How to Set Up Xiaomi Smart Band 8: A Complete Guide from Connection to Hidden Features

The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 fitness bracelet is not just a step-tracking accessory, but a full-fledged assistant in everyday life. It can monitor sleep, measure heart rate, display smartphone notifications, and even control music. However, many users face difficulties in the first setup: the bracelet does not connect to the phone, data is not synchronized or notifications are not working. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of settings, from unpacking to fine-tuning settings that the manufacturer does not advertise.

The feature of the Smart Band 8 compared to previous models is a full-color AMOLED-It's a display that supports animated dials and improved sensors for accurate health measurements, but to unlock the full potential of the device, it needs to be properly tuned. We’ll tell you how to avoid common mistakes (such as why a wristband might not detect your heart rate at night) and how to activate features you might not know you had.

Preparation for setting up: what to do before turning on the bracelet

Before you start setting up, make sure you have everything you need. Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is compatible with Android 6.0 devices+ or iOS 12.0+, But for full operation, a more recent version of the OS is recommended. Also check if your smartphone supports Bluetooth 5.0 - this guarantees a stable connection.

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 📱 Smartphone with Mi Fitness (formerly Zepp Life) installed on Google Play or App Store.
• 🔋 Charged bracelet (minimum 20% charge) comes with a magnetic charging cable.
• 📶 Stable Internet connection on the phone (for downloading firmware and synchronizing data).
• 📝 Xiaomi or Zepp account. If not, sign up in advance.

Important: If you are upgrading from Smart Band 7, reset your old bracelet in the app settings to avoid conflicts when connecting a new device.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use chargers from other Xiaomi models - even if the connector is suitable. mismatch of voltage can cause battery damage.

First Enablement and Connection to the Phone

After unpacking the bracelet, press and hold the touch button (located below the display) for 3-5 seconds until the Mi logo appears on the screen. This is a signal that the device is turned on. If the screen does not respond, check the charge of the bracelet - it may be completely discharged.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app on your phone and log in to your account.
2. Click on the profile icon (in the upper right corner) → Add the device.
3. Choose a bracelet. → Xiaomi Smart Band 8.
4. Allow the app to access Bluetooth, notifications, and geolocation (the latter is needed for accurate jogging tracking).
5. Wait for the app to find the bracelet and confirm the connection on both devices.

If the bracelet is not present, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone.
• 📱 Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in the phone settings and reconnect.
• 🔋 Reboot the bracelet itself (hold the button for 10 seconds).

⚠️ Note: On iPhone after connecting, go to Settings → Bluetooth and manually confirm the bracelet pairing, otherwise notifications may not arrive.

Configure the main parameters: time, notifications, dials

Once connected, the app will suggest updating the bracelet firmware — don't miss this step. Updates fix bugs and add new features. The firmware takes 5-10 minutes, don't interrupt the process.

Now let’s move on to the basic settings:

1. Synchronization of time and date

The bracelet automatically syncs the time with the phone, but if the clock is stray:

1. Open Mi Fitness. → Choose a bracelet → Settings of the device.
2. Press the time and date. → Synchronize.
3. If the problem persists, check the time zone on your phone.

2. Set up notifications

To have the bracelet show incoming calls and messages:

• 📱 In Mi Fitness, go to Notifications.
• 🔔 Enable the Call Notifications and Notifications from the Applications toggle.
• 📌 Select the apps you want to see notifications from (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).

Tip: If notifications don't come, check the power saving settings on your phone. Some manufacturers (e.g. Xiaomi, Huawei) block the background work of Mi Fitness.

Installation of dials

Smart Band 8 supports animated dials with different styles.

1. In the application, select a bracelet → Dials.
2. Check out the available options (there are free and paid).
3. Click Set and wait for synchronization.

You can also download the dials from third-party sources (such as Amazfit Watch Faces), but make sure they are compatible with the Smart Band 8.

💡

To quickly change the face on the bracelet, swipe up the screen and select Dials. Not all users are aware of this gesture!

Health tracking settings: pulse, sleep, SpO₂

Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is equipped with sensors to monitor heart rate, blood oxygen levels (SpO₂) But by default, some functions are disabled to save charge:

1. Continuous monitoring of the pulse

By default, the bracelet measures your heart rate every 30 minutes, so you can take it more often.

1. In Mi Fitness, select a bracelet. → Monitoring of heart rate.
2. Set the interval: 1 minute, 5 minutes or 10 minutes.
3. Enable the High Pulse Warning option and set a threshold (e.g. 120 beats per minute).

2.Measurement SpO₂ (oxygenation)

This feature is useful for tracking breathing during sleep or exercise, to enable:

• 🩺 In the bracelet settings, select SpO₂.
• 📊 Enable Automatic Measurement and set the time (e.g. 22:00 to 8:00).
• ⚠️ Keep in mind that frequent measurements increase battery consumption by 15-20%.

3. Sleep monitoring

The bracelet automatically detects sleep phases (deep, light, REM), but:

• 😴 Switch on a Smart Alarm – it will wake you up in the optimal sleep phase.
• 📉 Turn off the screen lighting at night so as not to wake up from accidental touches.
• 📊 Check the sleep statistics in the Health section → Son.

Important: To accurately track sleep, wear a bracelet on your non-working hand (left for right-handers, right for left-handers) and tightly, but not tightly.

Hidden functions that are not mentioned in the instructions

Xiaomi Smart Band 8 has a lot more than it looks, and here are some features that many users don’t use:

1. Music management

The bracelet can switch tracks and adjust volume directly from the screen.

• 🎵 Turn on the player on your phone (such as Spotify or YouTube Music).
• 🔄 Flick the bracelet screen to the left to the Music section.
• 🎧 Click on the icons. ▶️/⏸️ play-control.

2. Quick responses to messages

On Android, you can customize template responses to notifications:

1. In Mi Fitness, select a bracelet. → Notifications → Quick answers.
2. Add up to 10 templates (e.g., “I’ll call you back,” “I’m busy right now”).
3. When receiving a message, swipe up the notification on the bracelet and select the answer.

3. Phone search

If you lose your phone, the bracelet will help you find it:

• 📱 On the bracelet swipe down to the section More.
• 🔍 Find the phone – the smartphone will begin to vibrate and make sound.

4.Do not disturb mode

To disable all notifications for a certain time:

• 🔕 On the bracelet, swipe down. → Don't disturb.
• ⏰ Set a timer (for example, 1 hour) or turn on the mode manually.

Lifehack: Double-pressing the bracelet button opens the last app you've used (like a workout or a pulse).

Set up training and sports regimes

Smart Band 8 supports 150+ sports regimes, including running, swimming, yoga and even boxing, to start training:

1. On the bracelet swipe left to the Training section.
2. Choose the type of activity (such as running outside).
3. Press Start – the bracelet will start tracking your pulse, steps and calories.
4. When you close, click Finish, the data is automatically synced to Mi Fitness.

For accurate jogging tracking:

• 📍 Turn it on. GPS on the phone (bracelet uses smartphone data).
• 🏃‍♂️ Wear the bracelet on the opposite hand (for right-handers - left).
• 📊 In the training settings, activate voice prompts (for example, about the distance traveled).

Important for swimmers: Bracelet has 5 protection ATM, But after swimming in salt or chlorinated water, rinse it with fresh water and dry it.

💡

To save charge, turn off automatic determination of the type of training (Settings) → Training. → Auto-detection. The bracelet will use less energy to analyze movements.

Optimizing battery consumption: how to extend the bracelet

With active use, the Smart Band 8 lasts 10 to 14 days, but if all sensors are turned on, this period is reduced to 5 to 7 days.

• 🔋 Turn off the Hand Raising to activate the screen (saves up to 15% charge).
• ⏳ Set the pulse interval of 30 minutes instead of 1 minute.
• 🌙 Turn on Sleep Mode at Night – It turns off unnecessary sensors.
• 📵 Disable notifications from unnecessary applications.
• 🎨 Use static dials instead of animated ones.

If the bracelet discharges too quickly (less than 3 days), check:

• 🔄 Does the background synchronize with Mi Fitness (reboot the application).
• 🔥 Is there any overheating of the bracelet (this may indicate a malfunction of the battery).
• 📲 Update the firmware – in new versions optimized energy consumption.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet doesn’t hold charge even after optimisation, try resetting it to factory settings (Settings) → If this does not help, contact the service center - you may need to replace the battery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions