How to change the time on the Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet: all ways and solutions to problems

The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long been indispensable for millions of users, but even with such simple devices, sometimes questions arise. One of the most common is how to change the clock on the screen if they show the wrong time or go wrong after resetting. Unlike smartphones, where time is synchronized automatically, smart wristbands can require manual intervention.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Mi Band time can change, from basic synchronization through Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit) to manually adjusting and solving typical problems. We’ll focus on the differences between models (from Mi Band 3 to Mi Band 8), as the interface and functionality have evolved. If your bracelet shows you late, rushes or stops altogether, here’s where you’ll find a solution.

Why Mi Band is in the wrong time: the main reasons

Before you change your settings, it’s important to understand why the watch on the wristband went wrong, and 90% of the time, the problem isn’t with the device itself, but with how it interacts with a smartphone or Xiaomi servers.

Here are the most common reasons:

• 📱 Lack of sync with smartphone: The bracelet gets time from the phone via Bluetooth, and if communication is interrupted (for example, due to a Bluetooth switched off or a discharged phone battery), the watch may stop.
• ⏳ Application failure: Mi Fitness or Zepp Life (for newer models) sometimes fail to update data due to cache errors or an outdated version.
• 🌍 Wrong time zone: If the smartphone has the wrong region or the automatic timing is disabled, the bracelet will show the same thing.
• 🔋 Discharged battery: at critically low charge (≤5% Mi Band can reset settings, including time.
• 🔄 Update firmware: after installing a new version of the software, re-synchronization is sometimes required.

Interestingly, in the Mi Band 6/7/8 models, the time problem is more often associated with the Zepp Life app, whereas in older versions (Mi Band 3/4), Bluetooth is usually to blame. If your bracelet shows the time a few hours apart, check the phone's settings first - perhaps it's not the device at all.

Method 1: Automatic time synchronization through the application

The easiest and most recommended way is to let the bracelet take time from your smartphone automatically, which works for all Mi Band models, but the algorithm is slightly different depending on the version of the app.

For Mi Band 3/4/5 (Mi Fitness app):

1. Open Mi Fitness and connect to the bracelet (if it is not already synced).
2. Go to Profile. → My devices. → [Your Mi Band].
3. Slap the icon. ⚙️ (Settings of the device).
4. Select Time and Date (or Time Sync in older versions).
5. Activate the Autosynchronization switch.

For Mi Band 6/7/8 (Zepp Life app):

1. Launch Zepp Life and wait for the bracelet to connect.
2. Go to the Device. → Settings → Additionally.
3. Find the Time and Date section and enable the option to Sync with your smartphone.

After activating automatic synchronization, the bracelet should update the time for 10–30 seconds. If this does not happen, try manually initializing the synchronization by pulling down on the main screen of the application (swipe down gesture).

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If automatic synchronization doesn’t work, try restarting Bluetooth on your smartphone or reconnecting the bracelet in the app.

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

If the bracelet persists in showing the wrong time even after synchronization, you can set it manually, which is suitable for all models, but the Mi Band 6/7/8 interface is more convenient.

Instructions for Mi Band 3/4/5:

• 📱 On your smartphone, open Mi Fitness and go to bracelet settings.
• 🕒 Select a time and date → Manually install.
• ⏰ Please specify the current time and date, then save the changes.
• 🔄 Wait for synchronization (bracelet vibrates when successfully updated).

Instructions for Mi Band 6/7/8:

• 📱 In Zepp Life, go to Device → Settings → Time and date.
• 🔧 Turn off the option to Sync with your smartphone.
• ⏱️ Click Install manually and enter current data.
• 📲 Confirm the changes – the bracelet will update the time within 5-10 seconds.

Important: After manual settings, turn back on automatic synchronization, otherwise time can be lost every time the bracelet is disconnected from the phone.

Problem Solving: The clock is stray or not updated

If the time on the wristband keeps getting lost despite all the synchronization attempts, the problem could be deeper.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the bracelet to factory settings.

1. In the app, go to Device Settings → Reset.
2. Confirm the action - the bracelet will reset.
3. After restarting, repeat synchronization.

Features of setting the time on different models of Mi Band

The interface and functionality of Xiaomi bracelets have changed with each generation, and let’s look at the key differences that affect the process of time change.

Mi Band 3/4:

• 🔹 Use the Mi Fit app (later renamed Mi Fitness).
• 🔹 There is no separate item for manually adjusting time – only synchronization with a smartphone.
• 🔹 Synchronization issues often arise due to outdated Bluetooth 4.0.

Mi Band 5:

• 🔹 The first model with support for Zepp Life (along with Mi Fitness).
• 🔹 There is a possibility of manually adjusting the time through additional settings.
• 🔹 Improved synchronization stability with Bluetooth 5.0.

Mi Band 6/7/8:

• 🔹 Transition to Zepp Life (Mi Fitness app no longer supported).
• 🔹 Added a separate time and date section with extended settings.
• 🔹 Support for automatic transition to winter/summer time (if enabled on a smartphone).

Important for the Mi Band 8: this model supports time synchronization even without connecting to the smartphone via Wi-Fi (if the bracelet was previously tied to the account), however, the phone is still required to initially set up.

How to check if the time on the bracelet is updated

To make sure that the Mi Band clock is synchronized correctly, do a simple test:

1. 📱 Change the time on your smartphone manually (e.g., set 1 hour ahead).
2. 🔄 Wait for automatic sync or initialize it manually (pulling down in the app).
3. ⏱️ Check if the time on the bracelet has been updated.
4. 🔙 Return the correct time on your smartphone and repeat the synchronization.

If the bracelet has both times the time, the timing works correctly. If not, the problem may be:

• 📵 Unstable Bluetooth connection (try reconnecting the device).
• 📲 Update your app (update Mi Fitness or Zepp Life on Google) Play/App Store).
• 🔋 Low bracelet charge (a charge below 15% can block synchronization).

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If the bracelet doesn’t update the time even after all the manipulations, try to tie it to another smartphone, which will help determine if the bracelet or your phone is having a problem.

Frequent Time Change Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the same mistakes when trying to set the time on the Mi Band, and here are the most common ones:

⚠️ Warning: Never change the time on the wristband through third-party apps (such as Notify & Fitness or Tools & Mi Band).This can cause firmware failure and complete loss of device functionality.

Mistake 1: Ignoring the time zone on a smartphone

The bracelet takes time from your smartphone, so if the phone has the wrong time zone (for example, UTC+0 instead of UTC+3 for Moscow), then the Mi Band will also have the wrong time.

Error 2: Turning off Bluetooth to save power

Some users turn off Bluetooth on their smartphone to save battery life, but this causes the bracelet to stop getting the right time. If you're critical to the accuracy of your watch, leave Bluetooth on or turn it on at least once a day for sync.

Error 3: Manually changing time without turning off autosynchronization

If you manually set a time but haven't turned off the Sync with your smartphone option, the bracelet can be thrown between two values. Always turn off automatic sync before manually set up.

Error 4: Using unofficial firmware

Installing custom firmware (e.g., through Mi Band Master) can disrupt the system clock. If you’ve experimented with firmware and then have trouble with time, go back to the official software via the Zepp Life app.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about time on Mi Band