Modern wearables from Xiaomi and the Zepp ecosystem (formerly Mi Fit) have become an integral part of the lives of millions of users, providing control over health and notifications. However, basic functionality such as displaying the current time often becomes a source of confusion, especially for new device owners. Many users mistakenly believe that on Mi Band bracelets or Amazfit watches you can change the time zone or time format manually through the device’s menu, but this is not the case.
The smart stuffing of these devices is all about synchronizing with your smartphone, and it's the mobile app that's the main time manager. If you notice your gadget is in a hurry, lagging behind, or showing the time of another city, the problem is the smartphone-app-wearable connection. In this article, we'll go into detail on how to forcefully update data, what to do when you desynchronize, and why automatic settings sometimes fail.
Understanding synchronization will help you avoid unnecessary manipulation and factory resets, and it's important to realize that offline time adjustments on most budget and mid-range models are simply not in the firmware. All changes must be initiated from the outside, via a Bluetooth link.
The principle of synchronization of time
The fundamental principle of Xiaomi wearables is that they don’t have their own GPS module (with the rare exception of top models) and don’t connect directly to cell towers to get the exact time. All information about the current time zone, transition to winter or summer time, and the display format (12 or 24 hours) is transmitted from the phone. Once you open the application, there is an automatic exchange of data packets, where one of the key parameters is a time stamp.
If Mi Fit or Zepp shows the wrong region, the watch will show the time corresponding to that region, even if your phone is configured correctly. For example, if you are in Moscow, but the application profile indicates China, then the wrist will also have Beijing time, which is why setting up the region in the user profile is a critical step that is often ignored.
⚠️ Attention: Frequent change of regions in the application profile may lead to temporary blocking of data synchronization by the manufacturer's servers. Use the "Change region" function only when absolutely necessary, for example, when moving to another country for permanent residence.
The synchronization process doesn't always happen instantly. Sometimes it takes a few seconds after opening an application to get data to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). If you've just switched your smartphone time zone, don't wait for an instant update on your watch -- first make sure the app has time to read the phone's new system settings.
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Xiaomi watches do not have their own source of exact time and are completely dependent on the settings of the smartphone and the companion app.
Preparation of the device and smartphone for setting
Before you start taking active action to correct the time, you need to make sure that the communication channel between the devices is stable. Unstable Bluetooth signal is the most common reason that commands to update the time simply do not reach the destination.
It’s also worth checking the battery level. At low charge levels (less than 10-15%), some smartwatch models may go into power saving mode, limiting background activity and synchronization frequency, which can cause the display time to update with a delay or not to update at all before connecting to the charger.
For successful configuration, follow the following steps:
- 📱 Make sure that Bluetooth on your smartphone is on and the device is visible to others.
- 🔋 Charge your watch or bracelet to a minimum. 20-30% steady-work.
- 📶 Check if there is an active internet connection on your phone (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
- 🔄 Close and reopen the Mi Fit/Zepp/Mi Wear app.
It’s also important to make sure that the smartphone itself has an automatic date and time option on it. If your phone takes time from the carrier’s network but the manual time zone is incorrect, the watch will also get the wrong data. Check the date settings in Settings → System → Date and time of your Android or iOS device.
Step-by-step: setup via Mi Fit/Zepp app
The main method of time adjustment is to set up the companion app correctly, and that's what translates the parameters to the wearable device, and whether you're using the old Mi Fit or the new Zepp, the algorithm will be similar, although the interface may be different.
First, you need to log in to your user profile. In the Zepp app, go to the Profile tab in the lower right corner, and here is the key setting, "Region." Make sure your current country of residence is selected. After changing region, the app can restart or ask you to confirm the action, agree.
Then you have forced synchronization. On the home screen of the app, where you display steps and pulse, pull the list down from the top until the update indicator appears. Wait until the process is complete. At this point, packets of data are exchanged, including the current time and date.
☑️ Synchronization algorithm
If the clock time is unchanged immediately, try to break the connection and create it again. In your smartphone's Bluetooth settings, find your device (such as the Mi Band 6 or Amazfit GTS), click "Forget the device" or "Disable." Then search and pair again through the app, rather than through the Bluetooth system menu.
Setting the time format: 12 or 24 hours
One of the most common questions is changing the format of the time display, and many users are not used to seeing time in AM/PM format and want to switch to 24-hour format, and it's important to know that this setting is not present on the watch itself, it is completely copied from the smartphone.
To change the format, you need to go to your phone's system settings. In Android, the path usually looks like Settings → Additional Settings → Date and Time or Settings → System → Date and Time. Find the "Use 24-hour format" switch and activate it.
Once you change the settings on your phone, sync again in the wearable app. The watch should instantly reset the display of the dial. If that doesn't happen, try changing the dial to another, and then returning the previous one - this often initiates rereading system fonts and time settings.
| Model clock | Annex | Dependence on the phone | Manual setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 4-8 | Mi Fit / Zepp | Complete. | No. |
| Amazfit Bip/Stratos | Zepp | Complete. | No. |
| Mi Watch Lite | Mi Wear / Zepp | Complete. | No. |
| Redmi Watch | Mi Fitness | Complete. | No. |
⚠️ Note: Some third-party dials may ignore the system time format and display it in their own, hard-defined format. If the phone's settings have changed the time, try setting a standard dial.
Solving Time Dissynchronization Problems
There are times when standard methods don't work: the clock is behind, rushing, or showing the date of yesterday, and this can be caused by a software failure in the firmware of the bracelet itself or the cache of the application, and in such cases, deeper intervention is required.
The first step should always be to clear the app's cache. Go to your smartphone's settings, find the Apps section, select Mi Fit or Zepp, then Memory, and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear Data, as this will require re-authorization and device setup.
If cleaning the cache didn't work, try resetting the wearable device. On the watch, find the Settings menu → System → Reset (the path may vary depending on the model). Once reset, the watch will return to factory settings, and when paired again, it will be guaranteed to take the current time from the phone.
Also pay attention to app permissions. Make sure the app has access to geolocation and background work. Without permission to access location (even approximate), some time-zone synchronization features may not work properly, especially on Android 10 and higher.
Why can time be lost after a phone reboot?
Features of settings for different models
Xiaomi’s ecosystem includes devices that are controlled by different applications, and this makes its own adjustments to the setup process. For example, new models such as the Mi Band 7 and above, as well as the Mi Watch, may require the use of the Mi Fitness app (formerly Xiaomi Wear), while older models run through Zepp.
In Mi Fitness, the time interface is even more hidden, and it is important to make sure that your Mi Account is selected with the right region. An error in choosing an account region (e.g., Russia instead of China or Germany) can result in the server not transmitting the correct time data specific to your region.
For Wear OS-based watches (such as some Mi Watch or TicWatch models that are ecosystem-compatible), the procedure may be different. They have a more standalone operating system. They can be adjusted through Settings → System → Date and time directly on the watch screen by selecting Auto or manually setting, but synchronization with the smartphone is still necessary to work properly for notifications and calendars.
- 📲 Mi Band 1-6: Works through Mi. Fit/Zepp, phone-dependence.
- ⌚ Amazfit: Work through Zepp, it is important to customize the region in the profile.
- 🏃 Mi Watch/Redmi Watch: Can use Mi Fitness, require a close account check.
- 🤖 Wear OS: Allows manual adjustment, but recommends auto-mode.
Remember that the software is constantly updated. If you encounter a problem that is not in this guide, check for updates for the app itself in Google Play or the App Store. Developers often release patches that fix sync bugs.
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If you're traveling between time zones, don't change the time zone on your watch manually. Just wait for your phone to connect to your local network and open the app and it'll update itself.