Xiaomi smartwatches are not just accessories, but a full-fledged assistant in everyday life, where time accuracy is key. From synchronizing alarm clocks to correctly operating the activity tracker, even a minimum difference of a few minutes can ruin the user experience. However, many owners face the problem: time on the watch suddenly gets confused, does not update or even shows incorrect data. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to adjust time on Mi Band, Xiaomi Watch and Amazfit devices, including manual adjustment, synchronization with a smartphone and solving typical errors.
It is important to understand that the mechanism of updating time depends on the model of the watch and the firmware version. For example, the Mi Band 7 and Xiaomi Watch S3 use different synchronization algorithms with the Zepp Life application (formerly Mi Fit). We will discuss each model in detail, and also tell you what to do if time is lost after a software update or a change of time zone. If you just purchased a watch or encountered a problem after resetting, this guide will help you return the exact time reference in 5 minutes.
Why is Xiaomi Smart Watch the wrong time?
Before we get to the setup, we'll look at the root causes of time divergence, and we can divide them into three categories:
- 📱 Smartphone problems: incorrect date/time settings in the phone, disconnected Internet or background synchronization of the Zepp Life application.
- ⌚ Clock failures: outdated firmware, hard reset, discharged battery or damaged device memory.
- 🌍 External factors: automatic time zone determination (especially when flying), conflict with other gadgets (for example, if the watch is connected to two phones at the same time).
The most common mistake is the disconnected network sync on the phone. Many users turn off automatic timing to save charge, forgetting that Xiaomi watches take data from there. Also, the problem may lie in the Android power saving settings, which block the background operation of the Zepp Life application. For example, on Redmi or POCO phones, the default mode can be activated Battery Optimization for this application.
Method 1: Automatic time synchronization through the application
The main and recommended method is synchronization through the official Zepp Life app (for Mi Band and Amazfit) or Xiaomi Wear (for Xiaomi Watch). The algorithm is the same for all models, but there are nuances depending on the version of the software.
- Make sure the phone is on: 📶 Automatic timing (Settings) → System system → Date and time → Autodetermination). 🔄 Synchronization of data in the Xiaomi account (Zepp Life) → Profile → Settings → Synchronization). 📱 Background permission for the application (in Android battery settings).
- Update the watch firmware: Open Zepp Life → Select your device → Firmware → Update. For Xiaomi Watch, Way: Xiaomi Wear → My devices → Software Update.
Forced synchronization:
- In the application, go to the device section → Synchronize data.
- If there is no option, reconnect the clock (Disable the device → Connect again).
Important! On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Watch S2), manual settings are reset after reconnecting to the phone, in which case you will have to repeat the procedure or look for the cause of the synchronization failure.
| Model clock | Supports manual tuning? | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 5/6/7/8 | Yes. | Menu hidden: you need to tap 5 times on the main screen |
| Xiaomi Watch S1/S3 | Yes. | Requires confirmation via app after manual setup |
| Amazfit GTR 3/GTS 3 | Yes. | Available only when Auto Update is disabled |
| Mi Band 3/4 | No. | Only automatic synchronization |
What to do if manual adjustment is not saved?
Method 3: Synchronization through third-party applications
If the official software doesn't work, you can use alternative solutions, such as Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (available on Google Play) that allow you to manually update time and even adjust additional time zones.
- ⚡ Quick update without reconnecting the clock.
- 🌐 Multiple time zones (good for travel).
- 🔧 Advanced settings for power users (e.g., time zone adjustment in 15 minutes increments).
- Hardware malfunction check: If the watch runs out in a few hours or does not keep the settings, it is possible that the battery or memory is damaged). ⚠️ Note: Do not use informal firmware (custom) ROM) This can lead to loss of functionality of sensors (pulsemeter, SpO₂) Official updates are only available through Zepp Life or Xiaomi Wear. FAQ: Frequent questions about timing Why does the Mi Band 7 get lost after swimming? This is a known problem with moisture getting into the charging socket. After contact with water, contacts can become oxidized, which leads to memory failure. Solution: Dry the clock for 24 hours (not on the battery!). Wash your contacts with alcohol. Update your firmware to the latest version (new builds have improved water protection). Can you customize the 12-hour time format on the Xiaomi Watch? S3? Yes, but only through the Xiaomi Wear app: Open the app and select your watch. → Time format. Choose a 12-hour time and sync the data. This option may not be available on the watch itself. The clock shows the time 3 hours ahead of the flight. How do you fix it? It's about automatic time zone change. Solutions: 📱 In your phone, turn off time zone autodetermination and select it manually. ⌚ On the Amazfit watch, go to Settings → System system → Time zone and update the data. ✈️ If you fly frequently, use the Notify & Fitness app to manually adjust. After the Zepp Life update, the time on the Mi Band 6 stopped updating. What to do? It's a bug in newer versions of the app. Procedure: Uninstall the app and install an older version (e.g, 5.12.0). Turn off the automatic update of Zepp Life in Google Play. Reconnect the watch to the phone. If it doesn't work, write in support of Xiaomi with the model of the watch and the version of the application. Can you set the time on a Xiaomi watch without a phone? Technically, but with reservations: 🔄 On the Mi Band. 5/6/7 and Amazfit GTR You can manually set the time, but without the phone it will not be updated. ❌ On the Xiaomi Watch S3 Without connecting to Xiaomi Wear, manual setting will reset after rebooting. ⚡ For permanent work without a phone need a clock SIM-card (for example, Xiaomi Watch) S1 Active).