Setting up time on the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet: the full guide

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables due to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face the problem: the watch on the bracelet shows the wrong time or does not sync at all with the phone. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust time on the Mi Band 4, from automatic synchronization to manual adjustment, and also consider typical errors and their solutions.

It’s important to understand that the time on the wristband depends on two factors: the correct operation of the Mi Fit app (or alternative ones like Zepp Life) and a stable Bluetooth connection. If the clock gets lost after disconnecting from the phone or rebooting, the problem may lie in the smartphone’s energy saving settings or the firmware of the wristband itself.

1. Automatic time synchronization via Mi Fit

The main way to set the time on Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is to sync with your phone through the official app, which works 90% of the time and does not require manual intervention.

  1. Make sure that your smartphone has the Mi Fit app installed (you can download it from Google Play or the App Store).
  2. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and connect the bracelet to the app (unless it’s done before).
  3. Open Mi Fit, go to Profile tab β†’ select your Mi Band 4.
  4. Check that the device settings section includes the option Autosynchronization of time.

After these actions, the bracelet should automatically tighten the current time from the phone. If synchronization does not occur, try:

  • πŸ”„ Reset the bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds until vibration appears).
  • πŸ“± Restart the Mi Fit and Bluetooth app on your phone.
  • πŸ”— Disable and reconnect the bracelet in Bluetooth settings.

πŸ’‘

If the bracelet still gets out of sync, check the power saving settings on your phone. Some manufacturers (e.g. Xiaomi, Huawei) aggressively optimize the background of applications, which can block the time update.

2. manual time setting (if automatic synchronization does not work)

In rare cases, automatic synchronization may not work because of software failures or outdated firmware, so you'll have to adjust the time manually.

  1. Open the Mi Fit app and go to your Mi Band 4 settings.
  2. Select the option for additional settings β†’ Time and date.
  3. Turn off the autosynchronization option (if it is active).
  4. Enter the current time and date manually, then save the changes.

Note that manual adjustment will reset the next time you connect to your phone if automatic synchronization is enabled, and this method is only suitable as a temporary solution. If the problem recurs, it is recommended to update the firmware of the bracelet or reset it to factory settings.

Make sure your phone is connected to the internet.|Check that the phone has the correct time.|Turn off "In the Airplane" on the bracelet|Update the Mi Fit app to the latest version-->

3.Why is the time on Mi Band 4 getting lost or not updated?

If the watch on the wristband is constantly showing the wrong time, the reasons may be as follows:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Time is lost after disconnecting from the phoneThe bracelet does not save time offlineUpdate the firmware of Mi Band 4 or reset the settings
The clock is behind/hurried for a few minutesImaculate internal bracelet timerEnable automatic synchronization in Mi Fit
Time is not updated when connecting to the phoneBlocking background activity of Mi FitAdd the app to battery optimization exceptions
After the bracelet was dropped, time went wrong.Reset returned factory settingsRe-synchronize the bracelet with the phone

A critical feature of the Mi Band 4: the bracelet does not have its own GPS module or synchronization with mobile carrier networks, so it is completely dependent on the phone to update the time. If your smartphone shows the wrong time (for example, due to a glitch in the date settings), the bracelet will also display erroneous data.

Never lost it.|Rarely (once every few months)|Frequently (once a week)|Constantly (every day)-->

4. firmware update to fix time issues

Outdated firmware is one of the main reasons for the Mi Band 4 clock to malfunction. Xiaomi regularly releases updates to correct synchronization errors.

  1. Open Mi Fit and go to your device’s settings.
  2. Select the Firmware Update item.
  3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet must be charged at least 50%).

During the update:

  • 🚫 Don't turn off the bracelet from your phone.
  • πŸ”‹ Do not interrupt the charging process (if required).
  • πŸ“Ά Make sure your phone is connected to a stable internet connection (preferably via Wi-Fi).
What to do if the update is suspended?
If the firmware update process stalls for a few minutes, don't panic. Wait 10-15 minutes. If nothing changes: 1. Restart the bracelet (press the button for 10 seconds). 2. Restart the Mi Fit app and try again. 3. If the error repeats, try updating the firmware through an alternative application, such as Notify & Fitness for Mi Band or Tools & Mi Band.

5.Time settings through alternative applications

If Mi Fit can't sync, third-party apps like Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit) or Notify & Fitness for Mi Band can be used.They often offer advanced settings, including forced time synchronization.

Example: Notify & Fitness:

  1. Install the app from Google Play.
  2. Connect the bracelet through the Device menu.
  3. Go to Device Settings β†’ Time and Date.
  4. Press Sync Time.

Alternative applications have the advantage of being able to force time updates without waiting for automatic synchronization, but note that some functions (such as notifications) may not work smoothly.

πŸ’‘

Third-party apps may offer additional options, but the official Mi Fit remains the most reliable way for basic features, including time synchronization.

6. Resetting the bracelet to factory settings

If none of these methods worked, the last option is to completely reset the Mi Band 4, which will bring the bracelet back to its original state and often solves problems with time.

  1. Open on the phone Mi Fit and untie the bracelet in the settings of the device.
  2. On the bracelet itself, go to the Settings menu (flick the screen to the right until the end).
  3. Select Resetting (the icon with the wrench) and confirm the action.
  4. After restarting the bracelet, reconnect it to your phone via Mi Fit.

After the reset, all data (steps, pulse, notifications) will be deleted, but the clock should be synchronized correctly. If the problem persists, this may indicate a hardware defect in the bracelet - in this case, it is recommended to contact the service center.

πŸ’‘

Before resetting, save important data (such as your workout history) to the Mi Fit cloud or take screenshots of the statistics.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users make the same mistakes when setting up time on Mi Band 4.

⚠️ Note: If you use two phones to connect to the bracelet (e.g., work and personal), time may be lost due to a synchronization conflict.

  • πŸ“΅ Bluetooth disabled: Without active connection, the bracelet cannot update the time. Check that Bluetooth is on and the bracelet is connected.
  • ⏳ Wrong time on phone: If the smartphone has lost date/time, the bracelet will pull up the wrong data. Make sure the phone has enabled the option Autodetermining date and time.
  • πŸ”‹ Low bracelet charge: At battery level below 10%, some functions (including synchronization) may shut down.

Another common problem is regional settings: If the phone has the wrong time zone, the bracelet will show the time against this bias. Check the time zone settings in the System β†’ Date and Time menu on your smartphone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I set my time for Mi Band 4 without my phone?
No, the bracelet doesn't have its own manual time-entry interface, and all the settings are done through the app on the smartphone, and if the phone isn't available, the only option is to wait for automatic sync the next time you connect.
Why did the battery change to Mi Band 4?
Replacing the battery results in a complete reset of the bracelet memory, including the time settings, and after the battery is replaced, you need to re-synchronize the device with the phone via Mi Fit.
How to turn on the 24-hour time format?
The format of displaying the time (12/24 hours) depends on the settings of your smartphone. Change the format in the menu System β†’ Date and time β†’ Time format on the phone, after which the bracelet automatically tightens the new settings.
The bracelet shows time 1 to 2 minutes late. Is that normal?
A slight lag (up to 2-3 minutes) may be due to the internal timer of the bracelet. If the difference is greater, check the synchronization settings in Mi Fit or update the firmware.
Can I synchronize time from a computer (PC)?
Officially, no. The Mi Band 4 only syncs to smartphones via Bluetooth. However, there are informal Windows utilities (such as the Mi Band Master) that allow you to control some of the bracelet's features, but their use can lead to crashes.