Owners of the Chinese giant's popular fitness trackers often face the unfortunate situation of the device showing the wrong clock after synchronization or battery discharge, which causes confusion, especially if you use a sleep tracking bracelet or alarm clock, and can be either a software failure of the app or a region setting that is not right.
Modern models like the Mi Band 6, 7 and 8 typically receive current data automatically via a smartphone. However, if communication with the phone is disrupted, the gadget begins to lag. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to correct time indicators, from basic synchronization to manual adjustment through the system menus.
It's worth noting that automatic synchronization is a priority for most users, and it doesn't require human intervention, but it requires a stable Bluetooth connection, and if it doesn't work, you'll have to resort to more complex manipulations, which we'll talk about later.
⚠️ Warning: If your bracelet is constantly wasting time after turning off, it may be the wear and tear of the internal battery or software firmware failure.
Automatic synchronization through the application
The easiest and most common way to get the data right is to use an official mobile app, which is Mi Fit for older models, and Mi Fitness for newer models, or Zepp Life, and the way it works is the same: the smartphone acts as a benchmark, transmitting the exact time to the wearable device every time you connect.
To make sure that the process is successful, make sure that the phone is on GPS and data is active. The app requests information from time servers and broadcasts it to the bracelet. In some cases, you need permission to access geolocation, which you need to provide in the settings of the Android or iOS operating system.
If no automatic update is made, try the following:
- 📱 Make sure that Bluetooth on your smartphone is active and the bracelet is connected.
- 🔄 Open the app and pull the screen down for forced data updates.
- 📍 Check if location access is allowed for a companion app.
- ⚙️ Make sure that the phone settings have automatic time and time zone determination.
Often, the problem is solved by simply restarting the bundle of devices: Turn off Bluetooth on your phone, turn it on again and wait for the connection. 90% of the time, the Xiaomi display clock is updated instantly.
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If time is lost immediately after disconnecting from your phone, check your power saving settings. It is possible that the system kills the application's background process by preventing it from synchronizing data.
Manual setting of time and date format
Sometimes users want to change not only the current time, but also the display format. The standard 12-hour format with AM/PM designation is inconvenient for many, and you can switch to the 24-hour format through the bracelet settings or in the app.
You go to the device menu, find Settings, and select the time format, and you can choose between a 12-hour or 24-hour format, and the changes are instant and are saved even after you reboot the tracker.
It's important to understand the difference between setting the time and setting the time, and if you change the format only, but you don't sync the clock, it might show, for example, 14:00 instead of 2:00 PM, but the time value itself will remain incorrect if it was originally shot down.
Some users experience a situation where, after changing the format, time flies 12 hours ahead or back, which is the normal behavior when switching between formats if the synchronization was not done correctly. Just repeat the synchronization procedure through the application.
Setting up the time zone and region
One common cause of wrong time is wrong time zone. If you're traveling or you've recently changed your location, your Mi Band may continue to work on the time of your previous location, especially for GPS-enabled models.
The Zepp Life or Mi Fitness app doesn't have a separate button for manual time zone selection, and it takes that data from your smartphone settings, so if you put an automatic time zone on your phone over the network, the bracelet will duplicate it.
To correct the error, follow the following steps:
- 🌍 Go to the date and time settings on your smartphone.
- 📵 Turn off automatic time zone determination.
- 📍 Manually choose the right city or displacement relative to the UTC.
- 🔗 Open the bracelet application and synchronize.
After that, the device should pick up a new time zone, and if that doesn't happen, try untie the bracelet in the app and re-attach it as a new device, which will reset the region's settings cache.
Why is it important to set up the region correctly?
Solving problems with desynchronization
A situation where time on the wristband is constantly lagging or in a hurry can indicate deeper problems, which may be due to an unstable Bluetooth connection, an outdated version of the firmware, or a conflict of versions of the application.
The first thing you need to do is check for updates. Manufacturers regularly release patches that fix sync errors. Go to the device profile in the app and click Update Check. If the new version is available, install it by holding the bracelet next to your phone.
The following factors should also be taken into account:
- 🔋 Low battery power bracelet can cause malfunctions in the work of real-time clocks.
- 📱 An overflowing application cache can block data transfer.
- 🛡️ Aggressive phone power saving settings can interrupt connection.
If nothing works, reset the device completely to factory settings, which will remove all data from the bracelet, but often solve software glitches, and then reset the device with the smartphone.
⚠️ Before performing a reset, make sure that all your workout and sleep data is stored in the cloud or synced with the server, otherwise it will be irretrievably lost.
Comparison of models and support of functions
Different generations of fitness trackers may have differences in interface and customization methods. Older models like the Mi Band 2 or 3 depended entirely on the time-setting app, while newer models (Mi Band 7, 8) have a more autonomous system.
The table below compares the time setting options for different generations of devices:
| Model of the device | Auto-synchronization | Manual setting | GPS time support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 2 / 3 | Through the app | No. | No. |
| Mi Band 4 / 5 | Through the app | No. | No (no phone) |
| Mi Band 6 | Through the app | No. | Got it (with phone) |
| Mi Band 7 / 8 | Through the app | No. | Got it (embedded GPS) |
As you can see from the table, none of the models allow you to manually set the time right on the wristband screen without the use of a smartphone. All the changes are made remotely, this is done to simplify the interface and save battery life.
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All Xiaomi Mi Band models do not have the function of manually setting the time with buttons on the case.
Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Why does Mi Band show time an hour more or less?
Can I set time on a bracelet without a phone?
What to do if time is lost after turning off the bracelet?
How to turn on the 24-hour format on Xiaomi Mi Band?
Does changing your phone affect your timing?
Setting the time on Xiaomi fitness bracelets is a process that is usually easy, if you understand the principle of the “smartphone-tracker” bundle. The main thing is to ensure a stable connection and the correct system settings of the phone. Following these recommendations, you will always know the exact time, regardless of the model of your gadget.