How to change the time on the smart watch Xiaomi: all ways and solutions to problems

Why Xiaomi Smart Watches Are Stuck and How to Fix It

Xiaomi’s smartwatch is not just an accessory, but a full-fledged gadget that helps monitor health, receive notifications and, of course, show the exact time. However, many users face the problem when the watch begins to lag, rush or even show the wrong time zone, 80% of the time it is due to the timing settings, not hardware malfunction.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the time on Xiaomi smart watches, from basic synchronization with a smartphone to manual adjustments and solving rare software failures. The instructions are suitable for most models: Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7, Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3, Redmi Watch 2/3, Amazfit GTR/GTS (since they work on the same firmware). If your model is not on the list, do not worry: the algorithm will be similar.

Before you get to the settings, check two key points: 1 Make sure your smartphone has automatic time synchronization enabled (in the date and time settings). 2 Update the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app to the latest version – outdated versions often cause conflicts when transferring data.

Method 1: Automatic time synchronization with a smartphone

The simplest and most recommended method is to synchronize time through the app, and by default, Xiaomi smartwatches get time and date data from the connected smartphone.

• 📱 On your smartphone, open the Mi Fitness app (for Mi Band) or Zepp Life (for Xiaomi) Watch/Redmi Watch).
• 🔄 Make sure the watch is connected to the phone via Bluetooth (the connection icon should be green).
• ⚙️ Go to the device profile → Settings of the clock → Date and time.
• 🔄 Enable the option to sync time automatically (or auto-update time depending on the model).

If the option is already on, but the time is still confused, try forced synchronization:

1. Open the app and wait for the clock to connect.
2. Pull the screen down (as with a page update) and it will trigger data re-synchronization.
3. Wait 10-20 seconds and check the time on the clock.

Reboot your smartphone and watch

Update to Mi Fitness/Zepp Life

Check permissions for the application (access to location and calendar)

Turn off/enable Bluetooth on your phone

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If you're traveling and moving to a different time zone, automatic synchronization may not work right away.

⚠️ Note: When flying in the Zepp Life app, you sometimes need to manually update your time zone. → Additionally. → Time zone and select the current region.

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

If the watch doesn’t sync with the phone or shows the wrong time despite all attempts, you can set it manually, which is suitable for most models except the Mi Band 1/2 (they don’t have this option).

Instructions for Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7 and Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3:

1. On your smartphone, open the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app.
2. Go to your watch profile → Settings → Date and time.
3. Turn off the sync option automatically.
4. Click Set Manually and enter the current date and time.
5. Save the changes and wait for the update on the clock (it can take up to 30 seconds).

The Redmi Watch 2/3 and Amazfit are slightly different.

• 📱 In the Zepp Life app, select your device.
• 🔧 Go to the Device Settings → System settings → Date and time.
• 🕒 Turn off Auto Update and press Set Time Manually.

Critical information: On models Xiaomi Watch S2 and newer when manually setting the time may require confirmation through PIN-It's 0000 or 1234 by default, unless you've changed it.

Method 3: Reset the clock settings to restore synchronization

If neither automatic nor manual adjustments help, there may have been a failure in the firmware of the watch, in which case a factory reset will help. Don't worry, it won't delete your steps or pulse data (it's stored in the cloud), but it will return all parameters to the "out of the box" state.

How to reset the settings on different models:

After discharge:

1. Connect the watch to the phone again (as in the first switch).
2. Turn on automatic time synchronization.
3. Check if the time has been updated. If not, try method 4.

⚠️ Note: Mi Band 7 Pro and Xiaomi Watch S2 Pro after reset may require re-authorization in your Xiaomi account.Make sure to remember the password!

Method 4: Update firmware to eliminate time errors

If the clock is systematically wrong, the fault may be outdated firmware. The manufacturer regularly releases updates to fix the synchronization bugs.

For the Mi Band:

• 📱 Open Mi Fitness and select your device.
• 🔄 Go to the Device Settings → Firmware update.
• 📥 If a new version is available, click Download and install.
• ⏳ Do not turn off Bluetooth or close the app until it is completed (may take 5-15 minutes).

For Xiaomi Watch and Redmi Watch:

• 📱 In the Zepp Life app, select the Device Profile → Update.
• 🔍 Check for updates and follow the instructions on the screen.
• ⚡ Make sure the battery is at least 50% (otherwise the update will not start).

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If the update is stuck in Prepare, restart the clock (hold the 10 seconds button) and try again. If the problem persists, remove the watch from the app, restart the phone, and reconnect the device.

After the firmware update:

1. Restart the clock (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Open the app and wait for full synchronization.
3. Check if the problem has corrected with time.

Solving specific time problems on Xiaomi Watch

Sometimes users encounter unique bugs that are not solved by standard methods.

Problem 1: The clock shows time 3-5 hours ahead/back

It's a symptom of the wrong time zone, and even if the phone is set up correctly, the clock can use a different region.

• 🌍 In the Zepp Life app, go to Device Settings → Time zone.
• 🔍 Select your region manually (e.g., Moscow, GMT+3).
• 🔄 Reset the clock.

Problem 2: Time is lost after disconnecting from the phone

If the watch loses touch with your phone (for example, when you leave your smartphone at home), it should save time thanks to the built-in device. RTC-The real-time clock is not the same:

• 🔋 Check battery power – at levels below 10%, the watch can be turned off RTC energy-saving.
• 🔄 Update the firmware (new versions fix energy saving errors).
• 📦 If the problem persists, it could be a hardware defect.

Problem 3: The clock does not switch to winter/summer time

Automatic seasonal time transition depends on the time zone settings in the firmware.

• 📱 Manually update your time zone in the app (select an automatic-adjusted region, such as Europe/Moscow).
• 🔄 Reset the clock.
• 📡 Make sure that the phone settings have enabled the option Automatic timing.

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If neither of these methods worked, try linking your watch to another smartphone (like a friend’s phone), and if the second device displays the time correctly, the problem is with your phone’s settings, not your watch.

More tips for setting up time on Xiaomi Watch

Here are some life hacks that will help you avoid time problems in the future:

• ⚡ Regularly update the firmware – in new versions, synchronization bugs are fixed.
• 📶 Use a stable internet connection when setting up your watch (Wi-Fi or mobile internet).
• 🔄 Once a month, reset the clock – this resets the cache and prevents hanging.
• 🔋 Keep an eye on battery power – at levels below 15%, there may be failures RTC-module.

If you travel frequently, we recommend:

• 🌍 Install an application on your phone to automatically determine the time zone (for example, Time Zone Auto Set).
• ✈️ On the plane, manually translate the clock - in the "in-flight" mode, synchronization is turned off.
• 🔄 After landing forcefully update the time through the app (pull the screen down).

For advanced users: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Watch S2) can enable GPS sync.

1. Activate GPS on your watch (in settings → Location).
2. Turn on the option to sync time over GPS.
3. Go outside – the clock will automatically update the time on the signal from satellites.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)