Owners of Xiaomi wearable electronics often face a situation where the watch shows the wrong time or is behind by several hours. This is due to out-synchronization with the main device or incorrect time zone settings. Correct display of time is critical for tracking activity, alarms and notifications. If you notice an error, do not panic, as the Mi Fit or Zepp system (formerly Mi Fit) allows you to quickly fix this problem.
Xiaomi’s smart wristbands and watches, including the popular Mi Smart Band 4, don’t have their own built-in module. GPS or SIM-All current time data is fed to the gadget exclusively through a paired smartphone, and automatic synchronization occurs every time you connect to the application. However, there are times when this process is disrupted and the user has to intervene manually, and in this article we will discuss all the nuances of how to set the time correctly.
Differences in application interfaces across regions can be confusing. For example, in the global firmware version, menus may differ from the Chinese one. The application interface is constantly updated by developers, so some items may change their location. We will look at universal methods that are suitable for most devices in the Amazfit and Mi Band line. The main thing is to carefully monitor the sequence of actions to avoid errors.
The principle of synchronization of time
The fundamental principle of Xiaomi wearables is that they are completely dependent on a smartphone. The watch doesn't have a time source of its own, as a mechanical or conventional quartz watch. The data is synchronized via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. When you open the companion app, it asks the phone's operating system for the current time and date, and then transmits that data packet to the tracker.
The frequency of updates depends on the power saving settings. In some cases, if an application was "killed" by the Android system to save charge, the clock may lag until the next forced opening of the program. The application's background process must have the appropriate permissions to keep the data on the wrist up to date. Without an active connection to the phone, the clock continues to go using its internal quartz generator, the accuracy of which can drift.
Why does time go wrong after rebooting?
It is important to understand that changing the time directly on the watch screen (if such a feature is available at all in the device menu) is impossible. Settings are managed only through the software interface on the phone. Any attempts to change the parameters without a smartphone will not lead to anything, since the gadget menu is focused only on displaying information and basic monitoring.
Set up time with Mi Fitness and Zepp
Xiaomi's devices are managed using two main applications: Zepp (for older Mi Band models and Amazfit watches) and the new Mi Fitness. The setup process is almost identical, but the interface may differ. First, make sure your smartphone is connected to the Internet, as that's where the reference time comes from. Then open the app and navigate to the device profile.
In the profile menu, find the system settings item, which can be called Device Settings or System Settings. It often hides the Time Zone option inside this section, and that's where most problems are caused, and if you choose the wrong region or city, the clock will be different from the real time, even if the phone is correct.
☑️ Checking the synchronization settings
Once you have selected the right city or region (e.g. Moscow or GMT+3), you need to perform forced synchronization. To do this, pull the list of devices down for an update or just close and reopen the application. The data update should happen instantly and the numbers on the display will change. If this does not happen, try rebooting Bluetooth on your smartphone.
Manual time zone and region change
The most common mistake is to automatically identify a region, which sometimes doesn't work properly when traveling or using a VPN. The app can think you're in another country and adjust the time accordingly. To fix this, you need to manually select your time zone. In the Zepp app, this is done through Profile -> Settings -> Time Zone.
Some versions of the firmware have Automatic Setup, if it's enabled, the watch will try to determine the time by Bluetooth, but if you use third-party dials or modified software, this feature may conflict, so you'd better switch to manually selecting the region, which ensures that readings are stable regardless of external factors.
⚠️ Warning: When changing the time zone, the clock may be affected by alarm clocks. Be sure to double-check the wake time after making changes to the region settings so you don't miss important events.
Also worth considering is the winter and daylight saving time, if this practice persists in your area. Xiaomi smartwatches usually don't have a built-in transition calendar for all countries of the world. Changing the season may require rechecking the settings manually. Make sure the app selects the current time without biasing by an hour.
Solving problems with desynchronization
If time is constantly "floating" or displayed incorrectly, the problem may lie in an unstable Bluetooth connection. Check if the phone is too far from the clock. Bluetooth range is limited, and when you leave the coverage area, synchronization is interrupted. It is also worth checking whether the antivirus or Android energy saving system blocks the application.
Often, a simple reboot of both devices helps: Turn off Bluetooth on your phone, turn it on again, and then restart the watch itself through the Settings menu -> System -> Reboot. Reboot the system clears temporary files and errors that may have accumulated during operation. It is a versatile solution for many software failures.
The table below shows the main causes of failures and how to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Time is behind. | Lack of synchronization | Open the application and update the data |
| Wrong time zone | GPS or VPN error | Manually select the region in the settings |
| Failure after discharge | Full battery discharge | Charge and sync again |
| No notifications coming. | Blocking background processes | Allow auto-run in Android settings |
If none of the methods worked, there may be a problem with the firmware version. The device software update may contain sync bug fixes. Check for new versions in the In-app Update section. Sometimes manufacturers release patches that fix specific compatibility bugs with new versions of iOS or Android.
Setting the time format: 12 or 24 hours
Many people are interested in how to switch the format of the display of time. 4 Amazfit does not have a separate button to change format (AM/PM or 24h). The time format is completely copied from your smartphone settings. 24-The clockwork will be the same on the bracelet.
To change this, go to the language and input settings on your Android or iPhone. Find the Time and Date section and switch the 24-hour switchboard. Then sync with the clock. The phone's system settings are a priority for the wearable device. This is done to ensure that the interface is uniform throughout the ecosystem.
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If the phone hasn't updated after changing the format, try changing the dial to another and then returning the old one. This often forcefully updates the interface.
It's worth noting that some custom dials can ignore system settings and display time in their own format. Third-party dials are created by independent developers and may have their own characteristics. If a standard dial shows the time correctly and a new one does not, the problem is the interface design, not the clock settings.
Resetting settings and reconnecting the device
In extreme cases, when software bugs become critical, a complete reset helps. This action will return the clock to factory status. Resetting will delete all accumulated training data that was not synced with the cloud, so pre-open the application and wait for all data to download.
To do the reset, go to the clock menu, find System -> Reset (or Unbind). After that, the device will need to be re-additioned to the application as new. Re-binding often solves problems with software bugs that cannot be fixed by a normal reboot. This is a clean configuration setup.
⚠️ Warning: Before performing a full reset, make sure the watch battery is at least 50%. interruption of the reset process due to discharge may damage the device software.
Once reconnected, recheck all permissions. Make sure the app is allowed to access geolocation, contacts, and notifications. Set up all the permissions in a comprehensive way to ensure that all the smart bracelet functions work smoothly, and then you can consider the time settings complete and reliable.
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Full reset and re-synchronization solve 90% of software problems with displaying time and date on Xiaomi devices.