How to set the time on the watch Xiaomi Mi Band: step-by-step setting

Xiaomi fitness trackers often run into situations where the device starts showing the wrong time or date, which can occur after a firmware update, battery drain or time zone change during travel. It is important to understand that the Mi Band series bracelets do not have their own built-in SIM card or GPS module (in most basic models), so they cannot independently determine the exact time via satellites.

The main source of accurate timing for your gadget is a conjugated smartphone. The synchronization process occurs automatically when connected via Bluetooth. However, there are cases when the automatic setting fails and the user has to intervene manually. In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of the setup, from basic synchronization to solving complex problems with desynchronization.

Incorrect timing can significantly reduce the usefulness of the device, especially if you use it to track sleep or set an alarm clock. If the clock shows the wrong time, activity statistics will be distorted, and notifications will come with a delay or not on time.

The principle of synchronization of time

The fundamental difference between smart wristbands and conventional mechanical or quartz watches is that they depend on an external data source, synchronization occurs in the background as soon as the tracker detects a signal from the phone, and a companion app like Mi Fitness or Zepp Life must be launched on the smartphone.

When you open the app, it reads your phone's system time and sends a command to the bracelet, which takes only a few seconds. It's critical that the smartphone settings enable automatic time and time zone determination over the network. If the phone shows the wrong time, the bracelet will copy this error.

⚠️ Note: If you are roaming or have changed region but have not updated your time zone in your phone settings, the bracelet will continue to show the time of your previous location before being forced to re-bind.

There are several levels of connection verification, first check for an active Bluetooth connection, then check for geolocation permissions, because in modern versions of Android, this is a mandatory requirement for working with Bluetooth devices, and only after successfully passing these checks, the time stamps are exchanged.

💡

Make sure that the Bluetooth settings on your phone for your Mi Band include the “Time Sync” option if this option is available in your firmware version.

Preparation of the smartphone and installation of the application

Before you try to adjust the time, you need to make sure that the software base for controlling the device is installed correctly. Different applications are used for different models of bracelets. For example, for Mi Band 4, 5, 6, Zepp Life is often used, while Mi Band 7, 8 and later Mi Fitness is recommended.

Installing an inappropriate app can result in the device not being able to pass the initial activation, which means that the time will not be set. download the software only from official Google Play or App Stores, avoiding third-party resources.

• 📱 Download the official Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app depending on your bracelet model.
• 🔗 Turn on Bluetooth and geolocation on your smartphone before you start searching for your device.
• 🔋 Make sure the bracelet is at least 20% charged so it doesn’t turn off during the setup process.
• ⚙️ Check that the date and time settings of the phone are ticked "Use network time".

Once the application is installed, you need to register an account. This is a mandatory requirement of Xiaomi to save statistics and customize the user profile. Without linking to the account, full synchronization of parameters, including time zone, may not be possible.

Step-by-step instructions for setting the time

The time setting process does not require complex manipulations with the menu of the bracelet itself, since most models have a touch screen, but the menu functionality is limited. All control is carried out through the application interface on the smartphone screen.

To start, open the app and go to the Profile or Device tab, which shows your current connection status. If you see a Bluetooth icon in gray, click on it or the bracelet image to connect. After a successful connection, there is usually an automatic timelift.

If time is unchanged, look for the "Sync" or "Update" button in the device menu. In some versions of the software, you need to go to "Device Settings" and select "Time and Date" and manually adjust the values if the automation fails.

Importantly, after a change in time on the phone, the bracelet can update data not instantly, but within 1-2 minutes.

Setting up the time and time zone format

Many users are wondering how to switch the time format from 12-hour to 24-hour. In fact, the Mi Band bracelet does not have an independent time format setting on its menu. It completely copies the format chosen in your smartphone system.

To change the display, you need to go to the general settings of the phone, find the "Date and time" section, and switch the "24-hour format" switch toggle. Then sync in the application. The dial on the bracelet will change automatically.

⚠️ Note: Some third-party dials may ignore system settings and display the time in their own format. In this case, simply change the dial to the standard through the app.

Time zones are the same. If you're traveling, don't try to change the time manually on your wristband. Just switch the time zone in your smartphone settings, or let your phone determine it automatically from cell towers. Xiaomi Mi Band will instantly respond to the phone's system time change.

Solving problems with desynchronization

When the time on the wristband lags behind or shows incorrect data, it can be caused by a software failure in the phone’s operating system or the tracker itself. Often the problem lies in the aggressive energy saving policy of Android, which “kills” the background process of the application.

To solve this problem, add Mi Fitness or Zepp Life to battery exclusions. The path to settings may be different: Settings → Battery → Launch applications. Find your application in the list and allow it to auto-start and work in the background.

Another common cause is a Bluetooth cache overflow, in which case cleaning the list of paired devices helps: remove the bracelet from the Bluetooth list on the phone, then remove it from the application and pair it again as a new device.

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and bracelet (via the control menu or discharging it to zero).
• 🗑️ Remove the device from the Bluetooth list and re-mating.
• 📲 Reinstall the companion app by pre-clearing its cache.
• 🔌 Charge the bracelet to 100%, as at low charge some functions may not work properly.

If software methods don't help, there may be a problem with hardware or deeply damaged firmware, and in rare cases, a full factory reset is required through the bracelet menu, if such a feature is available, or through an app.

💡

The most common reason for desynchronization is that the operating system will not allow the application to run in the background. Add the application to the battery exceptions.

Frequent questions and additional recommendations

Users often wonder if you can set time without a phone. Unfortunately, the Mi Band design does not provide for an independent setting of time. Without connecting to a smartphone, the bracelet will continue to count the time from the last known moment, but eventually will begin to lag behind, since the quartz generator inside is not perfect.

It is also important to keep an eye on the firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates that improve the stability of Bluetooth connections and correct synchronization errors.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to use modified versions of apps to adjust the time, this may lead to account lock or device malfunction.

For owners.