How to change time on Xiaomi Mi Band 3: 3 ways + solving synchronization errors

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet automatically synchronizes time with a connected smartphone via Bluetooth, but sometimes this feature fails. Users face situations when the watch on the bracelet is lagging behind, in a hurry or even showing the wrong time zone - especially after flights, changes. SIM-In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to change the time on Mi Band 3, including manual settings through the application, forced synchronization and resetting.

It’s important to understand that the Mi Band 3 doesn’t have its own interface for changing the time directly on the device – all manipulations are done via a smartphone, and the algorithm of actions depends on the version of the bracelet firmware and the application used (Mi Fit or Zepp Life), we tested all methods on current versions of the software (2026) and identified key nuances that will help avoid typical errors.

Why Mi Band 3 is the wrong time: 5 main reasons

Before you start setting up, you need to get to the root of the problem, and 80 percent of the time is not due to hardware malfunctions, but to software failures or incorrect settings.

• 📱 Lack of synchronization with the phone: Bluetooth is disabled, the application has not updated data or the bracelet has not been connected to the smartphone for a long time.
• ⏰ Wrong time zone on a smartphone: If the phone has the wrong region, the bracelet takes over these settings.
• 🔄 Failure after firmware update: New versions of the software sometimes reset the time settings, especially if the update is interrupted.
• 🌍 Automatic time zone change disabled: Auto time determination can be deactivated in phone settings.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: At a charge level below 10%, the bracelet goes into energy-saving mode and suspends synchronization.

If your case doesn’t make it to this list, check to see if the bracelet is activated in flight mode (it blocks all wireless connections, including time synchronization), and make sure that the smartphone allows access to the exact location for the Mi Fit application – without this automatic time zone determination will not work.

Method 1: Forced time synchronization via Mi Fit

The easiest and fastest method is to get the app to update the data manually, which works if the bracelet is connected to the phone, but the time doesn't automatically update. Here's a step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life if you use it).
2. Make sure the bracelet is connected to the phone – the Bluetooth icon and charge percentage should be displayed at the top of the screen.
3. Pull the screen down to update the data (swipe down gesture).
4. If the time has not changed, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Device settings.
5. Find the synchronize data item and tap it.

After that, the bracelet should "catch" the current time from the phone. If the sync is not good, check:

• 📶 Bluetooth connection stability: restart the module on your phone (turn off/on Bluetooth in settings).
• 📱 App Version: Update Mi Fit to the latest version in Google Play or App Store.
• 🔄 Phone Settings: Make sure that the Autodetermination option is activated in the Date and Time section.

Important! If the time is lost again after a few hours after the forced synchronization, the problem may be a hardware failure of the RTC module (real-time hours), in which case only flashing the bracelet or contacting the service center will help.

Method 2: Manually adjusting time zones

If automatic synchronization is not working due to incorrect regional settings, you can manually set the time zone through the app, which is especially relevant for travelers who often cross time zones.

1. Open the Mi Fit and go to the profile of the bracelet (Mi Smart Band 3).
2. Select the device settings → Additional → Time zone.
3. Turn off the option automatically (if it is active).
4. Manually select your region from the list (e.g. Moscow (UTC+3)).
5. Save the changes and wait for the synchronization (the bracelet vibrates when the upgrade is successful).

Note that in some versions of the app, the Time Zone option may be in the Notifications or System Settings section. If you don't find this option, upgrade to the latest version of the Mi Fit - manual time zone settings were not available in older builds.

Method 3: Resetting the bracelet to factory settings

If neither forced synchronization nor manual time zone adjustments have worked, the radical method is to completely reset the device, which will return the bracelet to its original state, including the timing settings. Importantly, after resetting, all data (steps, pulse, notifications) will be deleted from the device, but stored in the Mi Account cloud if synchronization was enabled.

Resetting instructions:

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → Additional → Reset (scroll the screen up with swipes).
2. Confirm the action by clicking on the icon of the tick.
3. Wait for the bracelet to reboot (it vibrates and shows the Mi logo).
4. Reconnect the device to your phone via Mi Fit.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting the bracelet may require firmware updates. Do not interrupt the software download process - this may lead to a device blink (complete failure). If the update is suspended during the Preparation stage, restart the phone and bracelet, then try again.

If the reset has not solved the problem with time, check the integrity of the charging contacts - sometimes oxidation or contamination of the connector leads to malfunctions in the RTC module. To clean, use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, but do not use metal objects!

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Before resetting the bracelet, export your health data in CSV format via Mi Fit: Go to Profile → Settings → Data Export. This will allow you to save your activity history even after the reset.

Solving synchronization problems on Android and iOS

Time synchronization may vary from operating system to operating system due to Bluetooth and background services, and let’s look at the typical issues for each platform.

For Android.

On Android devices, the most common time on the Mi Band 3 is lost due to aggressive battery optimization, which suspends the Mi Fit in the background.

1. Go to Phone Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Battery.
2. Choose No Limits or Allow background activity.
3. Add Mi Fit to the Auto Run list (in some firmwares, Secure Apps).

For iOS (iPhone)

On iPhones, the issues are usually related to iOS restrictions on Bluetooth in the background.

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and remove the bracelet from the list of devices.
2. Forget Mi Band 3 network in Settings → Wi-Fi (if there is one).
3. Reboot your iPhone and reconnect the bracelet via Mi Fit.
4. Enable the option for Mi Fit Update in the background (Settings → Mi Fit → Content Update).

If you’re using an iPhone with iOS 16 or later, make sure that the settings for Privacy → Geolocation Services → Mi Fit are set to Always. Without access to geodata, the app won’t be able to correctly determine the time zone.

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On iPhone, time synchronization may be interrupted due to the Battery Optimization feature, and turn it off for Mi Fit in battery settings if you notice persistent failures.

Updating the firmware as a way to correct time errors

In some cases, the malfunction of the watch is associated with outdated firmware bracelet. Xiaomi regularly releases updates that fix time-synchronization bugs, especially in versions 1.5.1.0 and 1.6.0.54.

1. Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged.
2. Connect it to your phone via Mi Fit.
3. Go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Update firmware.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet will reboot).

Update can take up to 10 minutes. Don't turn off Bluetooth or leave the app at this time! If the process is stalled during Preparation, try:

• 🔌 Reset the bracelet (press the button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 Reboot the phone.
• 🔄 Repeat the update attempt in 5 minutes.

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet stopped turning on or got stuck on the Mi logo after the firmware update, this may indicate a regional firmware incompatibility.In this case, you need to reflash the device through the Mi Band 3 Tools (requires a PC and a cable for firmware).

Alternative applications for setting the time

If the standard Mi Fit app doesn't work well with time synchronization, you can use third-party utilities that offer advanced settings, including manual adjustments to hours and minutes. Here are the proven options:

• 📲 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Android): allows you to manually set the time, date, and even the display format (12/24 Supports Mi Band. 3/4/5.
• 🍎 Mi Band Master (iOS/Android): has the function of forced time synchronization with the ability to select a source (phone or Internet).
• 🖥️ Mi Band 3 Tools (Windows): a utility for PC that allows you to flash the bracelet and fix errors RTC-module.

When using third-party applications, consider:

• Some features may require root rights to Android.
• Unofficial firmware can deprive you of guarantees.
• Check reviews before installing – some apps contain ads or paid subscriptions.

For Notify & Fitness, the time setting instructions are as follows:

1. Connect the bracelet to the application (allow all access requests).
2. Go to Settings → Device → Time and Date.
3. Turn off Auto Sync and manually set the current time.
4. Save the changes and wait for the vibration of the bracelet.

Frequent questions about setting up time for Mi Band 3