Why Xiaomi Band is running out of time and how to fix it
Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets (including 5/6/7/8 and Smart Band Pro) automatically sync time to your smartphone via the Mi Fitness app. However, users often face problems: the clock is behind, shows an incorrect time zone or resets after a reboot, the reasons are rooted in phone settings, synchronization errors or hardware failures.
In 80 percent of cases, the problem is solved by forced synchronization or time zone adjustments. But if the wristband doesn't update the time at all, you'll have to check your Bluetooth connection, app permissions, and even reset the device to factory settings. In this article, you'll find a full time setting guide on all Xiaomi Band models, including rare bugs and their solutions.
Important: The instructions are valid for the Mi Band firmware from 2023-2026. If your bracelet is released before 2020 (for example, Mi Band 3/4), some menu items may differ.
Method 1: Automatic time synchronization through Mi Fitness
By default, the Xiaomi bracelet receives time data from your smartphone each time you connect to the application. If this process is broken, follow the steps:
- Update the app. Outdated versions of Mi Fitness (up to 5.6.0) may not be transmitting data correctly. Download the current version on Google Play or the App Store.
- Activate Bluetooth and geolocation. Sync is impossible without it. On Android, check the permissions in Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Permissions.
- Forced update the data: 📱 Open Mi Fitness and connect to the bracelet. 🔄 Swipe down the main screen of the application to update the data. ⏱️ Wait for the notification “Synchronization is complete” (usually takes 5-10 seconds).
If after these actions the time on the bracelet has not been updated, go to manual setting (method 2).
Method 2: Manually adjusting time on the bracelet
Not all Xiaomi Band models support manual time adjustment directly, for example, in Mi Band 5/6 this option is hidden, and in Mi Band 7/8 it is added to the settings.
For the Mi Band 7/8 and Smart Band Pro
- On the bracelet, swipe right across the screen to open the menu.
- Select the Settings (cog icon).
- Scroll to Additional → Date and time.
- Turn off Auto Sync and manually set the clock, minutes and format (12/24 hours).
For Mi Band 5/6 (a workaround required)
In these models, manual time setting is locked, but it can be activated via the developer mode:
Enable the developer mode in Mi Fitness (Profile → Settings → About the program → 5 times click on the version)
Connect the bracelet to your PC via Mi Band Tools (root required on your phone)
Use it. ADB-command to unlock the time menu-->
adb shell am start -n com.xiaomi.hm.health/com.xiaomi.hm.health.devicesetting.DeviceSettingActivityAttention! Manual time change through ADB can reset pedometer settings, and we recommend using this method only in critical synchronization failures.
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If the time is lost again after manual settings, check auto-update time zones in the phone settings. On Android, it is in Settings → System → Date and Time.
Solving time zone problems
Xiaomi Band bracelet determines the time zone according to the smartphone. If you travel or use a VPN, there may be discrepancies. Here's how to fix this:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Time is behind / in a hurry by 1-2 hours | Wrong time zone on the phone | Enable Autodetermining Time Zones in Smartphone Settings |
| The clock is reset after the flight | There is no internet on the phone. | Connect to Wi-Fi/mobile data to update data |
| The bracelet shows the time of another city. | VPN or mock location on your phone | Turn off the VPN and reset the bracelet |
| Date strays by 1 day | Failure of synchronization with Xiaomi servers | Reconnect the bracelet to the app |
For Mi Band 8 models with Dual Time Zone, the setting is done via Mi Fitness → Device Profile → Time Zones, and you can add a second belt and swipe between them on the bracelet.
What if the bracelet shows the time 12 hours ahead?
Synchronizing time after resetting settings
If you reset the Xiaomi Band bracelet to factory settings (e.g., Settings → Reset), the time will automatically update when you first connect to your phone, but 10% of the time requires forced resynchronization:
- Remove the bracelet from the list of devices in Mi Fitness.
- Reset the bracelet (press the 10 seconds button).
- Add the device again via Add the device → Mi Smart Band.
- After connecting, wait for the notification “Data synchronized”.
⚠️ Note: On iPhone, the problem with late time is often solved by disabling the Smart Time Zone function in Settings → Mainstream → Date and time. This option conflicts with Mi Band synchronization.