Fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 5 remains one of the most popular trackers due to the balance of price and functionality, but its setup with phones POCO (particularly MIUI It's nuanced, or HyperOS. Unlike Xiaomi's flagships, the series' smartphones are nuanced. POCO Often deprived of the pre-installed Mi Fitness app, and in some regions users face restrictions on access to Xiaomi services.This article will help avoid the typical mistakes: from the first connection via Bluetooth to fine-tuning notifications and energy saving.
We will analyze not only the basic steps (pairing, firmware update), but also the hidden features of the Mi Band 5, which work exclusively with the help of the software. POCO HyperOS 1.0 on the+ — For example, integration with Google Fit without data loss or setup NFC For payment (if your version of the bracelet supports Mi Pay), we will pay special attention to solving the problems: why the bracelet is disconnected from the device. POCO X5 Pro while sleeping or not synchronizing steps with Zepp Life.
1.Preparation: What is needed to pair the Mi Band 5 with POCO
Before setting up, check three key conditions:
- 📱 Version. MIUI/HyperOS: The bracelet is officially supported on firmware not lower MIUI 12 or hyperos 1.0. On older versions (for example, MIUI 11 on POCO F1) synchronization errors may occur.
- 🔄 Mi Band 5 update: if the bracelet is new, its firmware may be outdated.Updating to the latest version (1.0.3.58 at 2026) solves 80% of connection problems.
- 🛡️ Mi Fitness Permits: The app requires access to Contacts, Notifications, Locations and Background Activity.
Special attention to owners POCO Global firmware: in some regions (e.g. EU), Mi Fitness has been replaced by Zepp Life. The functionality is identical, but the interface is different, as we will explain in the app section.
⚠️ Attention: If yours POCO purchased in China and works on MIUI China, to connect Mi Band 5, you will need to change region to Global or EEA through settings → Additionally. → Region. Otherwise, the bracelet won't be on the device list.
| The POCO model | Supported firmware | Features of connection |
|---|---|---|
| POCO X5 Pro | HyperOS 1.0+ | Automatic bracelet recognition, but manual resolution is required for Mi Fitness background work. |
| POCO F4 GT | MIUI 13/14 | You can have delays in sync due to battery optimization, and you can add Mi Fitness to the exceptions. |
| POCO M5 | MIUI 12.5 | Requires an update to the firmware bracelet to 1.0.2.44+ steady-work. |
2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app
The official Mi Band 5 management app is Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit), but in 2026 Xiaomi is gradually moving users to Zepp Life, especially in Europe.
- 🌍 EU/Russia/Ukraine Region: Use Zepp Life (available on Google Play or AppGallery).
- 🌏 Other regions: Mi Fitness (may require) VPN downloadable).
- 📱 POCO Chinese firmware: only Zepp Life (Chinese version) – it must be downloaded manually from apkmirror.com.
Installation instructions:
- Download the app from an official source (avoid clones!).
- Sign up for a Xiaomi account or sign in via Google/Facebook.
- Enable Bluetooth and Geodata on POCO.
- Launch Mi. Fitness/Zepp Life and click Add the device → Mi Smart Band 5.
If the app does not find the bracelet:
⚠️ Attention: POCO X3 Pro and POCO F3 s MIUI 12.5 can trigger a bug when Mi Fitness freezes in the search phase. Solution: Reboot your phone, turn off Bluetooth, turn it on again and try again. If it doesn't, clear the app's cache in Settings. → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Warehouse.
3. First connection: step-by-step instruction
When the app and bracelet are ready, follow the following steps:
- Activation of Mi Band 5: Press the touch button of the bracelet to wake it. QR-code.
- Scan. QR-Code: In the Mi Fitness app, select Add Device → Scan. QR-code and point the camera POCO bracelet.
- Confirm the connection on the phone and bracelet (on the Mi Band 5 will appear a tick).
- Firmware Update: If an update is available, install it right away – this will fix synchronization bugs.
Xiaomi account is registered|Bluetooth and geolocation enabled|The bracelet is charged at least to 50%|Application Mi Fitness/Zepp Life updated-->
After successful connection, the bracelet will offer to configure:
- 🕒 Time zone (must coincide with the phone).
- 🏃 Activity goals (steps, calories, sleep).
- 🔔 Notifications (SMS, Calls, messengers).
Critical detail: on POCO HyperOS may request "Master over Other Windows" permission for Mi Fitness when you first connect.
4.Setting up notifications: how to receive SMS and messaging
By default, the Mi Band 5 only shows call notifications, to set up alerts from WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber and other apps:
- Open Mi Fitness. → Choose your bracelet → Notifications of annexes.
- Activate the Notification Switch.
- In the list, select the applications that you want to see on the bracelet.
- Set up the Notification Style: full text or only the app icon.
Nana POCO s MIUI 14+ HyperOS may require additional configuration:
- Go to your phone settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Fitness.
- Enable Auto Start, Background Activity and Display Notifications.
- For stable operation, add Mi Fitness to No Battery Limits.
💡
If notifications come with a delay, turn off the power saving mode for the Mi Fitness app in the battery settings. POCO.
List of supported messengers:
| Annex | Support for Mi Band 5 | Features |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Yes. | Shows the text of the message (up to 120 characters). | |
| Telegram | ✅ Yes. | Only a notification of a new message (text is not displayed). |
| Viber | ✅ Yes. | Supports answers with quick templates (set up in the application). |
| Gmail | ❌ No. | Notices are not duplicated (restriction Xiaomi). |
5. Data synchronization: Steps, Sleep, Pulse and Google Fit
Mi Band 5 automatically syncs data to Mi Fitness, but it takes additional steps to integrate with Google Fit or Apple Health.
Sync with Google Fit:
- Open Mi Fitness. → Profile → Settings → Accounts and synchronization.
- Select Google Fit and log in.
- Allow access to steps, sleep and pulse data.
If the data is not synchronized:
- 🔄 Check that Google Fit has enabled the option to Allow Data Export.
- 📱 Nana POCO Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Sync your account and turn on Google Fit.
- 🔋 Make sure the bracelet has enough charge (less than 20% can block synchronization).
How to export data manually?
Sleep tracking problems: If Mi Band 5 is not recording sleep or showing incorrect data:
- 🛌 Make sure the bracelet fits tightly to the wrist (the distance between the sensor and the skin should be no more than 1 cm).
- ⚙️ In the bracelet settings, turn on Sensitive Sleep Mode (for those who sleep restlessly).
- 🔋 Check that during sleep the bracelet did not go into energy saving mode (relevant for firmware older than 1.0.3.00).
Additional functions: NFC, alarm clocks and music control
Mi Band 5 supports a few hidden features that often go unused:
NFC Payment for payment (Mi Pay):
- 💳 It only works on the Chinese version of the bracelet (XMSH10HM).
- 📱 Requires a Chinese bank card link (e.g. UnionPay).
- 🔒 Nana POCO Mi Pay is not available with global firmware – you need to change the region to China (risky!).
Music management:
- 🎵 The bracelet can switch tracks and adjust volume to POCO, If you turn on the option in Mi Fitness → Music.
- 📱 Works with Spotify, YouTube Music and the standard player MIUI.
Alarm clocks and reminders:
- ⏰ You can set up to 10 alarm clocks in the app (including repeating alarms).
- 🔔 Reminders of inaction work every time 45-60 minutes (configured in the Activity Goals).
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Function NFC The Mi Band 5 only works with Chinese bank cards and requires changing the region of the phone to China, which is useless for most users, but can be useful for opening doors with a mobile phone. NFC-stained with a bracelet (if the bracelet is stitched with custom firmware).
7. Solving typical problems
Even after the correct setup, users POCO They're the ones that get bugged:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet is switched off during sleep | Energy conservation POCO or weak Bluetooth signal | Add Mi Fitness to battery exclusions and keep the phone closer to the bracelet. |
| Steps are not synchronized | Conflict with Google Fit or outdated firmware | Update the bracelet and turn off sync with Google Fit for 10 minutes, then turn it on again. |
| Notifications come without text | Limitations MIUI/HyperOS background-process | In the phone settings, give Mi Fitness the right to display notifications and background activity. |
| The bracelet does not vibrate when ringing. | Notifications for the Phone application are disabled | In Mi Fitness, check that the phone is added to the list of allowed notifications. |
If the Mi Band 5 is no longer synced after the update POCO:
⚠️ Attention: After update POCO X5 Pro to HyperOS 1.0, many users lose touch with the bracelet. Solution: remove the bracelet from Mi Fitness, restart the phone, then re-pair. If it doesn't work, reset the bracelet to factory settings (press Touch button). ×5 when connected to charging).
8. Alternative firmware and custom functions
For advanced users, Mi Band 5 can be flashed with custom firmware (e.g., Notify & Fitness) to unlock:
- 🔓 Answering notifications (even for Telegram and WhatsApp).
- 🎨 Custom dials (without restrictions Xiaomi).
- 🔋 Advanced battery settings (disabling vibration to save charge).
⚠️ Warning: Custom software firmware voids warranty and may result in bracelet blink. Use only proven tools like Mi Band 5 Tools (available on GitHub).
Firmware instructions:
- Download Notify & Fitness with github.com/Freeyourgadget/Gadgetbridge.
- Connect the bracelet to your PC via Bluetooth (you need a Bluetooth 4.0 adapter)+).
- Start the utility and select firmware for Mi Band 5.
- Wait until the bracelet is completed (reboot automatically).