Set up time on Xiaomi smart watches: from synchronization to manual adjustment

Xiaomi’s smartwatch is not just an accessory, but a full-fledged assistant that must work with maximum accuracy. One of the key features is correct time mapping, because it depends on the operation of alarm clocks, reminders, activity trackers and even synchronization with other devices. However, many users face problems: the watch shows the wrong time, does not sync with the phone or gets lost after updating the firmware.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust the time on Xiaomi smart watches – from automatic synchronization through the Mi app. Fitness/Zepp Manual adjustments to different models (Mi Band) 7/8, Amazfit GTR/GTS, Watch 2 You will also learn why the watch can show the wrong time and how to fix it without resetting to factory settings.

We will pay special attention to the nuances that the manufacturer often does not say: the effect of energy-saving mode on synchronization, differences in settings for Android and iOS, as well as hidden features such as automatic switching to winter / summer time. If your watch constantly “speeds” or “lags behind”, here you will find a solution.

1. Automatic time synchronization through the application

The main way to adjust the time on Xiaomi smart watches is synchronization through the official app. Depending on the watch model, it can be Mi Fitness (for Mi Band), Zepp (for Amazfit) or Xiaomi Wear (for Watch), the process is almost identical for all versions, but there are key points that affect the stability of the work.

The clock automatically receives the exact time:

• 📱 Install the app on your smartphone (Android 6.0)+ or iOS 12+). For Mi Band, it's Mi Fitness, for Amazfit, it's Zepp.
• 🔗 Connect your watch to your phone via Bluetooth (enable geolocation for Android!).
• ⚙️ In the application settings, find the Device section → Settings of the clock → Date and time.
• 🔄 Activate Autosynchronize Time (in some versions – Sync with your phone).

After that, the watch should automatically tighten the time from the phone every time you connect.

• ⚡ If the phone is power-saving, the sync may not work. Add the Mi app. Fitness/Zepp exception-list.
• 🌍 For the correct operation of automatic transition to winter / summer time in the settings of the phone should be enabled parameter Autodetermining time zone.
• 📶 If the watch is connected to Wi-Fi (like the Watch 2 Pro), it can sync directly to the servers. NTP, bypassing the phone.

⚠️ Warning: On iPhone, time synchronization may work worse due to iOS restrictions.If the clock is constantly going down, try manually updating the time through the app or reconnect the device.

2 Manual time setting on different models

If automatic synchronization doesn't work, or if you want to set the time manually (for example, to test functions), you can do it directly on the clock.

For the Mi Band 7/8 and Redmi Watch 3:

1. Swipe up the screen to open the menu.
2. Select More → Settings → Date and time.
3. Turn off Auto Sync and set the time manually.

For the Amazfit GTR/GTS and Watch 2 Pro:

1. Press the side button to open the menu.
2. Go to Settings → System → Date and time.
3. Select Manual setting and set hours, minutes, format (12/24 hours).

On some models (for example, the Amazfit Bip U Pro) manual time setting is blocked – in this case, you will have to rely only on synchronization through the application.

Important: After manually adjusting, the clock time may be lost due to lack of communication with the phone. To avoid this, periodically update the data through the application or turn on autosynchronization back.

3. Why does the clock show the wrong time?

If your Xiaomi smartwatch is constantly in a hurry, lagging, or showing an incorrect date, the reasons may be both software and hardware.

One of the hidden reasons is the power saving mode on the phone, and many users forget that Android and iOS can restrict background activity of apps, including data synchronization, to fix this:

• 🔋 On Android: Go to Settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness/Zepp → Battery → No restrictions.
• 🍏 On iPhone: Open Settings → Mi Fitness → Background update → Turn it on.

⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi watch shows time with a difference of exactly 1-2 hours, check the setting Automatic transition to daylight saving time on the phone (MIUI 12-14) this function is not working properly.

4. synchronize time over Wi-Fi and GPS

More advanced Xiaomi smartwatch models (such as the Watch 2 Pro or Amazfit GTR 4) support time synchronization not only via Bluetooth, but also via Wi-Fi or GPS. This is useful if you travel frequently or your phone is disconnected for a long time.

To enable this function:

1. Connect the watch to Wi-Fi (in the clock settings, select Network → Connect to Wi-Fi).
2. In the Zepp app, go to Device Profile → Settings → Date and time.
3. Activate the option to sync over the Internet (or Use). NTP-server).

Advantages of this method:

• ✈️ Automatic time zone updates for flights (if the definition of the flight is included) GPS).
• 📡 More accurate time as the server is used NTP (Not the phone time, which may be inaccurate).
• 🔄 Synchronization works even if the phone is off or out of Bluetooth range.

But there are downsides: with active Wi-Fi or GPS, your watch consumes more power, and if you notice that your battery is going to run down faster, turn it off or use it only when you need it.

5. Update firmware and reset settings

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be outdated firmware or a setup failure, and the software update often fixes time synchronization errors, especially after major MIUI or Zepp OS updates.

To update the firmware:

1. Open the Mi Fitness/Zepp app.
2. Go to the Device Profile → Update the firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until the end (the clock will reboot).

If the update didn’t help, try resetting the clock to factory settings:

1. On the clock: Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. In the appendix: Device → Untie the device (then connect again).

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, all data (steps, training, alarm clocks) will be deleted!

If the problem persists even after resetting, check:

• 📱 Compatibility of your phone with a watch (Xiaomi website has a list of supported devices).
• 🔌 Charging cable – sometimes a faulty charger causes clock failures.
• 🛠️ Physical damage (for example, after falling or getting moisture).

💡

Before upgrading your firmware, charge your watch at least 50% and make sure your phone doesn’t run out during the process. If the update is interrupted, the watch may stop turning on!

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users make the same mistakes when setting the time on Xiaomi smartwatches, which leads to constant crashes.

• 🚫 Turn off Bluetooth on your phone – without communication, the clock will not be able to sync.
• 🚫 Use unofficial firmware – they often contain errors in working with time.
• 🚫 Changing the time zone manually on a clock can cause conflict with your phone’s settings.
• 🚫 Ignore application updates – new versions fix synchronization bugs.

Another common problem is the time difference between the phone and the clock, for example, if the phone has a manual time (no auto-identification) and the clock is synchronized with the NTP server, there may be a discrepancy.

• 📵 On the phone, enable Auto-determining date and time (Settings) → System system → Date and time).
• 🌐 Choose the right time zone (especially when moving).
• 🔄 After changing the settings on the phone, force the clock to sync through the app.

If your Xiaomi watch is still a few seconds wrong after all the manipulations, that’s OK. Most smartwatches (including the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch) have an error margin of up to ±30 seconds per day due to hardware constraints.

7 Additional functions: alarm clocks, timers and world time

The correct time setting opens access to additional features of Xiaomi smart watches:

• ⏰ Alarm clocks: only work at the right time. To add an alarm clock, go to the Device in the app. → Alarm clocks.
• ⏱️ Timers and stopwatches: use an internal clock chronometer, but for accuracy it is better to synchronize the time before use.
• 🌎 World Time: Some models (Watch 2 Pro) can add additional travel time zones.

For example, to set the alarm clock on Mi Band 8:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app.
2. Go to the profile → Device → Alarm clocks.
3. Click Add an alarm clock and set the time, days of the week, type of vibration.

If the alarm doesn’t work, check:

• 🔕 Is the silent mode on the clock off.
• 📵 Has the clock discharged (at a charge level below 5%, the alarm clock may not work).
• 🔄 Is the time between the phone and the clock synchronized.

💡

For maximum accuracy of alarm clocks and reminders, it is recommended to include autosynchronization of time and update the firmware of the watch at least once every 2-3 months.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting the time