The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets are some of the most popular wearables on the market due to their combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face the problem: the time on the wristband screen does not match the real one or gets lost after a reboot. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust time, from automatic synchronization through the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life) to manual input if the wristband is not connected to a smartphone.
The Mi Band is not a device that has its own. GPS-The module is completely dependent on the data of the smartphone, which means that any inaccuracies in the phone settings (incorrect time zone, disabled automatic time synchronization) will immediately affect the bracelet. We will also look at the common mistakes that can cause time to run ahead or lag behind, and give recommendations for Mi Band models. 5/6/7/8 Xiaomi Smart Band Pro.
Why is Xiaomi’s fitness bracelet the wrong time?
Before you set the time, it's important to understand why the malfunction is happening, and 80 percent of the time, the problem isn't with the bracelet itself, but with the settings of your smartphone or app.
- 📱 Unsynchronized time on your smartphone: if the phone has disabled the option “Automatic date and time” or the wrong time zone is selected, the bracelet will display the same incorrect data.
- 🔄 No connection to the application: the bracelet updates the time only when connected to Mi Fitness. If the sync has not been done for a long time (for example, due to the discharge of the phone's battery), the data becomes obsolete.
- ⚡ Firmware failure: after updating the bracelet or application software, temporary errors may occur that require rebooting the device.
- ⏰ Summer/Winter Time: Some Mi Band models (especially older ones) do not support automatic transition, resulting in a difference in the number of models. ±1 hour.
Less commonly, the problem is related to hardware malfunctions, such as damage to charging contacts (the bracelet cannot sync) or battery wear (the device arbitrarily reboots, resetting settings). If none of the methods below helped, check the bracelet for physical damage.
Method 1: Automatic time synchronization through Mi Fitness
The easiest and most recommended way is to let the bracelet automatically take time from your smartphone.
- Make sure that the option Automatic date and time is enabled on the smartphone (on Android: Settings → System → Date and time).
- Open the Mi Fitness app and check that the bracelet is connected (the ✓ icon next to the device name).
- Go to Profile → Your Device → Bracelet Settings → Date and Time.
- Activate the switch to sync the time automatically.
After that, the bracelet should update the time for 1-2 minutes.
- 🔋 Reset the bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds).
- 📲 Restart the Mi Fitness app and update the data (pull the screen down).
- 🔄 Disable and reconnect the bracelet in the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone.
Automatic date/time on the phone is enabled|Bracelet charged at least 20 times%|Mi Fitness app updated to latest version|Bluetooth on the smartphone is turned on and the bracelet is connected-->
Method 2: Manual time setting (if synchronization is not working)
If automatic synchronization is disabled or the bracelet is not connected to the smartphone, the time can be set manually, which is suitable for Mi Band 5/6/7/8 models, but may not be available in simplified versions of firmware.
Instructions:
- Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Your device → Bracelet settings → Date and time.
- Turn off the option to sync the time automatically.
- Click Manually Set and select date, hour and minutes.
- Save the changes and wait for the data update on the bracelet (it can take up to 5 minutes).
Important! When you manually adjust the bracelet, you won't have to adjust the hour to summer/winter time, you'll have to adjust the hour yourself, and you may also lose time after you reset or update your firmware.
What if Mi Fitness doesn’t have a manual setup option?
Method 3: Reset bracelet settings (if time is constantly lost)
If the time on the wristband is lost after each reset or synchronization, a complete reset will help, which will return the device to factory parameters, but delete all stored data (steps, pulse, alarm clocks).
How to drop the Mi Band:
- On the bracelet, go to Settings → About Device → Reset (for Mi Band 5/6, the path may differ: Additional → Reset).
- Confirm the action by clicking the tick.
- After rebooting the bracelet, reconnect it to Mi Fitness.
If the reset didn't help, check:
- 🔋 Battery charge: at a level below 10%, the bracelet may not work properly.
- 📲 Firmware version: Outdated software often contains synchronization errors. Update via Settings → Update of the PO.
- 🔄 Conflict with other apps: If you have third-party Mi Band utilities installed (such as Mi Band Master), uninstall them.
💡
Before reset, export your workout data to Mi Fitness: go to Profile → Settings → Export data and save the file to your phone.
Solving Time Zone and Summer Time Problems
Many users experience the bracelet showing time ±1-3 hours apart, due to an incorrect time zone or lack of support for automatic daylight/winter time switching.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour difference | No change in summer/winter time is included. | Update the bracelet firmware or set the time manually |
| 2-3 hours difference | The wrong time zone on a smartphone | Check your phone settings: Settings → System → Date and time → Time zone |
| Time is fading. | The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone. | Restart both devices and check your Bluetooth connection |
| Date is lost by 1-2 days | Failure of the bracelet's internal clock | Perform a reset settings (see Method 3) |
For the Mi Band 7/8 and Xiaomi Smart Band Pro models, the Auto Update time zone option is available in the app settings. Activate it if you travel frequently between regions.
Features of setting the time on different models Xiaomi
The interface and time management capabilities may vary depending on the bracelet model, and the key differences are:
- 📌 Mi Band 5/6: Manual time setting is only available through Mi Fitness. There is no support for automatic daylight saving time.
- 📌 Mi Band 7/8: added the option "Auto-update time zone" and more accurate synchronization with GPS (when connected to a smartphone).
- 📌 Xiaomi Smart Band Pro: Supports independent time settings through its own menu on the screen (without a smartphone).
- 📌 Mi Band 4 and older: no manual time settings – only synchronization with a smartphone.
For Xiaomi Smart Band Pro, an alternative method is available:
- Scroll through the bracelet screen to the left to the Settings menu.
- Select the System → Date and time.
- Turn off Auto Sync and set the time manually.
💡
Starting with the Mi Band 7, Xiaomi has improved the time synchronization algorithm, but for stable operation it still requires a regular connection to the smartphone (at least 1 time in 2-3 days).
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even when set up correctly, the time on the wristband may not work properly, and here are some common user errors and ways to prevent them:
⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Band with iPhone, make sure that your iOS settings enable Bluetooth access and Notifications for the Mi Fitness app. Without this, time synchronization will be interrupted.
- ❌ Ignoring updates: Outdated firmware on the bracelet or app often causes crashes.
- ❌ Bluetooth Disconnection to Save Charge: The bracelet only updates time when you are actively connected.Use Power Saving Mode on your smartphone, but don't turn off Bluetooth completely.
- ❌ Manual setting without disabling autosynchronization: if both options are active, the bracelet will conflict between data from the smartphone and manually entered.
- ❌ Use of informal firmware: custom firmware (e.g. from Amazfit) may disrupt system functions, including clocks.
If the bracelet continues to show the wrong time after all the manipulations, try connecting it to another smartphone, which will help determine whether the problem is in the bracelet or in your phone.