Why Xiaomi Bracelets Are Getting Time Stuck and How to Fix It
Time on Xiaomi fitness bracelets — from the budget Mi Band 3 to the flagship Mi Band 8 Pro — is usually synchronized automatically through the app. But what if the watch suddenly shows the wrong time, lags behind for several hours or completely lost after the update?
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can adjust your time, from automatic synchronization via Mi Fitness (or Zepp Life for new models) to manual adjustments through the wristband menu, and how to fix common errors: why the wristband shows the time late, how to change the format of 12/24 hours, and what to do if the watch freezes on one value after resetting.
We will pay special attention to the Mi Band 5/6/7/8 models, where the synchronization algorithm differs from the older versions, and also analyze how the accuracy of time is affected by firmware updates, time zone change and even battery discharge below 10%.
Ways to synchronize time on Xiaomi bracelet
All Xiaomi bracelets support two main methods of setting time:
- 📱 Automatic sync via the application (Mi Fitness or Zepp Life) is the most reliable way, since time is taken from Xiaomi servers and adjusted based on your location.
- ⚙️ Manual setting through the bracelet menu is relevant if there is no access to the smartphone or synchronization works incorrectly.
In most cases, the first option is sufficient, but if the bracelet has stopped syncing time after updating the firmware to version 1.0.6.54+, a forced reset or reconnection of the device may be required.
Automatic synchronization with Mi Fitness/Zepp Life
By default, the Xiaomi bracelet gets time from your smartphone every time you connect via Bluetooth. To make it work correctly, follow the following steps:
- Make sure your smartphone has Bluetooth enabled and location permission enabled (required for the correct time zone).
- Open the Mi Fitness app (for Mi Band 3-6) or Zepp Life app (for Mi Band 7/8).
- Go to the profile of the bracelet (stamp its icon on the home screen).
- Check that the Settings → Watches and alarms section includes the Autosynchronization of time option.
If time is still running out, try:
- 🔄 Reset the bracelet (press the button/touch area for 10 seconds).
- 📱 Update the app to the latest version in Google Play/App Store.
- 🔗 Disable and reconnect the bracelet in Bluetooth settings.
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If the bracelet doesn’t update the time after changing the time zone (e.g. while traveling), open the Zepp Life app, go to Profile → Settings → Time Zone and select it manually. Automatic determination may not work due to battery savings.
Manual time setting on the bracelet (without a smartphone)
If automatic synchronization is not working, you can set the time manually. The menu interface differs depending on the model:
| Model bracelet | The Way to Time Settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 3/4 | Bracelet screen → Scroll down → Settings → Time | The 12/24 hour format changes here. There's no manual date entry support. |
| Mi Band 5/6 | Screen. → Flipping up → More. → Settings → Time and date | You can set time, date and time zone. It supports AM/PM. |
| Mi Band 7/8 | Main screen → Swipe up → System settings → Time | Added the option to Sync with the phone (switch). |
On the Mi Band 7 Pro and 8 Pro models with GPS, time can be synchronized with satellites, but this requires activation of the function in the application settings (Zepp Life → Device Profile → GPS → Time Synchronization).
Disable the bracelet from Bluetooth
Charge the bracelet to at least 20%
Remember the current time on your smartphone for reconciliation
Reset the bracelet (clamb the button for 10 seconds)-->
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after setting the time on the Xiaomi bracelet correctly, let’s look at typical scenarios and how to fix them:
⚠️ Note: If the bracelet shows a time difference of 3-4 hours after updating the firmware, the problem may be in the lost time zone settings. Manually install the correct belt in the Zepp Life application, even if there is an option “Autodetermination».
- ⏳ The bracelet is 1-2 minutes behind every day → Reset the bracelet settings to factory (Settings) → Reset, and reconnect it, because the internal timer is failing.
- 🌍 Time goes awry on flights → Turn off automatic time zone determination in smartphone settings and set it manually.
- 🔋 After the battery discharge, time was reset. → Charge the bracelet to 100% and wait for full sync (can take up to 10 minutes).
On the Mi Band 8 Pro models with Always-On Display, time can freeze due to optimizing power consumption. To avoid this, turn off Battery Savings mode in the bracelet settings.
Why does the bracelet show the time 12 hours forward/back?
How to change the format of time (12/24 hours)
By default, Xiaomi bracelets use a format that matches the smartphone’s regional settings to change it:
- Open the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app.
- Go to the profile of the bracelet.
- Select the display settings → Time format.
- Activate 24-hour or 12-hour (AM/PM)
On some models (e.g. Mi Band 6), this option is duplicated in the bracelet menu: Settings → More → Time format. If the changes don’t apply, try syncing the data manually (pull down on the app’s home screen).
⚠️ Note: On firmware bracelets below 1.0.5.12, changing the format may cause alarm clocks to reset. → The bracelet.
Resetting time after firmware update
Firmware updates often reset the time settings, especially if the process is interrupted, to restore the correct time:
- Make sure the bracelet is connected to the smartphone and synchronized.
- Go to Settings → About bracelet → Software update and check the relevance of the version.
- If the time is lost after the update, perform forced synchronization: 1. Open Zepp Life. 2. Slip on the bracelet icon. 3. Select "Sync Data".
If the problem persists, try rolling back the firmware to the previous version.
- Download the firmware archive for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
- Use the Mi Fit Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader on the bracelet).
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After upgrading to 1.0.7.00+ on the Mi Band 7/8, the time is only synchronized when you are actively connected to the Internet on your smartphone. If you have In-Air mode on or your mobile data is disabled, sync will not occur.