Xiaomi smartwatches are some of the most popular activity tracking gadgets, but sometimes their time starts to lag or show incorrect data. This can be due to sync failures with the phone, incorrect time zone settings or firmware problems. In most cases, you can fix the situation in a few minutes, but the ways differ depending on the device model and the firmware version.
In this article, we will look at all the current methods of changing time on Xiaomi smartwatches, from basic actions in the mobile application to manually configuring the device itself. We will focus on typical user errors that lead to constant time reset, and give recommendations for preventing such problems in the future. If your watch shows time with a difference of several hours or even stopped, here you will find a solution.
Why is Xiaomi’s smartwatch running out of time?
Before you start setting up, it is important to understand the cause of the incorrect display of time. In 90% of cases, the problem is not hardware failure, but software failures or incorrect parameters.
- 📱 No sync with smartphone – the watch receives time from the phone via Bluetooth, and if communication is interrupted, the data is not updated.
- ⏰ Incorrect time zone – if the phone or clock has the wrong region, time will shift to the wrong time zone ±N hours.
- 🔄 Failures after firmware updates – new versions of the software sometimes reset the time settings to factory.
- 🔋 Discharged battery - at a critical level of charge (<10%) The clock may not work properly, including time stops.
- 🌍 Automatic timing – the function can give failures when moving between time zones.
For example, owners of Xiaomi Mi Band 6 often find that after upgrading to firmware 1.0.6.54, the clock begins to lag by 1-2 hours. This is due to a bug in the automatic synchronization algorithm that is fixed only by manually restarting the device. And the Amazfit GTR 3 model may have a problem in conflict with the Zepp application (formerly Mi Fit), if it turns off the “Sync Time” option.
⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi watch is exactly 3 or 4 hours apart, it is likely that the phone has the wrong time zone enabled (e.g., the wrong time zone, GMT+3 instead GMT+4 Check this out first for Moscow!
Method 1: Time synchronization via Mi Fit/Zepp
The easiest and most recommended method is to synchronize time through the official app, which works for all Xiaomi Mi Band models (from 1S to 8), Amazfit (GTR, GTS, Bip), as well as for Xiaomi Watch and Redmi Watch. The instructions are universal, but the interface can vary slightly depending on the version of the application.
Steps for synchronization:
- Open the Mi Fit app (for older models) or Zepp (for newer ones).
- Make sure your watch is connected to your phone via Bluetooth (the connection indicator should be green).
- Go to the Profile section → Your device (name of the watch model).
- Slap the icon. ⚙️ (Settings of the device).
- Find the Time and Date (or Time Synchronization) and activate the Auto Sync slider.
- If the option is already on, turn it off, wait 10 seconds and turn it on again, this will force the data to be updated.
After this, the clock should be updated within 1-2 minutes. If the synchronization does not occur, try reconnecting the device:
Turn off Bluetooth on your phone and turn it on again.
Reboot your smartwatch (press the button for 10 seconds)
Remove the device from the list of conjugates in Bluetooth settings and connect again
Update the Mi Fit/Zepp app to the latest version-->
⚠️ Note: On some firmware Xiaomi Mi Band 5 and Mi Band 6 after forced synchronization time can be reset to 00:00.In this case, only manual adjustment (see Method 2).
Method 2: Manual time change on the clock
If automatic synchronization doesn’t work or you want to set the time manually (for example, if you don’t have a phone), you can do it directly on the device, which is suitable for most models, except for the Mi Band 1-4, where manual time setting is not provided.
Instructions for Xiaomi Mi Band 5/6/7/8, Amazfit GTR/GTS/Bip:
- Swipe your finger across the clock screen from left to right to open the menu.
- Find the icon. ⚙️ Settings (or more) and tapping it.
- Select the time and date (on some models – System → Time).
- Turn off the autosynchronization option (if enabled).
- Slip the field with the current time and set the correct values manually (hours, minutes, format 12/24).
- Save the changes and return to the main screen.
For the Xiaomi Watch S1/S2 and Redmi Watch 2/3, the path will be slightly different:
Settings → System → Date and time → Set the time manuallyAfter manually adjusting the clock time will be updated independently, but with a possible error of up to ± 2 minutes per day (depending on the model).
What to do if manual setting is not available?
Method 3: Reset the clock settings to factory
If neither synchronization nor manual adjustment helps, there may have been a major failure in the firmware of the device, in which case a full reset will help, which will return all parameters to the factory, including the time settings, and note that after the reset you will have to reconnect the clock to the phone and adjust the notifications.
Resetting instructions for different models:
| Model clock | Resetting method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 1–4 | Press the touch button 10-15 seconds before vibration | Mi Band 1S requires charging connection |
| Mi Band 5/6/7/8 | Settings → System → Reset | You will need confirmation on the screen. |
| Amazfit GTR/GTS/Bip | Press the physical button for 10 seconds. | On Bip U Pro, you need to select "Reset" in the menu |
| Xiaomi Watch S1/S2 | Settings → About the phone → Reset | The process takes up to 1 minute. |
After discharge:
- Connect the watch to your phone via Mi Fit/Zepp.
- Wait for automatic time synchronization (can take up to 5 minutes).
- If the time is still incorrect, repeat Method 1 (forced synchronization).
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Mi Band 3 and older, a firmware update may be required after a reset.If the clock is not synced, check for updates in the app!
Method 4: Update firmware to fix time failures
If the time problem appeared after the update or the clock regularly resets the settings, the cause may be a bug in the current version of the firmware, in which case installing the latest stable version of the software will help. The update can be done in two ways: through the official application or manually (for advanced users).
Update via Zepp/Mi Fit:
- Open the app and go to the device profile.
- Slap the icon. ⚙️ → Firmware update.
- If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (the watch must be charged at least 50%).
Manual installation of firmware (for experienced users):
This method is suitable if the automatic update does not work or you want to roll back to the previous version.
- 📱 Android smartphone (not available for iOS).
- 🔌 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band or Amazfit Tool.
- 📁 Firmware file (.fw) for your model (you can download it on the forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers).
Step-by-step:
1. Install the Notify & Fitness app and plug in the watch.
2. Go to the "Firmware" section and select the downloaded.fw file.
3. Press "Install" and wait until it is completed (don't turn off Bluetooth!).
4.After restarting the clock, check the time.💡
Before manually updating your firmware, back up your watch data through the Zepp app (Settings → Backup) and this will save your activity statistics.
Solving specific problems with time
Sometimes Xiaomi watches behave outside the box: time can jump, lag for a few minutes or reset after a reboot. Consider typical scenarios and their solutions.
Problem 1: The clock is 3-4 hours different from the phone
Reason: Wrong time zone in phone or clock settings.
Decision:
- 📱 On the phone: Settings → System system → Date and time → Time zone (select your region).
- ⌚ On the clock: Turn off autosynchronization and set the time manually (see Method 2).
Problem 2: The clock shows 00:00 after synchronization
Reason: Failure in firmware data or conflict with the application.
Decision:
- Remove the watch from the device list in Mi Fit/Zepp.
- Reboot your phone and watch.
- Connect the device again and wait for full synchronization.
Problem 3: Time on Amazfit watch gets knocked off after workout
Reason: A bug in firmware that is associated with energy saving during activity.
Solution: Update your firmware to 1.0.12.00 or higher (see Method 4).
Problem 4: Mi Band 7 Watches Are Not Synced With iPhone
Reason: iOS restrictions on Bluetooth background work.
Decision:
- 📱 On iPhone: Settings → Mi Fit → Background update of the application (enable).
- ⚙️ In the settings of the clock, turn off energy saving.
💡
If none of these methods worked, check the watch for physical damage (such as moisture), which may require repair or replacement of the battery.
Additional Tips for Setup of Time
To avoid future problems with time, follow these guidelines:
- 🔄 Regularly update the firmware of the watch through the official application (every 1-2 months).
- 📶 Turn on the phone automatic timing (Settings) → Date and time).
- 🔋 Watch the charge level of the watch - at a discharge below 15%, there may be failures in the operation of the time module.
- 🌐 If you travel frequently, turn off autosynchronization and set the time manually.
- 📱 Reload the clock (once a week) periodically to reset the cache.
Xiaomi Mi Band 6 with firmware 1.0.6.54 and Amazfit GTR 3 with firmware 3.5.6.1, a bug has been detected that causes time to be lost after 2-3 days of use, so you can either roll back to version 1.0.5.38 (Mi Band 6) or 3.4.9.0 (GTR 3) manually.
If you use a watch for training, look for the Zepp app's "Precise GPS Time" setting, which will synchronize time with satellites when activated, which improves accuracy but increases battery consumption.