How to set up a fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 5: full instruction in Russian

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is one of the most popular fitness bracelets on the market, combining affordable price and wide functionality. Even a few years after its release (the model was released in June 2020), the device remains relevant thanks to regular firmware updates and support for basic features: heart rate, sleep, 11 sports regimens and NFC version NFC. However, many users face difficulties in the first setup – especially if you have not previously used Xiaomi gadgets.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step guide in Russian, illustrating key steps from unpacking and charging to fine-tuning notifications and hidden features. We will also reveal unique Mi Band 5 chips that are not available in newer models (for example, controlling music on an iPhone through a bracelet), and explain how to bypass typical sync errors with Mi Fit or Zepp Life. If you just purchased the bracelet or want to recheck its settings, this guide is for you.

1.Preparation for setting: unpacking and first charging

Before you start setting up, make sure the bracelet is ready to go. Complete with the Xiaomi Mi Band 5, you will find:

• 📦 Fitness bracelet itself (body with display)
• 🔋 Charging cable (magnetic, with USB-type A)
• 📄 Short instructions in several languages (Russian is available)
• 🔄 The band (already installed, but in some trim levels there is a spare one)

The first step is to charge the device, and even though there's a small charge in the bracelet from the factory, it's best to bring the battery to the factory. 100% before setting up, connect the magnetic cable to USB-port of the computer or charger (current at least 5V/1A), And then you attach the bracelet to the contacts, and the charging indicator will light up in red, and when it's done, it will turn green.

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If the bracelet does not respond to charging, check the purity of the contacts on the case and cable. Sometimes it is enough to wipe them with a dry wipe or a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.

The full charge time is about 1.5-2 hours, and during this time you will have time to install the necessary application on your smartphone.

• 📱 Android 5.0 and higher with Bluetooth 4.2 support)
• 🍎 iOS 10.0 and higher (iPhone) 5s newer)

2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 requires an official app to manage. Since 2023, Xiaomi has been gradually moving users from Mi Fit to Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit), but both options remain workable. We recommend Zepp Life - it has a more modern interface and receives updates faster.

Download the application from official sources:

• 🤖 Mi Fit for Android or Zepp Life for Android
• 🍏 Mi Fit for iOS or Zepp Life for iOS

After installation:

1. Launch the application and register (you can use Xiaomi Account, Google, Apple) ID phone).
2. Click Add the device (the + icon in the upper right corner).
3. Choose a bracelet. → Mi Smart Band 5.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions (allow access to notifications, geolocation, and fitness data).

If the app doesn't find the bracelet,

⚠️ Warning: Turn off Power Saving on your smartphone and check that the Mi Band 5 is within 10 meters of your phone. VPN Firewalls that block Bluetooth connections.

3. Synchronization of the bracelet with a smartphone

When the app finds Mi Band 5, the bracelet will have a 4-digit code on its screen, which you need to enter in the app to confirm the pair.

1. Touch the touch button under the bracelet screen.
2. Scroll up/down to find the Connect item.
3. Press and hold the 3 second button to reset the connection and try again.

After successful synchronization:

• 🔄 The bracelet will automatically update the firmware (if a new version is available).
• ⏱️ Time and date are synchronized with the phone.
• 📱 It will be possible to adjust notifications and dials.

If the synchronization is interrupted:

4.Tune in basic functions: steps, heartbeat, sleep

After synchronization, go to the Profile section → Mi Smart Band 5 is available in the app. Key settings are available here:

Activity monitoring:

• 👟 Steps goal – set the daily norm (by default 8000 steps).
• 🏃 Sport modes - activate the necessary (running, cycling, swimming, etc.).
• 📊 Activity Auto-Detection – Turn on the bracelet to recognize walking/running.

Health:

• ❤️ Heart rate - select a mode: 🔄 Auto (measures every 30 minutes) 🛌 Night (only during sleep) ❌ Off (to save battery)
• 😴 Sleep monitoring – Include deep analysis to track sleep phases (REM, light, deep).
• 🩺 Blood oxygen levels (SpO₂) — Available only in firmware after version 1.0.3.54.

Notifications:

To make the bracelet vibrate when calling and texting:

1. Go to Notifications. → Management of notifications.
2. Turn on the Display Notifications switch.
3. Select applications (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, VKontakte).
4. Set up the display style (full text or just an icon).

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For Android notifications to work correctly, you need to allow Zepp Life to access AutoRun and Work in the background (in your phone settings).

5. Personalization: dials, alarm clocks, gestures

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 supports customization of dials - you can choose from pre-installed or download new ones through the application.

1. Open Profile. → Mi Smart Band 5 → Dials.
2. Scroll down and click Get More (Internet required).
3. Choose your favorite design and click Sync.

Among the hidden functions:

• 🎨 Animated dials (such as those with Disney characters or cyberpunk style).
• 🔄 Time of day dial changer (requires firmware 1.0.4.16)+).
• 🖼️ The ability to upload your own photo as a background (via Amazfit Tool).

Setting alarm clocks:

The bracelet supports up to 10 alarm clocks, including Smart Alarms, which will wake you up in your optimal sleep phase.

1. Go to Profile. → Alarm clocks.
2. Click Add and set the time.
3. Choose the days of the week and the type (Disposable or Repetitive).
4. Activate the Smart Alarm (30 minutes before the set time).

Gestures and controls:

• 🙌 Raising your hand to turn on the screen is convenient, but reduces the working time to 5-7 days.
• 🎵 Music management – works even on iPhone (pause/play, next track).
• 🔍 Phone search – the bracelet vibrates if the phone is out of range of Bluetooth.

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To save charge, turn off the Raising of the Hand and set the screen display time to 5 seconds (in bracelet settings).

6. Hidden features and life hacks for Mi Band 5

Many users don’t know that the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 has more than just counting steps. Here are 5 little-known features:

1. Control of the smartphone camera:

The bracelet can take photos on the phone remotely.

1. Open the camera on your smartphone.
2. On the bracelet, go to the other → Camera control.
3. Click on the shutter icon – the timer is triggered for 3 seconds.

2. Do not disturb mode:

Turns off all notifications and vibrations for a given period of time (e.g., in a meeting).

• 📱 Annex: Profile → Don't disturb.
• ⌚ Bracelet: Settings → Do not disturb (hold the button for 2 seconds).

Weather on the dial:

If you sync the bracelet with the Zepp Life app, some dials will display the current temperature and forecast for 3 days.

1. Turn on Geolocation for Zepp Life on your phone.
2. Select a weather-enabled dial (e.g. Digital Weather).

4. The secret mode of the developer:

5. Savings in charge during travel:

If you are traveling without access to charging, put the bracelet in airplane mode (disables Bluetooth, but saves activity data).

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → Airplane mode.
2. When you return, sync your data with your phone.

7. Update firmware and reset settings

Regular firmware updates add new features and fix bugs to update Mi Band 5:

1. Make sure the bracelet is charged 50% or more.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (update via mobile internet may not work).
3. In the app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Update firmware.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

Current firmware versions (June 2026):

Reset to factory settings:

If the bracelet is not working stable (for example, it does not sync or the screen “glues”), reset:

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → Reset.
2. Confirm the action (the bracelet will reboot).
3. After reset, re-synchronize it with your phone.

⚠️ Warning: Reset removes all data from the bracelet (steps, sleep, alarms), but information in the Zepp Life app is stored.

8. Troubleshooting: Frequent Problems and Solutions

Even a device as robust as the Mi Band 5 can fail, and let's look at the typical cases.

The bracelet shall not be switched on:

• 🔋 Check the charge (plug in to charge for 30 minutes).
• 🔄 If the screen does not respond, perform a hard reset: connect to the charger and hold the button for 15 seconds.
• 🔧 If it does not help - contact the service (possible battery failure).

2. Incorrect display of steps:

• 👟 Reset the data in the app: Profile → Resetting the steps.
• 📱 Check permissions for Zepp Life (access to Fitness Data and Activity).
• 🔄 Recalibrate the bracelet: walk 50 steps, then enter the real value in Settings → Calibration of steps.

The bracelet discharges quickly:

4 Notifications on iPhone:

⚠️ Note: Notifications may not arrive on iOS due to system limitations:

1. In the iPhone settings, go to Notifications → Zepp Life.
2. Enable notifications and sound.
3. In the Zepp Life app itself, turn off and re-enable notifications for the desired applications.

5. The bracelet doesn't measure SpO₂:

The function is only available in firmware 1.0.5.42 and above. SpO₂ no-menu:

1. Update the firmware through the app.
2. Make sure that the region in the app is set as Russia or Europe (in some regions the function is disabled).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 5