Set up time on Xiaomi Mi Band 5: synchronization, hand watch and troubleshooting

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet automatically synchronizes time with your smartphone, but sometimes manual adjustments are required – for example, when syncing fails, changing time zone or switching to winter/summer time. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust time, from basic synchronization through the Mi Fit application (or Zepp Life for new versions) to forced updating and fixing typical errors.

The Mi Band 5 feature is that it doesn't have its own GPS and a time zone automatic module, which means that the bracelet is completely dependent on the data of the smartphone. If the time on the device is confused, the problem lies either in the settings of the phone or in the operation of the proprietary application. We will look at each scenario in detail, including setting up a 12/24-hour format, time zone binding and actions when the time is “hanging”.

Important: The instruction is relevant for all Mi Band 5 firmware (including the latest updates from 2026) and works on Android/iOS. If you use custom firmware (for example, Notify & Fitness), some points may differ - we will mention this too.

1. Automatic time synchronization via Mi Fit/Zepp Life

By default, the Mi Band 5 bracelet syncs time to your phone every time you connect to Bluetooth, which happens automatically, but sometimes requires a forced start. Here's how it works:

• 📱 Make sure your smartphone has Bluetooth enabled and location permission enabled (required for Mi Fit to work properly).
• ⏱️ The phone's time zone should match your region. check this in the device settings (Settings) → System system → Date and time).
• 🔄 Autosynchronization in Mi Fit should be active (more on this below).

If the time on the bracelet is not updated, perform forced synchronization:

1. Open the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app.
2. Go to the main profile page of the bracelet (stamp its icon at the top of the screen).
3. Pull the screen down to update the data or press the Sync button (if it is displayed).
4. Wait 10-20 seconds – the bracelet should vibrate, signaling a successful upgrade.

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If synchronization is not happening, try rebooting the bracelet: press the touch button for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.

In rare cases, automatic synchronization is disabled after updating the firmware to return it:

1. In Mi Fit, go to Profile → Mi Band 5 → Device Settings → Time Synchronization.
2. Make sure that the autosynchronization slider is active (should be green).
3. If you do not have an option, update the app to the latest version.

2 Manual time setting without a smartphone

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 does not support manual timing directly through the wristband menu – all changes are made via the smartphone. However, there is a workaround for emergencies (for example, if the phone is dead or lost):

• ⚡ Use a spare smartphone with a Mi Fit installed and an authorized account. Connect a bracelet to it - time is synchronized automatically.
• 💻 If you only have a PC on hand, use an Android emulator (for example, BlueStacks) with Mi Fit installed. After connecting the bracelet via Bluetooth, the time will be updated.
• 🔧 In extreme cases, reset the bracelet to factory settings (Settings) → Reset to the Mi Band 5 menu, but it will delete all data from the device.

Important: After manually resetting, the bracelet will re-attach to the time zone of the smartphone from which you will re-synchronize. If you travel frequently, we recommend that you turn on the automatic time zone option (Settings → System → Date and time).

3. 12/24-hour format setting

The format of the time display on the Mi Band 5 depends on the regional settings of your smartphone.

1. On Android: Settings → System → Date and time → Time format Choose 24-hour or 12-hour (AM/PM).
2. On iOS: Settings → Basic → Date and time → 24-hour format Switch the slider to the desired position.

After changing the format on the phone:

• 🔄 Sync the bracelet through Mi Fit (pull the screen down on the home page of the device).
• ⏳ If the changes do not apply, restart the bracelet (hold the button for 10 seconds).

Note that some of the Mi Band 5 dials (especially third-party ones) may ignore the system settings.

• 🎨 Install a standard dial from the official Mi Fit catalog.
• 🛠️ Update the bracelet firmware to the latest version (see Section 5).

4. Solving time disruption problems

If the time on Mi Band 5 is strayed regularly, the reasons may be as follows:

To diagnose the problem:

1. Check if the time on the wristband and the smartphone match, and if it doesn't, the sync problem is.
2. Make sure that the phone has an automatic date and time option on it.
3. Try connecting the bracelet to another phone – if the time is working correctly, the problem is in the first device.

Check the time zone on your smartphone|Update Mi Fit to the latest version|Reboot the bracelet and phone|Try syncing with another device|Reset your bracelet settings (if necessary)-->

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet shows the time with a difference in 12 hours, for example, 13:00 instead 01:00), The smartphone is probably transmitting data to AM/PM-The format, and the bracelet misinterprets them. 24-hour-format.

5. Update firmware to correct time errors

Older versions of the Mi Band 5 firmware (below 1.0.3.54) had a bug that caused time to be lost after disconnecting from the phone.

1. Open the Mi Fit and go to the bracelet profile.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select the firmware update.
3. If the upgrade is available, plug the bracelet into charging (the battery must be charged at least 50%).
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the completion (the bracelet will reboot).

Important: Do not interrupt the update process, this can lead to the "bricking" of the device.

• 🔌 Connect the bracelet to charging and wait 30 minutes.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone and re-start your Mi Fit.
• 🔄 If the error persists, reset the bracelet to factory settings.

After the update, check the firmware version:

1. In Mi Fit, go to Profile → Mi Band 5 → About the device.
2. Find the firmware version line - current for 2026: 1.0.6.88 or higher.

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Updating the firmware through the official app is the only safe way. Using third-party firmware (for example, through Mi Band Master) can deprive the bracelet of warranty and cause unstable time.

6. Alternative synchronization methods (for advanced users)

If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party tools, one of which is the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app (available for Android).

• 🔧 Forced to update time without depending on Mi Fit.
• 🌍 Changing the time zone manually (useful for travel).
• ⚙️ Configure additional display parameters.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install Notify & Fitness from Google Play.
2. Connect the bracelet through the app (you may need to disable Mi Fit).
3. Go to Settings → Device → Time and Date.
4. Activate the option to sync time when connecting.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party apps may conflict with Mi Fit. Before connecting via Notify & Fitness, back up the bracelet data in the official app.

For iOS users, alternative solutions are limited because of the system's closedness, and the only reliable way to use the official Zepp Life app (the successor to Mi Fit for iPhone) is to use the official Zepp Life app if the sync doesn't work:

• 📲 Remove the application and install it again.
• 🔄 Enable Bluetooth option in iPhone settings → Share the system (for some versions of iOS).
• 🔧 Reset your network settings on your iPhone (Settings) → Mainstream → Reset → Reset the network settings).

7. Frequent questions and errors

Let’s look at the typical situations that Mi Band 5 owners face: