Why Xiaomi Smart Watches Are Getting Time Stuck and How to Fix It
Xiaomi’s smartwatches, from the budget Mi Band to the flagship Watch 2 Pro, automatically synchronize time with a connected smartphone. But sometimes users find that the watch is showing the wrong time, lagging behind or hanging on a single value, the reasons can be different from trivial synchronization errors to hardware failures.
In this article, we will discuss all the ways to change the time on Xiaomi watches, both manually and through the application, and also tell you what to do if time is constantly lost. The instructions are relevant for the Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7, Amazfit Bip, Xiaomi Watch S1/S2 and other gadgets on the Zepp OS platform or MIUI for Watch.
Important: Some models (such as the Mi Band 7 Pro) have manual time settings locked, which can only be changed through the app, due to Xiaomi’s policy to combat time counterfeiting to circumvent restrictions (such as fitness trackers).
Method 1: Automatic synchronization through the application
The easiest and most recommended way is to synchronize time through the official app.
- Make sure your smartphone is Bluetooth enabled and your watch is connected to your phone.
- Open the app: 📱 Mi Fitness - for Mi Band 3/4/5/6 old models. 📱 Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit) – for Mi Band 7/8, Xiaomi Watch and Amazfit Bip. 📱 Xiaomi Wear – for new smart watches (Watch) 2 Pro, Watch S3).
Go to the device profile (usually the icon of the watch at the bottom of the screen).
Settings of the device → Date and time
Autosynchronization of time
If the option is already on, but the time is still incorrect:
Make sure the phone has the right time and time zone
Reboot Bluetooth on your smartphone (turn off/on)
Update the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app to the latest version
Reconnect the clock to your phone (forget the device in Bluetooth settings and pair again)
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Note: Android smartphones take time from system settings, and iPhones take time from Apple servers. If the phone is running out of time, Xiaomi watches will also show incorrect data.
Method 2: Manual time change (if available)
Some models allow you to change the time directly on the device.
- 🔄 The clock is not synchronized with the phone.
- 🌍 You are traveling and want to temporarily change your time zone.
- ⚙️ You have an old firmware without automatic synchronization.
Instructions for the Mi Band 5/6 and Amazfit Bip U:
- Swipe up the clock screen to open the menu.
- Find the icon. ⚙️ Settings (or More).
- Select the date and time (could be called Time Settings).
- Turn off Auto Sync (if enabled).
- Manually install: ⏰ Time zone (e.g, UTC+3 Moscow). 📅 Date (day, month, year). ⏱️ Exact time (hours and minutes).
Save the changes (usually swipe to the right or click the tick).
How to Reset Time Settings to Factory
⚠️ Note: On the Mi Band 7 Pro and Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, there is no manual time setting - it can only be changed through the app. This is done to protect against cheating in fitness tracking. Method 3: Changing the time through firmware (for advanced) If the watch constantly resets time after disconnecting from the phone, the problem may be in the firmware: 🔄 Update the software through the application (section Firmware). 🛠️ Install custom firmware (for example, Amazfit Bip Mod for older models). 📡 Reset NTP-server (for models with GPS). To update your firmware: Open the Zepp Life or Mi Fitness app. Go to your device profile → Software Update: If a new version is available, click Update. Wait until it is completed (the clock will restart). If the official update does not help, you can try alternative firmware: Watch model Firmware Link to the Mi Band Risk Instruction 4 Amazfit Bip Mod XDA Developers Warranty loss, possible bugs Amazfit Bip U Custom Firmware by Alex GitHub Data reset, Xiaomi Watch brick risk S1 Zepp OS Mod 4PDA Instable operation of sensors ⚠️ Attention: Installing unofficial software can permanently disable the clock (called a "brick"). Before you run the firmware, make a backup of the data and make sure the model is supported. 3/4/5|Mi Band 6/7/8|Xiaomi Watch S1/S2|Amazfit Bip/Bip U|Another model|I don't use Xiaomi.--> Method 4: If the watch is tied to a Xiaomi account (or Zepp for new models), time can be synced through the cloud: 📵 The watch is not connected to the phone, but has access to Wi-Fi. 🔄 You need to synchronize time on multiple devices. ⏳ How to check your account settings: Open the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app. Go to Profile → Account settings. Make sure that data sync is enabled. In Devices, check that the clock is linked to your account. If cloud sync is not working: 🔒 Log out of your account and log in again. 📶 Check your internet connection (watches should be within range of Wi-Fi or mobile phone network). 🔄 Update data manually: in the app swipe down on the home screen. 💡If the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro doesn’t sync time, try turning off the power saving mode on your phone for the Xiaomi Wear app. → Optimizing the battery → Find the application and select Without Limits. Problem solving: why time is straying or not changing. If none of these things work, the problem may be hardware or software. Problem Possible cause Time is lost after disconnecting from the phone Weak battery (watch loses settings when discharged) Replace battery or keep charge above 20% Watch shows time with a delay of 1-2 hours Wrong time zone in the phone or clock Check time settings Time "hangs" and does not update the time sensor (NTP-Reset the clock (hold the 10 seconds button) After updating the firmware time is lost Error in the new version of the software Reverse to the previous firmware or wait for the patch ⚠️ Note: On some models of the Mi Band after prolonged use (2-3 years) fails quartz resonator - part responsible for counting time. In this case, the watch will reset the time every time it goes off, and the only solution is to change the board at the service center, and the timing of the popular models, the different models of Xiaomi smart watches, have unique nuances of time setting. 3/4/5 These models only sync time through the Mi Fitness app, and manually change it, but when you reconnect to the phone, the settings will reset. If the clock is a few minutes apart, check if Charge Savings is on, it can block background synchronization. 6/7/8 Support automatic synchronization via Zepp Life. Feature: if the watch is connected to the iPhone, the time can be updated less often due to the limitations of iOS). Xiaomi Watch S1/S2 watch 2 Pro: These models work on Zepp OS and have extended time settings, including: 🌐 Automatic time zone determination GPS. ⏳ Synchronization with multiple devices (e.g., phone) + tablet). 📡 Manual addition NTP-servers (for exact time) to configure NTP-Server: Go to Settings → System system → Date and time. Select additional settings. Enter the server address (e.g. pool.ntp.org). Amazfit Bip/Bip U/Bip S This watch uses Amazfit's own firmware, but is also compatible with Mi Fitness.If time is stuttered, try: 🔄 Switch to the Zepp Life app (it works more stable with these models). 📱 Turn off power saving mode for the app on the phone. 💡On the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Mi Band 8 Time syncs not only with the phone, but also with Xiaomi servers via Wi-Fi. This allows the watch to show the exact time even without a smartphone connection (with the Internet). ❓ Why does Mi Band 7 have a 3-hour time delay? That's a typical problem with the wrong time zone. → System system → Date and time → Time zone. In the Zepp Life app: Device profile → Time settings. If the belt is correct, but the problem remains, update the clock's firmware. ❓ Is it possible to use the Xiaomi Watch? S2 No, there's no manual time setting on this model. The only way is through sync through the Xiaomi Wear app or Zepp account. If the clock is showing the wrong time, check: Internet connection on your phone. Sync settings in your Xiaomi account. ❓ What to do if after resetting the settings time is not synchronized? Try: Remove the watch from the list of devices in the application and pair again. Reboot the phone and watch. Install an alternative application (for example, Notify & Fitness for Mi Band for Mi Band). If it does not help, the problem may be a hardware failure (for example, damaged Bluetooth module). ❓ How to change the format of time (12/24 Hours) on Amazfit Bip U? Time format changes in phone settings: On Android: Settings → System system → Date and time → Time format. On iPhone: Settings → Mainstream → Date and time → 24-The watch will automatically pick up the selected format after synchronization. ❓ Why on the Mi Band? 6 Is it normal for budget models to have a time update when they're connected to a phone? GPS Wi-Fi for time synchronization. To keep your watch current without your phone: Keep it charged (under 10%, the time may be lost). Enable background sync in the Zepp Life app settings.