How to change the time on Xiaomi smart watches: from Mi Band to Watch 2 Pro

Xiaomi’s smartwatch is not only a stylish accessory, but also an accurate tool to track time if it’s set up correctly. Many users face the problem of having the wrong time displayed on the Mi Band 7, Watch S3 or other model screen, especially after resetting, changing the battery or flying to another time zone. Unlike classic watches where time is manually adjusted, Xiaomi’s smartwatches sync with a smartphone – but this process doesn’t always go smoothly.

In this article, you will find 3 working ways to change the time on any smart watch brand – from budget Mi Band to flagship Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro. We will analyze why the watch can show the wrong time, how to forcefully update data, and what to do if the synchronization is suspended. (a) Owners of models with GPS eSIM – separate recommendations for setting up automatic time zone determination.

Why is Xiaomi smart watches time lost?

Before you change the time, it’s important to understand why the crash happened: Xiaomi’s smartwatch doesn’t have its own time database, but it depends on data transmitted from your smartphone via the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) or Zepp Life, and the most common reasons are:

• 📱 Lack of sync with smartphone: Watches do not receive up-to-date data due to broken Bluetooth connection or errors in the app.
• ⏰ Wrong Time Zone on Phone: If the Smartphone Has the Wrong Region, the Watch Will Inherit This Error.
• 🔄 Resetting: After updating the firmware or reset to factory parameters, time may go astray.
• 🌍 Automatic belt definition: in some models (e.g. Watch) S1 Pro) this function does not work correctly when moving between countries.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: at a critical charge level, the watch can "forget" the current time.

Interestingly, in GPS models (such as the Xiaomi Watch 2), time can be updated independently when connected to satellites, but this only works when actively tracking (such as while jogging).

Method 1: Synchronize with Mi Fitness/Zepp Life

This is the main and most reliable way to update the time on the watch, and the instructions are suitable for all models, including the Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8, Redmi Watch and Xiaomi Watch.

1. Open the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models) on your smartphone.
2. Make sure the watch is connected to the phone via Bluetooth (the connection icon must be green).
3. Go to the Profile section → My device. → [The name of your watch].
4. Scroll down and find Sync Data (or Update in some versions).
5. Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-10 seconds).

If there is no sync button, try the forced update:

1. Close the application through the task manager.
2. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your phone again.
3. Start Mi Fitness again – sync should happen automatically.

⚠️ Warning: If the clock is still incorrect after synchronization, check the date and time settings on the smartphone itself. → System system → Date and time and activate the option Automatic (network time). On iPhone, this item is in Settings → Mainstream → Date and time.

Method 2: Manual time setting (for models with a self-interface)

Some flagship models, such as the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Watch S3, allow you to change the time directly on the watch without resorting to synchronization.This is convenient if you do not have access to the smartphone or have problems with the application.

Instructions for the watch with MIUI Watch:

1. Swipe your finger up the main screen to open the app menu.
2. Find the Settings icon (cog) and tap it.
3. Go to the System section → Date and time.
4. Turn off the Auto Update option (if it is active).
5. Manually set the current date, time and time zone.
6. Save the changes and restart the clock (press the power button for 10 seconds).

For the Mi Band 7/8 and Redmi Watch 3/4, manual time setting is not available – these models are completely dependent on synchronization with a smartphone. However, they can force you to update the data by holding the button on the watch screen for 5 seconds before the vibration occurs (does not work on all firmware).

Method 3: Resetting and Re-binding

If the first two methods did not help, perhaps the problem lies in the system failure of the watch or application, in which case a complete reset of the device settings and subsequent binding to the smartphone will help.

How to reset your settings:

1. On the watch, go to Settings → System → Reset (for Mi Band – Settings → Additional → Reset).
2. Confirm the action (usually you need to hold the button on the screen for 3-5 seconds).
3. After restarting the watch, untie them in the Mi Fitness: Profile → My device → Disable.
4. Re-attach the watch to the phone via Add the device.

After reset, the time should be updated automatically at the first synchronization. If the problem recurs, try:

• 📲 Reinstall the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app.
• 🔄 Update the firmware of the watch through the official application.
• 📱 Check the permissions for the application on your smartphone (access to Bluetooth, geodata and the Internet must be enabled).

⚠️ Warning: Resetting will delete all data from the clock, including workout history, notifications and dial custom settings. Before the procedure, back up in the app (if the feature is supported by your model).

Features of setting the time for different models

Not all Xiaomi smartwatches work the same way, and let’s look at the key differences for the popular lineups:

Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8

These fitness bracelets don't have autonomous time management, they're totally dependent on syncing with a smartphone.

• 🔋 Check battery power – at a level below 10%, failures are possible.
• 📶 Make sure your phone is on the internet (even if your watch is Bluetooth connected, the app needs a network to check the exact time).
• ⏱️ Manually update the data by pulling the clock screen down (on some firmware).

Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3

This watch has a standalone mode, but by default uses data from the smartphone. To enable a self-update of the time:

1. Go to Settings → System → Date and time.
2. Activate Auto Update over GPS (only available when connected to satellites).
3. Set the correct time zone manually if the automatic definition is not working properly.

Xiaomi Watch 2/2 Pro

Flagship models with Wear OS support independent time settings, including synchronization with Google Account.

• 🔄 Update the firmware through Settings → System system → Update of the PO.
• 🌐 Check the Google settings on the watch: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of data.
• ⚙️ Reset network settings: Settings → Connections → Resetting the network.

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If you travel frequently, turn off automatic time zone detection on your watch and set it manually, which will prevent accidental disruptions when crossing borders of countries with close belts (for example, Russia and Kazakhstan).

Frequent mistakes and their solution

Even after all the instructions are followed, the clock time may not work properly, and we will discuss the typical problems and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, check if your model is fake. Counterfeit watches often have problems with synchronization and updates. Original Xiaomi devices can be checked by the serial number on the official website.

💡

For models with Wear OS (such as Xiaomi Watch 2), time can be lost due to a conflict with your Google account, in which case it will help to disable sync with Google Fit in the settings of the watch.

Additional tips for accurate time operation

To avoid future problems with time, follow these guidelines:

• 📲 Regularly update the firmware of the watch through the official app. New versions often fix synchronization errors.
• 🔋 Watch the battery power. At levels below 15%, the watch may not work smoothly.
• 🌍 Turn off automatic belt detection if you travel frequently. Manual adjustment is more reliable.
• ⏱️ Reset the clock periodically (1 time per week) by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.
• 📱 Use the original charger. Poor quality cables can cause Bluetooth module malfunctions.

For owners of Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro with eSIM: if the watch is connected to the mobile network, the time can be updated through the carrier. SIM-Cards activated option Network time.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions