Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long been synonymous with an affordable and functional activity tracker. But even with such a popular gadget, many users use only 20-30% of the possibilities - limited to a pedometer and an alarm clock. Meanwhile, modern models (from Mi Band 5 to Mi Band 8) can track 150+ sports, analyze sleep by phase, control stress and even manage a smart home through the Mi Home.
This article is not just a “how to turn on” guide, but a complete guide to unlocking the potential of your bracelet. We’ll figure out how to sync your device to your phone (including solutions to typical connectivity problems), adjust notifications so they don’t annoy you, but help you, and learn to read health data from your heart rate to your blood oxygen levels (SpO₂). We will pay special attention to hidden features, which Xiaomi does not write about in the official documentation, but which can make your life much easier.
1. First turn on and connect to the phone
Start by charging the bracelet — even if the indicator shows residual charge. Connect the cable (new models use magnetic charging) and wait for the battery icon to appear on the screen. Full charging takes ~2 hours, but for the first turn on it is enough 20-30 minutes.
For synchronization with the phone:
- 📱 Download the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) from Google Play or the App Store.Chinese versions of the bracelets may require Zepp Life.
- 🔗 Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and allow the application to access geodata (this is necessary for correct operation). GPS running).
- 🔍 In the app, click "Add device" → "Bracelet and choose your model (Mi Band) 6/7/8).
- 🔄 Hold the bracelet to your phone, the connection will be established automatically. If the process freezes, reset the bracelet (hold the touch button for 10 seconds).
Once connected, the app will suggest updating the firmware. Don't refuse - new versions fix sleep tracking errors and add support for new sports. Update takes 5-10 minutes, the bracelet will reboot automatically.
⚠️ Warning: If after the update the bracelet stopped synchronizing data, reset it to factory settings via Settings → About the device → Reset. That'll solve 90 percent of the firmware problems.
2.Setting up notifications: what is important and what can be turned off
By default, the bracelet vibrates with every incoming message, call and notification from social networks. This quickly drains the battery and distracts. Open Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Your device → Notifications and configure:
- 📞 Calls: leave only for selected contacts (setting in the phone: "Do not disturb" → "Exceptions").
- 💬 Messages: select only key messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and disable notifications from games and promotional mailings.
- 🔔 Alarm clocks: set a smart alarm (waking up in the phase of light sleep) in the section "Sleep".
- ⚡ Vibration: Reduce the intensity to 30-50% — This is enough to feel the signal, but not to scare others.
For Mi Band 7/8 models, quick answers are available, so you can send a template response (like “I’m on my way”) directly from the bracelet. Set up 3-5 templates in advance in the app.
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If the bracelet does not show notifications from Viber or Skype, check the permissions for Mi Fitness in the phone settings: Apps → Mi Fitness → Notifications → Allow.
3. Health tracking: pulse, sleep and SpO₂
Xiaomi bracelets can measure the pulse in real time (everyone) 5-30 Analyze the phases of sleep (deep, light, REM) and measure the oxygen level in the blood (SpO₂). To ensure that the data is accurate:
- ❤️ Pulse: wear a bracelet on 2-3 Measurements during exercise are more accurate if you pre-wet the skin under the sensor.
- 😴 Sleep: Turn on the "Do Not Disturb" mode on the bracelet before bed (swipe down) → This will turn off the backlight and the unnecessary vibrations.
- 🩸 SpO₂: Take your oxygen levels in the morning while you're in bed — 95-100%. If the value is lower 92%, consult your doctor.
In the Mi Fitness app, go to Health → Heart and turn on the High Heartbeat Warning option. Set a threshold 10-15 beats above your normal heart rate (for example, if you're at rest 70, set 85). The bracelet vibrates when you're over normal - useful for stress control.
| Parameter | Normal values | What to do with deviations |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse at rest. | 60-80 strikes/min | If over 100: Check for stress, caffeine, dehydration |
| SpO₂ (oxygen) | 95-100% | Below 92%: Measure again, with a consistently low value - to the doctor |
| Deep sleep. | 15-25% of total sleep | Less than 10%: Revise your regimen, eliminate alcohol before bedtime |
| Heart rate | 10-20% lower than the daily | If the pulse at night is higher than the daytime: possible apnea or stress |
⚠️ Note: The bracelet data is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, if the Mi Band consistently shows a heart rate above 120 at rest or SpO₂ Below 90%, see a cardiologist – this may indicate arrhythmia or lung problems.
4. Training and sports modes: how to get the most data
The bracelet automatically recognizes walking, running and cycling, but to accurately track other sports (swimming, yoga, strength training) you need to manually select a mode.
- On the bracelet: swipe up → “Training” → choose a sport.
- In the appendix: "Training" → "Start" (bracelet vibrates at start).
For swimming (Mi Band 6/7/8 have 5 ATM protection):
- 🏊♂️ Select the "Swimming in the pool" or "Open water" mode".
- 📏 Specify the length of the pool (25/50 (m) for accurate circle counting.
- 📊 After training, detailed statistics will appear in the application: pace, number of strokes, calories.
Hidden function: If you press the touch button on the wristband while running, the current pace (min/km) and average heart rate will appear on the screen, which helps to adjust the load on the move without the phone.
Charge the bracelet to 50%+
Turn on GPS on your phone (for accurate route tracking)
Choose the right sports regimen
Wear a bracelet thicker than usual (for an accurate pulse)
Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" mode"-->
5.Managing Music and the Smart Home
Few people know that Xiaomi Mi Band can control the player on the phone and Mi Home devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaner).
- 🎵 Music: while playing the track swipe down on the bracelet → There will be a button panel "Play/Pause", "Next," "Previous." Works with Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music.
- 💡 Smart home: in the Mi Fitness app go to Profile → Lab, activate the "Mi Home Control" option, and then the home icon will appear on the bracelet, press it to turn the associated devices on/off.
For the Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8 Pro, the Voice Assistant feature (works through XiaoAI on Chinese firmware) is available. To activate it on the global version, you need to:
- Set the "China" region in the phone settings.
- Update the bracelet firmware through Zepp Life.
- Enable the assistant in "Settings → Voice Assistant".
⚠️ Warning: Smart home management only works with devices connected to the same Xiaomi account as the bracelet. If the lamp doesn't respond to commands, check that it's online in the Mi Home app.
6.Battery savings: how to extend the work up to 20 days
Xiaomi officially claims 14-15 days of autonomy, but with the right settings, the bracelet will last up to 3 weeks.
- 🔋 Constant monitoring of heart rate: change the frequency of measurements from "1 minute" to "10 minutes" in "Settings" → Heart monitoring".
- 📱 Frequent notifications: Turn off vibration for unimportant applications (see Section 2).
- 🌙 Screenlighting: Reduce display time to 5 seconds and brightness to 50%.
- 🏃 GPS-tracking: use GPS phone instead of built-in (in training settings).
For emergency savings, activate Power Saving Mode (swipe down → battery icon) This mode turns off constant heart rate monitoring, but keeps pedometers and alarms, charging is 3-4 times slower.
How to completely disable the bracelet (not reset!)
7. Hidden functions and life hacks
Here are 5 features that Xiaomi doesn’t mention in the manual:
- 🔍 Phone search: if you lost your smartphone, swipe down on the bracelet and press the phone icon - the device will emit a loud signal (works even in silent mode).
- 📸 Camera Control: In the bracelet settings, turn on "Remote Shutter" and you can now take pictures on your phone by pressing the bracelet (convenient for selfies or group photos).
- 🌡️ Weather for 5 days: swipe left on the main screen - the forecast will appear with temperature, precipitation and UV-index.
- 🎮 Game mode: while playing on your phone, activate the bracelet "Do not disturb" + "Disable notifications to avoid distractions.
- 💧 Water reminder: in Mi Fitness, set the interval (e.g. every 2 hours) – the bracelet vibrates and shows the glass icon.
The Mi Band 6/7/8 is available in Theatre mode, which flips the screen to make it easy to watch the time during the movie, activated by double tapping the screen.
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The most useful hidden feature is "Inactivity Reminder." If you sit in your seat for more than 1 hour, the bracelet will suggest stretching, which saves you from running your neck on your computer.