How to set up a fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 3 on Android: the full guide

Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is one of the most popular fitness bracelets on the market, combining affordable price and wide functionality. Despite the release of new models, this version is still in demand due to reliability and ease of use. However, many users have difficulties with initial configuration, especially when it comes to synchronizing with Android smartphones from different manufacturers.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions on connecting the Mi Band 3 to your phone, setting up basic functions (notifications, alarms, sleep monitoring) and solving typical problems. We will also look at how to update the bracelet firmware and optimize its performance for maximum autonomy. If you just purchased a device or want to reconfigure it, this guide will help avoid errors and save time.

Preparation for setting up: what to do before connecting

Before you start syncing the Mi Band 3 with your phone, make sure all the prerequisites are met, which will save you from common mistakes like not being able to detect the bracelet or crashing when installing the application.

First, check your smartphone compatibility. The bracelet officially supports Android 4.4 and higher, but in practice, stable work is guaranteed only on versions 5.0+. If you have outdated firmware, update it through Settings → System → Software Update. Also make sure that the phone is on Bluetooth 4.0 (or higher) – without it, connection is impossible.

• 📱 Update Android to the current version (minimum 5.0).
• 🔋 Charge the bracelet to 50% or more – at low charge, synchronization may be interrupted.
• 📲 Remove old versions of Mi Fit or Zepp Life if they were installed earlier.
• 🌐 Connect to Wi-Fi – this will be required to download the bracelet firmware.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), some features of the Mi Band 3 may not work properly, in which case it is recommended to temporarily switch to stock firmware or use alternative applications like Notify & Fitness.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit (Zepp Life) application

The official Mi Band 3 management app is called Mi Fit, but since 2022 Xiaomi has been actively moving users to Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit).Both apps are compatible with the bracelet, however, Zepp Life offers a more modern interface and additional health analysis features. We'll look at the settings using Zepp Life, but the steps for Mi Fit are similar.

Download the app from Google Play (avoid third-party sources to avoid viruses).

1. Open Zepp Life and select the language (Russian is available).
2. Sign up with Xiaomi Account, Google or Apple ID (if you use an Android emulator on a Mac).
3. Click Add Device and select the Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 3.
4. Allow the app to access notifications, geolocation, and contacts (necessary for notifications to work properly).

⚠️ Note: If you register for a device that is not supported, check the region of your Xiaomi Account. The bracelet must be linked to an account with the region Russia, Europe or Global.

Synchronization of Mi Band 3 with the phone: step-by-step instructions

Now, to the most important step, which is to connect the bracelet, make sure that the Mi Band 3 is close to the phone (no more than 1 meter away) and not connected to other devices.

Algorithm of action:

1. Start Zepp Life and click Add Device.
2. Select Mi Smart Band 3 from the list.
3. Press the bracelet screen to unlock it (if it is locked).
4. The phone will be asked to connect - confirm it.
5. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 2 minutes).

If the bracelet is not detected:

• 🔄 Reboot the Mi Band 3 (press the touch button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 Restart Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Connections → Bluetooth → Off./On.).
• 🚫 Make sure the bracelet is not connected to another device (e.g., a tablet).

Important: If you’re using a smartphone with a MediaTek chip (like the Redmi Note 8T or Poco X3 NFC), you may need additional Bluetooth resolution in manual mode. Go to Settings → Apps → Zepp Life → Permissions and enable Bluetooth admin.

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If the bracelet connects but shuts down immediately, try untie it from the old device. Go to Profile → My Devices → Mi Band 3 → Delete in the app.

Set up the main functions: pedometer, notifications, alarm clock

Once synchronized successfully, you can start configuring the wristband, and let's look at the key features that most users require first.

1. Monitoring activity (stepmeter, calories, distance)

By default, the Mi Band 3 automatically tracks steps, but the accuracy can be improved.

• 👟 Set a personal profile in Zepp Life: height, weight, age and gender.
• 📊 Enable Activity Autodetermination (Profile) → Mi Band 3 → Settings → Activity recognition).
• 🏃‍♂️ For running or walking, use the Training Mode (swipe up on the bracelet) → Sport regimes).

2. Notifications of calls and messages

To receive alerts on the bracelet:

1. In Zepp Life, go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → 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, Gmail).
4. Set up the Vibration and Screenlighting when notified.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 10 phones+ You may need additional permission to read notifications. → Annexes → Zepp Life → Notifications → Allow access to notifications.

3. Alarm clocks and reminders

Mi Band 3 supports up to 10 alarm clocks, including smart alarm clocks (awakening in the light sleep phase).

1. In the app, select Profile → Mi Band 3 → Alarms.
2. Click Add an alarm clock and specify the time, days of the week.
3. Activate the Smart Alarm (30 minutes before the set time).
4. Set up repeatability and vibration.

Mi Band 3 firmware update: why it matters and how to do it

Regular firmware updates fix bugs, add new features and improve stability. Xiaomi releases updates for the Mi Band 3 less often than for new models, but they are still coming out (the latest version at 2026 is 1.5.0.54).

To update the firmware:

1. Connect the bracelet to your phone via Zepp Life.
2. Go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Update firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update.
4. Wait until the process is complete (don’t turn off Bluetooth or leave the app!).

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is turned off or discharged during the upgrade, it may stop responding to charging, in which case a forced reset (press the button for 20 seconds) and re-synchronization will be required.

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Updating your firmware through Zepp Life is the safest way, but if it’s not available, check the region of your Xiaomi Account (should be Global or Europe).

Solving common problems with Mi Band 3

Even after you set it up properly, users are faced with common errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

1.The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Weak Bluetooth signal: Bring your phone closer to the bracelet.
• 📱 Conflict with other devices: disable other gadgets (earphones, smart watches).
• 🔄 Older App: Update Zepp Life to Google Play.
• 🚫 Bracelet is tied to another account: reset (Settings) → Reset to factory bracelet).

2. no notifications are coming.

Check it out.

• ⚙️ Notifications are included in Zepp Life (Profile) → Notifications).
• 📵 Are not Android-level notifications blocked (Settings) → Annexes → Zepp Life → Notifications).
• 🔕 Is the bracelet in the mode "Do not disturb" (check on the device itself).

3. Battery discharges quickly

If the bracelet keeps the charge for less than 5 days:

• 🔋 Turn off constant heart rate monitoring (Profile) → Settings → Monitoring of heart rate).
• 🌙 Reduce the frequency of data synchronization to 1 time per hour.
• 📵 Turn off notifications from unnecessary apps.
• 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware to the latest version.

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If the bracelet is discharged in 1-2 days, try to reset it to factory settings. Sometimes this helps with battery failures.

Additional settings: weather, music, gestures

Mi Band 3 supports a few hidden features that are not always obvious to beginners.

1. Weather display

To see the weather forecast on the bracelet:

1. In Zepp Life, go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Weather.
2. Turn on the weather option on the bracelet.
3. Please indicate your city (or allow geolocation).
4. On the bracelet swipe up to see the weather widget.

2. Music management

The bracelet can switch tracks and adjust volume:

• 🎵 Enable the option in Profile → Mi Band 3 → Managing music.
• 📱 Run the player on your phone (Spotify, YouTube Music, standard player).
• 🎧 On the bracelet swipe up and select Music.

3.Gestural controls

Mi Band 3 supports a hand-raising gesture to turn on the screen:

1. Go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Settings → Raise your hand to activate.
2. Turn on the option and adjust the sensitivity.

⚠️ Attention: Music control doesn't work with all players. VK Music can be a problem. In this case, use a standard Android player.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 3