How to set the time on Xiaomi Mi Band: all ways + fixing errors

The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long been one of the most popular wearables due to the combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face the problem: the time on the wristband screen does not match the real one or gets lost after synchronization. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to adjust time to the Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8, including manual adjustment, automatic synchronization through the application and solving typical errors.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi’s wristband doesn’t have its own watch in the classic sense — it gets time data from the connected smartphone, which means that any inaccuracies are most often associated with either the phone’s settings or the work of the proprietary app (Mi Fitness or Zepp Life, depending on the model), and then you’ll find step-by-step instructions for all versions of the wristbands, as well as tips for fixing common problems.

Why Mi Band is in the wrong time: the main reasons

Before you start setting up, it is worthwhile to understand why the time on the bracelet may not be displayed correctly.

• 📱 Unsynchronized data with a smartphone: the bracelet takes time from the phone, and if it has incorrect settings, the error is duplicated.
• 🌍 Incorrect time zone: especially relevant when moving or using two SIM-card-to-card.
• ⚙️ Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app crashes (cache, outdated version, synchronization errors).
• 🔋 Weak battery power: At a charge level below 10%, the bracelet may not work smoothly.
• ⏱️ Automatic summer time: not all models correctly handle the transition to winter/summer time.

If your bracelet shows time a few minutes or hours late, check your phone’s settings first. For example, on Android, go to Settings → System → Date and Time and make sure that Auto-Date and Time Zone Auto-Determination options are enabled. On iPhone, similar settings are in Settings → Basic → Date and Time.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Mi Band 3 or Mi Band 4 with firmware older than 2021, automatic time synchronization may not work due to outdated Xiaomi servers.

Method 1: Automatic time synchronization through the application

The easiest way to set the time on the Xiaomi Mi Band is to sync it to your phone through the official app, a process that varies slightly depending on the bracelet model and software version.

For Mi Band 5/6/7/8 (Zepp Life app)

1. Open the Zepp Life app and connect to the bracelet (if it’s not already connected).
2. Go to the Profile tab → Your device → Device settings.
3. Find the date and time and activate the Sync with your phone option.
4. Wait for the synchronization to complete (usually takes 5-10 seconds).

For Mi Band 3/4 (Mi Fitness app)

1. Start Mi Fitness and select your bracelet from the main menu.
2. Go to Profile → Device settings → More.
3. Slip on the item Synchronize time and confirm the action.

If the time on the bracelet has not changed after synchronization, try rebooting it.

1. Disconnect the bracelet from the phone in the app.
2. Press and hold the button on the bracelet (or the touch area below the screen) for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Reconnect the bracelet and repeat the synchronization.

Method 2: Manual time setting (if automatic does not work)

If automatic synchronization fails, you can set the time manually, which is a method that works for all Mi Band models, but requires more action. Importantly, manual adjustment will reset the next time you connect to your phone, if you don't turn off automatic synchronization.

Instructions for Mi Band 5/6/7/8:

1. Open Zepp Life and go to Profile → Your Device → Device Settings.
2. Select a date and a time. → Manually install.
3. Enter the current date and time, then save the changes.

Instructions for Mi Band 3/4:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, select a bracelet and go to Settings → More.
2. Slip on Set the time manually.
3. Set the correct values and confirm.

After manually adjusting, check if the bracelet resets are time-consuming. If the problem is repeated, you may need to reset to factory settings.

⚠️ Note: on Mi Band 3 and Mi Band 4 with firmware up to 1.0.9.14, manual time setting may not be saved due to a software error.

Method 3: Set up time zones and daylight saving time

One of the common causes of time failure is the wrong time zone or mishandling of the daylight/winter time transition, especially for users who travel or live in seasonally changing regions.

How to check the time zone on your smartphone:

• 📱 Android: Settings → System system → Date and time → Time zone: Make sure your region is selected (e.g. Moskva, GMT+3).
• 🍎 iPhone: Settings → Mainstream → Date and time → Time zone. Turn off automatically if the belt is not correctly defined.

If the time zone on the phone is correct, but the bracelet still has a time off, try:

1. Turn off automatic timing in the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app.
2. Set the time zone manually (if this option is available for your model).
3. Reboot the bracelet and smartphone.

On Mi Band 6 and later, daylight saving time is only handled correctly when actively synced with the Zepp Life app, and if you have disabled automatic time updates, you will have to manually adjust it twice a year.

Problem Solving: Time is lost or not updated

If after all the manipulations, the time on the bracelet is still displayed incorrectly, use these tips:

Reinstallation of the annex

Sometimes crashes are related to corrupted app data: delete Mi Fitness or Zepp Life, restart your phone and install the program again from Google Play or the App Store, then re-bind the bracelet.

2. Resetting the bracelet to factory settings

If the problem is not solved, try resetting the bracelet settings:

1. In the app, go to Profile → Your device → Untie the device.
2. On the bracelet itself, reset: For Mi Band 3/4: press and hold the touch button for 20 seconds until vibration appears. For Mi Band 5/6/7/8: go to Settings → System → Reset (via the bracelet menu).

Reconnect the bracelet as a new device.

3. Checking the compatibility of the smartphone

Xiaomi Mi Band bracelets officially support Android 5.0+ and iOS 10.0+. If your phone runs on an older version of the OS, there may be problems with synchronization, and make sure that the smartphone is enabled Bluetooth 4.0 or later.

💡

If the bracelet constantly resets time after disconnecting from your phone, try turning off the power saving mode for the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app in the Android battery settings.

Features of setting the time on different models of Mi Band

While the working principle of all Xiaomi bracelets is similar, there are nuances that depend on the model and version of the firmware.

Mi Band 3 and Mi Band 4

These models use the Mi Fitness app and have more limited time settings.

• 🔄 Autosynchronization works only when you are actively connected to your phone.
• ⏳ When manually set up, time may be lost after rebooting.
• 📲 For stable operation, it is recommended to update the firmware through Settings → Update of the Software in the annex.

Mi Band 5

The first model with support for the Zepp Life app, and here are improvements.

• ✅ More stable time synchronization.
• 🌐 Support for automatic time zone determination.
• ⚡ Quick manual setup via bracelet menu (swipe down) → Settings → Date and time).

Mi Band 6/7/8

The most modern models with advanced functions:

• 🕒 Support for 24- and 12-hour formats (configured in Zepp Life).
• 🔄 Automatic time update when changing time zones (if geolocation on the phone is enabled).
• 📡 Improved synchronization via Bluetooth 5.0.

The Mi Band 7/8 also features a Smart Alarm, which automatically adjusts wake times based on sleep phase, but requires precise time synchronization with your phone.

💡

Starting with the Mi Band 6, Xiaomi bracelets support automatic time adjustment when crossing time zones (assuming an active Internet connection on the phone).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting the time on Xiaomi Mi Band, users often make the same mistakes, and here are the most common ones and ways to avoid them:

Another common problem is that the bracelet shows the time in a 12-hour format, even though the phone has a 24-hour format.

1. Open Zepp Life (for Mi Band 5/6/7/8) or Mi Fitness (for Mi Band 3/4).
2. Go to the bracelet settings and find the time format item.
3. Choose a 24-hour one and save the changes.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions