How to activate the Xiaomi Mi Band smart bracelet: instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi Mi Band smart bracelets remain among the most popular fitness trackers due to the combination of functionality, accuracy and affordable price. However, beginners often have difficulties with the first connection of the device — especially if we are talking about new models like Mi Band 8 Pro or Mi Band 7 with NFC. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of activation from unpacking to synchronization with the application, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors that may not be determined by the phone.

It is important to understand that the activation process is slightly different depending on the bracelet model and firmware version. For example, Mi Band 6 and older require the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life), whereas older versions like Mi Band 4 can work through Mi Fit. We will take these nuances into account and give universal recommendations that will suit most Mi Band devices.

Preparation for activation: what to check before starting

Before you start pairing the bracelet with your phone, make sure that all the prerequisites are met. This will save you from unnecessary problems during the connection stage.

1. Phone compatibility: Android should run version 6.0 or later, iOS should run version 12 or less, and check if your smartphone supports Bluetooth 4.2+ (critical for the Mi Band 7/8 models with Always-On Display).

• 📱 Android: Open Settings → The phone. → Android version.
• 🍎 iPhone: Go to Settings → Mainstream → About this device. → iOS version.
• 🔵 Bluetooth: Enable it in the notification bar or through Settings → Connections.

2. Charge the bracelet. Even if the indicator on the body of the Mi Band flashes green, this does not guarantee a sufficient level of charge for activation. Connect the bracelet to the charger (use the original cable!) and wait until the battery icon with a level of 50% + appears on the screen. For the Mi Band 8 Pro, the minimum threshold is 30%, but it is better to charge to 100%.

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If the bracelet does not respond to charging, try to clean the contacts on the back of the device with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Often, the oxidation of the metal interferes with normal nutrition.

3. Xiaomi account. You can't tie the bracelet to your phone without it. If you don't have an account, register it in advance through account.xiaomi.com or directly in the Mi Fitness app. When you register, provide a real phone number, which you'll need to restore access if you forget your password.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application

The official Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet management app is called Mi Fitness (formerly Zepp Life or Mi Fit), which can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play. It is important to avoid third-party sources so as not to install fake virus software.

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Open the application and select the language (we recommend Russian for convenience).
2. Click Login and log in through your Xiaomi account (or create a new one).
3. Accept the terms of the user agreement and allow access to notifications, geolocation and physical activity (this is necessary for the tracker to work correctly).
4. In the main menu, tap the icon + (add device) and select the Bracelet.

If the app doesn’t find your Mi Band model on the list, upgrade to the latest version of Mi Fitness or restart your phone. Mi Band 8 Pro and Mi Band 7 NFC models may require additional firmware updates through the Device Profile → Software Update menu.

Xiaomi | account registered

Mi Fitness app installed (last version)|

Bluetooth enabled and geolocation enabled on phone |

Bracelet charged at least 50% |

The device is located next to the phone (no further than 1 meter)-->

Step-by-step instructions for activating Mi Band

When all the preparations are complete, you can start pairing the bracelet with the phone. Consider the process using the example of the Mi Band 8 (for other models, the steps are similar, only the names of menu items may differ).

Step 1. Activate the bracelet. Press the touch button below the Mi Band screen and hold it for 3-5 seconds until the display appears. QR-If the screen is not responding, check if the bracelet is tightly attached to the wrist - sometimes the proximity sensor blocks the touches.

Step 2. Scan in the application. In Mi Fitness, click Add Device → The bracelet and select your model from the list. QR-If the code is not read, enter it. ID manually (it is displayed under the QR-code MIBANDXXXXXX).

Step 3. Confirm pairing. After scanning the phone screen, you'll see a connection request. Click Confirm and then tap the tick icon on the bracelet screen. If there's an error at this point, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on).
• 📱 Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in the phone settings (Settings) → Bluetooth).
• 🔋 Reboot the bracelet itself (to do this, disconnect it from charging and hold the button for 10 seconds).

Step 4: Profile settings. Once you've successfully connected, the app will ask you to enter your personal data: gender, age, weight and height, these parameters are used to accurately calculate steps, calories and sleep phases. Fill in the fields honestly, which determines the quality of activity tracking.

Initial adjustment of the bracelet after activation

Once paired with your phone, the bracelet is ready to work, but for comfortable use, you should adjust the basic settings. Open the Profile tab in Mi Fitness and go to the menu of your Mi Band.

1. Notifications. To make the bracelet vibrate when incoming calls and messages, activate the Notifications switch and select the apps you want to receive alerts from (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail). iPhone will need to additionally allow access to notifications in iOS settings.

2. Screen and brightness. In the Display section, set up:

• 🕒 Backlight time: 5 seconds to 30 seconds (recommended 10 seconds to save battery).
• 🌓 Autobrightness: Turn on the screen to adjust to the lighting.
• 🔄 Raising the wrist: Activate if you want the bracelet to be turned on when you move your hand.

3. Health functions. Turn on pulse monitoring, blood oxygen levels (SpO₂) For accurate measurements, wear the bracelet tightly (but not too tightly) 2-3 fingers above the wrist bone. Note: Mi Band 8 Pro supports continuous heart rate measurement, whereas in basic models, measurements are taken every 5–30 minutes.

Sleep monitoring |

Shagomery |

Call notifications |

Pulse measurement |

NFC-payment (if any)-->

Activation of additional functions: NFC, voice assistant, sports modes

Modern Mi Band models support advanced features that are not activated by default. Let's consider how to configure them.

1. Contactless payments (NFC) If your bracelet is equipped with an NFC module (for example, Mi Band 7 NFC or Mi Band 8 Pro), it must be linked to a bank card.

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Device Profile → Contactless Payments.
2. Select a bank from the list of supported banks (for example, SberBank, Tinkoff, VTB).
3. Follow the instructions on the map anchor screen. CVC-code and confirm the operation through SMS.

Please note: to pay with a bracelet, it must be unlocked (touch the touch button), and the amount of one payment must not exceed 5 000. ₽ (banker).

2. Voice assistant. In Mi Band 8 Pro and later, Alice (for Russia) or Xiao AI (for the global version) is available to activate the assistant:

• Go to the bracelet settings → Voice assistant.
• Click Activate and confirm access to the microphone.
• To call Alice, say, Okay, Alice, or hold the button on the bracelet for 2 seconds.

3. Sports and training. Bracelet automatically recognizes walking, running and cycling, but for accurate tracking of other activities (for example, swimming or yoga) you need to manually select the mode.

• 🏃 On the bracelet itself: swipe up on the home screen and choose the sport you want.
• 📱 Annex: Training → Start (you can set calorie or time goals here).

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For swimming, use only models with 5 ATM waterproofing (for example, Mi Band 7/8). Before diving, check whether the charging port cover is tightly closed - water falling under the body can disable the bracelet.

Frequent activation errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, users face problems, and we've collected some of the most common errors and ways to fix them.

1. The bracelet will not turn on. If the screen remains black after charging:

• 🔌 Check the cable and power supply (use the original adapter on the 5V/1A).
• ⚡ Connect the bracelet to another power source (e.g. Power Bank).
• 🔄 Hold the button for 15-20 seconds for forced reboot.

2.The app doesn't see the bracelet. Causes and solutions:

• 📵 Bluetooth disabled: Turn it on and allow Mi Fitness to use geolocation (this is necessary for scanning devices).
• 🔄 Conflict with other gadgets: Disconnect other wearable devices (such as headphones or smartwatches) from your phone).
• 📱 Outdated firmware: Update the bracelet through your device profile → Update of the PO.

3. Data synchronization error: If steps, pulse or sleep are not displayed in the application:

• 🔄 Restart Mi Fitness and update data manually (pull the screen down).
• 📶 Check your internet connection – you need a stable Wi-Fi or mobile network to sync.
• ⏳ Wait 10-15 minutes: sometimes the data is updated with a delay.

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If the bracelet starts to discharge quickly after the firmware update, reset it to factory settings. Go to Bracelet Settings → Reset and confirm the action. After the reset, you will have to reconfigure notifications and profile.

How to Reset Mi Band to Factory Settings

If the bracelet is unstable (for example, does not sync data, permanently shut down or freezes), a factory reset can help.This will remove all data from the device, so pre-sync the activity history with the application.

Method 1. Through the Mi Fitness app:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to your bracelet profile.
2. Select the device settings → Reset.
3. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

Method 2. Through the bracelet itself (for models without a screen or if the application fails):

1. Disconnect the bracelet from the charger.
2. Hold the touch button for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears on the screen.
3. After rebooting, the bracelet will be reset.

⚠️ Note: After resetting, the bracelet will be detached from the Xiaomi account. To use it again, you will have to go through the activation procedure again (see section 3 of this article).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions