How to set up time on Xiaomi Mi Band 4: the complete guide

Owners of fitness trackers often face a situation when after charging or reconnecting the device, the displayed time no longer corresponds to the real. This is not a critical breakdown of the electronics, since the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 does not have a built-in GPS module or self-connection to cellular networks to automatically adjust the clock.

The basic principle of the device is periodic synchronization of data through the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol. It is at the time of connection that the tracker requests the phone for current data about the hours, minutes and seconds, as well as information about the current date. If this process is interrupted or configured incorrectly, the OLED display can display incorrect data, which significantly reduces the usability of the gadget as an alarm clock or timer.

It is important to understand that there is no manual way to put the watch directly on the wristband itself. All manipulations are done exclusively through the software on the paired mobile device. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for correct settings, the reasons for desynchronization and methods for forcing the update of time stamps to ensure the stable operation of your wearable device.

The principle of synchronization of time

The fundamental basis for correct time display is the Mi Fit app (or its modern counterpart Zepp Life), which acts as an intermediary between the operating system of your smartphone (Android or iOS) and the bracelet microcontroller. With each successful Bluetooth connection, the application transmits a data packet containing the current timestamp of the system.

Special attention should be paid to time zone settings. The gadget does not know how to determine the geolocation and translate the arrows when moving to another city; it blindly trusts the settings that the smartphone broadcasts to it; if the phone has an automatic time zone over the network, then the time on the bracelet will be accurate. Otherwise, there may be a mistake for several hours.

⚠️ Warning: If you are traveling between time zones, change your time settings in your smartphone first, wait for them to update, and only then open the tracker app to start synchronization.

The time format is a common problem. In some regions, the default 12-hour format can be activated with the designation AM (before noon) and PM (afternoon). For users in the CIS countries, the 24-hour format is common.

Preparation of smartphone and applications

Before you start troubleshooting over time, you need to make sure that the basic smartphone services are working correctly. The first step should always be to check the date and time system settings in your phone's menu, make sure that there is a tick on the "Use Network Time" or "Automatic Setup".

Then check the version of the app installed. Developers regularly release updates to fix protocol errors. Go to Google Play Market or App Store, find Zepp Life and make sure you have the latest version of the software available.

The critical point is permissions for the application. Android operating systems often limit the background operation of programs to save energy, which can block the timely transfer of time data.

• 📍 Location access permission (required for Bluetooth scanning to work).
• 🔔 Permission to send notifications.
• 🔋 Disabling the power saving mode for the application itself.
• 📲 Auto-Run permission (for Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung devices).

Step-by-step instruction for setting up

The process of setting the right time takes only a few minutes, if you follow a clear algorithm: first unlock your smartphone and make sure it is connected to the Internet (mobile or Wi-Fi), which is necessary to get the exact time from the operator's servers or network.

Then open the Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit) on your phone. On the home screen, you'll see your device's connection status. If the bracelet appears as "Disable," tap it to pair. A successful connection is usually accompanied by a tracker vibration.

Once connected, go to the device profile. To do this, tap the image of your Mi Band 4 at the top of the screen. In the menu that opens, look for Settings (or "Device Settings"). Here is the key time format switch.

Find a 12-hour format. If the slider is active (blue or green), the time will be displayed in AM/PM. If you want the usual 24-hour format, the switch must be deactivated. Changes apply instantly after the switch.

Solving problems with desynchronization

When the bracelet time lags behind or shows incorrect data immediately after decharging, this is a common complaint of users, because when the battery charge is low, the device could go into deep sleep mode, turning off the Bluetooth module ahead of time, and not have time to receive the final data packet.

For forced sync, you don't have to wait for automatic updates. Open the app, pull the main screen down to update the device list. Once the connection indicator appears, the time on the tracker's display should blink and update.

If standard methods don’t help, try a full reconnect cycle:

1. Remove the device from the Bluetooth list in the phone settings (“Forget the device”).
2. In the Zepp Life app, click "Disable" and remove the tracker from your profile.
3. Reboot your smartphone.
4. Do the search and pairing again.

⚠️ Note: When you remove the device from the app, the step and sleep history that has not yet been uploaded to the server may be lost.

Sometimes the reason for the desynchronization is a conflict of Bluetooth versions. Make sure that your smartphone does not turn on 5G Only mode or other restrictions if you use a dual-band router, although for Bluetooth this affects indirectly through the overall loading of the channel.

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If time is constantly straying, try in the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone to find the device Mi Band 4 and in its properties to enable the option "Sync Time" (available not on all models of phones).

Setting up time zones when traveling

For those who change geographically, the issue of time zone is especially acute. Xiaomi Mi Band 4 does not have its own GPS-It's a module, so it doesn't know that you've moved from Moscow to London. It keeps running on the time given by the last connected smartphone.

When you fly to another time zone, the algorithm should be as follows: Immediately after landing and turning on your phone, before opening the fitness tracker app, go to the Android or iOS system settings. Change the time zone manually or wait for the operator's network to offer to update the time settings.

Only after the time on the smartphone screen changes, you can open the Zepp Life application. At the time of connection, the application will notice the change in system time and send a command to the bracelet to update the data. If you do this in reverse order, the bracelet can remain in the old time zone.

There is also the option of manually setting bias if the automation doesn't work, but in current firmware versions, this feature is hidden to avoid confusion.

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The main rule of the traveler: first change the time in the phone system, then launch the application for synchronizing the bracelet.

Additional functions and alarm clocks

In addition to the current time, the tracker has alarm clocks and sedentary lifestyle reminders, all of which are also dependent on the correctness of the clock, and if the time is knocked down, the alarm clock may not work at the right minute or go off at night.

The alarm clocks are set exclusively through the app, and on the bracelet itself, you can only turn off the ringing alarm or (see) the alarm clocks set, and in the app you can set up to 10 different alarm clocks with a repeat on the days of the week.

It's important to note that the function "Raise the wrist to turn on the screen" is not directly related to network time, but depends on the internal activity timer. If the bracelet is "sleep" due to discharge, this function may not work until the first synchronization.

• 🔔 The alarm clock works even without connecting to the phone (after installation).
• 📳 The vibration of the alarm clock depends on the level of battery charge.
• 🌙 Night mode (Do Not Disturb) is also tied to time stamps.

Remember that prolonged vibrations with a battery running low can cause the device to suddenly turn off in the middle of the alarm clock.