Set up time on Xiaomi smart bracelet: from synchronization to manual fixes

Xiaomi smart bracelets are among the most popular wearables due to their combination of functionality and affordable price. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulty adjusting a basic setting like current time. The problem is compounded by the fact that the display of the bracelet can display the wrong time, despite synchronization with a smartphone. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust the watch, from automatic synchronization to manual adjustment to solve typical errors.

It is important to understand that the mechanism for updating the time on the Mi Band (including the Mi Band 5/6/7/8), Xiaomi Smart Band Pro and other devices in the series depends on the firmware, the version of the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app, and even the smartphone operating system. We will consider universal methods, as well as nuances for specific models and situations - for example, when the bracelet shows the time with a delay or after resetting.

1. Automatic time synchronization with a smartphone

By default, Xiaomi’s smart bracelet receives time and date data from the connected smartphone via the Mi Fitness app (for older models) or Zepp Life app (for newer ones), which occurs automatically when three conditions are met:

• 📱 Smartphone and bracelet connected via Bluetooth (connection indicator is active in the application).
• 🕒 The correct date and time are set on the smartphone (Autodetermination of date and time is enabled in the system settings).
• 🔄 In the Zepp appendix Life/Mi Fitness enabled data synchronization (usually activated by default).

If the time on the bracelet is not updated, check:

1. Is the Zepp Life app open on a smartphone (sometimes background synchronization is blocked by battery optimization).
2. Is the phone enabled Charge Saving or Background Activity Limitation for the app?
3. Is it not necessary to update the firmware of the bracelet (in the menu Device Profile → Software Update).

Sync is usually done within 1-2 minutes of the connection, and if the time is not updated, try manually initiating the process:

⚠️ Note: On some Mi Band firmware, forced time synchronization is only possible through resetting the bracelet settings.

2 Manual time change on the bracelet (without a smartphone)

Not all Xiaomi models support manual time settings directly on the device, but in some cases it is possible. For example, on the Mi Band 7 and Mi Band 8, you can adjust the watch through the wristband menu:

1. Swipe up the bracelet screen to open the main menu.
2. Select the option Still (or Settings on the English firmware).
3. Go to Date and Time. → Set the time.
4. Use touch buttons or swipes to change hours and minutes.
5. Confirm the changes by clicking on a tick or a long tap.

On older models (such as the Mi Band 4), manual time settings may not be available, in which case the only way is to sync with your smartphone or reset your settings.

If the bracelet shows time with a constant lag (for example, it is 5-10 minutes behind), the problem may lie in:

• 🔋 Low battery (less than 10%) – bracelet saves energy by reducing synchronization frequency.
• 📶 Unstable Bluetooth connection (especially relevant for cheap smartphones with Bluetooth 4.0).
• 🕹️ Conflict with other wearable devices connected to the phone.

3. Configuring time formats (12/24 date)

The format of displaying time on the Xiaomi bracelet depends on the settings of the smartphone and regional settings.

1. Open the Zepp Life or Mi Fitness app.
2. Go to your bracelet profile (slip it at the top of the screen).
3. Select the device settings → Date and time.
4. Activate the 24-hour format switch or turn it off for 12-hour mode.

To change the order of the date display (e.g. DD.MM.GYG instead of MM/DD/GY):

• 🌍 Change the language of the smartphone system to Russian (if English localization is used).
• 📅 In the phone settings, check the region (Settings) → System system → Language and input → Region).

On firmware bracelets for the global market (the global version of the software), the date format may differ from Russian standards, in which case only flashing on the local version will help.

4. Solving time disruption problems

If the time on the wristband is lost after disconnecting from the phone, restarting or at night, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔄 Reset bracelet settings – after that, re-synchronization is required.
• 📵 Long-term lack of communication with the phone (more than 12 hours) - the bracelet goes offline with a margin of error.
• 🛠️ Damaged firmware - helps flashing through official software.

Algorithm of actions in case of constant failure:

To reset the bracelet settings:

1. Open Zepp Life → Bracelet profile → Untie the device.
2. On the bracelet itself, go to Settings → Reset (for the Mi Band 7/8, hold the touch button for 10 seconds).
3. Reconnect the bracelet through the app.

⚠️ Attention: On bracelets with NFC (For example, Mi Band 7 NFC) Resetting also removes the associated bank cards, and you have to add them again.

5. Features of settings on iPhone (iOS)

iPhone users often face time sync issues due to iOS restrictions on the background of apps.To fix this:

1. Open the iPhone Settings → Zepp Life.
2. Enable options: Bluetooth – always; Background content update; Local Network (for Wi-Fi models).

Reboot your iPhone and bracelet.

If the time is not synchronized:

• 🔌 Try to disable and reconnect the bracelet in the application.
• 📲 Install an alternative app like Mi Fit (for older models).
• 🔄 Manually update the bracelet firmware through the Device Profile → Update of the PO.

💡

On iPhone with iOS 16+ before connecting the bracelet, temporarily turn off the mode "Saving charge" - this will accelerate the first synchronization.

6. Additional settings: time zones, daylight saving time

Xiaomi bracelets automatically take into account the time zone of the smartphone, but when traveling to another time zone, there may be delays.

1. On your smartphone, turn on Timezone Autodetermination (Settings → System → Date and Time).
2. Reset the bracelet (hold the 5 seconds button until vibration).
3. Open Zepp Life and wait for sync (the cloud icon at the top of the screen should disappear).

For manual time zone selection (relevant to Xiaomi Smart Band Pro):

• In the app, go to the Device Profile → Additional → Timezone.
• Select a region manually (e.g. Moscow (GMT+3)).

The DST bracelet also takes from your smartphone, and if the phone has disabled auto-update time, you will have to manually adjust the summer/winter transition.

7. Alternative synchronization methods (without official software)

If the Zepp Life app doesn’t work or the bracelet isn’t supported (for example, the Chinese version for the domestic market), you can use third-party utilities:

• 🤖 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Android) – Supports manual time synchronization for unofficial firmware.
• 💻 Gadgetbridge (Open-source) – works with Mi Band via Bluetooth, but requires technical skills.
• 📱 Mi Band Master – allows you to manually set the time of old models.

For use of Gadgetbridge:

1. Download APK from the official website.
2. Turn off the original Zepp Life app.
3. Connect the bracelet through Gadgetbridge → Devices → Mi Band.
4. In the bracelet menu, select Set time.

⚠️ Note: Third-party applications may conflict with official software and cause sensor malfunctions.

💡

The official Zepp Life software is the most reliable way to synchronize, and third-party utilities should only be used in extreme cases.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting the time