Set-up time on Xiaomi smart watches: automatic synchronization and manual methods

Xiaomi smart watches are not just an accessory, but a full-fledged assistant that should work like a Swiss watch (literally and figuratively). However, many users face the problem when the time on the screen of the Mi Band 7, Redmi Watch 3 or Xiaomi Watch S3 is confused, lagged or not updated at all. The reasons can be different from a banal synchronization failure to an incorrect time zone in the smartphone settings.

In this article, we will look at all possible ways to adjust time, from automatic synchronization through the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models) to manually entering date and time. We will focus on typical errors that cause the clock to show the wrong time, and give unique recommendations for fixing synchronization problems for Mi Band and Wear OS devices. If your watch after updating the firmware began to “live on its schedule” – you will definitely find a solution here.

Why is Xiaomi Smart Watches Showing Wrong Time?

Before we get to the setup, it's important to understand why clock time can get lost. Here are the most common reasons:

• 📱 No sync with your smartphone: the watch is not connected to your phone via Bluetooth or the Mi Fitness app runs in the background with restrictions.
• ⏰ Wrong time zone on your smartphone or in Xiaomi account settings (especially important when moving).
• 🔄 Firmware failure: After the software update, the watch may reset the time settings to factory (for example, January 1, 2020).
• 🔋 Battery discharge: At a charge level below 10%, some models (Mi Band 6, Redmi Watch 2) stop syncing time.
• 🌍 Automatic timing disabled in settings Android/iOS.

Interesting fact: a Wear OS-based watch (like the Xiaomi Watch S3) syncs time directly to Google servers, not through the Mi Fitness app. So the settings may be different for them. If your model runs on Wear OS, skip the Mi Fitness sections and go to a special block.

⚠️ Note: If the clock is exactly 1-2 hours apart, check the summer/winter time settings in your area.

Method 1: Automatic synchronization with Mi Fitness (Zepp Life)

This is the simplest and most recommended method: the watch should automatically pull up time from your smartphone every time you connect via Bluetooth.

1. Make sure your smartphone is Bluetooth enabled and your watch is connected to your phone.
2. Open the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models).
3. Go to the Profile section → My devices and choose your watch.
4. Check that the Autosynchronization time option is enabled in the device settings (usually found in General Settings or System).

If the option is enabled, but the time is not updated:

Reboot your smartphone and watch|Make sure that the phone settings include automatic timing|Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version|Give the application all the necessary permissions (geolocation, auto-run)-->

For the Mi Band 7/8 and Redmi Watch 3 models, there is a hidden forced sync function: press the watch screen for 5 seconds until the menu appears, then select Sync (the icon with two arrows).

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If the clock doesn’t sync after a time zone change (like when traveling), try manually updating the data: open Mi Fitness, go to the device profile, and pull the screen down for an update.

Method 2: Manual time setting (if automatic synchronization is not working)

If the watch doesn’t tighten the time from your smartphone, you can set it manually, a method that is suitable for most models, except the Xiaomi Watch S3 and other devices on Wear OS (for them, the instruction below).

Instructions for Mi Band and Redmi Watch:

1. On the watch screen, swipe up or down (depending on the model) to open the menu.
2. Find the Settings section (cog icon) and select Additional or System.
3. Go to Date and Time.
4. Turn off the Auto Update option (if it is active) and enter the current date and time manually.
5. Save the changes and restart the clock (press the button for 10 seconds).

Important: Once manually set up, the clock time will not automatically update until you turn on the sync again, which is only a temporary solution.

⚠️ Note: On Mi Band 5 and older, manual time settings can be reset after disconnecting from the smartphone for more than 24 hours.

Method 3: Set up time on Xiaomi Watch S3 and other Wear OS watches

Wear OS-based devices (such as the Xiaomi Watch S3 or Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) do not sync time via Mi Fitness, but directly with Google servers.

1. On the clock, swipe your finger across the screen from top to bottom to open the notification bar.
2. Tap the Settings icon (cog).
3. Go to the System section → Date and time.
4. Enable options: Automatic date and time Automatic time zone

Additional settings

Synchronize now

If the clock on Wear OS shows the time with an error of more than 5 minutes, this may indicate problems with the Internet connection.

• 📶 Wi-Fi connection (if supported by the model).
• 📱 Sync with your phone through the Wear app OS by Google.
• 🔄 Update of the firmware of the clock (in the settings System) → Update of the PO).

Problem Solving: The clock shows the wrong time after the update

One of the most common causes of time failure is an incorrect firmware update, and once a new version of the software is installed, the watch can:

• 🕰️ Show time 1-3 hours forward/backward (time zone failure).
• 📅 Reset the date to January 1, 2020 (typical for Mi Band 6 after firmware).
• ⏳ Hang on to the last synchronization time.

Here's how to fix it:

1. Reset the clock: Press the button for 10-15 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.
2. Update the Mi Fitness app: Older versions may conflict with new watch firmware.
3. Reset the clock settings: For Mi Band: Settings → Additional → Reset. For Wear OS: Settings → System → Reset settings.

Reconnect the clock to the phone

• Remove the device in Mi Fitness.
• Forget the clock in your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings.
• Re-add them through the app.

Yes, several times |Yes, once |No, never |I haven't updated the firmware-->

Features of setting the time for different models Xiaomi

Not all Xiaomi smartwatches are set up the same way, but here are the key differences for popular models:

Mi Band 7/8 and Redmi Watch 3

These devices only sync time via Mi Fitness (or Zepp Life), and manual settings are possible, but reset when you disconnect from your phone for a long time. If the clock shows time with a 1 hour error, check:

• 📱 Time zone settings on your smartphone (should match the real region).
• 🔄 Is the autosynchronization option included in Mi Fitness.
• 🔋 Battery level (below 15% synchronization may not work).

Xiaomi Watch S1/S2

This watch doesn't support manual time adjustment, just automatic timing.

• Reset the clock (press the side button for 10 seconds).
• Update the firmware through Mi Fitness.
• Check that the settings of the smartphone include automatic timing.

Xiaomi Watch S3 (Wear OS)

The time setting here depends on Google's servers. If the clock is showing the wrong time:

• Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network via phone).
• Update the Wear OS by Google app on your smartphone.
• In the settings of the clock, turn off and turn on Automatic Time again.

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For models on Wear OS (such as Xiaomi Watch S3), it is critical that the smartphone has an automatic time zone on, otherwise the watch can pull up incorrect data from Google servers.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the same mistakes when setting the time on Xiaomi smartwatches. Here’s what you can’t do, and why:

• 🚫 Turn off Bluetooth on your smartphone for a long time → The clock stops synchronizing and can reset time.
• 🚫 Use third-party apps to adjust time → This may lead to conflict with official.
• 🚫 Ignore firmware updates → In new versions, synchronization bugs are often fixed.
• 🚫 Change the time zone manually on your smartphone without resetting the clock → Changes may not apply.

Also avoid the following actions:

• ❌ Set time manually if the clock supports automatic synchronization (this can cause conflict).
• ❌ Reset the clock to factory settings without prior data synchronization (you can lose activity statistics).
• ❌ Connecting the watch to multiple smartphones at the same time (this knocks down the time settings).

If you travel frequently, we recommend:

• ✈️ Enable in the settings of the smartphone option Automatic determination of the time zone.
• 🔄 Before the flight, the clock must be synchronized with the phone.
• 📱 Make sure that the phone is geolocated (needed to correctly determine the time zone).