How to set and sync time on Xiaomi Mi Band 3: all ways

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet remains a popular gadget even years after its release — its reliability, autonomy and functionality still compete with new models. However, many users face the problem: the time on the wristband screen does not match the real one or completely gets lost after the reboot, the reasons can be different from banal synchronization errors to hardware failures.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can set your time on Mi Band 3, from auto sync via Mi Fit (or Zepp Life) to manually bypassing programs. You’ll also learn why the bracelet can show the wrong time and how to fix it without resetting to factory settings. If your gadget suddenly “back” by a few hours or shows a date from the last century, here you will find a solution.

Why Mi Band 3 is getting lost in time: the main reasons

Before you start setting up, it's important to understand why the bracelet is losing time, and most often, one of the following factors is the problem:

• 📱 The bracelet gets time from the smartphone via Bluetooth. If communication is interrupted or the Mi Fit app didn't update the data, the watch can "froze».
• 🔋 At a critical charge level (below 5%), the bracelet goes into energy-efficient mode, which sometimes knocks down the system time.
• ⚙️ Firmware failure. Rarely, but there are firmware errors that cause the bracelet to "forget" the current date.
• 🌍 If the phone has the wrong region, Mi Band 3 can show the time adjusted for the other belt.
• 🔄 Manual time reset: After resetting or rolling back firmware, the bracelet returns to factory settings (usually January 1, 2018).

Interestingly, the Mi Band 3 doesn’t have its own GPS module or connectivity to mobile carrier networks — it’s completely dependent on a smartphone to update time, which means that even if you’re in another country, the bracelet will show your phone’s time, not your local time.

⚠️ Note: If after full charging and synchronization, the bracelet time is still lost for a few minutes every day, this may indicate a hardware malfunction of the quartz resonator (responsible for internal timekeeping), in which case only repair or replacement of the device will help.

Method 1: Automatic synchronization via Mi Fit (Zepp Life)

The easiest and most recommended way is to let the bracelet automatically take time from your smartphone.

1. Make sure that the Mi Fit app is installed on the phone (for the first time). Android/iOS) or Zepp Life (a new name for some regions: 🤖 Mi Fit for Android 🍎 Mi Fit for iOS

Bluetooth

Mi Fit

Profile → Mi Smart Band 3

Synchronization of data

Wait for the synchronization to be completed (a tick will appear on the screen).

The time is usually updated within 1-2 minutes, if the synchronization does not occur:

Bluetooth is on and bracelet is connected | Mi Fit app has access to geodata and time | Phone has the correct time zone | Bracelet charged at least 20% | Mi Fit app version updated to the latest-->

If you still haven't updated after this, try resetting the wristband: press the touch button for 10 seconds until the vibration appears. Re-boot the sync.

Method 2: Manual setting time without a smartphone

In some cases, automatic sync may not work (e.g. if your phone is broken or you're in a no-internet zone). Fortunately, Mi Band 3 lets you manually set the time right on your wristband. Here's how to do this:

1. Check the battery charge – it should be at least 15%, otherwise the bracelet may not save the settings.
2. On the main screen of the bracelet, swipe up the sensor to open the menu.
3. Find the icon. ⚙️ Settings (cogs) and tap it.
4. Scroll down to the option (or More in English firmware).
5. Select the time and date (Time & Date).
6. Turn off Auto Sync (if active) and manually install: 🕒 Time zone (select your region). ⏰ Time format (12- or 24-hour). 📅 Date (day, month, year).

Save the changes and wait for the vibration of the bracelet.

Important: Once you manually set the time, the bracelet won’t automatically update it when you cross time zones, but you’ll have to repeat the procedure manually or return to sync via Mi Fit.

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet gives an error or returns to the same time when trying to save manual settings, this may mean that the device’s memory is full (for example, too much training data). → Data resetting.

Method 3: Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use alternative applications that offer advanced settings for the Mi Band. One of the most popular is Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (formerly Mi Band Tools).

• 🔄 Forced to synchronize time with your phone.
• ⚙️ Configure the display format (including seconds).
• 🌐 Changing the time zone without being tied to the phone.
• 📡 Reconnect with the bracelet in case of Bluetooth errors.

Instructions for setting:

1. Download and install Notify & Fitness (Android only).
2. Open the application and provide all the necessary permissions (access to notifications, geodata, Bluetooth).
3. Connect the bracelet through the Device menu.
4. Go to the section Settings of the bracelet → Time and date.
5. Turn off Auto Sync and set the time manually or select Sync Now.

The advantage of this method is that the application is often updated and supports even outdated models like the Mi Band 3. However, beware: some features may require root rights or conflict with the official Mi Fit.

Method 4: Resetting the bracelet to factory settings

If none of these methods worked, there may have been a software failure in the bracelet, in which case a complete reset will help, and after this procedure, all data (steps, training, alarm clocks) will be deleted.

How to Reset Mi Band 3:

1. Open on your phone Mi Fit and untie the bracelet in the Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Disable the device.
2. On the bracelet itself, go to Settings → Additional → Reset.
3. Confirm the action by clicking the tick (the bracelet vibrates and reboots).
4. After restarting, reconnect the bracelet via Mi Fit. Time should sync automatically.

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet shows the date 01.01.2018 after reset and does not sync, this means that the firmware is damaged. In this case, you will need to reflash the device through Mi Fit (software update) or specialized utilities like Mi Band 3 Tools.

💡

Before reset, save data! If you have Mi Cloud sync enabled, workouts and statistics will recover after reconnecting. If not, export the history manually through Profile → Export data to Mi Fit.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting the time for Mi Band 3, users often make common mistakes that lead to new problems.

• 📵 Ignoring updates: An outdated version of the Mi Fit or bracelet firmware may cause synchronization failures. Always update the software through Profile → Firmware update.
• 🔌 Incomplete charging. If the battery is under 10%, the bracelet may not retain the changes. Charge it to 100% before setting up.
• 🌐 If the smartphone has a time zone that does not correspond to your location, the Mi Band 3 will show the wrong time even after synchronization.
• 📱 Application conflict: Simultaneous use of Mi Fit and third-party utilities (e.g. Notify & Fitness) can cause crashes.
• ⚡ Sync interruption: If you turn off Bluetooth or close Mi Fit during the time update, the data may not be stored correctly.

Another common problem is that the bracelet shows the time being 1 to 2 hours late, which is usually due to summer time, which not all firmware automatically counts.

1. Open Mi Fit and check if Automatic Daylight Saving Time is enabled (in bracelet settings).
2. If there is no option, set the time manually with the correction in mind.

💡

If the bracelet is constantly knocking down time after disconnecting from your phone, check the power saving settings on your smartphone.Some manufacturers (e.g. Xiaomi, Huawei) aggressively close background processes, including Mi Fit. Add the app to the exceptions!

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you've tried all the ways, but Mi Band 3 is stubbornly wrong, maybe the problem goes deeper.

1. Bandwidth flashing. Installation of alternative firmware (e.g., community Custom Firmware) sometimes helps, but it is risky and can lead to loss of functionality. Where to get firmware for Mi Band 3? Official firmware is distributed through Mi Fit. Unofficial versions can be found on forums like 4PDA (section "Xiaomi Mi Band"). Please note that installing custom software voids warranty and can cause unstable work.
2. If the bracelet is new (up to 1 year old) and the problem is clearly hardware (for example, time is lost even after flashing), contact the warranty. The defect may be in the RTC (real time) chip.
3. Mi Band 3 is inexpensive (about 1,500–2,000) ₽ In the secondary market, it is sometimes easier to buy a new one than to repair the old one.

Before you go to extreme lengths, try connecting the bracelet to another phone, and if it's synchronizing normally, it's a problem with your smartphone (like Bluetooth settings or system clocks).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions