The Xiaomi Mi Watch automatically syncs time with the connected smartphone, but sometimes it fails. Incorrect screen time can occur after resetting, updating the firmware or changing the time zone. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust time, from basic synchronization through the Mi Fitness app to manual adjustments and solving typical problems.
The Mi Watch doesn't have its own GPS location module, which is that the time and time zone are pulled up from your smartphone, which makes it easier to set up, but requires a stable Bluetooth connection. If the watch is showing the wrong time, check the connection and the app version first. In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by reconnecting devices or updating the software.
1. Automatic time synchronization via Mi Fitness
The main way to set the time on the Xiaomi Mi Watch is synchronization through the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit), which works for all models in the series: Mi Watch, Mi Watch Lite, Mi Watch Color and Mi Watch Revolve. The algorithm is the same, but the application interface may vary slightly depending on the version.
To synchronize time:
- 📱 Install the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS).
- 🔗 Connect your watch to your phone via Bluetooth (enable Bluetooth on both devices).
- ⚙️ Open the application, go to the Profile section → My devices. → Xiaomi Mi Watch.
- 🔄 Click on the sync icon (round arrow) or select Sync data.
If the time is not updated, check:
- 📶 Internet connection stability on a smartphone (synchronization requires access to the network to check the exact time).
- 🔋 Charge level of the clock (at a rate below 10%, some functions are turned off).
- 📲 Mi Fitness version (update via Google Play or App Store).
2. manual time setting (if automatic synchronization does not work)
If the clock doesn't sync with your phone, you can set the time manually, which can be useful when traveling when you don't have access to the Internet, or when Bluetooth crashes. Note: manual adjustment will reset the next successful connection to your smartphone, the watch will again "tighten" the time from the Mi Fitness app.
Instructions for manual adjustment:
- Click on the physical watch button (or swipe up the screen if the button isn’t).
- Select the Settings section (cog icon).
- Scroll down to System → Date and time.
- Turn off the autosynchronization option (if it is active).
- Enter the current date and time, select the time zone.
- Save the changes with the OK button or tick.
Is the "Airplane" mode on the clock disabled?
Is Bluetooth enabled on your smartphone?
Is the Mi Fitness app updated to the latest version?
Are the watches at least 20% charged?
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⚠️ Note: On some models (such as the Mi Watch Lite), manual time setting is not available – in this case, only reconnecting to the phone or resetting your settings will help.
3. Time zone and time format setting
The time zone on the Xiaomi Mi Watch is automatically determined from the smartphone data, but it can be changed manually. This is true for travelers or users who often move between regions. The time display format (12-hour or 24-hour) is also set separately.
To change the time zone:
- Open the Mi Fitness app on your phone.
- Go to Profile → My Devices → Xiaomi Mi Watch → Device Settings
- Select Time Zone.
- Enable the Autodetermination option or select the belt manually from the list.
To change the format of the time:
- 🕒 On the clock: Settings → System system → Time format.
- 📱 Annex: Profile → My devices. → Screen settings → Time format.
| Model clock | Manual time zone support | 12/24 hour format |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Watch (classic) | Yes. | Yes. |
| Mi Watch Lite | No (car only) | Yes. |
| Mi Watch Color | Yes. | Yes. |
| Mi Watch Revolve | Yes. | Yes. |
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If you travel often, turn on the option “Automatic time zone determination” in your smartphone settings – this will eliminate the need for manual adjustments on the clock.
4. Solving problems with wrong time
If the time on Xiaomi Mi Watch is confused or displayed incorrectly, the reasons can be different, from software failures to hardware malfunctions.
Problem 1: Time on the clock is behind or in a hurry for a few minutes.
- 🔄 Restart the clock (press the power button for 10 seconds).
- 📱 Reconnect the watch to your smartphone via Mi Fitness.
- ⚡ Check the battery charge (at low charge, there may be failures in the operation of the time module).
Problem 2: The clock shows the time of another country.
- 🌍 Check your time zone on your smartphone (the setting should match your region).
- 🔄 Perform manual synchronization in the Mi Fitness app.
- 📡 Turn off and turn on Bluetooth again on both devices.
⚠️ Note: If after all the manipulations, time continues to get lost, this may indicate a malfunction of the internal quartz generator. In this case, contact the Xiaomi service center - self-repair will lead to loss of warranty.
What if the clock is suspended during synchronization?
5. Time synchronization after resetting settings
Once the Xiaomi Mi Watch is reset to factory settings, all data, including time, is erased. To restore correct time, you need to reconnect the watch to the smartphone.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your phone.
- Open the Mi Fitness app and click Add Device.
- Choose your watch model from the list.
- Follow the instructions on the screen (confirm the pairing on the watch and phone).
- Wait until the synchronization is complete (usually takes 1-2 minutes).
If the clock is not connected after resetting:
- 📌 Make sure that the smartphone is enabled geolocation (required to determine the time zone).
- 🔄 Reboot both devices.
- 📋 Check if your watch model is supported by the current Mi Fitness version (relevant to older devices).
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After resetting, the Xiaomi Mi Watch loses its binding to the Mi Account. To avoid data loss (steps, pulse, sleep), sync your history with the cloud in the Mi Fitness app before reset.
6. Update firmware to correct time errors
Some versions of Xiaomi Mi Watch firmware have bugs that cause time to be lost or out of sync. For example, 1.7.85 for Mi Watch Color had an error with automatic adjustment when crossing time zones.
How to update firmware:
- Open Mi Fitness and go to the device section.
- Select the firmware update (if available).
- Confirm download and installation (the watch must be charged at least 50%).
- Do not turn off Bluetooth until the process is complete (usually takes 5-10 minutes).
If the update does not appear:
- 🔍 Check out the region of your Mi Account (some updates are coming out first for China).
- 📡 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes corporate networks block update servers).
- 🔄 Remove the cache of the Mi Fitness application in the smartphone settings.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware update process, as this can lead to a “bricking” of the watch. If the progress bar appears on the screen during the update, wait for it to complete (even if it takes more than 15 minutes).
7. Alternative synchronization methods (for advanced users)
If standard methods don't work, you can try alternative solutions, which require additional actions, but sometimes save in difficult situations.
Method 1: Use Notify & Fitness (for Android)
This third-party app supports more features than Mi Fitness, including forced time synchronization.
- Install Notify & Fitness from Google Play.
- Connect the watch through the app (you need to disable Mi Fitness).
- Go to Device Settings → Synchronization → Forced Time Synchronization.
Method 2: Resetting the Bluetooth cache on a smartphone
Sometimes synchronization errors are linked to the cache of the Bluetooth module, to reset it:
- On Android: Settings → Apps → Show all apps → Bluetooth → Storage → Clear cache.
- On iOS: Go to Settings → Bluetooth, find your watch in the list and click Forget this device, then plug in again.
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If you are using an iPhone, before connecting Xiaomi Mi Watch, turn off the “Automatic Switch between Devices” function in Bluetooth settings. This will prevent conflicts during synchronization.