The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is one of the most popular wearables, but its proper operation depends on the correct timing settings. Many users face a situation where, after charging or updating the application, the clock on the gadget’s screen begins to lag or show the wrong time zone. This is because the device does not have a built-in GPS or cellular module to independently receive time data from the network.
Unlike a smart watch with SIM-The map, this tracker relies entirely on synchronization with the smartphone, and the key here is a stable connection via Bluetooth and the presence of the Mi Fit (or Zepp Life) application installed. Without regular contact with the phone, the bracelet will rely on its internal quartz generator, which over time inevitably gives an error.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to set up a watch in the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 bracelet, what to do if time is lost, and how to choose the right display format. You will learn about the intricacies of the background services of the smartphone operating system, which can block data transmission, and how to fix it. Time settings on the Mi Band 4 are exclusively automatic when synchronized with the application, manual digits entering directly on the bracelet is impossible.
The principle of synchronization of time
It's fundamental to understand that Xiaomi Mi Band 4 doesn't know how to set the time itself. All the information about the current date, day of the week and exact time comes from your smartphone. Once you open the companion app, there's a data packet exchange, and the watch on the bracelet is updated to a second. If you're in another country or switched to winter/summer time, just update the data on your phone and start syncing.
Data transfer requires an active Bluetooth connection. In the background, Android and iOS operating systems can aggressively save energy by forcibly shutting down applications or limiting their network activity. This causes the bracelet to "not see" the phone and continues to tick on its internal timer, accumulating an error. Connection stability is a guarantee that you will always know the exact time.
There are several scenarios where synchronization is required: after the tracker battery is completely drained, after the app is reinstalled, after changing the time zone, or just periodically during the day. If you notice that time has run away, don't try to look for hidden menus on the device itself - there simply aren't any. The only way is to establish a connection between the phone and the bracelet.
Step-by-step instructions for the initial setting
The first switch on and setup of Xiaomi Mi Band 4 requires care, as it depends on the further correctness of all functions. Before you start, make sure that the smartphone is enabled Bluetooth and geolocation (GPS), as in Android without permission to access the location, finding the device can be difficult. Also check that the phone has the current time and selected the correct time zone in the system settings.
Next, download the official app. For Android and iOS users, it can be Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit) or Mi Fitness. After you install and register your account, go to Profile and select Add Device. Find Mi Band 4 and click Connect. The bracelet will display a vibration and a Bluetooth icon — confirm the pairing by touching the touch button.
☑️ Checklist of primary settings
Once you pair it successfully, the app will request permission to access notifications and contacts. Agree with all the points to make the functionality work properly. At that point, the first automatic synchronization will occur, and the numbers on the tracker screen will become current. If the time is still incorrect, try to log out of the account in the application and log in again, this will force the update of all parameters.
Solving problems with desynchronization on Android
The most common reason Xiaomi Mi Band 4 time is no longer matched to real time is because of the smartphone’s energy saving settings. Android, especially in MIUI, OneUI or pure Android shells, tends to close the background processes to save battery power. As a result, the companion app stops communicating with the bracelet, and the watch begins to lag.
To fix this, you need to go to your phone's settings, find the Apps or All Apps section, and look up Zepp Life (or Mi Fit.) Inside the app menu, find Battery or Energy Saving. Select No Limits or No Limits mode, which will allow the app to be permanently in memory and communicate with the tracker.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi phones with shell MIUI You also need to enable Autostart for the Zepp Life app. Without this permission, the system will block the application from working after the phone restarts, and the time synchronization will stop until you manually start the program.
Also check if the restriction on data transfer in the background is worth it. In the same menu of the application settings, find the item "Data Use" and make sure that the options "Background mode" and "Wi-Fi" are enabled. It is also useful to fix the application in memory: open a list of running applications, find the Zepp Life window and click on the lock or select "Block".
What to do if time is lost after rebooting the phone?
Setting time on iPhone (iOS)
Apple smartphone owners are more fortunate in terms of stability of background processes, since iOS strictly regulates the operation of Bluetooth devices, but there are also some nuances. First of all, make sure that the iPhone settings in the "Basic" -> "Date and time" activate the switch "Automatically". If the phone shows the wrong time, then the bracelet will show the wrong one.
The second important aspect is the permissions for the Zepp Life app. Go to the phone's Settings, scroll down to the app list, and select Zepp Life. Make sure all tumblers are turned on, especially Fitness Tracking and Bluetooth access. Without those permissions, sync can be incorrect or with long delays.
If you use widgets on your iOS desktop, try adding a Zepp Life widget. This will help keep the app more active. It's also worth checking if the "Energy Saving" mode (yellow battery) is worth it, which can limit background activity of Bluetooth accessories. For stable operation, Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is better to keep this mode off.
Change of time format: 12 or 24 hours
One of the most common questions is how to switch the time format from 12-hour (AM/PM) to 24-hour and vice versa. Many users mistakenly search for this setting in the menu of the bracelet itself, scrolling through screens. However, as with the setting of time, the display format is set centrally through the app on the smartphone.
To change the format, open the Zepp Life app, go to your profile and select your Mi Band 4. In the settings list, look for "Bracelet settings" or "Dial profile." There'll be "Time format." Choose the desired option (12 hours or 24 hours).
It's worth noting that some third-party dials can ignore the system format settings and display the time in their own style. If you set a custom dial and see an AM/PM there, try changing it to a standard one or find information about supported formats in the dial description. The system format only affects the standard dials and menus of the device.
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Tip: If you travel frequently, it is more convenient to use the 24-hour format to avoid confusion with AM/PM, especially when planning appointments in different time zones.
Table of the main setting parameters
To make it easier to understand, we've systematized the basic parameters that affect the timing and the date, and checking these settings will help quickly diagnose the problem.
| Parameter | Where you're tuning in. | Recommended value | Impact on work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time zone | Smartphone system | Automatically (over the network) | Critical for the accuracy of date and time |
| Time format | Zepp Life Appendix | 24 hours (for RF/CIS) | Ease of reading, eliminates confusion |
| Date format | Zepp Life Appendix | MG-MM-DD or DD-MM-GG | Order of day and month display |
| Interface language | Zepp Life Appendix | Russian | Understanding menus and notifications |
Note that the date format change is also done in the app, which affects how the calendar will appear on the bracelet screen when switching between time and date, and adjusting these settings correctly makes the device as comfortable as possible.
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All settings of time, date and format of display on Xiaomi Mi Band 4 are controlled exclusively through the companion app on the smartphone, on the device you can only view the current values.
Problems with time zones and time translation
When traveling to other regions or countries, the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 must automatically adjust to the new local time if the smartphone has enabled the automatic time zone detection function. However, sometimes it happens that the phone has already rebuilt and the bracelet remains in the old time, this is solved by forced opening of the application and waiting for the synchronization to be completed.
The situation with the transition to winter or daylight saving time (relevant in some countries) also requires attention. Since in Russia and a number of other countries the transitions are canceled, the problem is less relevant, but when traveling abroad, you may experience. If the time has changed by an hour, but the date remains the same, most likely, the phone has not yet received updated data from the cellular operator. Check the network settings on your smartphone.
⚠️ Note: If you travel across multiple time zones on an airplane, don't rely on automatic synchronization. There's no network connection in flight mode. After landing and turning on the Internet, be sure to open the Zepp Life app to get the bracelet the current time of the new region.
In rare cases, you may need to manually select a time zone in the settings of the phone itself if the automatic determination fails (e.g. in border areas).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why can't you set your time manually on Mi Band 4?
The bracelet tells the time, but the date is wrong.
Can you set up automatic time change without a phone?
The time on the bracelet runs ahead or lags behind for a few minutes a day.
How do I return the standard time if I set a third-party dial?
Setup Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is a simple process, if you understand the logic of the interaction of the device with the smartphone. Following these recommendations, you will ensure the accuracy of your tracker and can fully rely on its readings in everyday life and during sports training.
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The main secret of stable operation of Mi Band 4 is to allow the Zepp Life application to work in the background without power saving restrictions, then time synchronization will occur automatically and unnoticed to you.