How to set the time on Xiaomi Mi Band 4: automatic and manual synchronization

Why Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is running out of time and how to fix it

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet is one of the most popular wearables due to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face a problem: the time on the wristband screen does not match the real one or gets lost after a reboot. The reasons can be different from the banal lack of synchronization with the phone to software failures in the firmware.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust the time on the Mi Band 4, including automatic synchronization through the Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life for new versions), manual adjustment, as well as solving typical problems. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances that the manufacturer does not always voice: for example, why the bracelet can “lag behind” 1-2 hours after updating the firmware or how the energy saving mode on the smartphone affects the accuracy of time.

If your bracelet is not showing the right time, don't rush to reset it to factory settings. 90% of the time, the problem is solved in 2-3 minutes using standard methods, which we will describe below. And for those who like to understand the details, we have prepared a table with decoding synchronization errors and a spoiler with technical details about how the Mi Band 4 receives time data.

Method 1: Automatic time synchronization with Mi Fit/Zepp Life

The main and most reliable way is to synchronize time with your phone through the official application. Xiaomi Mi Band 4 does not have its own GPS-So it needs to be connected to a smartphone to make it work properly:

1. Make sure your phone has Bluetooth on and the bracelet is connected to the app. Without an active connection, synchronization is impossible.
2. Open Mi Fit (or Zepp Life if you are using the new version of the software) and wait for automatic data updates, usually when you first connect or after you reboot the wristband.
3. If the time is not updated, pull the app screen down to force the data to be updated (swipe down gesture).

Important: the app synchronizes not only time, but also time zone. If the phone has the wrong region, the bracelet will also show the wrong time. Check the settings of the smartphone in the Date and Time section.

Bluetooth is on on the phone|Bracelet connected to Mi Fit/Zepp Life|The phone has a correct time zone.|Mi Fit app version updated|The bracelet is not in "Do Not Disturb" mode"-->

If automatic synchronization does not work, try the following steps:

• 📱 Restart your smartphone – sometimes background processes block data exchange with the wristband.
• 🔄 Disable and reconnect the bracelet in Bluetooth settings.
• 🔧 Update the bracelet firmware through the application (Device Profile section) → Update of the PO).

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If you've lost time after the firmware update, don't panic, that's okay. The bracelet needs 1-2 syncs with the phone to stabilize the readings.

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

In some cases, automatic synchronization may not be available — for example, if you use a wristband without a smartphone (in "offline alarm") or are faced with a software failure. Fortunately, the Mi Band 4 allows you to manually set the time directly on the device.

For this:

1. On the bracelet, swipe your finger up the screen to open the menu.
2. Find the icon. ⚙️ Settings (cogs) and select it.
3. Scroll down to the additional item → Date and time.
4. Turn off Auto Sync (if active) and manually set the current time, time zone, and format (12/24 hours).

Note that when you manually adjust the bracelet will not automatically change the clock when you change time zones, you will have to adjust the time manually each time you fly or travel, and the manual mode can be lost when the battery is discharged to 0%, in which case after charging you will need to re-tuning.

Table: Common Time Synchronization Errors and Their Solutions

If your problem is not described in the table, try resetting the bracelet to factory settings. Go to Settings → Reset on the device itself. Note that after the reset, you will need to re-pair the phone.

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Features of setting the time on firmware with modified software

Some users install custom firmware on the Mi Band 4 (such as Amazfit Mod or Notify & Fitness for Mi Band), in which case standard time synchronization methods may not work, and manual adjustment becomes the only option.

If you use modified software, consider the following nuances:

• 🛠️ No automatic synchronization – most custom firmware disable this feature to save energy.
• ⏱️ Time can be lost more often, as alternative firmware does not always correctly process data from the data from the data source. NTP-server.
• 📲 Manual adjustment is required each time the bracelet is removed from the charger (some firmware resets time when power is turned off).

For custom firmware owners, we recommend using the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app, which allows you to manually synchronize time with your phone via a plugin.

1. Install the app and plug in the bracelet.
2. Go to the Plugins section → Synchronization of time.
3. Click Sync Now and wait for confirmation.

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Custom firmware can offer advanced features (such as displaying weather or notifications from instant messengers), but often sacrifice the stability of time synchronization.

What to do if nothing helps: Diagnostics of hardware problems

If none of these methods solves the problem, it may be a hardware failure, and here are some signs that should alert you:

• ⚡ The bracelet does not hold time even after manual adjustment (resets when restarting or after a few minutes).
• 🔋 The battery runs out in a few hours, although it used to last longer.
• 📵 The bracelet does not respond to the connection to the charger or computer.

In such cases, the problem may lie in:

• 🔋 Battery malfunctions – if the battery is worn out, it does not provide enough power to store data in memory.
• 🧩 Chip damage. RTC (Real-Time Clock, which is responsible for counting time.
• 💧 Corrosion of contacts after moisture (even if the bracelet has protection) IP68, Long-term exposure to water can cause oxidation).

For diagnosis:

1. Try connecting the bracelet to another phone – if the problem persists, it’s the device.
2. Check if the bracelet is charged. If it discharges in 1-2 days (at a rate of 5-7 days), this is a sign of battery wear.
3. Examine the body for traces of moisture or mechanical damage.

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If the bracelet stopped keeping time after a fall or impact, most likely, the fee is damaged, in this case, repairs will cost more than buying a new Mi Band 4 (the price of a new device is about 2-3 thousand rubles).

If you have confirmed a hardware malfunction but do not want to buy a new bracelet, you can try the following steps:

• 🔧 Replace the battery (cost of spare parts – 300-500 rubles, a soldering iron and experience in disassembling electronics are required).
• 🔄 Flash your device through Mi Fit or Amazfit Tools – sometimes it restores the work RTC-module.
• 📦 Contact the service center (official repairs will cost 1-1.5 thousand rubles, but there is no guarantee for long-term work).

How to Prevent Time Disruptions in the Future: Preventive Measures

To avoid time synchronization issues on Xiaomi Mi Band 4, follow these guidelines:

⚠️ Warning: If you use a two-smartphone bracelet (e.g., a work and a personal), connect it to only one device at a time.

Preventive measures:

• 📲 Regularly update the bracelet firmware and the Mi app Fit/Zepp Life.Developers often fix synchronization bugs.
• 🔋 Keep the battery from running out completely. Charge the bracelet at a charge level below 20%, which will prolong battery life and prevent resetting.
• 🌍 Set up the correct time zone on your smartphone and turn off automatic determination (if it doesn’t work properly).
• 🔄 Once a month, do a forced synchronization, even if the timing seems right, and this will prevent the accumulation of errors.

Also worth paying attention to the background processes on the phone: some "battery optimizers" (for example, MIUI Optimization on Xiaomi smartphones) can block Mi Fit from working in the background.

1. Open Phone Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Fit.
2. Choose the Battery. → No restrictions.
3. Enable Auto Start and Background Activity.

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The most common cause of time disruptions is the background limitations of Android. Even if Bluetooth is turned on, the system can “sleep” the Mi Fit app, interrupting synchronization.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Time Settings on Mi Band 4