How to set up Xiaomi Redmi Band fitness bracelet: a complete guide from connectivity to hidden features

The Xiaomi Redmi Band fitness bracelet is one of the most affordable and functional gadgets for tracking activity, sleep and health. Despite the budget price, the device can measure heart rate, count steps, show notifications from a smartphone and even control music. However, many users face difficulties in the first setup: the bracelet does not connect to the phone, does not synchronize data or malfunctions.

In this article, we’ll take you through all the steps of setting up, from unpacking and charging to the subtle parameters in the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit), learn how to properly tie the bracelet to your Xiaomi account, set up notifications, calibrate the pedometer, and even activate hidden features. And if something goes wrong, there’s a section on the solution at the end of the article.

Important: the instruction is relevant for all versions of the Redmi Band (including the Redmi Band 2), but some menu items may vary slightly depending on the firmware version.+ or iOS 10.0+ with the Mi Fitness app installed.

Preparation of the bracelet for the first inclusion

Before setting up, make sure the bracelet is fully charged. complete with Xiaomi Redmi Band comes short USB-You can plug it into any cable with a magnetic connector. USB-port (computer, phone charger or power bank).

⚠️ Note: Do not use chargers with higher voltage 5V/1A β€” It can damage the bracelet battery, and it's best to use a standard smartphone charger.

It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to charge, and the green indicator on the bracelet screen signals the completion of the process. If the indicator is not on, check the magnetic connector's adjoining density - often the contacts do not touch due to the protective film (it needs to be removed).

After charging, press and hold the touch button under the screen for 3-5 seconds until the Redmi logo appears. the bracelet will turn on and automatically go to Bluetooth search mode (the icon will appear on the screen). πŸ”).

Remove protective film from charging contacts |

Charge the bracelet to 100%|

Make sure your phone is Bluetooth | enabled

Download the Mi Fitness app from the official store (App Store/Google Play) |

Register a Xiaomi account (if not available)-->

2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application

The Xiaomi Redmi Band bracelet is controlled through the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit).

  • πŸ“± Android: Google Play
  • 🍎 iOS: App Store

Once installed, open the app and sign in through your Xiaomi account. If you don't have one, sign up (you'll need an email or phone number). Without an account, the bracelet won't sync to the cloud, and you'll lose your activity history when you reset.

⚠️ Note: When registering for an account, please indicate the real region (e.g. Russia or Europe). If you choose China, some features (e.g. weather notifications) may not work properly.

In the main menu of the application, click Profile β†’ Add device and select the Bracelet β†’ Redmi Band. Start searching for the device. Make sure that the phone is enabled Bluetooth and geolocation (the latter is needed for accurate tracking of jogging).

Redmi Band (1st version) |

Redmi Band 2|

I don't know what version |

Another fitness bracelet Xiaomi-->

3. Connecting the bracelet to the phone

When the app finds the bracelet, you'll see a pairing request on the phone screen. Press Plug in and confirm the action on the bracelet, tap the touch button below the screen. If you don't connect,

  • πŸ”„ Reset the bracelet: Hold the button for 10 seconds until it turns off, then turn it on again.
  • πŸ“± Restart Bluetooth on your phone: Turn it off and turn it on in the settings.
  • 🚫 Remove old devices: In Bluetooth phone settings, remove all previously connected Xiaomi bracelets.

Once paired successfully, the app will suggest updating the bracelet firmware. Update is mandatory - without it, notifications, pedometers or sleep monitoring may not work. Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged, and confirm the installation of the update. The process will take 5-10 minutes (the bracelet will reboot automatically).

If the update is hanging:

  • Don't unplug the bracelet from your phone.
  • Close all background apps on your smartphone.
  • Wait 15-20 minutes, sometimes the process takes longer.
What to do if the bracelet is not updated?
If the firmware is not installed for more than 30 minutes: 1. Disable the bracelet from the application (Profile β†’ Redmi Band β†’ Disable). 2. Reboot the phone and bracelet. 3. Reconnect the bracelet - the application will prompt you to update again. If the problem repeats, try resetting the bracelet to factory settings (Bracelet settings β†’ Reset).

4. Basic bracelet settings

Once connected, set up the basic settings. Open Profile β†’ Redmi Band in the app and go to Device Settings. Here are the key options:

Setting upRecommended valueWhy?
Automatic synchronizationIncluded.Steps, sleep and pulse data will be updated in the background
Call notificationsIncluded.The bracelet will vibrate when the call is in (the contact number or name is displayed)
Notifications from the annexesSelectively (WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS)Avoid turning on all notifications – the bracelet will vibrate too often
Raising your hand to activate the screenIncluded.The screen will light up when you move your hand (saves battery power)
Don't disturb mode.23:00 to 8:00Turns off notifications and vibrations at night

Pay special attention to setting notifications. By default, the bracelet shows all the alerts from the smartphone, which quickly drains the battery. We recommend leaving only important messengers and calls.

  1. In the app, go to Notifications β†’ Notification Management.
  2. Disable unnecessary apps (such as games or social networks).
  3. Turn on the option to display the contents of notifications to see the text of messages.

πŸ’‘

If the bracelet doesn't vibrate at notifications, check the audio settings on the phone. On Android, in the Sound β†’ Do Not Disturb Mode section, interruption should be allowed for the Mi Fitness app.

5. Set up activity and health tracking

Xiaomi Redmi Band can track steps, distance, calories burned, heart rate and sleep, but by default, some parameters may not work accurately.

Calibration of the pedometer:

  1. Take exactly 50 steps by counting them by hand.
  2. Compare it to the data on the bracelet (view in Status β†’ Steps).
  3. If the difference is greater than 10%, calibrate the sensor in the application: Profile β†’ Redmi Band β†’ Settings β†’ Pedometer Calibration.

Set up heart rate monitoring:

  • 🩺 Turn on continuous heart rate monitoring (battery discharge will increase by 15-20%).
  • πŸ“Š Set the measurement interval: Every 10 minutes (optimum for balance of accuracy and autonomy).
  • ⚠️ Turn off the option if the skin of the hand sweats frequently - moisture interferes with the sensor's accuracy.

Sleep monitoring:

The bracelet automatically detects sleep phases (deep, light, wakefulness), but for accuracy:

  • πŸ›οΈ Wear a bracelet on a non-working arm (usually the left arm).
  • ⏰ Set an alarm through the app - it will work in the phase of light sleep.
  • πŸ“΄ Turn off notifications for the night in the "Do not disturb" section".

πŸ’‘

To accurately track sleep, the bracelet should fit tightly to the wrist, but not squeeze it, and the optimal position is 2-3 fingers above the wrist bone.

6. Hidden functions and life hacks

In addition to the basic features, Redmi Band hides a few useful features:

Music management:

The bracelet can switch tracks and adjust volume on the smartphone to activate the function:

  1. In the app, go to Device Settings β†’ Music Management.
  2. Turn on the option and select a player (such as Spotify or YouTube Music).
  3. On the bracelet swipe left/right to switch tracks, touch the pause button.

Phone search:

If you lose your smartphone, you can make it ring from the bracelet:

  1. In the bracelet menu, find the icon πŸ“± (usually in the section More).
  2. Touch it – the phone will emit a loud signal (even if it is silent).

Savings in battery charge:

  • πŸ”‹ Turn off the Raising of the Hand to activate the screen and use the button.
  • ⏳ Reduce the brightness of the screen to 20-30%.
  • 🚫 Turn off continuous heart rate monitoring if you don’t need it.

Change of dial:

The bracelet has 5 dials pre-installed, but you can add additional ones through the application:

  1. In Mi Fitness, go to Profile β†’ Redmi Band β†’ Dials.
  2. Choose your favorite design and click Sync.
  3. On the bracelet, hold the screen for 2 seconds to open the dial change menu.

Tracking steps |

Sleep monitoring |

Notifications of calls/messages|

Managing music |

Search for the phone |

Other-->

7. Solving typical problems

Even when properly set up, the bracelet can malfunction, and let's look at the most common problems and their solutions:

The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone:

  • πŸ”„ Reboot both devices.
  • πŸ“± In your phone settings, allow Mi Fitness to access Contacts, Notifications and Geolocation.
  • 🚫 Remove the bracelet from the Bluetooth device list and reconnect.

The pedometer or pulse meter is not working:

  • 🩹 Check the density of the bracelet fit – sensors should touch the skin.
  • πŸ”„ Update the bracelet firmware to the latest version.
  • 🧼 Wipe the sensors on the back of the bracelet with an alcohol napkin (sweat and dirt interfere with reading).

The battery is discharged quickly:

  • πŸ”‹ Turn off continuous heart rate monitoring and notifications from unnecessary apps.
  • ⏳ Reduce screen brightness and backlight time.
  • πŸ“΄ Reload the bracelet every 3-4 days (hold the button for 10 seconds).

The bracelet does not vibrate when notified:

  • πŸ”Š In the app, check if notifications are enabled for a specific app (like WhatsApp).
  • πŸ“΅ Make sure the phone is not activated Do Not Disturb.
  • πŸ”„ Reconnect the bracelet to the phone.
How to reset Redmi Band to factory settings?
If the bracelet is getting stuck or is not working correctly, reset: 1. On the bracelet, go to Settings. β†’ More. β†’ Reset. 2. Confirm the action by pressing the button. 3. After rebooting, reconnect the bracelet via Mi Fitness. ⚠️ All data on the bracelet will be deleted, but the history in the application will remain.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Redmi Band

πŸ”Ή Can I use a bracelet without a smartphone?
Yes, Redmi Band is autonomous: counting steps, showing time, and measuring pulse on a button. But without a phone connection, you can't: Get notifications; Sync data into an app; Update firmware; You have to pair your smartphone to make a full use of it.
πŸ”Ή How to check the firmware version of the bracelet?
Open the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile β†’ Redmi Band β†’ About the device. It will show the current version of the software. You can also see this information on the bracelet itself: Swipe down on the home screen. Select Settings β†’ About the device.
πŸ”Ή Why the bracelet shows the wrong number of steps?
The accuracy of the pedometer depends on several factors: πŸ‘Ÿ Density of fit: the bracelet should sit tightly, but not squeeze the hand. 🚢 Type of movement: walking stairs or with sticks may be considered inaccurate. πŸ“± Calibration: perform it manually (see section 5). If the difference with real steps is more than 20%, try moving the bracelet to the other hand or reset the pedometer settings.
πŸ”Ή Can I swim with the Xiaomi Redmi Band?
The bracelet has protection according to standard 5 ATM, permitting: 🏊 Swimming in the pool or open water; 🚿 Shower; πŸ’¦ Washing your hands under the tap is not recommended: πŸ› Swimming in hot water (sauna, bathhouse); 🌊 Dive to a depth of more than 50 meters; 🧼 Use aggressive detergents. After contact with water, wipe the bracelet with a dry cloth, especially the charging connector.
πŸ”Ή How to Change Your Language on a Bracelet?
The Redmi Band interface language depends on the Xiaomi account region. To change it: In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile β†’ Settings β†’ Region: Select the right country (e.g. Russia for Russian) Reconnect the bracelet to your phone, the language will automatically update. ⚠️ When changing the region, some settings may be reset (for example, units of distance measurement).