Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long been one of the most popular gadgets for tracking activity, but sometimes users face a basic problem: the screen does not display the current time. This can happen after resetting settings, updating the firmware or first connecting. Unlike smart watches, where the watch is turned on automatically, in Mi Band bracelets, displaying time requires proper synchronization with the application and setting the format.
In this article, we will not only look at the standard way to turn on a watch through Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit) or Zepp Life, but also look at the nuances for different models – from Mi Band 3 to Mi Band 8. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors that can cause time to be reset or displayed incorrectly, as well as alternative methods of setting up through third-party applications. If your bracelet shows the wrong time or does not show it at all, here you will find a solution.
Why is the Mi Band not showing the clock?
Before you go to setup, it is important to understand the causes of the problem. Most often, the watch on the Xiaomi bracelet does not work for the following reasons:
- 🔄 No sync with smartphone: the bracelet gets time via Bluetooth, and if communication is interrupted, the watch can stop.
- ⚙️ Resets: after updating the firmware or reset to factory parameters, the display time is turned off.
- 📱 Problems with the application: an outdated version of Mi Fitness/Zepp Life or cache errors can block synchronization.
- ⏱️ Incorrect time format: In some models (such as Mi Band 5), you need to manually choose a 12- or 24-hour format.
- 🔋 Battery discharged: at a charge level below 5%, the bracelet goes into energy-saving mode, and the watch may not be updated.
Also, consider that in the Mi Band 3 and Mi Band 4, the watch is only displayed on the home screen, whereas in new models (starting with the Mi Band 6), you can put time on additional dials. If you recently updated the firmware, check if the dial settings are not lost - sometimes this leads to the disappearance of the watch.
Method 1: Enable the watch through the official application (Mi Fitness/Zepp Life)
The main way to adjust the time display is to sync the bracelet with the smartphone through a proprietary app. The instructions are suitable for all models, but the interface may differ slightly.
- Install the app: 📱 For Mi Band 3-5: Download Mi Fitness (Android / iOS). 📱 For Mi Band 6-8: Use Zepp Life (Android/IOS).
Put the bracelet on.
Launch the app, sign up (or log in to Xiaomi account), and add the device through Profile → Add the device. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Synchronize the time
Once connected, the app automatically syncs the time with the phone, and if that doesn't happen, manually update the data:
Open the "Device" tab → Tap on the bracelet icon → "Sync the data"Set up the format of time
Go to Profile → Device Settings → Display and Brightness → Time format and choose 24-hour or 12-hour format.
Downloaded official app (Mi Fitness or Zepp Life)|
Bracelet charged at least 20% |
Bluetooth enabled on your smartphone |
The device was added to the account Xiaomi|
Updated bracelet firmware (if available)-->
If the clock is still not displayed after synchronization, try resetting the wristband: remove the capsule from the strap for 10 seconds, then insert it back, 90% of the time, this solves the problem.
Method 2: Manually update time through resetting settings
If synchronization doesn't work, the system settings of the bracelet may have gone wrong, in which case the factory reset will help.
- Reset via the app: Open Mi Fitness/Zepp Life, go to Profile → Device Settings → Reset settings and confirm action.
- Reset from the bracelet (for Mi Band 5–8): On the bracelet itself, scroll through the menu to Settings → Reset (the wrench icon) and hold the button for 5 seconds.
- Re-Sync: After reset, reconnect the bracelet through the app. Time should be updated automatically.
Instructions for Notify & Fitness:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Connect the bracelet via Menu → Connect device.
- Go to Device → Sync time and press Force Sync.
- If the time is not updated, try changing the Time format in the application settings.
⚠️ Note: Third-party applications may require you to disable official software (Mi Fitness) before connecting, and they do not guarantee stable operation with the latest Mi Band models. 7/8 due to changes in the communication protocol.
Table: Features of setting the time for different models of Mi Band
| Model | Method of incorporating hours | Features | Frequent problems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 3/4 | Synchronization with Mi Fitness | The watch is only displayed on the home screen. The time format is customized in the app. | After updating the firmware, time may be reset. Re-synchronization is required. |
| Mi Band 5 | Automatic synchronization or manual settings in Settings → Display | It supports animated clock dials, so you can choose the display of seconds. | When using third-party dials, the time may not be updated. |
| Mi Band 6 | Through Zepp Life or Mi Fitness | The big screen allows you to display time on extra dials, and there's the "Always show the clock" option. | With a low battery charge, the watch can disappear from the screen. |
| Mi Band 7/8 | Automatic synchronization, settings in Profile → Device settings | Support for Always-On Display. Configurable date format. | Conflicts with some custom firmware (for example, Amazfit). |
If your model is not listed in the table, check the firmware version of the bracelet. To do this, go to Profile in Mi Fitness → About device → Firmware version. Outdated software can cause problems with displaying time.
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If the bracelet shows the wrong time after traveling, update the time zone in the settings of the smartphone. Bracelet takes the time data from the phone, not determine them yourself.
Problem Solving: The clock is stray or not updated
If the time on the bracelet periodically gets lost or does not sync, check the following points:
- 📶 Unstable Bluetooth Connection: Disable and Reconnect the Bracelet in Phone Settings.
- 🔄 Automatic sync is disabled: in Mi Fitness check Settings → Notifications → Autosynchronization.
- ⏳ Time difference between phone and bracelet: set the phone to automatically determine the time (Settings) → System system → Date and time).
- 📴 Conflict with other devices: If the bracelet was previously connected to another smartphone, reset.
For the Mi Band 6-8, you should also check the Always-On Display settings, if this feature is on but the watch is missing, the power saving mode may have been triggered to turn it off:
- Open Zepp Life.
- Go to Profile → Device Settings → Display → Always-On.
- Select the "Always on" mode or set up a schedule.
What if the bracelet shows the time with a delay of 1-2 hours?
Additional settings: dials, time format, alarm clocks
In addition to the basic display of time, you can configure in the Mi Band:
- 🎨 Dials: Zepp Life has over 100 free and paid dials with different watch designs.To install a new one: Open the app → The device → Dials → Choose your favorite. → Install
- ⏰ Alarm clocks: bracelet can vibrate at a given time.Setting up in Profile → Alarm clocks.
- 🌍 Date format: In some models, you can choose the order of the day/month/year display.
The Mi Band 7/8 has a Smart Alarm feature that analyzes sleep phases and determines the optimal time to wake up.
- In Zepp Life, go to Profile → Device Settings → Alarms.
- Add a new alarm and turn on the “Smart Wake-up” option.
- Specify the interval (for example, ± 30 minutes from a given time).
If the watch stops displaying after you install the new dial, go back to the standard design. Some custom dials may conflict with the bracelet firmware.
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All time settings (format, sync, dials) are tied to your Xiaomi account, and if you log in to another account, the bracelet may reset.