Owners of popular fitness trackers often face a situation when the device displays incorrect time, which causes confusion and discomfort when using the gadget. Unlike a regular electronic watch, the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 does not have a built-in real-time module with self-powered, which would allow you to save accurate readings after a full battery discharge or reset, which is why the question of how to change the time on the wristband is one of the most frequent in technical support and user communities.
It's important to note that manually installing the watch directly through the tracker's menu is not possible for architectural reasons, and the whole logic of synchronization is tied to the smartphone, which acts as a reference time source, and if you notice a discrepancy in minutes or hours, the problem is almost always the phone's software or data transfer process, not the hardware breakdown of the device itself.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all aspects of setting time parameters, look at the reasons for desynchronization and suggest effective methods for solving problems. You will learn how to properly configure the time zone in the application, why permission to access geolocation is important, and what to do if automatic updating does not occur.
The principle of synchronization of time
The Mi Band series’ fitness bracelets are fundamentally dependent on the Mi Fit mobile app (or its analogues, such as Zepp Life) and cannot independently determine the current time, date and day of the week without an external signal.
The upgrade process is in the background, but requires an active Bluetooth connection. If the communication between gadgets is broken for a long time, the error of the built-in quartz generator can cause a delay or rush for a few seconds or even minutes a day, which is why periodic synchronization is critical for the accuracy of statistics.
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Turn on automatic sync in the app settings so that the bracelet checks the time every time it’s within range of the phone, even if you don’t open the app specifically.
Keep in mind that the transition to summer and winter time in most regions is abolished, however, when traveling to other time zones, the bracelet will not switch automatically until you open the application in a new place. GPS-Requirements and Requires Wholly on the Phone's Data.
The main method of setting up through the Mi Fit application
To set the time correctly, you need to make sure that your smartphone has the current date settings. Open the phone's system settings and find the Date and Time section. Make sure the Autodetermination switch is activated, which takes data from the cellular network or the Internet. This is the most reliable source of accurate time.
After checking your system settings, run the Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit.) The home screen displays your device's connection status. If the bracelet is connected, the top of the screen usually displays the current time that is broadcast on your wrist. If the time is incorrect, try pulling the device list down for a forced update.
☑️ Verification of synchronization
In some cases, you need to dive deeper into your profile settings. Go to Profile, select your Xiaomi Mi Band 4, and find Settings. There may be a forced sync or reset option available, which often helps shake up the system and relay current time data.
Time zone setting and time format
One common reason for wrong time is the wrong time zone in the app. Even if the clock shows the right time in Greenwich, local time will be different. In the Zepp Life app, go to Profile → Settings → Time Zone. Here you need to select your region or city manually if the automatic determination is not working correctly.
Users are also often concerned about changing the time format from 12-hour to 24-hour, which is set up in the menu of the bracelet itself, but is only available when the bracelet is active, and you need to find the settings menu on the tracker screen (usually swipe left or right to the gear icon) and select the time format.
⚠️ Note: If you change time zone in the application, be sure to wait for the vibration of the bracelet, confirming the successful application of the settings.
Some users experience a time-reform situation where the date is lost, a known feature of early firmware, in which case it is recommended to set the 24-hour format first, sync the device, and then check the date. If the error is repeated, you may need to update firmware.
Problems with permission and access to geolocation
Modern versions of Android and iOS require advanced permissions to work with Bluetooth devices, especially for scanning and transmitting location data that indirectly affects the time zone. If an application is prohibited from using geolocation, time synchronization may occur with errors or not at all.
Check your smartphone’s privacy settings. For Android, the path usually looks like: Settings → Apps → Zepp Life → Permissions. Make sure Location and Bluetooth are enabled. For iOS, go to Settings → Privacy → Geolocation Services and select “Always” or “When Used” for the Mi Fit app.
Why is geolocation important for time?
Also worth paying attention to power saving settings: Aggressive charge saving algorithms can "kill" the application process in the background, which causes the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 to stop receiving updates when the phone's screen is off. Add the app to exceptions or white sheet.
Comparison of synchronization methods
There are several ways to get the bracelet to show the right time, and they vary in effectiveness and the actions required. Understanding the differences will help you choose the best method depending on the situation. Below is a table comparing the main approaches.
| Method | Speed. | Reliability | Action required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic. | Tall. | Medium | Opening of the annex |
| Reformatting | Medium | Tall. | Manual switching on the menu |
| Re-tied | Low. | Maximum | Deletion and search of device |
| Resetting the bracelet | Low. | Maximum | Factory Reset via the menu |
Automatic synchronization is the basic method that works 90% of the time, but if you encounter a bug where time rolls back an hour after you reboot your phone, changing the time format (from 12 to 24 hours and back) will help, which force you to write new timestamps to the tracker's memory.
The most radical but effective method is complete re-binding, which involves removing the device from the app, turning off Bluetooth, turning it on again, and searching again, ensuring that all parameters, including the time zone, are re-transmitted as if they were first launched.
Frequent errors and desynchronization
If none of the above methods worked, maybe the problem is the app cache or the outdated firmware version. Go to your phone's settings, find the Zepp Life app, and select Clear Cache. Don't confuse this with clearing the data, because in the second case you'll have to log in again.
Check for updates for the bracelet itself. The app often has a notification on the new firmware version in the device card. The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 software update often includes fixes for synchronization errors and improvements in the stability of the Bluetooth connection.
It’s also worth checking system time on other devices connected to your account. If you have a tablet or second phone with Mi Fit installed, make sure they’re also running the right time and time zone, as conflicting data from different sources can cause crashes.
Additional operational recommendations
Not only is the software important for a wearable device to work, but the physical state of the contacts and charging is also important. Although this does not directly affect the time, low battery power can cause communication modules to work incorrectly. Try to keep the device from completely discharging to zero too often.
Use original or certified chargers. Unstable charging voltage can cause micro-failures in the controller, which can theoretically cause resets, including timestamps, although in the Mi Band 4 memory is non-volatile with residual charge.
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The stability of the bracelet depends on the quality of the Bluetooth connection and the resolutions given to the application in the smartphone operating system.
Reboot your smartphone regularly. This simple procedure clears up Bluetooth stack system errors that can accumulate during long operating system operation and interfere with the correct communication with peripherals.