The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet is one of the most popular activity tracking gadgets, but what if you want to set the time without accessing the official Mi Fit app? You may not have a smartphone at hand, the app is not installed, or the bracelet simply shows the wrong time after reset. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to synchronize time on the Mi Band 4 manually, including hidden functions and alternative methods.
Many users mistakenly believe that without the app, you can't change the time on the wristband. There are actually workarounds that allow you to update the date and hours even without connecting to the phone. The main thing is to understand how synchronization works in the Mi Band 4: the device can receive time data from three sources: a smartphone (via Bluetooth), GPS (in some firmware), or manually underforced synchronization.
It is important to note that not all methods are equally reliable: some require additional devices (for example, a second bracelet or a PC), others work only under certain conditions. If your Mi Band 4 shows a time with an error of several hours or days, do not rush to reset it to factory settings - first try the solutions below.
1. Resetting time through forced synchronization
The easiest way to update time on Xiaomi Mi Band 4 without the app is to initiate forced synchronization with the last source saved, which works if the bracelet has at least once connected to the phone and received correct time data.
For this:
- Press and hold the touch button of the bracelet for 5-7 seconds until you feel the vibration.
- Release the button and press it once, and it will start searching for synchronization devices.
- If the bracelet was previously paired with a smartphone, it will try to connect to it and update the time automatically.
⚠️ Note: If more than 30 days have passed since the last synchronization, the bracelet may reset the time to the default value (January 1, 2019.
This method is suitable for short-term failures, for example, if time is lost after the battery is discharged. If the error persists, move to the next section.
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If the bracelet does not respond to the hold of the button, check the battery power.At a level below 5%, some functions, including time synchronization, may be disabled.
2. Use of alternative Android applications
If you have an Android smartphone, but you don't want to install the official Mi Fit app, you can use third-party utilities, some of which allow you to change the bracelet settings, including the time, without full synchronization.
List of verified annexes:
- 📱 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band – supports manual time, notifications and alarms. Works with Mi Band 4 via Bluetooth Low Energy protocol.
- 🔄 Mi Bandage is an open source customization software for Xiaomi bracelets that allows you to manually set the date and time through the developer menu.
- ⚙️ Tools & Mi Band – utility with advanced settings, including time zone adjustment.
Instructions for Notify & Fitness:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Connect the bracelet through the Device menu → Add a new one.
- Go to Bracelet Settings → Time and Date.
- Turn off the autosynchronization option and enter the current values manually.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, there is a risk of data loss (steps, pulse, sleep history). Before changing the time, back up through the original Mi Fit, if possible.
3 Manual time change through bracelet modes
Few people know, but the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 has a hidden time setting mode available through a combination of taps.This method does not require a phone connection, but it does not work on all firmware.
Step-by-step:
- On the main screen of the bracelet, swipe your finger to the left 3 times to open the settings menu.
- Find the more (or additional) item and tap it.
- Scroll down to the Time Settings option (may be displayed as Time or Watch icon).
- Press and hold the screen at this point for 10 seconds - manual input mode should appear.
- Use swipes up/down to change hours and minutes, left/right to switch between fields.
- Confirm the changes by pressing the touch button.
If this item is missing, your firmware does not support manual configuration, in which case, try to update the bracelet software (see section 5).
Charge the bracelet to 50% or higher |
Make sure the screen is not locked |
Check the firmware version (in the "About Bracelet" menu)|
Use a stylus for precise input if the sensor is not responding well|-->
4.Sync time through the second bracelet
This method is suitable if you have a second Mi Band 4 (or another Xiaomi model) with the correct time.The essence is to force data transfer between devices over Bluetooth.
How it works:
This works because of the interbracelet synchronization function, which is originally designed to carry training data, but in some cases, it also transfers the current time, and the success of the method depends on the firmware version and the bracelet model.
⚠️ Note: Do not use this method if the second bracelet has a time with a large error - this can aggravate the problem on the main device.
5. Update firmware to fix time failures
If time on Mi Band 4 is regularly lost, the reason may lie in outdated firmware. Software updates often solve synchronization problems, even without connecting to the application.
Ways to update firmware:
| Method | Requirements | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| via Mi Fit (Temporary Access) | Smartphone with Android/iOS, Internet access | Low. |
| Through Mi Bandage (manual download) | PC, USB-bracelet cable, firmware files | Medium |
| Through Amazfit Tools | Root rights on the smartphone (for some versions) | Tall. |
To upgrade via Mi Fit without permanent binding:
- Install the app and temporarily plug in the bracelet.
- In the bracelet menu, find the firmware update and follow the process.
- After the update, disconnect the bracelet from the phone - the new time settings will be saved.
Critical information: If the bracelet stops turning on after the firmware update, reset by holding the button for 20 seconds, which will return the device to factory settings, but delete all data.
Where to download the firmware for Mi Band 4?
Hardware reset and time calibration
If no method has worked, you'll have to reset the entire setup and calibrate it, and this will return the bracelet to factory status, but delete all the data that you've saved.
Resetting instructions:
- Charge the bracelet to 100% – this will prevent failures in the process.
- Press and hold the touch button for 15-20 seconds until the Mi logo appears on the screen.
- After the reboot, the bracelet will show the default time (usually 00:00 on January 1, 2019).
- To calibrate, connect it to your phone (even temporarily) or use the methods in Section 3.
⚠️ Note: After resetting, the bracelet may require re-association with your Xiaomi account. If you do not have access to the original account, use the Forgot Password feature on account.xiaomi.com.
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Hardware reset is a last resort, and try all other methods before doing it, because you can't recover data after reset.
7.Alternative methods: GPS and external devices
In rare cases, the Mi Band 4 can synchronize time through the GPS-It's a module, if it's built into your bracelet modification, and it only works in open areas, and it requires you to do it:
- 📡 Outdoor locations (to receive signals from satellites).
- 🔋 Battery charge of at least 70% (GPS consumes).
- ⏳ Time for synchronization (up to 5-10 minutes).
How to activate GPS-synchronization:
- Go to the bracelet menu and find the GPS item (if any).
- Start a satellite search and wait for a notification of a successful connection.
- The time will be automatically updated after receiving the signal.
If GPS is not available, you can use external ANT+-enabled devices (such as Garmin bicycle computers) that can transmit time wirelessly, but this requires additional hardware and setup.