the bracelet itself, make sure your smartphone and Mi Fit app are ready to work properly.

Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled and it is within range of the bracelet (up to 10 meters)

Check that the phone settings have the correct time zone and automatic timing enabled.

Update the Mi Fit app to the latest version in Google Play or App Store

Reboot your smartphone and bracelet (to do this, press the touch button on the Mi Band 2 for 5 seconds)

Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in Bluetooth settings and add it again-->

Pay special attention to the permissions of the Mi Fit app. On Android, check that the program has access to:

  • 📍 Geodane (for automatic time zone determination)
  • 📱 Contacts and phone logs (sometimes required for synchronization)
  • 🔄 Auto-run (to make the application work in the background)

On iPhone, check your privacy settings → Geolocation Services → Mi Fit and turn on the “Always” option. Without this, the bracelet may not update the time when moving between time zones.

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If the time on the bracelet is lost after the Mi Fit update, try rolling back the app to the previous version. Sometimes new releases contain bugs that affect synchronization.

Method 1: Automatic time synchronization via Mi Fit

The easiest way to update your time on Mi Band 2 is to sync it to your phone through the official app.

  1. Open the Mi Fit app on your smartphone.
  2. Make sure the bracelet is plugged in (a green Bluetooth icon should be on the top of the screen).
  3. Slip the icon of your Mi Band 2 in the main menu.
  4. Scroll down to the "Advanced" block and select "Sync Data".
  5. Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-10 seconds).

If the time has not been updated after the synchronization:

  • 🔄 Reset the bracelet (press the button for 5 seconds before vibration).
  • 📱 Reinstall the Mi Fit app.
  • 🔌 Try connecting the bracelet to another smartphone to check.
What to do if the “Sync Data” button is inactive?
This problem often arises from an application cache conflict. Try: 1. Clear the Mi Fit cache in the phone settings (Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Memory → Clear the cache). 2. Disable VPNs or proxy servers that can block a connection to Xiaomi servers. 3. Check if the phone has battery-saving programs that limit the background work of the Mi Fit (such as Greenify or Battery Saver).

Automatic synchronization only works when you're connected to the Internet, and if your phone doesn't have access to the network, the bracelet won't be able to update the time even when you're pairing over Bluetooth.

Method 2: Manually adjusting time through third-party apps

If standard synchronization doesn't work, you can use alternative programs, such as Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (available for Android) that lets you manually set the time on the wristband.

  1. Download and install Notify & Fitness from Google Play.
  2. Open the application and provide all the permissions requested.
  3. Connect Mi Band 2 via the Connect Device menu.
  4. Go to the "Bracelet Settings" section → "Time and Date".
  5. Turn off the autosynchronization option and manually set the current time.
  6. Press "Save" and wait for the vibration of the bracelet.

The advantage of this method is that you can set the exact time to the right second, whereas the standard Mi Fit application sometimes rounds the values. However, keep in mind that the next time you connect to Mi Fit, the settings can reset.

AnnexSupport for Mi Band 2Manual timingAutosynchronization
Mi Fit (official)✅ Yes.❌ No.✅ Yes.
Notify & Fitness✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.
Mi Band Master✅ Yes.✅ Yes.❌ No.
Tools & Mi Band✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yeah (with bugs)

Important! When using third-party apps, turn off notifications from Mi Fit to avoid conflicts, otherwise the bracelet may start to "hang" or reboot.

Method 3: Resetting the bracelet to factory settings

If none of the above methods worked, the bracelet may have malfunctioned, in which case a complete reset will help, and after this procedure, all data (steps, pulse, alarm clocks) will be deleted.

Resetting instructions:

  1. Open the Mi Fit app and go to your bracelet profile.
  2. Scroll down and select "Disable the device".
  3. Confirm the action and wait for the connection to break.
  4. On the bracelet itself, press the touch button for 10-15 seconds until you feel the vibration and see a flashing indicator.
  5. Connect the bracelet again via Mi Fit (it will be defined as a new device).

After reset, the time should automatically sync with the phone, and if the problem recurs, this may indicate a hardware malfunction (for example, battery contacts dump or damage to the Bluetooth module).

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Resetting to factory settings is a last resort. Before you do that, try reinstalling the Mi Fit and checking the bracelet on another phone.

Solving time zone problems and switching to winter/summer time

Xiaomi Mi Band 2 doesn't automatically switch between time zones. If you're traveling or your local area has changed times, you'll have to update your settings manually. Here's how to do this:

  1. On your smartphone, go to Settings → System → Date and time.
  2. Turn off the option "Automatically" (or "Network" on some firmware).
  3. Manually choose the correct time zone and set the exact time.
  4. Open Mi Fit and sync (see Method 1).

For countries with a transition to winter/summer time:

  • 🌍 If your region has cancelled the switch (e.g. Russia since 2014), make sure the phone has disabled the option "Automatic Daylight Saving Time".
  • ⏰ If the transition is still valid (for example, in the EU or the USA), update the bracelet firmware via Mi Fit – sometimes Xiaomi releases patches for the correct operation of time zones.

On the iPhone, additional time zone settings are in Settings → Basic → Date and Time → Time Zone. Here you can manually select the city whose time will be used for synchronization.

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If you travel frequently, install a time-zone widget on your phone to help you quickly update your Mi Band 2 settings.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even after a successful setup, the Mi Band 2 can be lost due to user errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

  • 🚫 Bluetooth shutdown to save battery. Many users turn off Bluetooth on their phone to save charge. However, Mi Band 2 only updates time when the connection is active. Solution: add Mi Fit to the list of apps that are allowed to run in the background.
  • 🔄 Using multiple fitness apps: If you have Google Fit, S Health and Mi Fit installed on your phone at the same time, they can conflict.Solution: Leave only one bracelet app.
  • 📵 Weak Bluetooth signal. In apartment buildings or offices with a lot of devices, the connection may be interrupted. Solution: reconnect the bracelet in a place with less interference.
  • 🔋 With a charge level below 5%, the Mi Band 2 starts to save energy by turning off background processes. Solution: charge the bracelet to 100% and sync.

Also worth looking at is the firmware version of the bracelet, which is that older versions may contain bugs that affect the watch, and to update the firmware:

  1. Open the Mi Fit and go to the bracelet profile.
  2. Scroll down and select "Update firmware" (if option is available).
  3. Confirm the update and wait until the end (the bracelet will reboot).
How to check the firmware version of Mi Band 2?
To find out the current firmware version: 1. Open Mi Fit and go to the bracelet profile. 2. Slap on the three-dot icon (⋮) 3. Select "Device Information." 4. The firmware version will show the current number (e.g. 1.0.5.28) and compare it to the latest versions on the forums (e.g, 4PDA Xiaomi Community).

❓ Why the battery change to Mi Band 2 has been a bit of a stretch?
When you replace the battery or completely discharge the bracelet resets the internal settings, including the time. To restore work: Connect the bracelet to charge and wait for 100% charge. perform a factory reset (press the button for 10 seconds). Synchronize the time through Mi Fit. If the problem recurs, check the quality of the contacts of the new battery - perhaps they are poorly soldered.
❓ Can you set the time for Mi Band 2 without a phone?
No, the Mi Band 2 doesn't have its own interface for manually adjusting time. All changes are made via a smartphone. However, there's a workaround: Use a second phone (like an old Android) only to adjust the time. Set it with a Mi Fit, plug in the bracelet and sync. After that, you can disconnect the bracelet from the temporary phone and use it autonomously (time will be saved until the next discharge).
❓ Why is the time on the bracelet different from the phone for 1-2 hours?
This is a typical problem when: Wrong time zone on your phone (check date/time settings); conflict with battery-saving apps (like Greenify or Battery Doctor) that block background Mi Fit work; using a VPN or proxy that swap geolocation; Solution: disable VPN, check time zone and add Mi Fit to battery optimizers exceptions.
❓ How to keep your Mi Band 2 time updated every minute?
Mi Band 2 doesn’t support real-time updates — it only syncs when you connect to your phone (usually every 10 to 30 minutes) to keep your watch updated more often: Enable the “Constant Connection” option in Mi Fit (if available). Use third-party apps like Notify & Fitness that allow you to set the synchronization interval. Turn off battery saving modes on your phone for Mi Fit. However, note that frequent synchronization reduces the bracelet’s lifetime from a single charge.
❓ What to do if after updating Mi Fit bracelet stopped showing time?
This is a known problem with some versions of Mi Fit. Try: roll back the app to the previous version (download APK with APKPure). Clear the cache and data of Mi Fit in the phone settings. Remove the bracelet from your Mi Fit account and plug it back in. If nothing helps, write in support of Xiaomi through the app, specifying the bracelet model and Mi Fit version.