How to set up Xiaomi Mi Band 3 watch: full instruction from connection to fine settings

Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is one of the most popular fitness bracelets that combines accessibility, functionality and stylish design. Despite the release of new models, this version remains in demand due to the reliability and optimal set of functions: sleep monitoring, pedometer, smartphone notifications and IP68 water protection. However, many users face difficulties in the first setup: the bracelet does not sync, shows the wrong time or does not display notifications. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of settings, from connecting to a smartphone to subtle parameters like automatic activity recognition and music management.

The Mi Band 3 feature is the lack of physical buttons (except the touch button below the screen), which makes it difficult to intuitively control. In addition, some of the features are hidden in the Mi Fitness mobile app (formerly Mi Fit), without which the bracelet works in limited mode. We will tell you how to avoid typical errors: for example, why the bracelet can reset time after disconnecting from the phone or why notifications from instant messengers do not come.

Preparation for setting up: what to do before connecting

Before you start setting up the Mi Band 3, make sure you have everything you need. First, check your smartphone compatibility: the bracelet works with Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+. If your phone is older, you may have problems syncing. Second, download the official app:

• 📱 For Android: Mi Fitness on Google Play (avoid clones!).
• 🍎 For iPhone: Mi Fitness in the App Store.
• 🔋 Charger: This is a special cable with a magnetic connector, charge the bracelet to at least 30% before setting up.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection: for downloading firmware and authorization in the Xiaomi account.

Also, the Mi Band 3 supports only one Xiaomi account at a time. If the bracelet has already been linked to another phone, it should be reset to factory settings (more on this in the next section).

⚠️ Warning: If you bought the bracelet with your hands, check it for authenticity through the official Mi Verify service.Fakes often have synchronization problems and fast battery discharge.

Resetting and initial bracelet setting

If the Mi Band 3 has been in use or is not acting as if it is not responding to touch, it should be reset to factory settings.

1. On the bracelet, swipe your finger up the screen to open the menu.
2. Find the Settings (cog icon) → Additional → Reset.
3. Confirm the action by clicking the tick. The bracelet will reset.

Once reset, the screen will show a binding code (e.g., A1B2), which you will need when you connect to your phone, and if the bracelet is new, you don't need to reset, it will automatically go into pairing mode when you first turn on.

Now connect the bracelet to the phone:

• 📲 Open the Mi Fitness app and log in (or create a Xiaomi account).
• 🔍 Click Profile. → Add the device → Bracelet → Mi Band 3.
• 🔗 Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and wait for the app to find the bracelet.
• 🔐 Enter the code from the bracelet screen (if required) and confirm pairing.

⚠️ Note: If the app doesn't find the bracelet, try restarting Bluetooth on your phone or reinstalling Mi Fitness. iPhone may also need to allow notifications access in system settings.

Setting time, date and language

Once successfully connected, the bracelet automatically syncs the time and date to the phone, but sometimes this data is lost, for example, after the battery is drained or the time zone changes, to fix this:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Device settings.
2. Select the time and date.
3. Activate Auto Sync (if it is disabled).
4. If the time is still incorrect, click Sync Now.

For manual settings (for example, if the bracelet is used without a phone):

• 🌐 On the bracelet: Settings → More. → Time/Date.
• 🕒 Set an hour, minutes and format (12/24 hour).
• 📅 Choose a date and month (the year is not customized).

The language of the bracelet interface changes only through the application:

1. In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Device Settings → Language.
2. Choose Russian (or other language you need).
3. Wait for the synchronization - the bracelet will reboot.

💡

If the bracelet shows time 1-2 hours late, check your phone’s time zone settings. On Android, it’s Settings → System → Date and Time → Time Zone.

Notifications: how to set up alerts from calls and instant messengers

One of the key features of Mi Band 3 is alerts for incoming calls, SMS and messaging, and notifications are disabled by default, so you have to manually configure them.

1. In Mi Fitness, select Profile → Mi Band 3 → Notifications.
2. Activate the Call Notification switch (the bracelet will vibrate when the call is incoming).
3. Enable Notifications from apps and select instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, etc.).
4. Set up the Alert Style: 📳 Just vibration; 🔊 Vibration. + sound (not available on all firmware); 📵 Display the text of the message (shows the first 20 characters).

On iPhone, setting notifications has limitations:

• ❌ There is no way to selectively turn on messengers – the bracelet shows all notifications that come to the phone.
• ❌ No message text is displayed (only the app icon).
• ✅ Only calls work and SMS (For other notifications, you need to enable Mi Fitness in the iOS notification settings).

If notifications do not arrive:

• 🔄 Reset the bracelet (hold the touch button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 In your phone settings, check if notifications are allowed for Mi Fitness.
• 🔗 Disconnect and reconnect the bracelet in Bluetooth settings.

Stepmer, sleep monitoring and sports modes

The Mi Band 3 automatically counts steps, distance and calories burned, but you need to adjust it correctly for accurate data.

1. In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Personal Information.
2. Fill in the fields: 👤 Paul; 📏 Growth; ⚖️ Weight; 🎯 Step-by-step goal (8000 default, but can be changed).

Save the changes and sync with the bracelet.

For sleep monitoring:

• 😴 The bracelet automatically detects sleep phases (deep, light, wakefulness), but it must be worn on the hand (not on the wrist of the other hand or on the table).
• 📊 Sleep data appears in Mi Fitness in the Sleep section, where you can set a Sleep Target (recommended 7-9 hours).
• 🔔 To wake you up in the optimal sleep phase, turn on the Smart Alarm in the settings.

Sports modes are manually activated:

1. On the bracelet, swipe up and select Training.
2. Select the type of activity: 🏃 Run; 🚶 Walking; 🚴 Cycling; 🏊 Swimming (bracelet waterproof but does not track swimming style).

After training, the data is synchronized with the application.

💡

For accurate steps count, wear the bracelet on a non-dominant hand (for example, your left hand if you are right-handed) and fasten the strap tightly.

Alarms, timers and additional functions

Mi Band 3 can work as an alarm clock, timer or stopwatch — these functions are configured both through the bracelet and through the app.

• 🕰️ From the phone: In Mi Fitness, select a profile → Mi Band 3 → Alarm clocks → Set the time, days of the week and vibration.
• 🕒 From the bracelet: Swipe up → More. → Alarm clock → +. Set the time and save it.

For timer and stopwatch:

• ⏱️ Timer: On the bracelet: More → Set a time (up to 60 minutes) and press Start.
• ⏲️ Stopwatch: On the bracelet: More → Stopwatch. Press the screen for start/pause/reset.

Other useful functions:

• 🔍 Phone search: If your phone is lost, select the bracelet menu → Find the phone – the smartphone will emit an audio signal.
• 🎵 Music management: You can switch tracks on the bracelet (only works with Mi Fitness on Android).
• 🔋 Saving Charge: Turn off unnecessary notifications and reduce screen brightness in settings.

⚠️ Warning: If the alarm on the bracelet doesn't work, check if the Do Not Disturb feature on the phone is enabled. iPhone also needs to allow Mi Fitness to work in the background.

Updating the firmware and solving typical problems

Regular firmware updates fix bugs and add new features to update Mi Band 3:

1. Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged.
2. Connect it to your phone via Mi Fitness.
3. In the app, go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Firmware Update.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

Common problems and their solutions:

If the bracelet has stopped turning on:

1. Connect it to charging for 30-60 minutes.
2. If the screen is not responsive, try resetting the settings by holding the touch button for 15-20 seconds.
3. If nothing helps, contact the service center (guarantee for Mi Band 3 – 12 months).

💡

To extend the life of the battery, turn off automatic pulse measurement in the background. To do this, go to Profile → Mi Band 3 → Heart Rate Monitoring → Measurement Frequency → Manual.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions