How to set up a watch on the Xiaomi Band fitness bracelet: from synchronization to customization

The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets (or Xiaomi Smart Band in new models) have long been one of the most popular wearables due to a combination of functionality, accuracy and affordable price. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulty adjusting time — especially if the bracelet shows incorrect data after resetting, replacing the battery or updating the firmware. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust the watch on the Mi Band from the 5th to the 8th model, including synchronization with the smartphone, manual adjustment and solving typical errors.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi bracelet does not have its own. GPS-It depends entirely on the data of the smartphone for the exact time, which means that any sync problems are most often not related to the device itself, but to the settings of the phone or the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life). when the watch is lost due to software failures and when manual adjustment is required through the bracelet menu.

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1. Preparation for setting up: what to check before synchronization

Before you start changing the time on the bracelet, make sure that the basic conditions for correct operation are met:

• 📱 Install the latest version of Mi Fitness (for Mi Band) 7/8) or Zepp Life for the Mi Band 5/6) from Google Play or App Store. Older versions may not support new bracelet firmware.
• 🔄 Account Sync: Sign in to the app under the same Xiaomi account as your smartphone. Without it, the bracelet will not be able to receive time and notification data.
• 📶 Bluetooth Connection: Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and make sure the bracelet is within range (no further than 10 meters).The Mi Band 8 also requires Bluetooth 5.0 or higher.
• ⚡ Battery charge: Bracelet charge level should be at least 20.

If you have just purchased a bracelet or reset it to factory settings, first perform the initial binding through the application.

1. Open Mi Fitness and click “Add Device”.
2. Choose your Mi Band model from the list.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to confirm the actions on the bracelet (usually touch the sensor or press a button).

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet was previously tied to another phone, reset via Settings → Reset on the device or in the application. Without this, new time synchronization will not be possible.

2. Automatic time synchronization with a smartphone

By default, the Xiaomi Mi Band receives the time and date data from your smartphone through the app, this process occurs automatically every time you connect the bracelet to your phone. If the time on the bracelet is not updated, follow the following steps:

1. Update your data manually: Open the Mi Fitness app. Go to the Profile tab (the person icon at the bottom of the screen). Select your bracelet from the list of devices. Slap the sync icon (round arrow) in the upper right corner.
2. Check your phone settings: Make sure your smartphone has Automatic Date and Time (Settings → System → Date and Time) on it. Choose the correct time zone (especially when traveling).
3. Reconnect the bracelet: In the app, go to Device Settings → Disable. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth again on your phone. Reconnect the bracelet through Add Device.

If the time is still out of sync after these actions, the problem may be in the app's cache. Clean it through Phone Settings → Apps → Mi Fitness → Storage → Clear the cache. For Android, it is also recommended to restart the smartphone.

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If the bracelet shows time 1-2 hours late, check the settings of time zones on the phone. For example, in Russia, Moscow and Yekaterinburg are in different belts (UTC+3 and UTC+5, respectively), and automatic determination may fail.

Manual time setting on the bracelet (without phone)

In some situations, you need to change the time directly on the bracelet — for example, if the smartphone is dead, or you are in an area without network coverage.

For the Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8 Pro with GPS, manual time setting is only available when the location module is disabled, otherwise the bracelet will automatically adjust the time from satellite data.

Step-by-step instructions for manual adjustment:

1. Scroll the bracelet screen up to open the menu.
2. Find the Settings section (cog icon).
3. Select the date and time (on some models – System → Time).
4. Turn off the autosynchronization option (if any).
5. Manually set the clock, minutes, date and time format (12/24 hours).
6. Save the changes with a button or touch (depending on the model).

⚠️ Note: On the Mi Band 5 and Mi Band 6, manual time settings are reset the next time you sync with your phone. To avoid this, turn off automatic time updates in the Mi Fitness app settings.

Charge the bracelet to 50% |

Turn off Bluetooth on your phone |

Remember the current time on your phone for reconciliation |

Check the bracelet firmware version-->

Configure the time format (12/24 hours) and additional parameters

In addition to the watch itself, the Xiaomi Mi Band can be set to display the time in a 12- or 24-hour format, as well as turn on seconds on the home screen. These options are available through both the bracelet and the application.

Method 1: Through the menu of the bracelet

• For Mi Band 7/8: Go to Settings → Screen → Time format. Choose 24-hour or 12-hour (AM/PM).
• For Mi Band 5/6: Open Settings → More → Time Format. Activate the option you want (button confirmation will be required).

Method 2: Through the Mi Fitness app

1. Open the app and select your bracelet.
2. Go to Settings of the device → Screen and brightness → Time format.
3. Set the desired format and save the changes.

The Mi Band 8 also has a second display option on the main dial.

1. In the bracelet menu, select Settings → Screen → Show seconds.
2. Activate the switch (default switched off to save battery).

5. Problem Solving: The clock is stray or not updated

If the time on the Xiaomi bracelet is confused or shows incorrect data, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔋 Weak battery power: At levels below 15%, the bracelet goes into energy saving mode and time synchronization may stop.
• 📡 Unstable Bluetooth connection: If the signal is interrupted, no time data is transmitted. Check for no interference (other Bluetooth devices, microwaves).
• 🕒 Firmware failure: After updating the bracelet software, system settings, including time, are sometimes lost.
• 🌍 Incorrect time zone: If the phone is selected the wrong belt, the bracelet will show the time with displacement.

Remedies:

1. Reboot the bracelet: For Mi Band 5/6: Press the touch button 10-15 seconds before the Xiaomi logo appears. For Mi Band 7/8: Go to Settings → About the device → Reboot.
2. Update your firmware: In the Mi Fitness app, check for updates in Device Settings → Firmware Update. If the bracelet shows a time difference of exactly 1 hour, this is a sign of outdated firmware (the bug is fixed in versions after 1.0.5.56 for Mi Band 6).

Reset the bracelet settings

Settings → About the device → Reset to factory

After reset, you will have to re-attach the bracelet to the phone.

If the problem persists, try removing and re-addling the bracelet in the Mi Fitness app.

1. In the app, go to Profile → Your device → Delete.
2. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your phone.
3. Add the bracelet as a new device.

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If the bracelet shows time 3-4 hours ahead or behind, the phone will likely have disabled the Automatic Date and Time option, and turn it on in your smartphone settings, and the problem will disappear after sync.

6.Setting alarm clocks and reminders by time

In addition to the main time, the Xiaomi Mi Band can set alarm clocks, inactivity reminders and calendar events, all of which are tied to the current bracelet time.

How to add an alarm clock:

• Through the Mi Fitness app: Open the alarms section of the wristband menu. Press Add an alarm clock and set a time. Choose the days of the week and the type of vibration (single or repeated).

Mi Band 7/8

Settings → Alarms → Add

Inactivity reminders help avoid sitting for long periods of time, so you can adjust them:

1. In the app, go to Profile → Settings → Inactivity reminders.
2. Set the interval (e.g., every 60 minutes).
3. Choose the days and times of activity (for example, from 9:00 to 18:00).

The Mi Band 8 also has calendar reminders, which require:

• Connect your Google or Xiaomi account in the app settings.
• Allow access to the calendar in the phone settings.
• Enable the calendar synchronization option in Mi Fitness.

⚠️ Warning: If the alarm clock on the bracelet doesn't work, check if the phone is in Do Not Disturb or Energy Saving mode.

7. Customization of time-display dials

One way to personalize the Xiaomi Mi Band is to install custom dials, many of which offer unique time display styles, including analog watches, digital scoreboards, and even animations.

Method 1: Through the official annex

1. In Mi Fitness, select your bracelet.
2. Go to the Dials section.
3. View the available options and click Install.
4. Some dials support dynamic time (e.g. day/night shift).

Method 2: Installation of third-party dials

For the Mi Band 6/7/8, you can set custom dials from third-party developers.

1. Download the.bin dial file from trusted sources (e.g. Amazonfit).
2. With the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app (available for Android), download the dial onto the bracelet.
3. Select it from the bracelet menu (Settings → Dial).

When choosing a dial, pay attention to:

• 🎨 Time display style: analog, digital or hybrid.
• 🔋 Energy consumption: Animated dials drain the battery faster.
• 📊 Additional widgets: pedometer, pulse, weather.

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To return a standard dial, go to Settings → Dial → Default on the bracelet itself. This is useful if the third-party dial is not working properly.

8. Frequent questions and errors in setting the time