Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet: how to use, connect and configure - the full guide

The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets remain among the most popular wearables thanks to a combination of affordable price, compactness and wide functionality. Even in 2026, the lineup models (from Mi Band 5 to Mi Smart Band 8 Pro) are actively used for health monitoring, sports training and notification management. However, many users face difficulties when connecting first or are unaware of the hidden capabilities of the gadget.

In this article, you will find detailed instructions for setting up the bracelet, from unpacking to advanced features like contactless payment or music management. We will discuss how to sync the Mi Band with your phone on Android and iOS, configure notifications, calibrate the pedometer and even reset the device to factory settings. We will focus on solving typical problems: why the bracelet does not connect, quickly discharges or incorrectly counts the pulse.

If you just bought a bracelet or want to unleash its potential to 100%, this article is for you, and for experienced users, there are life hacks that are not written about in the official instructions.

1. Preparation of the Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet for the first use

Before you start setting up, make sure you have everything you need:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 10.0+ Bluetooth 4.2 support.
• 🔋 Charged bracelet (minimum) 20% New Mi Band models 7/8 equipped with a magnetic charging cable.
• 🌐 Sustainable Internet connection for downloading the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit).
• 📝 Xiaomi account (you can create directly in the application).

Unpack the bracelet and inspect the body carefully for damage. The Mi Band 6 and newer models have glass-protected screens, but even it can have microcracks. If you notice defects, contact the seller before you start using.

To turn on the bracelet, connect it to the charger. Most models automatically activate when you first connect to the power. If the screen does not catch fire, press and hold the touch button under the display for 5 seconds.

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If the bracelet does not respond to touch, try resetting it to factory settings: press the button for 20 seconds before the Mi logo appears.

2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application

The official Xiaomi bracelet management app is called Mi Fitness (until 2022 - Mi Fit).

• 🤖 For Android: From Google Play.
• 🍎 For iOS: from the App Store.

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Open the app and select the language (Russian is supported in all versions).
2. Sign in via Xiaomi, Google or Apple ID. If you do not have an account, register (you will need an email or phone number).
3. Click Add Device and select your bracelet model from the list (e.g. Mi Smart Band 7).
4. Allow the app to access notifications, geolocation and fitness data (required for proper operation!).

When you connect the bracelet to your phone, you may experience a "Device failed to find" error, most often due to:

• 🔄 Power Saving mode on your smartphone (turn it off in settings).
• 📵 Active. VPN or firewall (temporary shutdown will help).
• 🔋 Discharged battery bracelet (charge up to 50%).

3.Sync the bracelet with the phone and basic setting

Once you've successfully connected, the app will suggest you update the bracelet firmware. Always agree to an update, which will fix the bugs and add new features. It will take 2-5 minutes, don't interrupt it!

Now let’s move on to the basic setting:

Synchronize time and time zone |Configure notification display |Enable sleep monitoring |Activate step count |Configure alarm clocks-->

To change the basic parameters:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, go to the Profile → Your device section.
2. Slip the bracelet icon, then select the device settings.
3. You can set it up here: 🕒 Time format (12/24 hour). 🔔 Notifications (select applications that will duplicate alerts on the bracelet). 🚶 Step-by-step goals (recommended value — 8 000–10 000 day-to-day). 💤 Sleep monitoring (enable Smart Mode to automatically track sleep phases).

Important: To correctly count steps, the bracelet should be worn on the non-working hand (for right-handers - left, for left-handers - right) and tighten the strap so that one finger passes between the body and the wrist. If the pedometer is lying, calibrate in the Settings menu → Sensors → Calibration of steps.

4. Notification and call management

One of the key features of the Mi Band is to duplicate notifications from your smartphone, so you can set them up correctly:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile → Notifications.
2. Turn on the "Notifications on the Device" switch.
3. Select the applications from which alerts you want to see on the bracelet (messengers, social networks, mail, etc.).
4. Configure Notification Style: Short – only the app icon. Detailed – the notification text (up to 120 characters).

For incoming calls, the bracelet can vibrate and display the subscriber number, to enable this feature:

1. Go to Device Settings → Call Notifications.
2. Activate the "Vibration on the Call" option.
3. If you wish, turn on "Deflection Call" (double pressing on the bracelet will reset the call).

⚠️ Note: On iPhone, notifications may be delayed due to iOS restrictions.To reduce lag, go to Bluetooth in your phone settings → Mi Band → Sync contacts and enable this option.

5. Health tracking: pulse, sleep, stress and SpO₂

Xiaomi Mi Band bracelets are equipped with sensors to monitor key health indicators.

for manual pulse measurement or SpO₂:

1. On the bracelet, scroll the menu to Pulse or SpO₂.
2. Press the screen and do not move your hand for 15 to 30 seconds.
3. The results will be displayed on the screen and synchronized with the application.

6.Sports and training: how to use a fitness bracelet

Xiaomi Mi Band supports up to 30+ sports modes (depending on the model).

1. On the bracelet, select the item Training (the icon of a running person).
2. Scroll through the list and select the type of activity (running, cycling, swimming, etc.).
3. Click on the screen to start recording. Click again to pause.
4. At the end of the training, save the results – they are synchronized with the application.

For accurate tracking of running or walking:

• 📍 Turn it on. GPS on your smartphone and allow Mi Fitness to access geolocation.
• 👟 Wear the bracelet on the opposite hand to the one you hold your phone in (this reduces interference).
• 📊 In the training settings, activate Autopause - the bracelet will stop recording if you stand still longer than 3 minutes.

After training in the Mi Fitness app, you will see:

• 📈 Graphic pulse during loading.
• 🔥 Calorie burns (calculation based on weight, height and age as indicated in the profile).
• 🏆 Evaluation of the effectiveness of training (from 1 to 5 stars).

⚠️ Note: When swimming, the Mi Band bracelet (except the Mi Band 8 Pro) does not track the route - only duration, pace and calories. GPS-Tracking in the pool use your smartphone in a waterproof case.

7 Additional features: music, weather, NFC and more

In addition to the basic features, Xiaomi bracelets are able to:

• 🎵 Control music: Switch tracks and adjust volume directly from the bracelet (works with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music). To activate, in Mi Fitness go to Device Settings → Managing music.
• 🌦️ Show the weather: Syncs with the app. To update the data, scroll the bracelet screen to the left.
• 💳 Contactless payments (NFC): Available in Mi Band 5 NFC To set up: In Mi Fitness, select NFC → Add a card. Follow the instructions of the bank (supported by Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB, etc.). To pay, bring the bracelet to the terminal (like a bank card).
• 🔦 Lantern: In Mi Band 6/7/8 There's a built-in LED. It swipes down on the home screen.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Turn on Power Saving Mode in the settings if you want to extend battery life to 20+ Days (disables constant monitoring of the pulse).