Modern wearables have become an integral part of the lives of many users who want to control their physical activity. Xiaomi’s smart bracelet has been at the forefront of the budget segment for several years, offering impressive functionality at an affordable price.
Many beginners face difficulties in the first run, not understanding why the gadget does not see the smartphone or how to translate the interface into Russian. Xiaomi Mi Band 3 has a number of features that distinguish it from its predecessors, including an improved screen and new ways of interaction. In this article, we will discuss in detail the entire installation process and fine-tuning, so you get the most from your tracker.
Properly calibrated sensors and properly managed notifications make a simple fitness bracelet a full-fledged digital assistant. We'll look not only at the basic steps of connectivity, but also at the hidden features that often go unnoticed. Attention to detail initially will save you time and nerves in the future.
Preparation for first on and charging
Before you try to sync your device to your phone, you need to make sure that the battery is sufficiently charged. Often, gadgets with a fully discharged battery come from the store window, making it impossible to activate them. Connect the capsule to the charger, carefully removing it from the silicone strap.
The charging process in this model has its nuances, because the contacts are located on the inside of the case. The charger comes with the kit, and it is important to insert the capsule correctly so that the indicators catch fire. If there is no glow, try to turn the tracker slightly or wipe the contacts with a soft dry cloth.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to charge the bracelet by plugging it into powerful Quick Charge smartphone home charging systems, as this can damage the power controller. USB-computer port or power supply with current 1A.
It takes about an hour and a half to fully charge, but it takes 15-20 minutes to turn on the first thing. Once the logo appears on the screen, you can start the software part of the setup. Make sure that your smartphone has Bluetooth and geolocation enabled, as they are necessary to find the device.
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Before the first charge, wipe the metal contacts on the capsule and charger with an alcohol napkin - factory lubrication often interferes with normal connection.
Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit application
The main control center for your tracker is the official Mi Fit app (or its new Zepp Life analogue), which should be downloaded exclusively from official Google Play or App Stores to avoid malware. Once installed, you will need to create an account or log in through existing social network profiles.
It is important to correctly specify the region during the registration process, as server availability and notifications are dependent on this, the user profile must be filled in as accurately as possible: height, weight and date of birth calculation of calories burned and steps taken.
The app requests a lot of permissions, and to work properly, you have to agree to all the points, especially regarding notifications and location. Without permission to access notifications, the bracelet will not vibrate when incoming calls or messages. The interface is intuitive, but requires careful attention to privacy settings.
- 📱 Download the Mi Fit application from the official store of your operating system.
- 📝 Register using email or accounts Google/Apple/Facebook.
- ⚙️ Fill in the personal data (gender, age, height, weight) for accuracy of calculations.
- 🔔 Allow access to notifications, geolocation, and application backgrounds.
Interconnection of the bracelet with a smartphone
The most important step is to find and connect the device. Don't try to pair the bracelet through the standard Bluetooth menu settings Android or iOS, this will lead to a connection error. The whole process must occur strictly inside the Mi Fit application in the Profile tab.
Press Add Device and select the type of gadget -- in this case, it's a fitness tracker. The system will run a scan, and if the bracelet is nearby and in active condition, it will appear in the list. Click on the model name to start the mating procedure.
⚠️ Warning: If the app doesn't see the bracelet for more than 30 seconds, restart your smartphone and turn off/on Bluetooth completely.Also make sure the bracelet isn't connected to another phone, as it can only work with one active device at a time.
During pairing, a confirmation code may appear on the tracker screen, which must be received by clicking on the touch button. After successful synchronization, the application will prompt you to update the device's firmware, which is strongly recommended to do to eliminate bugs.
☑️ Checklist of successful connection
Configure notifications and interface language
One of the main features of the smart bracelet is the ability to receive notifications directly on the wrist. In the Mi Fit application, you need to go to the device settings and find the "Application Notifications" section, where you can flexibly configure which programs you want to receive vibration signals from.
It is important to understand that the bracelet only broadcasts the contents of the notification, so to display the text of messages you need to allow access to the notification history in the Android system. On iPhone, the settings are made through the iOS notification center. The interface language of the bracelet depends on the language installed in the application itself, so make sure that the Russian language is chosen in the phone settings.
For users who don’t have a standard set of phrases, it is possible to install third-party dials and fonts, but this requires deeper intervention. Basic setting allows you to choose from several built-in dials that change the appearance of the display.
| Type of notification | Ability to read text | Vibration. | Set-up in the annex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming call | Name/Number | There is. | Phone. |
| SMS | Full text | There is. | Communications |
| Full text | There is. | Annexes | |
| Topic/Sender | There is. | Annexes |
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For notifications to work smoothly, the Mi Fit app should be added to the power saving exception list (“Sunset” or “Sunset”) in your smartphone settings.
Sensor calibration and measurement accuracy
To be accurate, the calorie burns and distance travel must be calibrated correctly: an optical pulsemeter on the back should fit tightly to the skin, but not clamping the wrist. Wearing too freely leads to signal loss and inaccurate readings.
To improve the pedometer accuracy, it is recommended to do several training sessions with GPS on your smartphone. The Mi Fit app uses the phone's GPS data to calibrate the length of your step, which will allow the bracelet to more accurately calculate the distance without the phone, which is especially important for runners and walkers.
You also need to set activity targets. It's 10,000 steps by default, but you can change that value in your profile. Regular data synchronization allows the application's AI algorithms to better understand your life rhythm and adjust recommendations.
- 🏃 Do the first training with the included GPS stride-calibration phone.
- ⌚ Wear the bracelet tightly, on 1-2 cm above the bone of the wrist.
- 🔄 Regularly synchronize data to update statistics.
Advanced functions and hidden capabilities
In addition to basic tracking, the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 has a number of useful features that not everyone knows about, such as the Do Not Disturb feature, which allows you to turn off notifications at a given time, which is extremely useful during sleep.
Another interesting feature is the control of music and camera, which allows you to activate the remote shutter function through the application, which allows you to take group photos while holding your phone at a distance, and the phone search function is also available: when activated on the bracelet, the phone will start to ring loudly.
⚠️ Warning: The screen unlock feature is unstable on many smartphone models due to Android security limitations.
For advanced users, custom dials can be installed through third-party utilities, allowing you to display any information, up to the weather forecast in text form, but the standard functionality is also rich enough for daily use.