Why Xiaomi Mi Mijia Watches Are Getting Time Stuck and How to Fix It
Smart watches Xiaomi Mi Mijia (including models LYWSD03MMC, Mijia Quartz and hybrid versions) synchronize time automatically through the application Mi Fit or Zepp Life. However, users often face problems: the watch shows the wrong time after reset, lag for a few minutes or even “hang” on one value. The reasons can be different — from banal errors in the settings of the smartphone to hardware failures.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can set your time on the Xiaomi Mi Mijia, from automatic synchronization to manual adjustments through hidden menus, how to diagnose the cause of a failure and what to do if your watch persists in “not seeing” the right time, and the instructions are relevant for all versions of Mijia firmware and models, including budget and premium options.
Before you go into settings, make sure your smartphone and watch meet the minimum requirements:
- 📱 Android version: 6.0 and higher (for iOS - 10.0)+).
- 🔄 Annex: Mi Fit (version 4.6)+) Zepp Life (for new models).
- 🔋 Battery charge: at least 20% (at low charge, synchronization can be blocked).
- 📶 Bluetooth: enabled on the smartphone, the distance to the clock is no more than 10 meters.
Method 1: Automatic time synchronization with Mi Fit/Zepp Life
The main and recommended method is to synchronize time through the official app, and the algorithm works like this: the watch receives time and date data from your smartphone, which in turn synchronizes with the NTP (Network Time Protocol) servers, and if this process is broken, the clock will be lost.
To set up automatic synchronization:
- Open the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app on your smartphone.
- Go to the Profile → Devices → [Your Watch] section.
- Slap the icon. ⚙️ («Settings of the device»).
- Find the synchronization of time (or auto-update of time) and activate the switch.
- Wait for the message “Synchronization is complete” (usually takes 5-10 seconds).
If the time sync item is not on the menu, it means that your watch model uses an alternative method of updating, through background synchronization.
Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled in the smartphone settings
Allow the Mi Fit app to run in the background
Reset the clock (press the button for 10 seconds)
Update the Mi Fit app to the latest version-->
Important: If the clock time is still going down, check the date and time settings on the smartphone itself. Go to Settings → System → Date and time and make sure that:
- ⏱️ The automatic date and time setting is included.
- 🌍 The correct time zone is selected (for example, GMT+3 Moscow).
- 🔄 24-hour format is disabled if the clock does not support it.
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If the Xiaomi Mi Mijia watch shows time 1–2 minutes late, this may be due to energy savings.
Method 2: Manual timing (if automatic synchronization is not working)
Some Xiaomi Mi Mijia models (such as the LYWSD03MMC with firmware until 2021) allow you to manually adjust time through a hidden menu.
- 🔄 The clock does not sync with the phone for more than a day.
- ⚡ After the firmware update, time has gone wrong.
- 📵 You are in an area without internet (for example, on a hike).
Instructions for manual adjustment:
- On the Xiaomi Mi Mijia watch, go to the main menu (swipe up or press the button).
- Find the Settings section (icon) ⚙️) and select Additional (or System).
- Scroll to Date and Time (may be called Time/Date).
- Turn off the autosynchronization option (if it is active).
- Manually install: 🕒 Time zone (e.g, UTC+3). ⏰ Time format (12/24 hour). 📅 Date (day, month, year).
Save the changes and restart the clock (press the button for 10 seconds).
Note: On models with E-Ink screens (such as the Mijia Quartz), manual time settings can be reset once you connect to your phone, in which case you will have to turn off automatic sync in the Mi Fit app.
What if there is no “Date and Time” menu?
Method 3: Synchronize through alternative applications (if Mi Fit doesn't work)
The official Mi Fit app doesn’t always work correctly with the Xiaomi Mi Mijia, especially on older versions of Android or after updates, and third-party utilities that support manual time settings and advanced synchronization features will help in such cases.
Top.-3 Apps for setting the time on Xiaomi Mi Mijia:
| Annex | Supported models | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notify & Fitness for Mi Band | All Mi Mijia models, including LYWSD03MMC | Manual setting of time, customization of dials, notifications | Google Play |
| Mi Bandage | Mijia Quartz, a hybrid watch | Advanced synchronization settings, activity log | Google Play |
| Tools & Mi Band | Models from 2018 and newer | Automatic time adjustment by GPS, backup | Google Play |
To set up a time with Notify & Fitness for Mi Band:
- Install the app and connect the watch (allow Bluetooth and notifications).
- Go to the Device section → Time settings.
- Select the Manual Installation and enter current data.
- Click Sync and wait for confirmation.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party apps may require Mi Fit to be disabled before connecting, otherwise sync conflicts may occur, leading to clock failures.
Method 4: Reset the clock settings to factory (if time is constantly straying)
If the Xiaomi Mi Mijia watch persistently shows the wrong time despite all attempts to sync, the cause may be a software failure, in which case a complete reset will help.
Resetting instructions:
- On the clock, go to Settings → System → Reset (or Recovery and Reset).
- Select Reset to factory settings.
- Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code, if it is installed).
- After the reboot, connect the watch to the phone again via Mi Fit.
If the problem persists after reset, check:
- 🔋 Battery charge: at levels below 15%, the watch may not process time data correctly.
- 📲 Firmware version: Outdated firmware often contains synchronized bugs. Update the watch with Mi Fit → Device profile → Update of the PO.
- 🔄 Application conflict: remove all third-party watch utilities and leave only Mi Fit.
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Resetting is a last resort. Before the procedure, try reconnecting the watch to another smartphone to rule out a problem in the phone.
Removing specific errors with time on Xiaomi Mijia
Some of the problems with time are systemic and require innovative solutions, and let's look at the most common ones.
1.The clock is behind or in a hurry by 1-2 minutes
This is a typical problem for models with a Quartz mechanism (for example, Mijia Quartz), the reason is a hardware feature of the clock movement, which can lose accuracy over time.
- 🔧 Calibrate the mechanism through the Mi Fit application (Device Settings section) → Sizing).
- ⏱️ Set automatic synchronization every 6 hours (some firmwares configure this setting).
- 🔋 Replace the battery (on models with a replaceable power supply).
2.Time is lost after disconnecting from the phone
If the watch loses the right time when the Bluetooth connection is broken, the power saving mode is to blame.
- In Mi Fit, turn off the Power Saving option when you turn off.
- In Android settings, allow Mi Fit to work in the background without restrictions.
- Set the clock Autosynchronization when connecting (if there is such a point).
3.The clock shows time in AM/PM format instead of 24-hour
This problem is related to the regional settings of the smartphone.
- On the phone go to Settings → System → Date and time → Time format.
- Choose a 24-hour format.
- Restart the clock and wait for the synchronization.
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On some Xiaomi Mi Mi Mijia firmware, the time format is tied to the system language. If the watch persistently shows AM/PM, try changing the smartphone language to English (USA), synchronize, and then return Russian.