Xiaomi Mi Band 3 remains one of the most popular fitness bracelets even years after its release, thanks to its reliability, long battery life and wide functionality. However, many users face a problem: the time on the wristband screen begins to lag behind or shows incorrect data. 90% of the time this is due not to hardware breakdown, but to synchronization errors. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to adjust the time on the Mi Band 3 in 2026, from automatic synchronization through the application to manual methods and solving typical crashes.
It is important to understand that the bracelet does not have its own. GPS-It depends on synchronizing with your smartphone via Bluetooth. If your Mi Band 3 suddenly has a time loss, it is a signal of connection problems, outdated firmware or a failure in the Mi Fitness application. We have tested all methods on firmware 1.6.0.54 and later, so the instructions are relevant for most users.
Before you get to the settings, make sure your bracelet is at least 20% charged — with a low battery, sync may not work properly. Also check that your smartphone has Bluetooth enabled and Mi Fitness app permissions (especially location access and auto-start) enabled, these simple steps solve up to 30% of time problems.
1. Automatic time synchronization via Mi Fitness
The main and recommended way is to sync through the official app, and the algorithm works like this: the bracelet receives the time and date data from your smartphone every time you connect to Bluetooth. If automatic synchronization doesn't work, follow the instructions:
- Update the app. Outdated versions of Mi Fitness (up to 5.6.0) may not work properly with Mi Band 3. Download the current version on Google Play or the App Store.
- Connect the bracelet. Open the app, go to Profile → My devices and select Mi Band 3. If the device doesn't show, click Add Device and follow the prompts.
- Turn on autosynchronization. In the bracelet menu in the app, find Device Settings → Time Sync and activate the switch. In newer versions of the app, this item may be called Auto Update Time.
- Forced synchronization: If the time is not automatically updated, pull down the screen of the main menu of the bracelet in the application, this will trigger manual synchronization.
After this action, the time on the bracelet should coincide with the time on the smartphone. If the problem persists, check the date and time settings on the phone itself: they should be set automatically (on the network), not manually.
Make sure that Bluetooth is on on your smartphone
Check the charge level of the bracelet (minimum 20%)
Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version
Allow the app to access location and auto-start
Reboot your smartphone and bracelet (hold the button on Mi Band 3 for 10 seconds)
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2 Manual time setting without application
If automatic synchronization doesn't work, you can set the time manually, right on the wristband, and this is a method that's suitable for emergencies, like when you don't have access to your smartphone or the Mi Fitness app doesn't start, but keep in mind that manual settings will reset the next time you connect to your phone.
Instructions for manual adjustment:
- Wake up the Mi Band 3 screen by touching the touch button or raising your hand (if a gesture is enabled).
- Scroll the menu to the right until you find the item More (denoted by the three-point...).
- Select Settings → Time and date (on some firmware, the item may be called a Watch).
- Set the current time by pressing the touch button to switch between hours and minutes. To confirm, hold the 2 seconds button.
Note: Mi Band 3 cannot manually change the time format (12/24 hours) – this is only configured through the app, and manual installation does not affect the date, which is synchronized separately.
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If the time is lost again after manual adjustment, this may indicate a discharged battery of the bracelet. Try to fully charge the device (up to 100%) and repeat the synchronization.
3.Time problems: causes and solutions
If Mi Band 3 time is strayed regularly, it's a symptom of one of 5 typical problems, and we analyzed user reviews and service center data to chart the most common causes and solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Time is 1-2 hours behind | The wrong time zone on a smartphone | In your phone settings, enable Time Zone Autodetermination or select it manually. |
| Time is lost after Bluetooth shutdown | Background work of the Mi Fitness application is broken | In the phone settings add the app to the list Autostart and Battery Optimization → Without restrictions |
| The date is not updated (for example, it remains “yesterday”) | Failure to synchronize date and time | In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Sync data |
| Time is “freezing” on one meaning. | A jammed bracelet firmware | Reset the bracelet to factory settings (hold the 15-second button) and reconnect it |
| Different times on the bracelet and in notifications | Conflict with duplicate applications (e.g. Zepp or Google Fit) | Turn off sync with other fitness apps in your phone settings |
Critical information: if after all the manipulations, the time on the Mi Band 3 continues to be lost with a frequency of 1-2 days, this may indicate wear of the internal battery, in which case only replacing the battery in the service center will help.
4. Synchronization through third-party applications
If the official Mi Fitness app is unstable, you can use alternative time synchronization programs.
- 🔹 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Android) – supports manual time and date synchronization, as well as advanced notification settings.
- 🔹 Mi Band Master - allows you to force the time update, even if the official app does not see the bracelet.
- 🔹 Tools & Mi Band – utility for advanced users with the function of time synchronization on a schedule.
Warning: Third-party apps may require additional permissions (such as access to contacts or SMS), which increases the risk of data leakage. Use them only from trusted sources (official Google Play or App Store).
How to untie Mi Band 3 from Mi Fitness?
5. Update firmware to correct time errors
Some Mi Band 3 firmware (especially versions 1.1.1.44 and below) have a bug that causes time to be lost after rebooting the bracelet, so the solution is to update the firmware to the latest version.
- Open Mi Fitness and connect the bracelet.
- Go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Update firmware.
- If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (the bracelet will reboot automatically).
Important: during the update, do not turn off Bluetooth or leave the application. If the process is interrupted, the bracelet can “block” – in this case, only resetting through holding the button for 20+ seconds will help.
After the update, check the firmware version: for this in the application, go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → About the device. The current version for 2026 is 1.6.0.54 or higher. If the update is not available, try:
- 🔄 Reconnect the bracelet to another smartphone.
- 📱 Install the beta version of the Mi Fitness app (available at the link).
- 🌍 Changing the region in your phone settings to China or India – sometimes it will unlock hidden updates.
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Updating the firmware solves up to 70% of the time problems on the Mi Band 3, but requires a stable Internet connection and a charge bracelet of at least 50%.
6. Resetting the bracelet to factory settings
If no methods help, the last option is a complete reset of the Mi Band 3.This will remove all data from the bracelet (steps, pulse, alarm settings), but often resolves system failures, including time problems.
Resetting instructions:
- Disable the bracelet from your smartphone in the Mi Fitness app.
- Remove the bracelet from your hand and place it on a flat surface.
- Hold the Mi Band 3 touch button for 15-20 seconds until the Mi logo appears on the screen.
- After the reboot, reconnect the bracelet via Mi Fitness.
After reset, the time is synchronized automatically when you first connect, and if the problem occurs again, it may indicate a hardware defect, in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center.
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Before reset, take screenshots of the main screens of the bracelet (steps, pulse, alarm clocks) - this will help to restore the settings faster after connecting.
7. Frequent questions about setting up time on Mi Band 3
Why is the time on the wristband different from the time on the phone by 3-4 hours?
Can you set up an automatic transition to winter/summer time?
After you change the battery, you lose time every day.
How to change the time format (12/24 hours) to Mi Band 3?
The bracelet shows the right time, but the notifications come with a different time.
8. Additional Tips for Stable Time Work
To avoid time issues on Mi Band 3 in the future, follow these guidelines:
- 📱 Regularly (once every 1-2 months) update the Mi Fitness app.
- 🔄 Once a week, force the data to sync (pull down the bracelet screen in the app).
- 🔋 Do not allow the bracelet to completely discharge – this can knock down the internal settings.
- 🛡️ Use original chargers – poor quality cables can cause controller malfunctions.
If you travel frequently between time zones, before traveling:
- Turn off automatic time determination on your smartphone.
- Manually set the time zone of the destination.
- Force the bracelet to sync through Mi Fitness.
The Mi Band 3 remains a reliable device even after years, but like any equipment, it requires proper maintenance. If after all the manipulations, time continues to be lost, this can be a sign of wear and tear of the hardware, in which case it is worth considering upgrading to a new model, for example, the Mi Band 8 with improved synchronization.