Xiaomi Mi Band 5: How to turn on the bracelet for the first time and set it up in 5 minutes

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular activity tracking gadgets, despite the release of new models, its main advantages are simplicity, functionality and affordable price, but even with such a simple device, users often have questions: how to turn on the bracelet for the first time, what to do if it does not respond to clicks, and how to sync it with a smartphone.

In this article, we will take a step-by-step guide to first turning on the Mi Band 5, look at possible problems (for example, when the bracelet is not charged or detected in the application), and give tips on optimal configuration. If you have just unpacked the device or faced difficulties after reset, this information will help save time and avoid typical errors.

Preparing for the first turn on: what to do before launch

Before you press the button on the bracelet, make sure that all the preliminary steps are followed, which will save you from problems like a dead battery or inability to connect to the phone.

The main requirements for a successful launch:

• 🔋 Charging the bracelet. Even if the indicator shows residual charge, it is better to connect the Mi Band 5 to the charger for 10-15 minutes.
• 📱 Install the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) without it, the bracelet won't sync with your smartphone. Download the latest version from Google Play or the App Store.

If you bought a used bracelet, we recommend you reset to the factory settings before the first switching on.

1. Connect the Mi Band 5 to the charger.

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If the bracelet does not respond to prolonged pressing, try to hold it on charging for 30-40 minutes. Sometimes a discharged battery blocks any action.

How to turn on Xiaomi Mi Band 5: step-by-step instructions

The first turn on process takes no more than 5 minutes if done correctly. Follow the instructions below to avoid errors.

Step 1. Charging the bracelet

Connect the Mi Band 5 to the charger (included).

• 🔌 Bracelet vibration.
• 🟢 Burning green indicator on the charger.
• 📊 The appearance of the battery icon on the bracelet screen (if the charge is not zero).

Charge the device to at least 20% to be enough for the initial setup.

Step 2. Turn on the bracelet

After charging:

1. Remove the bracelet from the charger.
2. Touch the touch button under the screen once. If the bracelet is on, you'll see a time or a welcome message.
3. If the screen is not responding, press and hold the button for 3-5 seconds until you feel the vibration.

Step 3: Connecting to a smartphone

Open the Mi Fitness app and do the following:

1. Click Profile → Add the device.
2. Choose a bracelet. → Mi Smart Band 5.
3. Allow the app to access notifications, geodata, and Bluetooth.
4. Wait until the bracelet appears in the list of available devices, and confirm the connection by pressing on its screen.

Charging the bracelet ≥20%|Bluetooth on your phone is on|Mi Fitness app updated|Appendix permits issued-->

Important: If the bracelet doesn’t appear in the list of devices to connect to, try rebooting Bluetooth on your phone or reinstalling the Mi Fitness app.

What to do if Mi Band 5 is not turned on

Sometimes the bracelet may not respond to pressing or not charging, and let's look at the main causes and ways to eliminate them.

If none of these things worked, maybe the bracelet has a hardware malfunction.

• 🔧 Check the warranty card (the warranty period for the Mi Band 5 – 12 months).
• 📞 Contact the Xiaomi service center or the seller (if the purchase was recently made).
• 🛠️ Self-repair is not recommended – there is a high risk of damage to the board or display.

This is my first bracelet |I've been using it for months |I've switched from an older model |I'm using a different brand-->

Setup Mi Band 5 after turning on: basic parameters

Once you've successfully connected to your phone, you need to adjust the bracelet to your needs, and let's look at the key parameters that you should change right away.

1. Personal data

Go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Personal Information and specify:

• 👤 Paul.
• 📏 Height and weight (needed for accurate calorie counting).
• 🎯 Steps target (recommended value of 8,000–10,000 per day).

Notifications

To have the bracelet show incoming calls and messages:

1. In Mi Fitness, go to Mi Smart Band 5 → Notifications.
2. Turn on the option to display notifications.
3. Select the apps you want to see notifications from (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS).

3. Screen and brightness

Set the display to suit you:

• 🌓 Raise your hand to activate – turn on if you want the screen to light up when you move.
• 🔦 Brightness of the screen – set to 3-4 divisions for balance between visibility and battery economy.
• ⏱️ Display time - optimally 5-7 seconds.

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Turn off unnecessary notifications (such as from games or social media) to save battery life. Each alert consumes ~1% of the charge.

Firmware Update: Why It Matters and How to Do It

Regular firmware updates fix bugs, add new features and improve stability.The Mi Band 5 gets updates through the Mi Fitness app.

How to update firmware:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5.
2. Press firmware update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet will reboot).

What the updates are:

• 🛠️ Fixing bugs (for example, accidental reboots or synchronization errors).
• ➕ New dials and features (e.g., tracking stress or new sports).
• 🔋 Optimizing energy consumption (prolongs battery life).

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the upgrade process! If the bracelet disconnects from the phone or runs out during firmware, it can cause the software to break. Charge the device to 50% before upgrading.

How to Reset Mi Band 5 to Factory Settings

Resetting may be required in several cases:

• 🔄 You sell or give the bracelet to another person.
• 🐌 The bracelet began to slow down or glitch.
• 🔌 Synchronization problems that cannot be solved by reconnecting.

Method 1. Through bracelet settings

1. On the bracelet, go to the menu, flipping the screen to the right.
2. Select Settings → More → Reset.
3. Confirm the action by pressing the button.

Method 2. Through the Mi Fitness app

1. Open Profile. → Mi Smart Band 5.
2. Press Untie the device.
3. Confirm the junction and reset through the bracelet menu (as in Method 1).

Method 3: Forced reset (if the bracelet does not respond)

If the screen is not turned on or freezes:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Hold the touch button for 20 to 30 seconds until you feel a double vibration.
3. Release the button and the bracelet will reset and reset.

⚠️ Note: After reset, all data on the bracelet (steps, pulse, dial settings) will be deleted.

Tips for operation: how to prolong the life of a bracelet

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is designed to last a long time, but there are a few rules that will help you avoid premature breakdowns.

1. Care for the bracelet

• 🚿 Waterproof: Bracelet can withstand 50 meters of immersion (standard 5) ATM), But it is not recommended to swim with it in chlorinated or sea water - this reduces the life of the strap.
• 🧼 Clean. Clean the body and strap with a wet wipe without alcohol. To remove sweat from the contacts, use a cotton swab dipped in distilled water.

2. Battery savings

• 🔋 Turn off unnecessary functions: constant pulse, notifications from underused applications, automatic screen lighting.
• 🌙 Turn on Do Not Disturb During Sleep, so that the bracelet does not vibrate from notifications.
• 🔄 Updates. Install the latest firmware — they often optimize power consumption.

3. Storage

• 🌡️ Avoid extreme temperatures (below) −10°C or higher +45°C).
• ☀️ Do not leave the bracelet in direct sunlight (risk of battery overheating).
• 🔌 If you don’t use the bracelet for a long time, discharge it to 40-50% and store it in a dry place.

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If the bracelet is running out quickly, check which apps are sending notifications, for example, instant messengers like Viber or Slack can use up to 20% of the charge per day.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 5