How to set up a watch on Xiaomi fitness bracelet: from synchronization to manual adjustment

Xiaomi smart wristbands are some of the most popular activity tracking gadgets, but even simple features like displaying accurate time sometimes raise questions from users. If your Mi Band 5/6/7, Redmi Watch 2/3 or other model shows the wrong time, gets lost after a reboot or does not sync with your phone at all, the problem is solved in 90% of cases without contacting the service. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to adjust the clocks from automatic synchronization through the application to manual adjustment and solve typical errors.

Xiaomi bracelets are not equipped with its own GPS module and a full operating system — they are set by either pairing with a smartphone or manually. The configuration algorithm may vary depending on the model of the gadget and the firmware version. We have compiled current instructions for all modern devices of the brand, including the rare cases when the bracelet “hangs” at the wrong time despite all attempts at synchronization.

Why is Xiaomi’s bracelet showing the wrong time?

Before you get to the setup, it’s important to understand the root of the problem, and here are the most common reasons for time failure on Xiaomi smartwatches:

• 📱 Lack of sync with smartphone: bracelet not connected to phone via Bluetooth or Mi app Fitness/Zepp Life is not working properly.
• ⏰ Wrong time zone on the phone: if the smartphone has the wrong region, the bracelet will duplicate this error.
• 🔄 Firmware failure: after updating the software or resetting the settings, the time may be lost to factory values (for example, on January 1, 2015).
• 🔋 Battery discharge: At a charge level below 10%, some functions, including time synchronization, are turned off to save energy.
• 🌍 Automatic time zone change: if you are traveling, the bracelet may not have time to update data when changing locations frequently.

80 percent of the time, the problem is solved by simply resynchronizing the app, but if the wristband is hours or days apart and the synchronization doesn't work, you'll need to manually adjust or reset the device, and then we'll look at the methods in order.

Method 1: Automatic synchronization with Mi Fitness/Zepp Life

The easiest and most recommended way is to let the bracelet automatically take time from your smartphone.

1. Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled and the bracelet is connected to the device.
2. Open the Mi Fitness app (for older models) or Zepp Life app (for newer models).
3. Go to the main profile page of the bracelet (usually its model and charge level are displayed).
4. Pull the screen down to update data or click on the sync icon (🔄).

If time hasn't updated:

• 📲 Check that the phone has the correct date and time (enable automatic settings in the system settings).
• 🔄 Reboot the bracelet: Press the button (or touch area) for 10-15 seconds before the appearance of the Xiaomi logo.
• 📱 Reinstall the Mi app Fitness/Zepp Life – sometimes cache interferes with correct synchronization.

Bluetooth enabled on phone |Brecelet connected to app |On phone right time and time zone |Brecelet charge level >20 percent-->

Important: Some models (such as Mi Band 5) may require location permission for Mi Fitness after upgrading to 1.0.6.54 and higher, without which time synchronization will not work.

Method 2: Manual time setting (if synchronization is not working)

If automatic synchronization doesn't work, you can set the time manually, which is suitable for most models, including the Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7 and the Redmi Watch.

1. Open the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app.
2. Select your bracelet from the list of devices.
3. Go to Device Profile → Additional settings → Date and time (the item name may vary).
4. Turn off the option "Sync with smartphone".
5. Enter the current date and time manually, select a time zone.
6. Save the changes and wait for the data update on the bracelet (it can take up to 1 minute).

Some firmware has a manual setting hidden, if you can't see the relevant item:

Critical feature: On the Mi Band 7 Pro and some versions of the Redmi Watch 3, manual time settings are blocked by the manufacturer.The only way to fix the failure is to reset the bracelet to factory settings (instruction below).

Method 3: Resetting the bracelet to factory settings

If neither synchronization nor manual adjustment works, the last resort is hard reset, which erases all the data from the wristband (steps, pulse, alarm settings), but often solves problems with time.

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → System → Reset (the path may be different).
2. Confirm the reset by holding the button (or sensor) for 5 seconds.
3. Once you reboot, connect the bracelet to your phone again via Mi Fitness/Zepp Life.

For models without a touch screen (such as the Mi Band 2):

1. Disconnect the bracelet from the phone in Bluetooth settings.


2 Hold the physical button for 20 seconds until vibration.




3. Reconnect through the application.

⚠️ Warning: After reset, the bracelet can show the time a few hours apart. This is normal - wait for the first sync with the phone (can take up to 5 minutes).

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Before resetting, take a picture of the bracelet screen with the current settings (alarm clocks, notifications) to help you quickly restore them after rebooting.

Solving specific problems with time

Sometimes the bracelet behaves illogically: it shows the time 3-6 hours late, hangs on one date or is reset after each disconnection from the phone.

Problem 1: Time is lost by 3-4 hours ago

Most of the time, it's because of the wrong time zone on the phone.

• 🌐 In the settings of the smartphone, the correct region is selected (for example, Moscow (UTC+3), Not London (UTC+0)).
• ⚙️ In the Mi Fitness app, the bracelet profile shows the same time zone as the phone.

Problem 2: The bracelet is “hanging” on January 1, 2015

This is a typical symptom of a firmware failure.

• 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware through the Device Profile → Update of the PO.
• 📥 If the update doesn’t help, reset (see Method 3) and repeat sync.

Problem 3: Time is updated only after manual synchronization is started

The fault is the power saving mode on your phone or bracelet. Turn off optimization for the Mi Fitness app:

• 🔋 On Android: Settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Battery → No restrictions.
• 🍎 On iPhone: Settings → Mi Fitness → Background update → On..

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If the bracelet is constantly resetting time after disconnecting from your phone, check the energy saving settings on both devices. Often the problem is solved by turning off battery optimization for the Mi Fitness app.

Configure additional time parameters

In addition to the main clock, Xiaomi bracelets can be configured:

• ⏱️ Time format (12/24 Hours: Bracelet settings → Display. → Time format.
• 🔔 Alarm clocks: up to 10 vibration signals (configured in the app).
• 🌙 Automatic switch to night mode (for models with the AMOLED-screen).
• ⏳ Timers and stopwatches: Available via swipe down on the home screen.

The Mi Band 7 and Redmi Watch 3 also have a Smart Alarm feature that analyzes sleep phases and wakes at optimal times.

1. In the app, go to Profile → Sleep → Smart alarm clock.
2. Set a time range (for example, 7:00-7:30).
3. Activate the option and save it.

For GPS models (such as the Mi Band 7 Pro), time can be synchronized with satellites.

• 📡 Update data regularly GPS (once-in 1-2 weeks).
• 🌍 In the bracelet settings, specify the correct region.

Frequent User Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many of the time problems on Xiaomi bracelets are due to non-obvious errors.

⚠️ Warning: Never disconnect the bracelet from the Mi Fitness app via your phone's Bluetooth settings. Use only the "Disable" button in the app itself - otherwise the time synchronization breaks.

• 🚫 Install third-party firmware (e.g. Amazfit on Mi Band) which causes time zone failure and inability to update time.
• 🚫 Turn on Airplane Mode on the bracelet for longer than 24 hours, which knocks down the internal clock of the device.
• 🚫 Use a bracelet with two phones at the same time, and time synchronization works with only one connected device.

Also avoid:

• 🔋 Unload the bracelet "to zero" - this can lead to a time reset to factory values.
• 📵 Keeping the bracelet near sources of strong interference (microwaves, powerful routers) - this prevents Bluetooth synchronization.

If you bought a Xiaomi used bracelet, be sure to reset before the first connection. Previous settings (including time zone) may have been left over from the old owner.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions