Set up time on Xiaomi Mi Band 3: synchronization, reset and error fixing

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet remains a popular gadget even years after its release — its simplicity, reliability and functionality attract users. However, many face the problem of unsynchronized time: the bracelet shows the wrong clock, lags behind or hangs on one value. The reasons can be different from banal battery discharge to firmware failures. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust the time on the Mi Band 3, including manual adjustment, smartphone binding and solving typical errors.

It is important to understand that Mi Band 3 does not have its own. GPS-A time zone automatic module or function – it depends entirely on data transmitted from a smartphone via the Mi Fit app (or its alternatives like Zepp Life). If the time on the wristband is lost, 90% of the time the problem lies in the settings of the phone or software. But there are also nuances, about which not everyone knows.

Next, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for scenarios ranging from basic synchronization to bracelet recovery after reset, and if your Mi Band 3 persistently doesn’t see the right time, the end of the article contains exclusive solutions that aren’t in Xiaomi’s official documentation.

Preparation: verification of baseline conditions

Before setting your time on Xiaomi Mi Band 3, make sure that the key conditions for proper synchronization are met. Ignoring these points is the main reason why users spend hours looking for a solution where there is none.

✅ The battery charge of the bracelet should not be lower 20%. At critical charge level (<10%) Mi Band 3 It goes into energy-saving mode, and the timing can be blocked. 10–15 minutes, even if the indicator shows a "full charge" - sometimes the sensor lies.

✅ The Mi Fit version must be up to date.Outdated versions (like 4.5.0 and below) contain bugs that make the bracelet time go down after every Bluetooth shutdown.Update the app via Google Play or App Store.

✅ Permissions for Mi Fit on a smartphone. app needs access to:

• 📱 Date and time (automatic synchronization)
• 📶 Bluetooth (connection to bracelet)
• 📍 Location (for some functions, including time zone)
• 🔋 Auto-run (to make Mi Fit work in the background)

Check the permissions in your phone settings: Settings → Annexes → Mi Fit → Permits.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) or Chinese versions MIUI Without Google Services, time syncing might not work, and you'll need to manually configure it through alternative apps like Notify & Fitness.

2. Automatic time synchronization via Mi Fit

The main way to adjust the time is to tie the bracelet to the smartphone through an official app, which works in 95% of cases, if there is no hardware malfunction.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Mi Fit app and make sure the bracelet is plugged in (the Mi Band 3 icon is active at the top of the screen).
2. Go to the profile of the bracelet: tap on its image on the main screen.
3. Select Additional Settings (or Device Settings in new versions).
4. Find the Time and Date section (in some versions, Time Synchronization).
5. Activate Automatic Sync (the slider must turn green).
6. Return to the home screen and wait for the data update (usually 10–30 seconds).

If the bracelet time has not been updated after these actions:

• 🔄 Reboot Mi Band 3: Press the touch button for 10 seconds until vibrations appear.
• 📱 Restart the Mi Fit app on your phone (remove it from the list of recently opened ones).
• 🔗 Disable and reconnect the bracelet in Bluetooth settings.

Bracelet charge >20%|Mi Fit Updated to the latest version|Bluetooth is on and GPS phone-on|Mi Fit permissions activated|The bracelet is within a radius of 1 meter from the phone.-->

Critical error: if after synchronization time on the bracelet is lost exactly for 3-4 hours, the problem is in the wrong time zone on the smartphone. → System system → Date and time → Time zone (must be manually selected, not automatically determined).

Manual time setting (if automatic does not work)

In rare cases, automatic synchronization fails, for example, due to a malfunction of the bracelet firmware or a conflict with custom software on the phone, then you can try to forcefully update the time through hidden Mi Fit features or third-party utilities.

🔧 Method 1: Resetting connection

1. In the Mi Fit app, go to the bracelet profile.
2. Select to Disable the device (or Remove the bracelet).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the vibration on the Mi Band 3.
4. Reconnect the bracelet through Add the device.

During reconnection, the app automatically synchronizes time with the phone.

🔧 Method 2: Use Notify & Fitness (for advanced users)

If the official software fails, install the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band alternative app from Google Play, which supports advanced settings, including manual time adjustment:

1. Connect the bracelet to Notify & Fitness.
2. Go to Settings → Device → Time and Date.
3. Turn off the option to sync with your phone.
4. Enter the current time manually and press Save.

⚠️ Note: When manually setting time through third-party apps, Mi Band 3 may start to conflict with Mi Fit. It is recommended to disable automatic synchronization in official software to avoid constant failures.

4. Solving time failure issues after firmware update

One of the most common reasons for incorrect timing is a bad firmware update of the bracelet. Xiaomi regularly releases patches for the Mi Band 3, but sometimes they contain errors that lead to the watch “hanging” or constantly resetting.

🛠 How to check the firmware version:

1. Open the Mi Fit and go to the bracelet profile.
2. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) top-right.
3. Choose About Device or Information.
4. Find the firmware version string (e.g. 1.0.9.14).

📊 Table: Current versions of firmware and known bugs

🔄 How to roll back firmware:

If the bracelet time is lost after the update, you can return the previous version of the software.

1. Download the archive with the right firmware (for example, 1.0.8.10) from the forum XDA Developers.
2. Install the Mi Band 3 Tools utility on your phone (root or rights required) ADB).
3. Connect the bracelet and select the Downgrade firmware option.
4. Download the downloaded firmware file and wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet will reboot 2-3 times).

💡

Before rolling back the firmware, back up the bracelet data in Mi Fit (Data Export section). After reset, all statistics (steps, pulse) will be deleted!

5.The influence of time zone and daylight saving time on Mi Band 3

Xiaomi Mi Band 3 does not have its own time zone database – it relies entirely on smartphone settings. If the phone is not configured correctly time zone or the option is disabled Automatic determination, the bracelet will show the wrong time.

⏰ How to set up a time zone on your phone:

• 📱 Android: Settings → System system → Date and time → Time zone (select manually if automatic determination does not work).
• 🍎 iOS: Settings → Mainstream → Date and time → Time zone (enable to set automatically).

☀️ Problems with summer time:

In some regions (for example, in Russia since 2014), the switch to summer/winter time has been canceled, but the smartphone can automatically adjust the clock, which leads to a divergence from the Mi Band 3.

1. Turn off the option in the phone Automatic transition to daylight saving time.
2. Manually set the correct displacement (for example, UTC+3 Moscow).
3. Reset the bracelet and wait for synchronization.

🌍 Features for travel:

If you're crossing time zones, the Mi Band 3 should automatically update the time when you connect to your phone, but sometimes forced synchronization is required:

1. Open the Mi Fit and go to the bracelet profile.
2. Slip on the synchronization icon (circular arrow) in the upper right corner.
3. Wait 10-20 seconds – the bracelet vibrates after a successful upgrade.

💡

If you travel frequently, turn off the Auto-Time Zone option in your phone settings and set it manually. This will prevent you from contacting data transmitted to the wristband.

Hardware malfunctions: when time adjustment is not possible

If all software methods have been tried, but Mi Band 3 persists in showing the wrong time, the problem may be in the hardware.

• ⏱ The bracelet freezes at one time and does not respond to synchronization.
• 🔋 After charging, the time is reset by 00:00 or 1970.
• 📵 The bracelet does not vibrate when connected to the phone.
• 🔄 Resetting to factory settings does not help.

🔍 Diagnostics and solutions:

🛠 Self-repair (for experienced users):

If you are confident in your skills, you can try to restore the bracelet yourself:

1. Disassemble the body of the Mi Band 3 with a plastic shoulder blade (carefully so as not to damage the plumes!).
2. Check the contacts of the battery and board for oxidation (clean with alcohol if necessary).
3. If the battery is swelling, replace it with a new model. BL-T08 or similar).
4. Put together a bracelet and try to re-synchronize the time.

⚠️ Warning: Disassembly of the Mi Band 3 will void the warranty (if it is still valid), and there is a high risk of damaging the display or touch button – they are attached to thin plumes. If you are not sure, contact the Xiaomi service center.

7. Alternative methods: if nothing helps

In rare cases, standard methods fail, and then non-obvious solutions come to the rescue, which are rarely mentioned in official instructions.

🔄 Method 1: Change the region in Mi Fit

Sometimes, time disruptions are due to regional setting conflict.

1. In Mi Fit, go to Profile → Settings → Region.
2. Choose another region (e.g., the United States instead of Russia).
3. Save the changes and reset the bracelet.
4. Return the original region and check the time.

📡 Method 2: Using the second phone

If the main smartphone conflicts with the bracelet (for example, due to custom firmware), try connecting the Mi Band 3 to another device:

1. Install Mi Fit on a spare phone (preferably with original firmware).
2. Connect the bracelet and wait for the time synchronization.
3. Turn off the bracelet and return it to the main phone.

🔧 Method 3: Resetting the Mi Fit cache

The accumulated data of the application may interfere with the correct synchronization.

• 📱 Android: Settings → Annexes → Mi Fit → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🍎 iOS: Remove and reinstall the app.

📟 Method 4: Update via Mi Band 3 Tools (advanced)

For users with root rights or unlocked bootloader:

1. Download Mi Band 3 Tools with 4PDA.
2. Connect the bracelet and select Update firmware.
3. Download the full firmware (not patch!) from a verified source.
4. Wait until the process is complete (the bracelet will reboot several times).

💡

If after all the manipulations, the time on the bracelet still goes out, try calibrating the accelerometer. → Additionally. → Calibration of sensors and follow the instructions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up time on Mi Band 3