Set up time on Xiaomi Mi Watch 3: automatic synchronization and manual settings

Why Xiaomi Mi Watch 3 is running out of time and how to fix it

The Xiaomi Mi Watch 3 should automatically sync time with the connected smartphone via the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new firmware versions). However, users often face problems: time lags, rushes or resets after a reboot, the reasons can be different, from firmware bugs to incorrect time zone settings.

In this article, we will look at all the ways to adjust time on the Mi Watch 3, from basic synchronization through the application to manually entering the date and time zone, and also consider the typical errors that cause the clock to show the wrong time, and give recommendations for their elimination. If your watch suddenly “backlogged” for a few hours or shows the time of another city, here you will find a solution.

Note that the instructions are valid for MIUI Watch 2.0 firmware and later, and if you have an older version of the software, some menu items may differ.

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

By default, the Xiaomi Mi Watch 3 gets time data from your smartphone via Bluetooth, which is the most reliable method, but requires you to set up the app correctly.

1. Open the Mi Fitness (or Zepp Life) app on your phone.
2. Go to Profile → My Devices → Xiaomi Mi Watch 3.
3. Slap the icon. ⚙️ Settings of the device.
4. Find the synchronization time and make sure the switch is active (blue slider).
5. Return to the home screen of the app and wait for the data update (usually 10-30 seconds).

If the synchronization is not working:

• 🔄 Reset the clock: Press the power button 10 seconds before the Mi logo appears.
• 📱 Update the app: Check for updates for Mi Fitness in Google Play or App Store.
• 🔗 Reconnect the clock: remove the device in the app and re-assign.

Bluetooth on your phone is on|Geolocation Permit for Mi Fitness Issued|The clock is at least 20 times charged%|The phone has an actual time set.-->

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If the clock is several hours apart, check the time zone settings on the smartphone itself. Sometimes the problem lies in an automatically selected region (for example, Moscow instead of your city).

Method 2: Manual time change on the clock (without a smartphone)

If automatic sync is disabled or not working, you can manually set the time directly to the Mi Watch 3.

1. Swipe your finger down the watch’s main screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ Settings (or scroll down to System).
3. Select a date and a time.
4. Turn off the Auto Update option (if it is active).
5. Manually install: 🕒 Current time (hours and minutes) 📅 Date (day, month, year) 🌍 Time zone (select your region from the list)

Save the changes and return to the main screen.

Important: When manually set up, the clock time won’t sync with your smartphone until you turn on the automatic update again, which can lead to discrepancies in activity trackers (such as during sleep or exercise).

Setting the time format (12/24 hours) and displaying the date

Default Xiaomi Mi Watch 3 time-story 24-The format is a clock, but it can be changed to 12-clock-work AM/PM). Date display options are also available: full (day of the week) + number or abbreviated (number only) to customize the format:

1. Go to Settings → Display and brightness on the clock.
2. Select the time format.
3. Set up a preferred option: ⏰ 24-hour (e.g. 15:30) ⏰ 12-hour (e.g. 03:30) PM)

Date format

Note: some watch faces ignore the system format settings. If the screen time hasn't changed after the changes, try changing the dial in the Screen → Dials section.

Problem Solving: Time on the clock is not updated or is lost

If the time on the Mi Watch 3 is still incorrect after all the manipulations, check the following points:

⚠️ Note: If the clock shows a time exactly 3 hours apart (e.g. 15:00 instead of 18:00), the problem is most likely in the wrong time zone.

• 📶 Weak Bluetooth signal: Watches may not sync if communication with the phone is unstable.
• 🔋 Low battery power: At a charge level below 15%, some functions (including synchronization) are turned off to save energy.
• 📥 Outdated firmware: check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Conflict with other apps: If your phone has Google Fit, S Health or other fitness trackers installed, they can block sync.

The last thing you can do is reset your watch to the factory.

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset.
2. Choose Reset all settings.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
4. After reset, re-attach the watch to the phone via Mi Fitness.

Once a week.|Once a month|Only after the updates|Never lost it.|Other-->

Features of setting the time after updating the firmware

When you install a new version of the software on the Mi Watch 3, you sometimes get your time settings down, because the firmware can reset the time zone or turn off automatic synchronization to avoid problems:

1. Before the update: 📱 Make sure that the phone has an actual time. 🔋 Charge of the clock - at least 50%. 📶 Turn on the flight mode on the clock (to avoid interruption of the process).

After updating

• 🔄 Reset the clock.
• 🌍 Check the time zone in Settings → Date and time.
• 📲 Run Mi Fitness and wait for the synchronization to happen again.

If synchronization does not occur:

• 📋 Check the permissions for Mi Fitness: the application needs permissions to access geolocation, Bluetooth and manage system settings.
• 🔄 Reinstall the app (pre-untying the clock).
• 📡 Try connecting the watch to another smartphone for diagnosis.