Xiaomi Mi Band 3 remains one of the most popular fitness trackers even years after its release, thanks to its reliability, long run time and easy management. However, many users face a problem: the time on the bracelet suddenly gets lost, lagged or not updated at all, 90% of the time this is due not to a device breakdown, but to the wrong settings in the Mi Fit application or a synchronization failure.
In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for setting the time on the Mi Band 3, including manual adjustment, automatic synchronization, and solving typical errors. We will also discuss why the bracelet can show the wrong time after a battery change, reset or travel to a different time zone. If your tracker displays the date of January 1, 2000 or constantly “hangs” at one time, here you will learn how to fix it without going to the service center.
Why is Mi Band 3 getting a bit of a time-wanderer?
Before you start setting up, it's important to understand the root of the problem. Unlike smartphones, the Mi Band 3 doesn't have its own. GPS-It relies entirely on data transmitted from your smartphone via Bluetooth, and these are the main reasons why the time on the wristband may not work properly:
- 📱 Mi Fit: The app didn’t update data for more than 24 hours (for example, due to Bluetooth turned off or background optimization of Android).
- ⚡ Failure after discharge: If the bracelet is completely discharged, the internal clock may reset to factory values (01.01.2000).
- ✈️ Changing the time zone: When flying or manually changing the time on the smartphone Mi Band 3 does not always automatically adjust.
- 🔄 Firmware error: Rarely, but bugs in the bracelet software occur, especially after updates through Mi Fit.
- 🔋 Battery replacement: After battery repair or replacement, internal settings may reset.
Fun fact: The Mi Band 3 uses an internal quartz generator to count time, but its accuracy depends on ambient temperature. In extreme cold or heat, the bracelet can rush or lag for a few minutes a day - this is normal behavior for budget devices.
Method 1: Automatic time synchronization via Mi Fit
The easiest and most recommended way is to let the Mi Fit app automatically update the time on the wristband.
- Make sure that the smartphone is enabled Bluetooth and geolocation (necessary for determining the time zone).
- Open the Mi Fit app and wait for the bracelet to connect (the Mi Band 3 icon should become active).
- Go to the Profile section → Mi Smart Band 3 → Additional settings.
- Find the Time and Date (or Time Sync in older versions of the app) and activate the switch.
- Return to the main screen and wait for sync (usually 10-30 seconds).
If after these actions, the time on the bracelet has not updated, try forcibly synchronize the data: pull down on the Mi Fit home screen to update the information.
Bluetooth is turned on on on your smartphone
Mi Fit has access to geolocation
Bracelet connected to the application (green icon)
Mi Fit version updated to the latest
Mi Band 3 battery charged by more than 20%
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Method 2: Manual time setting (if automatic synchronization is not working)
If the Mi Band 3 persists in showing the wrong time despite all attempts at synchronization, you can try to force the data to update through a hidden menu, which works even when the bracelet is reset to factory settings.
Instructions:
- Open the Mi Fit and make sure the bracelet is plugged in.
- Go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Disable the device (don’t be afraid – it’s temporary).
- Turn off Bluetooth on your smartphone, then turn it back on.
- Connect the bracelet again via Mi Fit → Add the device.
- During the connection, the application will offer to synchronize the time - confirm the action.
If this method does not work, try an alternative method:
- 🔄 Reset the bracelet: press the touch button on 10-15 A few seconds before the Mi logo appears.
- 📱 Remove the cache of the Mi Fit application in the smartphone settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fit → Memory. → Clear the cache).
- 🔗 Reconnect the bracelet to the application.
What if Mi Fit can’t see the bracelet?
Setting up the time zone and summer time
Xiaomi Mi Band 3 automatically determines the time zone based on the smartphone data, but sometimes this doesn't work correctly - especially when traveling or using a VPN.
- On your smartphone, go to Settings → System → Date and time.
- Turn off the option Automatically (network).
- Select the desired time zone manually (e.g. GMT+3: Moscow).
- Return to Mi Fit and force the data to sync (pull the screen down).
For countries with a transition to summer/winter time:
- 🌍 Make sure that the option on the smartphone is enabled Automatic transition to daylight saving time.
- ⏰ If the bracelet has not translated the clock, turn off and turn on time synchronization in Mi Fit again.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Time is lost by 1-2 hours | Incorrect time zone on a smartphone | Set up the time zone manually in your phone settings |
| Date reset to 01.01.2000 | Complete discharging or resetting of settings | Forced synchronization via Mi Fit |
| Time is updated, but in a hurry/lag | Temperature drift of quartz generator | Synchronize time once every 2-3 days |
| The clock shows the time of the smartphone, but does not update | Bluetooth connection error | Reconnect the bracelet or clear the Mi Fit cache |
💡
If you travel frequently, install the ClockSync (Android) app on your smartphone to accurately synchronize network time, which will help avoid discrepancies between the wristband and your phone.
What if the time on Mi Band 3 is not set?
If none of the above methods worked, the problem could go deeper. Here are the common "severe" cases and their solutions:
⚠️ Note: If the bracelet shows the time of 00:00 or 01.01.2000 even after all the manipulations, this may indicate a hardware failure of internal memory.
- 🔧 Reset to factory settings: Press the touch button for 20 seconds until you feel the vibration. Connect the bracelet again via Mi Fit.
Reinstallation of Mi Fit
Delete the app, clear the residual files (com.xiaomi.hm.health folder in your phone’s memory) and install the latest version from Xiaomi’s official website.
Firmware update
In Mi Fit, check for bracelet updates (Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Firmware Update). Make sure battery power is >50%.
For advanced users: if the bracelet is defined by the computer as USB-The device can be used to manually stitch it through MiBand3Tools (instructions are available on the forums 4PDA However, this is risky and can lead to a complete loss of the device's performance.
💡
Before resetting or firmware, make sure the bracelet is 100% charged.Aborting the process can render the device inoperable.
How can we prevent time disruptions in the future?
To avoid time issues on Mi Band 3, follow these guidelines:
- 🔋 Don't let the bracelet run completely: Charge at a charge level below 20%. Full discharge resets internal settings.
- 📶 Keep up with the synchronization: At least once in a while 2-3 Open Mi Fit and update your data.
- 🛡️ Disable battery optimization for Mi Fit: On Android: Settings → Annexes → Mi Fit → Battery → No restrictions.
- ❄️ Avoid extreme temperatures: Do not leave the bracelet in direct sunlight or in the cold (below) -10°C).
If time continues to be lost, it is possible that the new battery is incompatible with the bracelet board.