How to set up Xiaomi Mi Band 3 after resetting to factory settings: the full guide

Resetting Xiaomi Mi Band 3 to factory settings is a necessary measure when selling a device, fixing software failures or after updating the firmware. However, many users face difficulties when reconfiguring the bracelet: the bracelet does not connect to the phone, does not synchronize data or works incorrectly. In this article, the Mi Band 3 step-by-step recovery algorithm for the nuances of 2026, including current versions of the Mi Fitness app and features of new smartphones.

Unlike the more modern models (Mi Band) 5/6/7), The third version of the bracelet has limited memory and outdated synchronization protocol, which means that the standard instructions for new devices will not work here, and we will analyze not only the basic settings, but also hidden functions that the manufacturer does not advertise: manual firmware update, reset via engineering menu and data recovery after reset.

Before you start, make sure you have:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 10.0+ with Mi Fitness installed (version no lower than 4.6.0).
• 🔋 Charged Mi Band 3 (at least 50% battery).
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (for downloading firmware and synchronization).
• 🔄 Backup data (if you plan to restore your activity history).

1. Preparation for setting up: what to do before connecting the bracelet

The first step is to check your smartphone’s compatibility with the Mi Band 3. The device officially supports Android 4.4–13 and iOS 9.0–16, but in practice newer versions of the OS (such as Android 14) may have problems syncing. If your Released phone is after 2022, install alternative software (for this, see the firmware update section).

Remove the old version of the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) and download the latest from official sources:

• 🤖 Google Play for Android).
• 🍎 App Store (for iOS).

Attention: Do not use APK-Third-source files – they may contain outdated libraries or malicious code.

If the bracelet was previously linked to another Xiaomi account, it must be remotely untied.

1. Sign in to Mi Fitness under the account to which the bracelet is attached.
2. Go to Profile. → My devices. → Mi Band 3 → Untie.
3. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

If the previous owner can’t untie the device, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, photo of the box with the serial number).

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Before resetting the bracelet, export activity data in.gpx format through Profile → Settings → Exporting data, which will allow you to retrieve your training history after you set up.

2. reset Mi Band 3 to factory settings: 3 ways

If the bracelet is already reset, skip this section. If not, choose the appropriate method. Importantly, after the reset, all data on the device (steps, pulse, training) will be deleted irrevocably.

Method 1: Through the bracelet menu (recommended)

1. Swipe your finger up the bracelet screen to open the menu.
2. Select Settings → Reset → Confirm (the wrench icon).
3. Wait for the reboot (the bracelet vibrates and shows the Mi logo).

Method 2: Through the Mi Fitness app

If the bracelet is connected to the phone:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Settings of the device → Reset.
2. Confirm the action on the bracelet (click on the screen when a request appears).

Method 3: Hardware reset (if the bracelet does not respond)

If the screen is not turned on or the bracelet is hanging:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Press the touch button under the screen for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the button and the bracelet will reset.

3. Connecting the bracelet to the phone: step-by-step instructions

After resetting, Mi Band 3 goes into standby mode. QR-code or request "Connect through the app." Follow the algorithm:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and allow Mi Fitness access to geodata (required for Android 10)+).
2. Open the app and click Add the device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 3.
3. Select a New Device (do not "Restore from backup" if the bracelet has been reset!).
4. Press the bracelet screen when a pairing request appears.
5. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes).

Typical errors when connecting:

• 🚫 Bluetooth is not stable: turn off other devices (earphones, smartwatches) and restart your phone.
• 🚫 App does not see the bracelet: check that the Mi Band 3 is charged and is located next to the smartphone (no more than 1 meter).
• 🚫 Error "Device is already tied": uncouple through the old account (section 1).

The bracelet appears in the list of Mi Fitness devices|Current data synchronized (time, steps)|Vibration at notifications works|The bracelet screen responds to touch-->

4. Basic setting: time, notifications, monitoring

After you connect, you need to configure key settings. Most options are available through Mi Fitness, but some (for example, menu order) change only on the bracelet.

Setting the time and date

If the time on the bracelet is lost:

1. In Mi Fitness go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Settings of the device → Time and date.
2. Activate the Sync option automatically.
3. If the time is still incorrect, manually select a time zone (for example, GMT+3 Moscow).

Notifications and calls

To make the bracelet vibrate when calling and texting:

• 📞 Enable Call Notifications and select apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.).
• 🔕 Set up a silent mode according to the schedule (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00).
• 📝 For Android: In your phone settings, allow Mi Fitness to access notifications (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Notifications → Permission).

Monitoring of activity

By default, Mi Band 3 tracks steps, pulse and sleep.

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To accurately measure your pulse, wear a wristband 2-3 fingers above your wrist and tightly but without compression. The distance between the sensor and the skin should not exceed 1-2 mm.

5.Firmware Update: Why It Matters After Resetting

After resetting, the Mi Band 3 can run on outdated firmware, resulting in:

• 🔄 Sync failures with new Mi Fitness versions.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (due to unoptimized code).
• 🚨 Sensor errors (pulse, pedometer).

How to update firmware:

1. Connect the bracelet to charging and make sure the charge is not below 50%.
2. In Mi Fitness go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Firmware update.
3. If the update is not available, check the region of the Xiaomi account (should be Russia or Global).

Manual update (if automatic does not work):

1. Download the latest firmware for Mi Band 3 from the official website (file with the extension.fw).
2. Put the file in the folder. MiFit/firmware phone-on.
3. In Mi Fitness, run the update check.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware update process! If the bracelet "hangs" during the installation phase (the Mi logo burns for more than 10 minutes), wait for the battery to discharge completely, then repeat the procedure.

6.Recovery of data after reset: what can be returned

Unfortunately, the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 does not store activity history on the device itself - all data is stored in the Mi Fitness cloud.

• 📊 Steps, pulse and sleep statistics for the past 30 days (if no backup was available).
• 🏃‍♂️ Training data (running, cycling, etc.).
• ⚡ Screen settings and notifications (you will have to reconfigure).

How to recover some of the data:

1. Export from your old account: If the bracelet was linked to another profile, log in and export the data through the Profile → Settings → Export of data (.csv or.gpx format).
2. Import to a new account: Use third-party services like Google Fit or Apple Health to migrate statistics.
3. Manual input: Critical data (such as weight or pressure) can be added manually through Profile → Health → Add a record.

⚠️ Warning: If you sell a bracelet, be sure to untie it from your account and reset it. The new owner will not be able to use the device while it is tied to your profile.

7. Solving common problems after resetting

Even after you set up the Mi Band 3 properly, it may not work properly. Let's look at the typical scenarios and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The bracelet is not synchronized

Causes and solutions:

• 📵 Bluetooth is disabled: check phone settings and permissions for Mi Fitness.
• 🔄 Outdated firmware: Update the bracelet (Section 5).
• 📱 Conflict with other devices: Disable other gadgets (earphones, watches) and reboot your phone.

Problem 2: The battery goes down quickly

If the bracelet is discharged in 1-2 days:

• ⚡ Turn off the constant pulse (in Settings) → Heart monitoring).
• 🔔 Reduce the frequency of notifications (e.g., leave only calls).
• 🌙 Activate Economical mode in bracelet settings.

Problem 3: The screen or sensor is not working

If the bracelet does not respond to touch:

1. Wipe the screen with an alcohol wipe (sweat or dirt can block the sensor).
2. Perform a hardware reset (section 2, method 3).
3. Check the integrity of the display – cracks or dents can disrupt the work.

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If after resetting the bracelet stopped vibrating, check the settings Profile → Mi Band 3 → Vibration. Sometimes the reset drops the intensity level to zero.

8 Additional settings: Hidden features of Mi Band 3

Many users are unaware that the Mi Band 3 supports features that are not advertised in the official documentation.

1. Change of menu order

By default, the bracelet menu is displayed in a fixed order to rearrange the items:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Screen settings.
2. Press the icon of the menu item (such as “Pulse”) and drag it to the right place.

Activation of the "Do Not Disturb" mode

To disable all notifications for a certain time:

• Swipe up the bracelet screen.
• Choose Don't Disturb. → Turn on.
• Set up a schedule in Mi Fitness (Device settings) → Sleep regimen).

3.Use of the bracelet as a camera remote

The function only works on Android:

1. Open the camera on your phone.
2. On the bracelet, select Music Management → Camera.
3. Press the bracelet screen to take a picture.

4. Hidden engineering menu

To access technical parameters (e.g. firmware version or battery status):

1. On the main screen of the bracelet, swipe down 5 times in a row.
2. Click on the Settings icon (Wreck Wrench).
3. Select Info to view service information.

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The engineering menu allows you to reset the bracelet to a "clean" state if a standard reset does not help. Use this feature only as a last resort!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions