Introduction: Why Activation is Needed and What It Provides
The Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 1S is one of the most popular budget options for city trips, but it needs to be activated before you use it for the first time.This process not only unlocks the functionality of the device, but also connects it to your Mi Home account, which gives you access to travel statistics, firmware updates and additional settings through the mobile application.
Many users face difficulties in the activation phase: the scooter does not connect to the phone, the application does not see the device, or errors such as Failed to activate. In this article, we will discuss all the ways of activation, from the standard through Mi Home to alternative methods for cases when something goes wrong, and you will learn how to avoid typical errors and what to do if the scooter was already in use.
Important: The activation procedure for the Mi Electric Scooter 1S is different from newer models (for example, the Pro 2 or 4 Ultra), so keep an eye on the version of your device. If you bought a used scooter, you will need to reset the binding to the previous owner - this will also be discussed below.
What you need to activate: full checklist
Before you start, make sure you have everything you need. Here's the minimum set:
- 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 12.0+ Bluetooth 4.0 support.
- 🔋 Charged electric scooter (minimum 20% battery charge).
- 📲 Installed Mi Home app (last version) can be downloaded from: Android (Google Play) iOS (App Store)
- 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- 🔑 Xiaomi account (can be created directly in the app).
Charge the scooter to 30% or higher |
Install the Mi Home app and update it|
Register a Xiaomi account (if not)|
Turn on Bluetooth and geolocation on your phone |
Check the compatibility of the model (on the box or under the foot of the scooter)-->
If the scooter is new, it should be included in the kit. QR-The code on the sticker under your foot (near the serial number) is needed for fast binding, and if the code is erased or missing, you can manually activate it by searching for the device in the app.
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If you are buying a used scooter, ask the seller to untie the device from his account through Mi Home → Profile → My devices → Delete. Otherwise, the activation will not work!
Standard activation via Mi Home: step-by-step instructions
This is the most reliable and recommended method. Follow the instructions carefully:
- Turn on the scooter. Press and hold the power button (located on the steering wheel) for 2-3 seconds until the indicators light up.
- Open Mi Home. Sign in to your Xiaomi account (if you haven’t already).
If you have a “failed to connect” error at the connection stage, try:
- 🔄 Reboot the scooter (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
- 📱 Reboot the Mi Home and Bluetooth app on your phone.
- 📡 Switch to another network (for example, from Wi-Fi to mobile Internet).
What if Mi Home doesn’t see the scooter?
Activation without activation QR-code: manual mode
If QR-code is missing or not read, activation can be done manually:
- Turn on the scooter and make sure it is in search mode (white light flashes).
- In Mi Home, select Add Device → Transport → Electric Scooter → Mi Electric Scooter 1S (or type the model name in search).
- Click on "Add Manually" and follow the instructions on the screen. The app will prompt you to enter the serial number (located below). QR-code-box).
- Confirm the connection. The scooter will sound, and the application will notify you of the successful binding.
If manual activation does not work, check:
- 🔍 Serial number input (symbols O and 0 are easily confused).
- 🌍 The scooter must be linked to the same region as your account (e.g. Russia or Europe) and you can change the region in your profile settings, but this will require you to create a new account.
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The serial number of the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter 1S starts with the letters MS or M3. If your number is different, you may have a different model (e.g. Pro or Essential).
Activation of the used scooter: resetting the binding to the previous owner
If you bought the Mi Electric Scooter 1S from hand, there is a high risk that it is still tied to the account of the previous owner, in which case the standard activation will not work - the application will give an error "The device is already tied."
Here's how to solve the problem:
- Ask the seller to untie the scooter, and he has to go to Mi Home, find the device on the list, and click "Delete," and then the scooter will be available for a new binding.
- If you can't get in touch with the vendor, try a hardware reset: Turn off the scooter. Press the power button and the brake button for 10 seconds at the same time. Release the buttons when the indicators start flashing red and green. Turn on the scooter and try to activate again.
Update the firmware manually.
1S
Official website of Xiaomi
Mi Home
"Update of the software"
New in the official store |
New from an unofficial seller |
B/oh, with hands.|
B/u, through bulletin boards (Avito, Yula, etc.)-->
Important: After a hardware reset, the scooter may lose some of the features (such as cruise control or speed limit) if the firmware is not compatible with your region. Always check the software version before upgrading!
Common mistakes and their solutions
Even with the right actions, activation can go wrong, and let's look at the typical problems and ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| «Failed to activate» | Unstable Internet connection or problems with Xiaomi servers | Switch to mobile internet, check the VPN (turn it off). |
| «Device not found» | Bluetooth is not on, the scooter is off or too far from the phone. | Turn on Bluetooth, bring the phone closer to the scooter (less than 1 meter away). |
| «This device is bound to another account» | The scooter is linked to another Mi Home account. | Make a hardware reset (see section above) or contact the previous owner. |
| The scooter is connected but not activated | An outdated version of the Mi Home app or scooter firmware. | Update Mi Home in the app store and check for updates for the scooter. |
If none of these methods worked, try:
- 📞 Contact Xiaomi Support with the Serial Scooter Number.
- 🔧 Use alternative applications (e.g., use of, M365 DownG for Android, but it could break the warranty.
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Before you call for support, take a picture of the scooter serial number and the error screen, which will speed up the problem.
What to do after successful activation
When the finalmente scooter is tied to your account, we recommend following a few important steps:
- Update your firmware. Go to Mi Home → Device → Software Update and install the latest version. This will fix bugs and add new features (e.g., improved energy efficiency).
- Configure the settings. In the "Device settings" section, you can: Change the units of measurement (km/h or mph); turn on/off cruise control; set the energy saving level (eco mode).
Check all functions.
- 🔦 Front and rear lights are working.
- 🔔 The audible signal and the brake lights shall be activated when pressed.
- 📊 The application displays the charge level and mileage.