How to sync Xiaomi Watch with iPhone: Full Guide 2026

Synchronizing the time between Xiaomi watches (such as Mi Band 7/8, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Redmi Watch 3) and iPhones often becomes a headache for users. The problem lies in the differences in ecosystems: Apple restricts access to iOS system functions, and Xiaomi optimizes its devices primarily for Android. As a result, even after a successful Bluetooth connection, the watch can show the wrong time, lag for several hours or completely reset after a reboot.

In this article, we will discuss all working synchronization methods, from standard pairing through official applications (Mi Fit, Zepp) to bypass solutions using third-party utilities and manual settings. Why do watches reset time when Bluetooth is turned off or show Moscow time instead of local? 17/18 and all modern Xiaomi smartwatch models (including the budget Mi Band and flagship Watches) S3).

1.Preparation: What to check before synchronization

Before you set up sync, make sure your system meets the minimum requirements, and most problems arise from outdated versions of software or incompatibility of devices.

Requirements for iPhone:

  • 📱 iOS version: 14.0 or later (17.0 recommended)+). On older versions, there may be failures with Bluetooth 5.0.
  • 🔄 Updates: Install the latest updates in Settings → Mainstream → Update of the PO.
  • 📶 Internet: Stable Wi-Fi or mobile network connection (needed to download time zone data).

Requirements for Xiaomi watches:

  • ⌚ Battery charge: At least 30%.At low charge, the clock may not synchronize time.
  • 🔄 Update firmware through the official application (Mi Fit or Zepp).
  • 📱 Pair: Remove old connections in iPhone Settings → Bluetooth.

💡

If the watch has previously been connected to an Android smartphone, reset to factory settings via Settings of the watch → System → Reset. This will remove conflicting time settings.

Note the time zone: if the iPhone is set to automatic mode (Settings → Basic → Date and Time) and the clock shows the time of another country, the problem may be geolocation. Check the permissions for the Mi Fit/Zepp app in Settings → Privacy → Geolocation Services.

2. Method 1: Synchronization through the official application (Mi) Fit/Zepp)

The most reliable method is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary utilities, which are almost identical to Mi Fit (for Mi Band) and Zepp (for Xiaomi Watch).

Step-by-step:

  1. Download the app from the App Store: 📱 For Mi Band: Mi Fit ⌚ For Xiaomi Watch: Zepp

Xiaomi

Google

Apple ID

Bluetooth

Profile → Add the device

Settings of the clock → Date and time

"Sync with the phone."

Bluetooth enabled on iPhone|Application Mi Fit/Zepp has access to geolocation|The clock is more than charged. 30%|On the iPhone installed the current version of iOS|Time zone on the iPhone is set up automatically-->

If the clock time is not updated immediately, perform forced synchronization:

  1. Open the Mi Fit/Zepp app.
  2. Go to the Profile tab → Your device.
  3. Slip on the icon "Sync" (usually in the upper right corner).
What to do if the sync button is inactive?
If the sync button is gray, check: 1. Bluetooth connection — sometimes iOS forgets the device. Reset the clock manually. 2. Background — in iPhone Settings → Mi Fit/Zepp, enable the option “Update in the background.” 3. Permissions — the application should have access to Bluetooth, notifications and geolocation. If the problem persists, reinstall the application.

Method 2: Manual time adjustment (if automatic synchronization does not work)

If the watch persists in showing the wrong time despite all the manipulations, you can set it manually, this method is suitable for models with their own settings interface (for example, Xiaomi Watch S1, Redmi Watch 2).

Instructions:

  1. On the clock go to Settings → System → Date and time.
  2. Turn off the "Autosynchronization" option (if any).
  3. Select "Install manually" and enter the current date and time.
  4. Save the settings and restart the clock (press the power button for 10 seconds).

Important: When manually set up, the clock time will diverge from the iPhone each time you turn off Bluetooth.To avoid this, regularly update the time manually or use alternative methods (see next section).

Mi Band 7/8|Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro|Redmi Watch 3|Xiaomi Watch S3|Another model |I don't know-->

Method 3: Sync through the Xiaomi cloud (for Mi accounts)

A little-known fact: If you use a Xiaomi account, a watch can sync time through the cloud even if direct communication with your iPhone is interrupted.

How to set up:

  1. Make sure that you have one Xiaomi account on your iPhone and watch.
  2. In the Mi Fit/Zepp app, go to Profile → Account Settings.
  3. Activate the option “Data Sync in the Cloud”.
  4. In the watch settings, enable “Cloud Time Synchronization” (the path may vary depending on the model).

Method 2: Using an Android emulator

An extreme method for iPhone owners who have their watches refusing to sync would require temporary access to an Android device:

  1. Install on Android Mi Fit/Zepp and connect the watch.
  2. Set up automatic time synchronization.
  3. Return the watch to your iPhone – sometimes the settings are saved.
Risks of using third-party applications
Unofficial utilities can: - Violate the privacy policy (access to health data). - Block iOS updates (Apple restricts the background work of Bluetooth). - Causing malfunctions in the work of the clock (for example, constant reboots).

7 Why Xiaomi Watches Don’t Work with iPhones: Technical Limitations

The main reason for the problems is the closed Apple ecosystem, which, unlike Android, restricts the access of applications to:

  • 🔒 Bluetooth Background mode – connection can break to save charge.
  • ⏱️ System time settings – applications cannot directly change time zone.
  • 📡 Geolocation in the background – without this it is difficult to determine the local time zone.

Xiaomi also optimizes its watch firmware for Android, where there are no such restrictions, such as the Mi Band 8, which turns off some features (such as fast notification synchronization) when connecting to an iPhone, which indirectly affects the time update.

What can we do?

  • 🔄 Regularly update the firmware of the watch – Xiaomi gradually improves compatibility with iOS.
  • 📱 Use an iPhone with Bluetooth 5.0 support+ (iPhone 8 and newer).
  • ⚡ Turn off low power mode on iPhone in Bluetooth settings.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ Why do my Mi Band 7s show time 3 hours ahead of me?
Most likely, the clock has a time zone. UTC+3 (Moscow, and on the iPhone - different. Check the time zone settings in the Mi Fit application (Profile) → The clock → Date and time) and enable automatic determination.
❓ Can you sync time without the Mi Fit app?
Technically, but with limitations. Some models (such as the Xiaomi Watch S3) support synchronization via Wi-Fi or GPS, but you need to manually adjust the settings in the watch menu, but without an official app, you will lose access to firmware updates.
❓ Why the iOS update stopped syncing the clock?
Apple often changes its Bluetooth policy in new versions of iOS. After updating: Reconnect the watch to Settings → Bluetooth. Update the Mi Fit/Zepp app to the latest version. Check the permissions for the application in Settings → Privacy.
❓ How to Reset Time Settings on Redmi Watch 3?
Follow the steps: On the watch, go to Settings → System → Reset. Select Time and Date Reset. Once the clock is reset, it automatically syncs the time with the phone (if connected via Bluetooth).
❓ Will Xiaomi watches work better with iPhone after the release of iOS 18?
With each new version of iOS, Apple is expanding the capabilities of Bluetooth LE devices, which should improve compatibility. However, specific changes will not be known until the release of the final version of iOS 18 (autumn 2026).