Set up time on Xiaomi Mi Band 4: synchronization, manual adjustment and error fixing

The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 fitness bracelet has become one of the most popular gadgets for tracking activity due to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face the problem of incorrect time display - the bracelet can show the wrong clock, lag behind or even reset the settings after discharge. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust time, from automatic synchronization via Mi Fit to manual adjustments and solving typical errors.

The Mi Band 4 is not a GPS-in-house unit and is completely dependent on the smartphone for precise timing. This means that any synchronization issues can cause malfunctions. We will take a closer look at how to avoid typical errors, why the bracelet can “reset” time after a firmware update, and what to do if automatic synchronization doesn’t work. You will also learn how to manually set the watch if there is no smartphone at hand (spoiler: it is possible, but with limitations).

Why Mi Band 4 is getting a bit of a time-wandering experience: the main reasons

Before you start setting up, it's important to understand why the bracelet might be showing the wrong time. Here are 5 of the most common reasons:

• 📱 No sync with your smartphone. The Bracelet only updates the time when you connect to Mi Fit or Zepp (in newer versions). If Bluetooth is disabled or the app hasn't started for a long time, the clock freezes".
• 🔋 Battery discharge to 0%. When fully discharged, the Mi Band 4 resets some settings, including time.
• 🔄 Firmware failure after an update. If the software update is interrupted or misses, the system clock may fail, most often when it is updated over an unstable Internet connection.
• ⏰ Manual setting without saving. When you try to set the time manually (without a smartphone), the changes may not be saved due to a bug in the firmware.
• 🌍 The wrong time zone on the smartphone. The Bracelet takes the time and date data from the phone. If the smartphone has an incorrect time zone or automatic determination is disabled, the Mi Band 4 will show incorrect data.

Interestingly, the problem over time occurs more often in Android users than iPhone owners, due to the peculiarities of the background mode on different OSes. For example, on Android 10+, the system can force the Mi Fit to close to save energy, which leads to loss of synchronization.

Automatic time synchronization via Mi Fit or Zepp

The most reliable way to set the time is to sync the bracelet with your smartphone through the official app.

1. Make sure your smartphone has Mi Fit (for older versions of the bracelet) or Zepp (for newer firmware) installed on it, and you can download it from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and launch the app.
3. Go to the Profile section → Mi Smart Band 4 or your device).
4. Scroll down and find Sync Data or Update Time (depending on the version of the app).
5. Wait until the synchronization is complete. It usually takes 5-10 seconds. The time on the bracelet is automatically updated.

If the Synchronize data item is missing, try:

• 🔄 Reset the bracelet (press the touch button 10 seconds before vibration).
• 📱 Reinstall the Mi app Fit/Zepp.
• 🔌 Disable and reconnect the bracelet in Bluetooth settings.

Install the latest version of Mi Fit/Zepp

Turn on Bluetooth and GPS on your smartphone

Charge the bracelet to 20% or higher

Update the firmware of Mi Band 4 (if available)

Reboot your smartphone and bracelet-->

If you're still running out of time after sync, check the date and time settings on your smartphone:

1. On Android: Settings → System → Date and Time → Enable Date and Time Zone Autodetermination.
2. On iPhone: Settings → Basic → Date and time → Activate Automatically.

Manual time setting without a smartphone

If you don't have a phone or the sync isn't working, you can try to set the time manually directly on the wristband, but this method has limitations:

• ⏳ You can change only hours and minutes, date and time zone can not be configured.
• 🔄 After synchronization with the smartphone, manual settings will reset.
• 🛑 On some firmware, the manual setting function is disabled.

Instructions for manual adjustment:

1. Swipe your finger up the bracelet screen to open the menu.
2. Find the icon. ⚙️ Settings (cogs) and tap it.
3. Scroll down to Time (or Clock) and select it.
4. Use swipes up/down to change hours and minutes. Confirm the choice by pressing the touch button.

Attention! On firmware older than 1.0.9.38, manual time settings may not be available, in which case update the bracelet software via Mi Fit.

Resolving time synchronization errors

If automatic synchronization doesn’t work, try the following methods:

One of the most effective ways to solve time problems is to reset the bracelet to factory settings, which will help if the failures are caused by software errors:

1. Open on the bracelet Settings → Additional → Reset.
2. Confirm reset (bracelet vibrates and resets).
3. Connect the bracelet to the Mi Fit again, as in the first use.

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If the bracelet doesn’t connect to your phone after resetting, try using another device (like a tablet) to set up the bracelet initially, and sometimes conflicts arise over the Bluetooth cache on the main smartphone.

Update the firmware to correct time errors

In some cases, the problem with time is due to the outdated firmware of the bracelet. The manufacturer regularly releases updates that fix synchronization bugs.

1. Open Mi Fit and go to your Mi Band 4 profile.
2. Find the Firmware Update section (usually at the bottom of the screen).
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet must be charged at least 50%).
4. After the update, synchronize the time.

The latest stable firmware for the Mi Band 4 (as of 2026):

• 1.0.9.58 - Time and notification synchronization bugs are fixed.
• 1.0.9.48 - Improved stability of Bluetooth connection
• 1.0.8.12 – New time zones support added.

Warning: Don't interrupt the upgrade process! If the bracelet goes off during firmware, it can lead to a "brick" (software breakage), in which case you will need to flash it through the Mi Band 4 Tool (special PC software).

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Updating the firmware is the most reliable way to fix system time errors, but requires a stable Internet connection and a charged bracelet.

How to Check Time Accuracy on Mi Band 4

To make sure the bracelet is showing the right time, follow the following steps:

1. Sync time through Mi Fit (see section above).
2. Compare the bracelet readings with the exact time on your smartphone or computer (for example, through time.is).
3. Check the date display: Swipe down the bracelet’s main screen to see the day of the week and the number.
4. Make sure the time zone matches your region (this can only be checked via smartphone).

If the discrepancy is more than ± 1 minute, it indicates a hardware or software problem.

• 🔧 Try resetting the bracelet settings.
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi Support (via Mi Fit app in Feedback section).
• 🔄 If the warranty is in effect, consider replacing the device.

Fun fact: The Mi Band 4 uses a built-in quartz generator to count down time, which can go away for a few seconds a month, which is normal for budget devices, but if the deviation is greater than 5-10 minutes, this is a reason for diagnosis.

Frequent Questions and Myths About Time Setup

There are many myths surrounding the Mi Band 4, and we'll look at the most popular ones.

⚠️ Attention: Some users claim that the bracelet "renews time on its own over the Internet." This is not true - Mi Band 4 does not have a Wi-Fi module or mobile connection.

Myth 1: “If you set the time manually, the bracelet will support it forever.”

Reality: Manual settings are reset at the first synchronization with a smartphone or battery discharge.

Myth 2: “You need to turn on your phone’s GPS for the exact time.”

Reality: GPS doesn't affect time synchronization. It's just Bluetooth and the right date settings on your smartphone.

Myth 3: “Firmware updates always solve time problems.”

Reality: The update only helps if the bug is fixed in the new version, and in 20% of cases, users experience regression (new errors after the update).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions