The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet remains a popular gadget even years after its release, thanks to its combination of affordable price, compactness and wide functionality. One of the key features of the device is heart rate measurement, which helps monitor cardiovascular health, monitor exercise or simply monitor health dynamics.
In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can measure your heart rate on the Mi Band 3, from manually starting to setting up automatic monitoring, how to interpret the results, what factors affect the accuracy of readings, and what to do if the bracelet gives you errors, and we'll also uncover some hidden features that aren't mentioned in the official manual, like how to use pulse data to optimize your workouts or sleep.
Preparation of the bracelet for pulse measurement
Before you start measuring, make sure your Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is ready to go.
- 🔋 Battery charge: charge level must be at least 20%. At low charge, the bracelet can turn off the sensors to save energy.
- 📱 Phone communication: Make sure the bracelet is connected to the Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life in newer versions) via Bluetooth. Without synchronization, some features may not be available.
- 👁️ Sensor cleanliness: wipe the back of the bracelet (where the sensors are located) with an alcohol wipe. Sweat, dust, or skin cream may distort readings.
- 🔄 Firmware relevance: check for updates in the app. Outdated software sometimes causes the pulse sensor to malfunction.
It is also important to wear the wristband properly: it should fit tightly to the wrist, but not to squeeze the blood vessels; the optimal position is 2-3 fingers above the wrist bone; if the bracelet is dangling or too tightly tight, the sensor will not be able to read the pulse correctly.
⚠️ Warning: Do not measure your pulse immediately after intense exercise or a hot shower. The Mi Band 3 sensor uses PPG technology (photoplethysmography) that is sensitive to changes in blood flow, and in such conditions, readings can be inflated by 10 to 20 beats per minute.
Manual mode: how to measure the pulse in one click
The easiest way to get pulse data is to manually run the measurement.
- Wake up the bracelet screen by touching the touch button or raising your hand (if the Raise Your Hand to Wake Up feature is enabled).
- Scroll down the menu until you find the icon ❤️ (Pulse).
- Click on the icon and wait for the measurement to be completed (usually 10-15 seconds).
- The result will be displayed on the screen in the format of XX beats / min.
If you use a bracelet paired with a smartphone, the data is automatically synchronized with the Mi Fit app, where you can analyze it in the Heartbeat section, and you can also access your measurement history for the last 30 days.
Whether the bracelet is worn on the working hand (usually the left)|
Are there any scars or tattoos on the wrist (they interfere with the sensor)|
Do not the fingers freeze (cold narrows the vessels) |
Bracelet not twisted on hand-->
Important: Mi Band 3 does not support continuous pulse measurement in manual mode. Each new measurement must be run separately. If you need data in the dynamics (for example, while running), use the automatic mode, which we will talk about later.
Automatic monitoring of the pulse: setting and nuances
The bracelet can measure the pulse at specified intervals or during specific activities, to enable this function:
- Open the Mi Fit app on your smartphone.
- Go to Profile → Xiaomi Mi Band 3 → Heart Rate Monitoring.
- Enable the option of Automatic Monitoring.
- Select the measurement interval: 1 min, 5 min, 10 min, 30 min or 1 hour.
Note that frequent measurements reduce the life of the bracelet. For example, at intervals of 1 minute, the battery will run out in 1-2 days, and at intervals of 30 minutes - in 5-7 days. The optimal balance for most users is 10-30 minutes.
| Measurement interval | Accuracy of data | Bracelet time. | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 1-2 days | For medical purposes or intensive training |
| 5-10 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 3-5 days | Optimal for daily monitoring |
| 30 minutes. | ⭐⭐⭐ | 5-7 days | For general control without detail |
| 1 hour | ⭐⭐ | 7-10 days | Minimum battery load |
In addition to regular measurements, the bracelet automatically records your heart rate during exercise (if you choose the appropriate mode) and sleep, and night pulse data helps you gauge your rest quality, such as a heartbeat in your sleep that may indicate stress or sleep apnea.
Once a day |
Several times a day |
Only during training |
I don't wear a bracelet near-->
Measurement Accuracy: Why Data May Be Different from Real Data
The pulse sensor in Mi Band 3 is not a medical device, so its readings may differ from those of a professional pulse meter or blood pressure monitor.
- 🩸 Bleeding: Cold hands, smoking, or caffeine constricts the blood vessels, making reading difficult.
- 💦 Sweat or dirt: Moisture between the skin and the sensor scatters the light signal, distorting the results.
- 🏃 Movement: When running or shaking, the bracelet may lose contact with the skin.
- 🎨 Tattoos or dark skin: The sensor PPG works worse on dark or pigmented areas of skin.
To test the accuracy of your bracelet, compare it to a mechanical tonometer (measuring the pulse on the wrist) or a pulsemeter with a chest belt. A difference of 5-10 beats per minute is considered normal. If the discrepancy is greater, try:
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet consistently shows a pulse of 220 beats/min or other clearly unrealistic values, this indicates a sensor failure. Try restarting the device (hold the touch button for 10 seconds) or resetting to factory settings.
To improve accuracy:
- 🧴 Apply the bracelet to clean, dry skin without creams.
- 🔄 Update your firmware regularly through the Mi Fit app.
- 📊 Compare data with other devices under different conditions (at rest, after loading).
Measurement of pulse during training
One of the most useful features of the Mi Band 3 is monitoring your heart rate during sports activities.
- Turn on the exercise mode: on the bracelet, select the icon 🏃 (Running), 🚴 (Bicycle) or 🏊 (Swimming).
- Wait until the bracelet starts tracking your pulse (usually 10-20 seconds after starting).
- At the end of the workout, save the results – they will appear in the Mi Fit application in the Activity section.
In the app, you will see a pulse chart for the entire workout, divided into load zones:
- Gray (50-60% of max): light load, burning fat.
- Blue (60–70%): moderate load, improved endurance.
- Green (70–80%): aerobic zone, development of the cardiovascular system.
- Orange (80-90%): anaerobic zone, increased strength.
- Red (90–100%): maximum load, risk of overtraining.
To calculate your maximum heart rate, use the formula: 220 is your age. For example, a 30-year-old person has a maximum heart rate of 190 beats/min. Try to keep the load in the green zone for optimal results.
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If the bracelet does not record the pulse during training, try tightening the strap tighter or moving it to the other hand. Sometimes changing the position of the sensor helps (turn the bracelet 180 degrees).
Data analysis: what to do with measurement results
The heart rate data collected can be used to optimize your health and exercise, and here are some practical tips:
- 📈 Dynamic tracking: If the resting heart rate gradually decreases (e.g., from 75 to 65 beats/min), this is a sign of improved cardiovascular health.
- 😴 Sleep control: Rapid pulse spikes at night may indicate stress or apnea. Consult your doctor if this happens regularly.
- 🏋️ Loading: If your pulse reaches the red zone quickly during exercise, reduce intensity or reduce exercise time.
- 🍽️ Nutrition effects: Compare your heart rate before and after coffee, alcohol, or heavy food to help identify foods that are stressful to your cardiovascular system.
Mi Fit offers weekly and monthly reports with average heart rate, which can be exported to PDF or Excel for more in-depth analysis, for example, athletes often use this data to adjust training plans.
How to export pulse data from Mi Fit?
If you notice a persistent abnormal heart rate (for example, at rest it is constantly above 100 or below 50 beats / min), this is an occasion to consult a cardiologist.
Common mistakes and their solution
Even with the right setup, the Mi Band 3 can malfunction, and let’s look at the typical problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Bracelet doesn't measure pulse | Sensor contaminated or poor skin contact | Wipe the sensor and tighten the strap |
| Indications "---" or 0 | Firmware failure or battery discharge | Reload the bracelet or recharge it |
| Pulse jumps from 60 to 120 in seconds | Artifacts of movement or interference | Measure your resting pulse |
| The app doesn't show the story | Data is not synchronized | Update data in Mi Fit manually |
If none of the methods helped, try to reset the bracelet to the factory settings:
- In the Mi Fit app, go to Profile → Xiaomi Mi Band 3 → Untie the device.
- Confirm the junction and reconnect the bracelet as a new device.
After the reset, all data will be deleted, so export important information beforehand.
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If the bracelet is new and doesn't measure your heart rate from day one, check if it's fake.The original Mi Band 3 has the serial number on the box and in the device settings (section About the bracelet).