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

Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long been an integral part of the daily lives of millions of users. They help track activity, monitor sleep and even manage notifications from a smartphone. But what if your Mi Band 4, Mi Band 6 or newer model displays the wrong time? This problem can occur after resetting, changing the time zone or simply because of a synchronization failure. Unlike classic watches, where time changes mechanically, smart wristbands require a few other actions.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the possible ways to change the time on the Xiaomi Mi Band, from automatic sync via the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) to manually configured in extreme cases. You will also learn why time can get lost, how to avoid common mistakes, and what to do if the bracelet persists in showing incorrect data despite all efforts. 4/5/6/7/8, Also for the Xiaomi Smart Band lineup.

Why is Xiaomi Mi Band the wrong time?

Before we start fixing a problem, it's important to understand why, and 90 percent of the time on the wristband is due to one of the following:

  • 🔄 The bracelet receives time data from the Mi Fitness app, and if communication is interrupted, the watch can "hang" on the last known value.
  • ⏰ The wrong time zone on your smartphone. If the phone has the wrong region or the automatic timing is turned off, the bracelet will show the same thing.
  • 📱 Outdated version of an application or firmware. Bugs in older versions of software can cause synchronization failures.
  • 🔋 Low battery power: At a charge level below 10%, the bracelet may not work properly, including time display.
  • 🌍 Sometimes the bracelet doesn't automatically update data when you change region.

Less commonly, the problem is hardware malfunctions, such as when a Bluetooth module is damaged or a device memory malfunction, and if none of the methods below help, you may need to contact a service center.

📊 What is the Xiaomi Mi Band model you have?
Mi Band 4
Mi Band 5
Mi Band 6
Mi Band 7
Mi Band 8
Another model

Method 1: Automatic synchronization with Mi Fitness

The easiest and most recommended way to update your bracelet time is to sync it with the Mi Fitness app, which works for all Mi Band models starting with version 4.

  1. Open the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone (make sure it’s updated to the latest version).
  2. Connect to the bracelet, if it's already paired, you'll see a model on the home screen, and if it's not, click Add the device and follow the instructions.
  3. Check what's on the phone: 📶 Bluetooth (in settings or in notification curtain). 📍 Geolocation (necessary for time zone determination). ⏰ Automatic time (in date and time settings).

Mi Fitness

Profile

Synchronization of data

After successful synchronization, the time on the bracelet will automatically update. If this does not happen, try rebooting the bracelet (see the next section) or checking the phone settings.

Is Bluetooth on the phone?|Is the Mi Fitness app updated?|Is the time zone on the smartphone correctly installed?|Sufficient battery charge bracelet (more than 20%)|Is the phone in the network area (for automatic time)-->

Method 2: Manually update time through bracelet reset

If automatic synchronization fails, try forcefully updating the time by rebooting the wristband, which helps when the data is stuck in the device's memory.

  1. Remove the bracelet from your hand and place it on a flat surface.
  2. Find the reset button on the body of the bracelet (the Mi Band 4/5/6 has it under the capsule, the Mi Band 7/8 – on the back side next to the sensors).
  3. Take a paper clip or other thin object and press and hold the button for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears on the screen.
  4. Release the button and wait for a full reboot (the bracelet vibrates and turns on again).
  5. After the reboot, open the Mi Fitness app and wait for automatic synchronization.

If there is no reset button (as some Mi Band 8 versions do), use an alternative method:

1. Go to Mi Fitness → Profile → Your bracelet.


2. Click "Disable Device" (do not delete!).




3. Wait 30 seconds and reconnect the bracelet.

⚠️ Note: Forced reset does not delete steps or training data, but may interrupt current measurements (e.g., sleep monitoring.

Method 3: Set up time through third-party apps

In rare cases, the standard Mi Fitness app may not work properly, and alternative utilities such as Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (available for Android) or Mi Band Master come to the rescue, offering advanced customization features including manual time adjustment.

Instructions for Notify & Fitness:

  1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
  2. Connect the bracelet through the Device menu (you will need to disconnect it from Mi Fitness).
  3. Go to the Bracelet Settings section → Date and time.
  4. Activate the manual setting option and set the correct time.
  5. Save the changes and wait for the synchronization.

If you plan to use the bracelet for a long time without a phone (for example, on hikes), keep in mind that without synchronization, the time on the Mi Band can “go away” by 1-2 minutes per month due to imperfection of the internal timer.

💡

Automatic sync via Mi Fitness is the most reliable way to update time, but if it doesn’t work, you can always use manual reset or third-party apps.

Can I change the format of the time to Mi Band (12/24 hours)?
Yes, the time format depends on your smartphone settings. Change it to the phone's date and time settings (Settings → System → Date and Time → Time Format), then sync the bracelet. Starting with the Mi Band 6, you can also select the format directly from the Mi Fitness app (display and brightness section).
Why did the battery change to Mi Band?
When the battery is completely discharged or removed, the internal clock of the bracelet is reset. After the battery is replaced, you need to re-synchronize the device with the phone via Mi Fitness. If the time is not updated, reset (see Method 2).
How to make the time on the Mi Band updated more often?
By default, the bracelet syncs to your phone every 30 minutes. To speed up the process: Open Mi Fitness and manually update the data (flick the bracelet screen down). Enable notifications from the app (they trigger background synchronization). Use the Mi Fitness widget on the phone's home screen.
Can I set up a time for Mi Band without a phone?
No, all Mi Band models (except the Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8 Pro with GPS) depend on the smartphone for precise timing. Without synchronization, the bracelet will use an internal timer that accumulates error over time. The only exception is if you pre-set up automatic updates over Wi-Fi (available only on the Mi Band 8 Pro).
What if after updating the firmware time went wrong?
This is a well-known problem with some versions of the software. Try: roll back the firmware to the previous version (via Mi Fitness or Mi Band Master); Reset the bracelet to factory settings; Expect a patch from Xiaomi (usually patches come out in 1-2 weeks).