How to set up a smart bracelet Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

The Chinese giant’s modern wearables have become the benchmark for affordable electronics, combining the functionality of a fitness tracker and a smart watch. The initial setup of Xiaomi’s bracelet may seem confusing to a beginner because of the lack of a physical screen with a full menu on the basic models or the specifics of working with the application.

The preparation process involves not just powering on, but also syncing correctly with your smartphone, which is a critical step. It is the software that bridges the fitness bracelet to your phone, providing pulse, steps and notifications. Without the proper coupling, the device will remain just a beautiful accessory on your wrist.

In this guide, we will take a detailed look at all the steps, from unpacking to fine-tuning notifications and dials. You will learn how to avoid common pairing errors and how to make the device work as efficiently as possible in conjunction with Android or iOS.

Preparation of the device and charging before the first start

Before trying to sync the gadget with the phone, you need to make sure that it has a charge of energy. Often new devices come with a partially discharged battery that could lose capacity during storage in stock. Connect the tracker to the charger using the original or certified cable, as the current must meet the manufacturer's specifications.

Notice the contacts: there are metal pads on the back of the capsule or on the ends of the strap (depending on the model, for example, Mi Band 7 or Mi Band 8), which must be wiped dry to ensure reliable contact. If the charging indicator does not light up, try changing the position of the cable slightly or wipe the contacts with an alcohol napkin.

⚠️ Note: Do not leave a fully discharged lithium polymer battery in storage for more than a year. 3-6 This can lead to a deep discharge, after which the device will no longer perceive charging and require professional recovery in the service.

While the device is charging, free up time to prepare your smartphone.Make sure the phone is on Bluetooth and geolocation (GPS).The latter requirement often surprises users, but it is necessary to properly work synchronizing time and some tracking features in the Zepp Life or Mi Fitness app.

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If the bracelet does not respond to the connection to charging, try connecting the cable to another. USB-port or use an adapter from an old smartphone with power 5V/1A, avoiding powerful fast charging units for laptops.

Selecting and installing the right management application

The key to “how to set up a Xiaomi watch” is choosing the right software. Xiaomi’s ecosystem has splintered into several apps in recent years, and the choice depends on your device’s model and year of release. For modern models like the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 or Mi Watch, Mi Fitness (formerly Xiaomi Wear) has become the main attraction.

Older models, including the popular Mi Band 4, Mi Band 5 and Mi Band 6, traditionally run through the Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit). Download apps only from official Google Play or App Stores, avoiding third-party apps APK-file.

• 📱 Mi Fitness: Designed for the latest devices, has an updated interface and advanced training statistics.
• 🏃 Zepp Life: The classic application for most fitness bracelets of the Mi Band series, is characterized by stability and simplicity.
• ⌚ WearOS by Google: Used for Xiaomi smartwatches running on Google’s operating system, such as the Watch 2 Pro or Watch S1.

After installing the application, you need to register an account, which can be a Xiaomi account, Google or Apple ID, depending on the software you choose, registration is required to save your history of activity in the cloud and the ability to restore data when you change your smartphone.

The process of pairing the bracelet with a smartphone

The pairing process itself should be done strictly through the application interface, not through the phone’s Bluetooth settings. If you try to connect the device through the Android or iOS system menu, the data synchronization will most likely not happen, and the phone will see the bracelet as an audio device or not connect at all.

Launch the installed app and press the add button for the new device, which is usually located in the top corner of the screen or on the main tab. The application will request permission to use Bluetooth and geolocation - these permissions must be granted, otherwise the scan will not begin. Keep the bracelet and phone at a distance of no more than 1-2 meters from each other.

When an image of your device (such as the Mi Smart Band 7) appears on your smartphone screen, click on it. The tracker screen may show a pairing confirmation request or vibration signal, press the confirmation button on the bracelet (if there is a screen), or simply tap the touch zone. The communication process can take from 10 to 30 seconds.

It is important to note that one bracelet can only be linked to one account in the app at a time, and if the device has been previously used by another person, it must be untie in his app or perform a full reset on the bracelet itself before trying to connect again.

Basic configuration of the interface and dials

Once you've successfully synchronized, you've got a world of personalization, and the most prominent feature is changing the dials, and depending on the model, you can choose from dozens of built-in options or download new ones from the online store in the app. AMOLED-screens, this allows not only to change the aesthetics, but also to save battery power by choosing a black background.

In the app menu, find the "Device Profile" or "Dial Settings" section, where you can adjust the display data: steps, pulse, weather, date. For models without buttons, such as the Mi Band, navigation is done by swipes. It is recommended to immediately adjust the order of the screens, removing the ones you do not plan to use, to reduce the time you search for the information you need.

Don't forget to set the time and format of the date. Usually, this data is synced automatically with your smartphone every time you connect, but if you're traveling and changing your time zone, the bracelet will only update the time once you've re-synced with your phone over the Internet.

Set up notifications and work with applications

One of the main reasons for buying a tracker is that you can see notifications without taking your phone out of your pocket. For this feature to work, you need to give the intermediary app (Zepp Life or Mi Fitness) access to smartphone notifications. In the bracelet menu in the app, find the "Application Notifications" or "Application Notification Management" section.

Here you'll see a list of all the programs installed on your phone. Activate the switches in front of the ones you want to see on your wrist: messengers, mail, social networks. Be selective: if you turn on all the apps, the bracelet will vibrate constantly, which will quickly drain the battery and start to annoy.

⚠️ Warning: On smartphones with aggressive energy savings (Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung), you must manually prevent the system from "killing" the background process of the tracker application.

There are limitations for iOS (iPhone) users: text messages from some apps (such as WhatsApp or Viber) may not appear on the wristband due to Apple's security policy if the phone is locked. In the iPhone settings in the Bluetooth section, clicking on the "i" icon next to the device, make sure that the "Show Notifications" option is enabled.

Sensor calibration and health monitoring

To get accurate physical activity data, it is recommended to enter your personal data in the application profile.Height, weight, age and gender affect the calculation of calories burned and sleep quality analysis. Without these parameters, statistics will be averaged and less useful for building a training process.

If you plan to use a bracelet for running or swimming, you should calibrate it. Go a known distance (like 400 meters in the stadium) in training mode and compare the bracelet data with reality. Some models have a manual step length adjustment feature, which will greatly improve the accuracy of distance tracking.

• ❤️ Pulse: Set up the frequency of measurements. Continuous monitoring gives the full picture, but consumes more energy.
• 💤 Sleep: Turn on automatic sleep detection to analyze phases (deep, light, REM).
• 🚶 Objectives: Set realistic daily goals in steps to motivate yourself to move forward.

Also worth paying attention to settings for sedentary reminders, which will vibrate gently if you haven't moved for a long time, suggesting that you stretch, a useful feature for office workers that is worth activating during working hours.

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The accuracy of the sensors depends on the density of the bracelet to the skin. For training, tighten the strap one hole tighter than with a normal wear.

Updating the firmware and troubleshooting

Wearable software is regularly updated to fix bugs and add new features. Updates are available in the device profile in the app. If a new version of the software is available, it is recommended to install it by connecting the bracelet to charging and ensuring a stable Internet connection of the phone.

The update process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, during which time the billing screen may go out and light up, and the device may reboot, and it is strongly advised not to interrupt the process or carry the phone away from the bracelet, as this can lead to a software failure.

Update sequence:


1. Charge the bracelet > 50%




2. Connect the phone to Wi-Fi




3. Open the application -> Profile -> Check for updates




4. Press "Update" and do not touch the devices

If the bracelet has stopped responding, is frozen or not connected, reboot. In the device menu, find System -> Reset or Reset. For models without a screen, it is often necessary to hold the touch zone for 15-20 seconds before vibration occurs, which solves 90% of software errors.