Set up time on Xiaomi smartwatches: from synchronization to manual adjustment

Xiaomi smartwatches are not just accessories, but full-fledged gadgets that help track health, manage notifications and, of course, show the exact time. However, sometimes users face a problem: the watch is in a hurry, lags behind or even displays incorrect data. 90% of the time it is due to improper synchronization settings or firmware failure. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust time on Mi Band, Xiaomi Watch, Redmi Watch and other devices, from automatic synchronization to manual adjustment through the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new devices).

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi smartwatches don’t have their own GPS module to determine time — they rely on smartphone or sync server data. This means that if your phone is not set the date correctly, the clock will also show erroneous values. We’ll look at not only basic settings, but also the rare cases when time is lost due to hardware problems or firmware conflicts. If you just bought a watch or encountered persistent errors, this instruction will help you return the exact flow of time without going to the service center.

Why is Xiaomi’s smartwatch the wrong time?

Before you start setting up, you should understand the causes of the failure, most often the problem lies in one of the following factors:

• 📱 No sync with smartphone: Watches get time from phone via Bluetooth, and if communication is interrupted, data is not updated.
• ⚙️ Incorrect time zone settings. Even if time is synchronized, an incorrect time zone on a phone or in a clock will lead to an error.
• 🔄 Mi Fitness or Zepp Life may not be transmitting data correctly due to cache or an outdated version.
• 📡 Problems with Xiaomi servers: In rare cases, synchronization servers are temporarily unavailable, leading to time hanging.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: With low charge, the watch goes into energy-efficient mode and can pause the time update.

It’s also worth considering that some models (such as the Mi Band 5/6 or Xiaomi Watch S1) support automatic time zone geolocation, but this feature doesn’t always work consistently. If you recently moved to another region, the watch may “forget” to update data.

⚠️ Note: If the clock clock is regularly strayed (e.g. every day), this may indicate a hardware problem, such as battery wear or Bluetooth module failure.

Method 1: Automatic time synchronization through the application

The simplest and most recommended way is to let the watch automatically take time from the smartphone.

1. Make sure your phone has the right date, time and time zone set. Go to Settings → System → Date and time and turn on the option Automatically (or Network, depending on the smartphone model).
2. Open the Mi Fitness app (for older models) or Zepp Life app (for newer models).
3. Connect your watch to your phone via Bluetooth if it’s not already paired.
4. Go to the device profile (click on the icon of the clock at the top of the screen).
5. Find the Settings of the Watch → Date and Time (or Synchronization) section and enable Auto Update Time.

After that, the clock should automatically tighten the current time. If the synchronization does not occur, try:

Reset the clock (click the 10 seconds button)

Turn off/on Bluetooth on your phone

Update the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app to the latest version

Remove the watch from the Bluetooth device list and reconnect-->

Some models (such as the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) have a separate option to sync the time when you connect, which should also be activated. If after all the manipulations, the time is still not updated, move to manual settings.

Method 2: Manual time change on the clock

If automatic synchronization doesn’t work or you want to set the time manually (for example, to test features), do the following:

1. Open the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app.
2. Select your watch from the list of devices.
3. Go to Settings. → Date and time.
4. Turn off the auto-update time option.
5. Click on the Set manually and enter the current date and time.
6. Save the changes and wait for the synchronization (usually takes 5-10 seconds).

On some models (such as the Mi Band 4 and older), manual time settings are available from the watch screen:

1. Flick the menu on the clock to the Settings section (cog icon).
2. Select Additional → Date and time.
3. Turn off Auto Sync and set the time manually using buttons or a touch screen.

⚠️ Note: On the Mi Band 3 and earlier models, manual time settings can be reset after the clock is restarted, in which case only a firmware update or factory reset will help.

If after manual installation time is still lost, check:

• 🔄 Watch firmware version – outdated software may contain synchronization errors.
• 📶 Bluetooth communication quality – weak signal leads to data loss.
• 🔋 Battery charge – at a level below 10%, the watch may not work properly.

Method 3: Sync through Xiaomi server (for new models)

Xiaomi’s new smartwatches (like the Watch S3 or Redmi Watch 4) support synchronization of time not only with the smartphone but also with the company’s servers, useful if you travel frequently or use watches without your phone.

1. Open the Zepp Life app.
2. Go to the watch profile and select Settings → Date and time.
3. Activate the option of Sync with the server (or Network Time).
4. Make sure the watch is connected to Wi-Fi (if the model supports this feature).

The advantage of this method is that the watch will update the time even without connecting to the phone.

On the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Watch S3, server sync is enabled by default, but it can be turned off in the settings if you prefer to get time from your smartphone.

Problem Solving: Time is lost or not updated

If you have completed all the steps but the clock is still showing the wrong time, try the following methods:

1. Reboot the watch and smartphone

Sometimes it is enough to restart both devices:

• 📱 On your smartphone: Hold the power button and select Reboot.
• ⌚ On the clock: Hold the physical button (or touch-sensitive shutdown icon) for 10-15 seconds until the device restarts.

2. Resetting the clock settings

If the problem persists, reset to factory settings:

1. In the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app, go to Device Profile → Settings → Reset.
2. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
3. After reset, re-couple the watch with your smartphone and adjust the time.

⚠️ Warning: Reset will delete all data from the clock (steps, pulse, alarm settings). Before the procedure, make a backup in the application, if such a feature is supported.

3. Firmware update

Outdated software often causes malfunctions.

1. Open the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app.
2. Go to the watch profile and find the firmware update section.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to be completed (the watch must be charged at least 50%).

4. Checking the rights of the annex

On Android smartphones, the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app should have access to:

• 📅 Calendar (for synchronization of date).
• 📍 Geolocation (for automatic time zone determination).
• 🔗 Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (for data transfer).

To check the permits:

1. Go to your phone settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness/Zepp Life → Permits.
2. Make sure all necessary options are included.

Features of setting time on popular models

Depending on the model of Xiaomi smart watches, the process of setting the time may differ.

Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8

On the Mi Band series fitness bracelets, time syncs automatically when connected to the phone. Manual settings are available only through the Mi Fitness app (for Mi Band 3-6) or Zepp Life (for Mi Band 7/8).

• 🔄 On Mi Band 5 and later, automatic time zone determination is supported. GPS.
• ⏱️ On the Mi Band 3, manual timing may require re-synchronization after rebooting.
• 📱 For the Mi Band. 7/8 Server Sync is available, but it only works when connected to Wi-Fi.

Xiaomi Watch / Watch S1 / Watch S2 / Watch S3

The Watch series has more flexible settings:

• 🌍 Support automatic time zone change when traveling.
• ⚙️ There is a separate item in the settings: time format (12/24 hour).
• 🔄 On Watch. S3 time is synchronized not only over Bluetooth, but also over the mobile network (if the model supports eSIM).

Redmi Watch 2/3/4

Redmi budget watches have a simplified setup system:

• ⏳ Time is updated only when connected to the phone (no server synchronization).
• 🔋 When the battery is low (below 15%), synchronization may be turned off.
• 📲 The Xiaomi Wear app is required for manual settings (for some regions).

💡

If you’re using the Mi Band 7/8 or Xiaomi Watch S3, turn on the “Connect to Charge Sync” option in the app settings, which ensures that time is updated even if you haven’t connected your watch to your phone in a long time.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting the time on Xiaomi smartwatches, users often make common mistakes that lead to failures, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

1. Ignoring the time zone on your smartphone. If your phone has the wrong time zone, the clock will show the time with offset. Always check your phone's settings before syncing.
2. Turn off Bluetooth to save charge. Without an active connection, the watch will not be able to update the time. Instead, set up Adaptive Bluetooth in your phone settings.
3. Developers regularly fix sync errors, so update Mi Fitness or Zepp Life via Google Play/App Store.
4. Manually adjust time without turning off autosynchronization. If both options are active, the watch can conflict and reset.
5. Neglecting firmware updates. New software versions often improve synchronization stability.

Another common problem is the time difference between the clock and the phone is 1-2 minutes, which is due to late sync and is not an error. If the difference is more than 5 minutes, check the settings of the time servers on the phone (Settings → Date and time → Select a server).

💡

If the clock is 1-3 hours late, the time zone is probably not set correctly. Check it on your phone and in the clock settings - they should match.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions