Set up time on smart watches Xiaomi Mi Band 4: automatic and manual synchronization

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 smartwatch remains one of the most popular fitness trackers due to its combination of functionality and affordable price, but many users face the problem when the screen time of the bracelet does not match the real one or is behind by several hours, due to synchronization failures with the Mi Fit app (now Zepp Life), incorrect regional settings or hardware limitations of the device.

Unlike current models like the Mi Band 7 or Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, the fourth version of the bracelet does not automatically update time via GPS — it is completely dependent on the data of the smartphone. This means that any problems with Bluetooth communication or phone settings will immediately affect the accuracy of the watch. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust time, from basic synchronization to solving rare bugs when the bracelet “hangs” in the time zone of the past.

Why is Mi Band 4 the wrong time?

Before you start setting up, it's important to understand why the malfunction is happening, and 90 percent of the time, the problem isn't with the bracelet itself, but with the smartphone or app that's attached.

• 📱 Unsynchronized time on the smartphone: if the phone is incorrect date / time, the bracelet takes this data.
• 🔄 Zepp Life (Mi Fit) app crashes: App cache or outdated version can block data transfer.
• 🌍 Incorrect time zone: especially relevant for flights or manual change of region in the settings of the phone.
• 🔋 Low battery power bracelet: at levels below 10%, some functions, including synchronization, are turned off.
• 📡 Bluetooth problems: frequent connection breaks or conflicts with other devices.

Less often, hardware failures, such as damage to the Bluetooth module in the bracelet after falling or getting moisture, are the cause of the problem, and if none of the methods below has worked, it is worth checking the device for physical damage.

Method 1: Automatic synchronization via Zepp Life (Mi Fit)

The main method of setting the time is synchronization with the official application. The algorithm works for all versions of the Mi Band 4 firmware, including the global (1.0.9.54) and Chinese (1.2.0.7).

1. Open the Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit) on your smartphone.
2. Go to Profile → Mi Band 4 (the name of the bracelet may vary).
3. Scroll down and select Device Settings → Additional → Time Synchronization.
4. Click Sync Now and wait for the process to be completed (Icon) ⏳ should be replaced ✅).

If you don’t have a sync button, upgrade to the latest version in Google Play or the App Store. Android requires a minimum version of 5.2.0, iOS 4.6.0.

Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone

Bracelet charge >20 per cent

Update the Zepp Life app

Check the internet connection-->

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet time is lost after a few hours after synchronization, the reason may be the energy-saving mode on your smartphone. add Zepp Life to the list of exceptions for background work (on Android: Settings → Annexes → Zepp Life → Battery → No restrictions).

Method 2: Manual time setting (if automatic does not work)

Some Mi Band 4 firmware (e.g., modified versions for Russia) have manual time adjustment available, a method that will come in handy if automatic synchronization is constantly lost.

Instructions:

1. In the Zepp Life app, go to Profile → Mi Band 4 → Device Settings.
2. Select Additional → Time format.
3. Activate the 24-hour format option (recommended to avoid confusion with AM/PM).
4. Return to the main menu of the bracelet, swipe up on the screen to open Settings → Time.
5. Press and hold the screen until you can edit hours and minutes (not all firmware!).

If there is no manual setting, then your firmware version does not support this function, in which case only synchronization through the application or reset of the bracelet (more about this below).

Method 3: Resetting the bracelet to factory settings

If the time on the Mi Band 4 is knocked down regularly and synchronization doesn’t help, perform a complete reset.This will remove all data from the bracelet (steps, notifications, alarm clocks), but often resolves system errors.

Step-by-step:

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → Additional → Reset (or hold the touch button for 10 seconds until vibration appears).
2. Confirm the reset by pressing the screen.
3. After restarting the bracelet (up to 2 minutes), re-synchronize it with the Zepp Life app.

After reset, the time should be updated automatically. If the problem persists, check the phone settings (see next section).

Method 4: Checking the settings of the smartphone

The Mi Band 4 bracelet pulls up time from your smartphone, so errors in the phone settings will immediately affect the accuracy of the watch.

• ⏰ Automatic Date and Time: Go to Phone Settings → System system → Date and time and activate options: Autodetermine date and time Autodetermining time zone
• 📍 Region and language: if you are traveling, update the region in Settings → Additionally. → Language and input. For example, when flying to Turkey, select a time zone. GMT+3.
• 🔄 Sync Xiaomi account: in the Mi Account settings, check if data sync is enabled (Settings) → Accounts. → Xiaomi).

On your iPhone, make sure that the Zepp Life app allows you to access Notifications and Background Activity (Settings → Zepp Life). Without these permissions, sync may not work.

💡

If the bracelet doesn't update after changing the time zone on the phone, reboot the smartphone. This will reset the Bluetooth cache and speed up synchronization.

Method 5: Update the bracelet firmware

Outdated firmware is a common cause of time failures. Xiaomi regularly releases updates for the Mi Band 4 that fix synchronization errors.

1. Connect the bracelet to charging and wait for a charge of at least 50%.
2. Open Zepp Life and go to Profile → Mi Band 4 → Firmware Update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

It takes 5-10 minutes. After the upgrade, the bracelet will reboot and the time should be synchronized correctly. If the update is 0% hanging, try:

• Reconnect the bracelet to the app.
• Delete the Zepp Life cache (Phone Settings → Apps → Zepp Life → Memory → Clear the cache).
• Use another smartphone to update.

💡

Updating your firmware through Zepp Life is the only official way. Don't use third-party utilities like Mi Bandage or Notify & Fitness for manual firmware, it can brick the bracelet.

Solving rare problems

If standard methods did not help, consider the non-obvious causes and ways to eliminate them:

1. Conflict with other Bluetooth devices

If other gadgets (earphones, speakers, car system) are connected to the phone, they can interfere with synchronization. Turn off all unnecessary devices in Settings → Connected devices and re-synchronize the bracelet.

2. Mistake after changing the phone

When you transfer the bracelet to a new smartphone, sometimes the settings are confused.

1. Remove the bracelet from Zepp Life on your old phone.
2. Install the app on your new phone and perform a fresh anchor.
3. Manually synchronize the time (see Method 1).

3.The bracelet "hangs" in the past time zone

It happens that after returning from the trip, Mi Band 4 continues to show the time of the old zone.

• Manually set the correct zone on the phone.
• Turn off and turn on Bluetooth again.
• Reset the bracelet (see Method 3).

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet, after all the manipulations, shows the time with a difference of exactly 12 hours, most likely, the application settings have activated the 12-hour format. → Profile → Mi Band 4 → Time format.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up time on Mi Band 4