The 2016 Xiaomi Mi Band 2 fitness bracelet is still popular with users due to its simplicity, reliability and low price, but many owners face the problem that the screen time of the bracelet does not match the real one or completely gets lost after disconnecting from the smartphone. In this article, we will discuss why this happens and how to set the right time on the Mi Band 2 in various ways, from automatic synchronization to manual adjustment.
The main reason for the time discrepancy lies in the mechanism of the bracelet: it does not have its own GPS module or communication with mobile carrier networks, so it is completely dependent on data transmitted from the smartphone via Bluetooth. If synchronization is interrupted (for example, due to battery discharge of the bracelet or a malfunction in the application), the watch can “froze” at the last known value. Fortunately, you can fix this in a few minutes – the main thing is to know the nuances.
Why Mi Band 2 is running out of time: 5 main reasons
Before you start setting up, it's important to understand what's causing the crash, and here are the most common reasons why the Mi Band 2 is showing the wrong time:
- 📱 Lack of synchronization with the smartphone: the bracelet is not connected to the phone via Bluetooth or the connection is unstable.
- 🔋 Battery discharge: At a charge level below 10%, the bracelet may not process data correctly.
- 🔄 Mi Fit app failure: app cache or outdated version of software prevents correct time transfer.
- ⏱️ Manual time zone change: If you manually changed your belt on your phone, the bracelet may not have received the update.
- 🛠️ Software failure of the bracelet: rarely, but there are firmware errors that require resetting settings.
Interestingly, the Mi Band 2 doesn't have an automatic time zone detection feature, it just copies the time settings from the connected smartphone. So if the phone has the wrong time, the bracelet will also make a mistake. Check this before setting up!
Method 1: Automatic time synchronization via Mi Fit
The easiest way to update the time is to get the bracelet to sync with your phone.
- Open the Mi Fit app on your smartphone (make sure it’s updated to the latest version).
- Connect to the bracelet: go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 2.
- Pull the screen down to update the data (swipe down gesture).
- Wait for the notification “Synchronization is complete”.
If the time is not updated, try forced synchronization:
- 🔗 Turn off the bracelet from your phone in Bluetooth settings.
- 🔄 Reboot the Mi Band 2 by holding the 10 seconds button (before vibration).
- 📲 Connect the bracelet again via Mi Fit and wait for synchronization.
Bluetooth on your phone|The Mi Fit app has access to the location|The bracelet is charged at more than 20 times%|The phone and bracelet are close (no further than 1 meter)-->
⚠️ Note: if after synchronization time on the bracelet differs by exactly 3-4 hours, check the time zone settings on your smartphone. Mi Band 2 does not support automatic belt determination. GPS, That's why it uses phone data.
Method 2: Manually adjusting time through third-party applications
If automatic synchronization doesn’t work, you can use alternative applications like Notify & Fitness for Mi Band or Mi Bandage, which allow you to manually set the time without the standard Mi Fit restrictions.
Instructions for Notify & Fitness:
- Download and install the app from Google Play (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS).
- Connect the bracelet through the Device menu → Add a new one.
- Go to the section Settings of the bracelet → Time and date.
- Turn off the “Sync with Smartphone” option and enter the time manually.
- Save the changes and wait for the vibration of the bracelet (a signal of a successful recording).
The advantage of this method is that you can set the time regardless of your phone, for example, if you use a multi-device bracelet or travel frequently between time zones, but remember that the next time you connect to Mi Fit, the settings may reset.
| Annex | Support for Mi Band 2 | Manual timing | Synchronization with Mi Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Fit (official) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Complete. |
| Notify & Fitness | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Partial (may conflict) |
| Mi Bandage | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| Amazfit | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
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If you're manually adjusting your time again, try calibrating the accelerometer of the bracelet. In the Notify & Fitness app, go to Settings → Calibration and follow the instructions to help stabilize the sensors that affect synchronization.
Method 3: Resetting the bracelet to factory settings
If neither synchronization nor manual adjustment helps, the bracelet may have malfunctioned, in which case a full reset will help. Importantly, after this procedure, all the data from the bracelet (steps, pulse, alarm clocks) will be deleted!
How to Reset Mi Band 2:
- Disconnect the bracelet from your phone in Bluetooth settings.
- Hold the button on the bracelet for 15-20 seconds until you feel 3 vibrations in a row.
- Release the button and the bracelet will reboot and return to factory settings.
- Connect the bracelet again via Mi Fit and perform the initial setup.
After reset, the time should automatically sync with the phone. If the problem persists, check:
- 📲 The bracelet firmware version (in Mi Fit) → Device profile).
- 🔄 Date and time settings on your smartphone (Autodetermination should be enabled).
- 🛡️ Permissions for Mi Fit (access to location, notifications, Bluetooth).
What to do if the bracelet does not respond to reset?
Frequent errors in setting time and how to avoid them
Many users make the same mistakes that keep Mi Band 2 running out of time, and the most common ones are:
- Ignoring Updates: An outdated version of the Mi Fit or bracelet firmware may cause crashes.Solution: Check for updates in the Google Play/App Store and in the bracelet menu.
- Unstable Bluetooth connection: If the signal is interrupted (for example, due to interference from other devices), the sync will not end. Solution: bring the phone closer to the bracelet and turn off other Bluetooth devices.
- Incorrect phone settings: If the smartphone has disabled automatic timing, the bracelet will copy the wrong data. Solution: turn on the option in the phone settings.
- Use of unofficial firmware: custom firmware may conflict with Mi Fit. Solution: return to the original firmware via Mi Fit.
Another common mistake is using multiple applications to control the bracelet at the same time (e.g. Mi Fit + Notify & Fitness), which leads to data conflicts. Choose one application and disable the others from the bracelet.
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If the bracelet time is only lost at night, check your sleep settings in Mi Fit. In some versions of the app, this feature can block synchronization to save battery life.
How to check if the time on the bracelet is updated
To make sure that your time settings are applied correctly, do a simple test:
- Change the time on your smartphone manually (for example, set 1 hour ahead).
- Open Mi Fit and wait for synchronization.
- Check the time on the bracelet – it should coincide with the new time of the phone.
- Return the correct time on the phone and repeat the sync.
If the bracelet updates the time when you manually change the phone, but it doesn't automatically do so, the problem is with autosynchronization settings.
- 🔄 Reinstall the Mi Fit app.
- 📱 Check if the battery optimizer (on Android) blocks the application in the background.
- 🛡️ Give Mi Fit all the necessary permissions in your phone settings.
On iPhone, additionally check if the option is Background update apps for Mi Fit in the settings Main → Content Update.
Alternative methods: using the web version of Mi Fit
Few people know, but Xiaomi provides a web version of Mi Fit, through which you can control some of the bracelet settings, a method that is useful if the mobile application is unstable.
Instructions:
- Sign in to account.huami.com under the same account as your mobile app.
- Go to the Devices section → Mi Band 2.
- Click Sync Data (if the option is available).
- Update the page and check the time on the bracelet.
Note that the web version has limited functionality, and not all wristbands support synchronization through it, but in some cases it helps to wake up the wristband if the mobile application refuses to work.
⚠️ Note: when using the web version of Mi Fit, do not connect the bracelet to the phone at the same time.This can cause data conflict and cause synchronization failure.