Xiaomi Mi Band 3 setup: from connectivity to hidden features

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular activity-tracking gadgets, despite the launch of new models, with its main advantages being simplicity, reliability and affordable price, but even such a simple device has a host of hidden features that many users are unaware of.

In this article, you'll find a step-by-step setup from scratch, from the first turn on to the finest customization of notifications and training, and we'll look at not only the basic features, but also little-known features that will make using the bracelet even more convenient, and if you upgraded with the Mi Band 2, you'll find out what innovations appeared in the third version.

Preparation for first inclusion

Before you start setting up, make sure you have everything you need:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 4.4+ or iOS 9.0+ Bluetooth 4.0
• 🔋 Charged bracelet (charging indicator burns red when connected to charger)
• 📲 Mi Fit app (you can download it from Google Play or App Store)
• 📌 Xiaomi account (if not, register in advance)

Important: The Mi Band 3 doesn't have a physical power button. It activates automatically when you connect to charging or sync with your smartphone. If the bracelet doesn't respond to touch after charging, try resetting it to factory settings (which we'll talk about later).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use chargers from other Mi Band models - this could damage the battery.The original cable has magnetic contacts and voltage 5V/0.05A.

If you are upgrading with Mi Band 2, note the key differences of the third version:

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit application

The Mi Fit app is the control center for your bracelet, and without it, the Mi Band 3 will only work as a pedometer with minimal functionality.

• 🤖 For Android: Mi Fit on Google Play
• 🍎 For iOS: Mi Fit in the App Store

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Open the app and select the language (Russian is supported).
2. Sign in through your Xiaomi, Google or Facebook account.
3. Press «+» → «Bracelet» → «Mi Smart Band 3».
4. Allow access to notifications, geolocation and fitness data (this is necessary for proper operation).

⚠️ Note: On the iPhone after connecting the bracelet, be sure to go to Settings → Bluetooth and manually confirm pairing with the device MI Band 3: Otherwise, the notifications won't work.

If the app does not find the bracelet:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your smartphone.
• 🔋 Make sure the bracelet is charged (the indicator flashes when you touch the button).
• 📱 Check that the phone is on the developer mode (sometimes helps with connection problems).

Synchronization of the bracelet with a smartphone

Once you've successfully connected, the Mi Fit app will have a master bracelet management menu, and you can configure:

• 📊 User profile (gender, age, weight, height – affects calorie and step accuracy).
• 🔔 Notifications (application selection, vibration, text on the screen).
• 🏃 Activity tracking (targets by steps, reminders of inactivity).
• ⏰ Alarm clocks (up to 10, including smart ones with sleep phase analysis).

For full data synchronization:

1. Open the tab "Profile» → «Mi Smart Band 3».
2. Click on “Sync Data” (Icon) ⚙️ top-right).
3. Wait for the process to be completed (the synchronization icon will appear on the bracelet).

If the data is not synchronized:

• 📵 Temporarily shut down. VPN Ad blockers – they can interfere with communication with Xiaomi servers.
• 🔄 Reconnect the bracelet: Settings → Disable the device → Reconnect.
• 📲 Update the Mi Fit app to the latest version.

Update Mi Fit to the latest version|

Charge the bracelet to 100%|

Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on your smartphone |

Allow all application requests (notifications, fitness data)-->

Set up notifications and calls

One of the key features of the Mi Band 3 is to alert you about calls and messages, so you can set them up.

1. In the Mi Fit app, go to “Profile» → «Mi Smart Band 3» → «Notifications».
2. Turn on the "Call Notifications" switch.
3. Select the apps you want to see on your bracelet (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
4. Set up the display style: 📱 Vibration only (without text). 📜 Summary text (first) 20-30 symbolism). 📄 Full text (up to) 100 Symbols, requires firmware with support for Cyrillic).

There's a nuance for the iPhone: by default, the Mi Band 3 only shows notifications from standard apps (Messages, Phone).

1. Go to the iPhone Settings → Notifications.
2. For each application (such as Viber), turn on the “Show on the Lock screen” option.
3. In Mi Fit, update the list of permitted notifications.

💡

To quickly clear all notifications on the bracelet, swipe down the screen and hold your finger for 2 seconds. This will work even if the display is locked.

Personalization of screen and interface

Mi Band 3 supports removable dials (branded and custom), as well as customizing the displayed information.

1. In the Mi Fit app, go to “Profile» → «Mi Smart Band 3» → «Display».
2. Choose one of the suggested dials (available) 5-7 standard-sized).
3. To download additional dials, use third-party apps like Amazfit Watchfaces or Mi Band Master.

The following data can be displayed on the bracelet screen (configured in “Screen settings”):

• ⏱ Time and date (12/24-clock-form).
• 🏃 Steps and distance (discharge at midnight).
• ❤️ Pulse (current or average value).
• 🔋 Battery charge (bracelet and smartphone).
• 🌡 Weather (requires switched on) GPS phone-on).

For convenience, you can adjust gestures:

• 🙌 Raising your hand - turning on the screen.
• 🔄 Double touch – moving to the next screen.
• 🚫 Disabling gestures (savings charge).

If after changing the dial, the bracelet began to brake:

• 🔄 Return to the standard dial.
• 📥 Update the bracelet firmware (instruction below).
• 🔋 Check battery power - at a level below 20% possible lag.

Setting up sleep tracking and exercise

Mi Band 3 automatically tracks sleep phases (deep, light, wakefulness), but for accurate data, you need to adjust it correctly:

1. In Mi Fit go to "Profile» → «Mi Smart Band 3» → «Sleep tracking».
2. Turn on the option of “Automatic sleep detection”.
3. Specify the time of going to bed (the bracelet will be ready for monitoring).
4. To analyze the phases of sleep, turn on the “Smart alarm clock” – it will wake you up at the optimal moment.

For training, modes are available:

• 🏃 Running (outside/pathway).
• 🚴 Bicycle (tracks speed and distance).
• 🏊 Swimming (only in the pool, not in open water).
• 🚶 Walking (with steps and calories counted).
• 🏋️ Gym (General activity monitoring).

To start training:

1. On the bracelet, swipe up the screen.
2. Choose a training mode (the icon with the man).
3. Click on the screen to start (timer and pulse will appear).
4. To pause/end, hold the screen for 2 seconds.

After training, the data is automatically synchronized with Mi Fit, where you can see:

• ⏱ Activity time.
• ❤️ Average and maximum pulse.
• 🔥 Calories spent.
• 📈 Intensity graph.

⚠️ Note: When swimming, the bracelet calculates the distance by the number of strokes, not by the number of strokes. GPS. For accurate tracking, specify the length of the pool in the training settings.

💡

For accurate tracking of running on the street, turn on GPS You can use your smartphone and take it with you. The bracelet uses your phone's data to plot a route.

Hidden functions and life hacks

Mi Band 3 has some non-obvious features that are not mentioned in the official manual:

• 🔍 Phone search: in the bracelet menu there is an option “Find the phone” – when activated, the smartphone will start ringing at full volume.
• 🔇 Silent alarm clock: you can adjust the vibration of the bracelet instead of the sound signal.
• 🔄 Music management: Swipe down on the bracelet screen allows you to pause music or switch tracks (works with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music).
• 🔋 Saving charge: Turn off automatic pulse measurement (in "Settings") → Heart rate monitoring – this will prolong work to 25-30 days.
• 🌙 Night mode: the screen can be dimmer to avoid blinding in the dark ("Settings") → Brightness»).

For experienced users:

• 📲 Custom firmware: Mi Band 3 Tools or Notify & Fitness can install alternative firmware with advanced features (e.g. support for the software). NFC Payment for certain regions).
• 🔧 Change of region: if your country does not have support NFC Change the region of the bracelet to “China” through the engineering menu.

If the bracelet began to slow down after the update:

• 🔄 Reset it to factory settings: Settings → Additionally. → Reset.
• 📥 Install an older version of the firmware (instructions are available on forums like 4PDA).

💡

To quickly calculate your pulse manually, go to the bracelet menu, select Heart Rhythm, and hold your finger on the sensor. 10-15 The result will be more accurate if the hand is on the table.

Update firmware and reset settings

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 smartphone via Mi Fit.
3. In the app, go to "Profile» → «Mi Smart Band 3» → «Firmware update».
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

The firmware versions for Mi Band 3:

If the update is hanging:

• 🔄 Reset the bracelet (hold the button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 Reinstall the Mi Fit app.
• 🔌 Connect the bracelet to charging and try again.

For a complete reset of settings:

1. On the bracelet, go to "Settings» → «Additionally» → «Reset».
2. Confirm the action (the bracelet will reboot).
3. Connect it again via Mi Fit.

⚠️ Warning: Reset deletes all data from the bracelet, including training history and alarm settings.Synced data in Mi Fit will be saved.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 3