How to use Xiaomi fitness bracelet correctly: from setup to advanced features

Xiaomi’s Mi Band fitness bracelets have become one of the most popular wearables thanks to a combination of affordable prices, compact design and wide functionality. 20-30% The power of your gadgets, limited to basic features like pedometer and alarm clock, this article will help unlock the full potential of your Mi Band. 5/6/7/8 — From the correct initial setup to hidden features that are not written in the official instructions.

We’ll look at not only the obvious features like heart rate tracking or sleep monitoring, but also the lesser-known options: how to set up a setup. PAI (Personal activity index, use a stress-control bracelet, or even drive a Xiaomi smart home right from the wrist, and focus on common novice mistakes, such as why the bracelet might show inaccurate steps or why the battery is running out quickly. All instructions are current for the latest firmware and Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit) app for 2026.

1. First setup: Connecting and syncing with the phone

Before first using the Xiaomi bracelet, you need to tie it to your smartphone through an official app.This process takes no more than 5 minutes, but there are a few nuances that can save you time in the future.

Download the Mi Fitness app (from Google Play for Android, from the App Store for iOS) and then install:

• 📱 Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (you can use Google, Apple) ID phone number).
• 🔗 Click Add Device and select your bracelet model (Mi Band 7, Mi Smart Band 8, etc.).
• 📶 Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and wait for the app to find the bracelet. Make sure the device is over 20% charge or the sync may be interrupted.
• 🔄 Follow the instructions on the screen: Confirm the pairing on the phone and on the bracelet (click on its touch button).

Once the app is successfully connected, it will offer to update the bracelet firmware. Always agree to upgrade — new versions fix tracking errors and add features. For example, Mi Band 8 has support for sleep tracking after upgrading to version 1.16.0.14.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is not an app, try rebooting it. To do this, plug it in, wait for the vibrations and unplug the cable, the device will reboot automatically. Also check if the bracelet is connected to another phone (for example, if you bought it used).

2. Basic functions: pedometer, pulse and notifications

Even the simplest features of Xiaomi’s bracelet can be customized to suit your needs, for example, the default pedometer can understate or overstate data if not calibrated.

Pedometer setting

To make the bracelet more accurate to count the steps:

1. Open Mi Fitness. → "Profile" → "Mi Band 8 (or your model) → "Stepper".
2. Turn on the option "Step Calibration" and go 20-30 steps with phone in hand (bracelet should be on the wrist).
3. Keep calibration. Now the error is minimized.

If you are running or walking with sticks (Scandinavian walking), turn on the option “Consider hand movements” in the training settings – otherwise the bracelet will record fewer steps.

Monitoring of heart rate

Xiaomi Bracelets Measure Your Pulse Using PPG-Sensor (photoplethysmography) for accurate readings:

• 🩺 Put the bracelet on. 2-3 cm above the carpal bone - there are blood vessels closer to the skin.
• 🚫 Avoid measurements immediately after intense loads - wait 5-10 minute.
• 🔋 Turn on “Continuous Heart rate Monitoring” (it works every 30 minutes by default).

If the pulse is clearly unrealistic (for example, 220 beats / min at rest), check the density of the adhesive bracelet. Too tight or weak fit distorts the data.

Notifications and calls

The bracelet can vibrate when incoming calls, SMS And messages from apps:

1. In Mi Fitness, go to Notifications" → "Management of notifications".
2. Turn on the toggle "Show notifications" and select apps (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
3. Set up the Notification Style – you can choose to display only the app icons or the full text.

To save charge, disable notifications from unnecessary applications (such as games or newsletters). You can also set the "Silent mode" on a schedule - the bracelet will not vibrate at specified hours (good for sleep).

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If the bracelet doesn't show notifications, check the power saving settings on your phone. On Android, under "Battery" → "Battery Optimization Add Mi Fitness to Exceptions.

3. Tracking sleep and stress levels

One of the most useful features of Xiaomi bracelets is sleep analysis, which automatically detects sleep phases (deep, light, REM), It also records the awakenings, but for the data to be accurate, you have to adjust the parameters correctly.

How to Improve the Accuracy of Sleep Tracking

By default, the bracelet uses Xiaomi algorithms to analyze sleep, but they can be customized:

• 🛌 Turn on the option "Sensitive mode" in your sleep settings - this will help to better fix short awakenings.
• ⏰ Specify the usual time of going to bed in the profile - the bracelet will be prepared for monitoring in advance.
• 📊 When you wake up, do not take off your bracelet: wait. 1-2 minutes to ensure that all data is synchronized.

If the bracelet mistakenly captures daytime naps (for example, when you are just lying down with a book), manually remove this period in the app: "Sleeping" → pick a day → "Edit".

Monitoring of stress levels

The Stress Level feature is available starting with the Mi Band 6, which analyzes heart rate variability (HRV) and gives a score of 1 to 100, where:

• 1-30 — relaxation;
• 31-60 — mild-stress;
• 61-100 — high-stress.

To reduce the margin of error:

• 🧘 Measure stress while calm (sitting or lying down).
• ☕ Avoid caffeine and alcohol 2 hours before measurement.
• 📱 Include high stress notifications in bracelet settings.

If the bracelet consistently shows high levels of stress for no apparent reason, check if the strap is overstretched – this can distort the data. HRV-sensor.

Training and sports regimes

Xiaomi bracelets support up to 150+ However, most users use only basic modes, such as walking or running. Meanwhile, choosing the right mode of exercise significantly improves tracking accuracy.

How to Choose a Training Mode

To start training:

1. On the bracelet, swipe up the screen and select "Training."
2. Scroll through the list and select the appropriate mode (e.g., “Swimming”, “Bicycle”, “Yoga”).
3. Click on the screen to start recording. When you're done, click on the screen again and save the results.

For the Mi Band. 8 Automatic training is available – the bracelet itself determines the beginning of running or walking through the 10-15 minutes after start. To enable this function, go to Settings → Training. → Autodetermination.

Tips for accurately tracking training

• 🏃 To run, choose the "Running on the street" or "Running on the track" mode - the calorie calculation algorithms and distance differ.
• 🚴 When riding a bicycle, fasten your phone on the steering wheel - the bracelet will use it. GPS phone to accurately track the route.
• 🏊 To swim, turn on the "Swim" mode before entering the water - the bracelet automatically recognizes the style (brass, crawl, etc.).

After training, sync the data with the application to see detailed statistics: average pulse, maximum load, time in the target heart rate zone and even recovery time.

5.Managing Music and the Smart Home

Not many people know that Xiaomi bracelets can work as a music remote and even control smart home devices.These features aren’t available on all models, but if your bracelet supports them, be sure to try!

Controlling music

To control the playback of music from the bracelet:

1. Open the menu on the bracelet and select "Music".
2. Click on the screen to pause/play the track.
3. Swipe left/right to switch tracks.

The feature works with most music apps (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music), but you need to:

• 📱 Give Mi Fitness app access to notifications.
• 🔊 Enable music playback before starting control from the bracelet.

Smart home management

If you have Xiaomi Smart Home devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaner), the bracelet can control them.

1. Make sure all devices are connected to one Xiaomi account.
2. In Mi Fitness, go to Smart Home and add the right devices.
3. Now on the bracelet in the menu will appear the item "Smart home", where you can turn on / off devices.

For example, you can set up a fast lamp control: double-pressing the bracelet screen will turn on the light in the room, which is convenient if you go to bed and do not want to get up to turn off.

⚠️ Note: Smart home management is only available for bracelets NFC (Mi Band 7 Pro, Mi Band 8 Pro. On the base models (Mi Band) 7/8) she's missing.

6. Battery saving

One of the most common complaints users have is the fast discharge of the bracelet. 6/7 can work before 14 days without recharging, not 3-5, like many.

The main "eaters" of the battery

How to extend the working time

• 🔋 Turn off Automatic Definition of Training – it saves up to 20% charge.
• 🌙 Turn on "Sleep Mode" during rest - the bracelet will be less often synchronized with the phone.
• 📵 Reduce the pulse rate to 1 time every 30 minutes (in the settings "Heart rate").
• 🔄 Turn off automatic data synchronization – update statistics manually 1-2 day-to-day.

The Mi Band 8 bracelets with firmware 1.20.5.19 and later support "low power mode", which disables all functions except pedometer and time, in this mode the device lasts up to 30 days.

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The most effective way to save charge is to turn off continuous pulse monitoring, which prolongs the bracelet's function in the brain. 1.5-2 time without significant loss of functionality.

7. Hidden functions and life hacks

Xiaomi bracelets have some non-obvious features that are not mentioned in the official instructions, which can significantly improve the user experience.

Quick action

• 🔍 Phone search: if you lost your smartphone, in the menu of the bracelet, select "Find the phone" - it will start ringing at full volume.
• 📷 Camera control: there is a "Camera" item in the bracelet menu - click on it to take a photo on your phone (you need to open the camera app first).
• 🔐 Unlocking the phone: on Android you can set up automatic unlocking of the smartphone at the proximity of the bracelet (in the settings "Security" → "Unlocking the Mi Band").

Setting up the screen and dials

You can change the look of the bracelet:

1. In Mi Fitness, go to Display" → "Dials".
2. Choose your favorite design from the collection (there are animated and thematic options).
3. For the Mi Band. 7/8 Custom dials are available – they can be downloaded from the community (for example, on the Amazfit Watch Faces website).

If the bracelet screen is too dim, increase the brightness in the "Display" settings" → "But remember, maximum brightness reduces the operating time. 10-15%.

Use without a phone

The bracelet can work independently:

• 🏊 For swimming: turn on the "Swimming" mode - the bracelet will count circles and style even without a phone.
• 🎵 For a run: save music on the bracelet (Mi Band) 7 Pro/8 Pro supports up to 200 song).
• 💳 For payment: link the bank card to NFC (Available in Russia for Mi Band 7 Pro and newer).

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To reset the bracelet to factory settings (for example, before selling), go to Settings → System system → Data reset. Once reset, all data will be deleted, including training statistics.

8. Solving common problems

Even reliable Xiaomi devices sometimes fail, and these are the most common problems and ways to solve them.

The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone.

If the data are not updated:

1. Reset the bracelet (plug in to charge and disconnect).
2. In the Mi Fitness app, remove the device and add it again.
3. Check if the antivirus or power saving mode is blocking Mi Fitness.
4. Update the bracelet app and firmware to the latest version.

Inaccurate data of the pedometer or pulse

If the bracelet understates or overstates the readings:

• 📏 Recalibrate the pedometer (instructions in section 2).
• 🩺 For pulse, make sure the bracelet fits tightly to the wrist (but does not pinch).
• 🔄 Reset your bracelet settings and set it up again.

The battery goes down fast.

If the bracelet is discharged for 2-3 day-day:

• ⚡ Turn off "Continuous monitoring of heart rate".
• 📵 Reduce screen brightness and backlight time.
• 🔄 Check if the “training mode” is on all the time (sometimes due to a failure).

If nothing works, try resetting the bracelet to factory settings, and if you want to, go to a service center, the battery may be faulty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi fitness bracelets