How to connect Xiaomi fitness bracelet to your phone: full instructions with pictures and tips

Xiaomi fitness bracelets are among the most popular wearables on the market due to their combination of functionality, sensor accuracy and affordable price. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulty connecting a gadget to a smartphone for the first time. This article will help you understand everything from choosing the right app to synchronizing data with Google Fit or Apple Health.

We’ll look at the current models from 2023 to 2026 (including the Mi Band 8, Mi Band 7 Pro and Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro), the features of connecting to Android and iOS, and the typical bugs that interfere with the stable operation of the bracelet. If you just unpacked a new device or encountered problems after resetting, here you will find solutions.

Important: The manual takes into account the latest firmware and application updates Mi Fitness/Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit).If you have an older version of the bracelet (for example, Mi Band 4), some items may differ - we will mention this too.

1. Compatibility of Xiaomi fitness bracelets with phones

Before connecting, check if your smartphone supports the bracelet. Official requirements from Xiaomi:

• 📱 Android: version 6.0 and higher, Bluetooth 4.2 or later. Android 13+ devices may require additional permissions for the app.
• 🍎 iOS: iPhone with iOS 12.0 and up. iOS 14+ is recommended for the Mi Band 8 Pro because of the synchronization features with Apple Health.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: China-based firmware bracelets (CN) may not support Russian on the menu. Global versions are no problem.

List of compatible bracelet models:

Important for iPhone users: Xiaomi bracelets do not support call notifications and SMS on iOS due to Apple restrictions.The feature only works on Android.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone is released before 2017, check Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE support. Older devices (such as Redmi 4A or Samsung Galaxy S6) may connect to the bracelet, but sync will be unstable.

2. Which application to use for connection

Since 2023, Xiaomi has replaced the Mi Fit app with two separate platforms:

• 🏃 Mi Fitness for basic models (Mi Band 8, Mi Band 7) can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.
• 🌐 Zepp Life is for advanced devices (Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro, Watch 2 Pro). Available here (Android) and here (iOS).

How to choose the right application:

1. Look at the bracelet box, and it shows the recommended program.
2. If there is no box, check the model in the device settings: go to Profile → About the device.
3. Mi Band 6 and older will be suitable for Mi Fitness, but some features (such as training) may not be available.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install both programs at the same time, as this can cause synchronization conflicts. If you have previously used Mi Fit, uninstall it before installing Mi Fitness.

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Before installing the app, turn on the geolocation on the phone and allow access to notifications. This is necessary for the pedometer and alerts to work correctly.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect the bracelet to the phone

Consider the process using the Mi Band 8 and Mi Fitness app (the steps are similar for other models).

Step 1: Preparation of the bracelet

Take the device out of the box and do the following:

Charge your bracelet to 100% (use the original cable)

Put on a strap and fix the clasp

Click on the touch button to turn on the screen

Select the language (if supported)

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If the bracelet is not turned on, check:

• 🔋 Charging contacts – these should fit tightly to the magnets on the cable.
• 🔄 Try restarting the device: hold the 10 seconds button.
• 📦 Make sure the screen protector film is removed (it can block the sensor).

Step 2: Installation and configuration of the application

Download Mi Fitness from the official store.

1. Sign up or sign in via your Xiaomi/Google/Apple ID account.
2. Allow access to: 📍 Geolocation (for GPS- tracking) 📱 Notifications (for alerts) 🏃 Health Data (for sync with Google Fit/Apple Health)

Profile → Add the device

Step 3: Synchronize the bracelet with the phone

Now, plug in the bracelet:

1. In the app, select your device model from the list.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone.
3. On the bracelet, confirm the pairing (the code will appear on the screen - it must coincide with the code in the application).
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 2 minutes).

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If the bracelet is connected but the data is not synchronized, check the Mi Fitness app permissions in the phone settings. Often the problem lies in blocked access to geolocation or notifications.

4. Set up notifications and basic functions

Once connected, we'll customize the bracelet to suit our needs.

Notifications of calls and messages

To receive alerts on the bracelet:

1. In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Your Device → Notifications.
2. Turn on the Call Notification and Notifications from the apps switch.
3. Select the apps you want to see alerts from (such as WhatsApp, Telegram).
4. Adjust the display style: vibration only, sound + vibration, or full text of the message.

For the iPhone:

• 📱 Notifications will only be duplicated if the Mi Fitness app is open in the background.
• 🔕 Calls are displayed without a response (you can only reject them).

Setting up screens and dials

Change the appearance of the bracelet can be as follows:

1. In the app, go to Profile → Your device → Dials.
2. Choose your favorite design from the collection (there are animated and thematic options).
3. There are over 200 dials available for the Mi Band 8, including custom dials (can be downloaded via Amazfit).

Tip: Animated dials drain the battery faster. Use static options to save energy.

Activity and health

Set up tracking:

• 🏃 Steps and distance: Calibrate the pedometer to Profile → Settings → Steps.
• 💤 Sleep: Turn on automatic monitoring in Health → Sleep.
• ❤️ Pulse: adjust the measurement frequency (every 1–30 minutes) in Health → Heart rate.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after a successful connection, users encounter errors.

The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone.

Causes and solutions:

Bracelet discharges quickly

How to extend the working time:

• 🔋 Turn off the constant pulse measurement (let it go only during exercise).
• 🌙 Use dark dials (AMOLED-The screen consumes less energy).
• 📵 Turn off notifications from unnecessary apps.
• ⚡ Charge the bracelet to 100% and avoid overheating (do not leave it in the sun).

The bracelet does not count steps or shows incorrect data

Calibration of the pedometer:

1. Go to Profile → Settings → Steps → Calibration.
2. Walk 20-30 steps with your phone in your hand (the bracelet should be on your wrist).
3. Confirm the calibration in the appendix.

If the data is still incorrect:

• 👟 Check if the bracelet is tightly attached to the wrist (should be tightened but not crushed).
• 🏃 Reset the steps data to Profile → Reset the data and start tracking again.

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Band 8 bracelet has stopped displaying time correctly after the firmware update, try manually setting the time zone in the application settings. Auto sync sometimes gets lost.

6.Sync with Google Fit and Apple Health

To automatically transfer data from the wristband to Google Fit or Apple Health, follow the following steps:

For Android (Google Fit)

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Settings → Accounts and Sync.
2. Select Google Fit and log in through your Google account.
3. Allow access to data on steps, sleep, pulse and training.
4. Turn on automatic synchronization (recommended every 4 hours).

For iOS (Apple Health)

1. In Mi Fitness, go to the → Apple Health Profile.
2. Activate switches for the parameters you want to sync (steps, sleep, weight).
3. In iPhone Settings, open Privacy → Health → Apps → Mi Fitness and allow data recording.

Important nuances:

• 🔄 Data is synchronized in only one direction: from the wristband to Google Fit/Apple Health, not back.
• 📊 In Google Fit, steps from the bracelet can be duplicated with your phone's data. To avoid this, turn off activity tracking in Google Fit settings.
• ⏳ Sync can take up to 10 minutes – don’t close the app immediately after setting up.

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If you don't see sleep data in Apple Health after syncing, check if the Sleep option is enabled in the background in Mi Fitness settings. On iOS, this feature only works when the app is open.

7. Update of bracelet firmware

Regular firmware updates fix bugs and add new features.

1. Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (update via mobile internet may not work).
3. In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Your Device → Firmware Update.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

What to do if the update is suspended:

• 🔄 Reset the bracelet (hold the 15-second button).
• 📱 Remove the Mi Fitness app cache in your phone settings.
• 🌐 Try connecting to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes blocking the router interferes with the loading).

Warning: Do not interrupt the upgrade process! This can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the bracelet. If the device stopped turning on after a failed update, contact the service center - self-repairing the firmware requires special equipment.

8. Useful tips for new users

A few life hacks that will make it easier to use the bracelet:

• 🔐 Screen lock: Turn on the bracelet settings (Display → Screen lock) to avoid accidental taps.
• 💦 Waterproof: Mi Band 7/8 bracelets can withstand immersion for 50 meters, but after swimming, rinse the device with fresh water (chlorine and salt shorten the lifespan).
• 🔋 Charge savings: Turn off the arm lift to activate the screen, which will save up to 20% of the battery.
• 🏋️ Training: Before starting sports, select a bracelet training mode (running, cycling, swimming) to improve tracking accuracy.

For owners of Mi Band 8 Pro with GPS:

• 📡 For accurate route tracking, wait until the bracelet finds the satellites before training (the GPS icon on the screen should stop blinking).
• 🗺️ After training, the route can be exported to Strava or Google Maps via Mi Fitness.

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If the bracelet started vibrating for no reason, check the settings for the inactivity reminders in Profile → Reminders. These can be turned off or changed intervals.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi fitness bracelets