How to set up a Xiaomi smart bracelet: from connectivity to fine-tuning

Xiaomi smart bracelets are some of the most popular fitness trackers on the market due to a combination of functionality, sensor accuracy and affordable price. However, even such a simple device requires the right setup to unleash its full potential. Many users face problems when connecting first: the bracelet does not sync with the smartphone, does not show notifications or quickly discharges. In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step setting of the Mi Band 4/5/6/7/8 smart bracelets, from basic connection to hidden functions that the manufacturer does not advertise.

Xiaomi devices are dependent on Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit), which makes the bracelet a regular pedometer with a watch without it, but even after installing the app, many functions remain hidden, such as setting gestures, customizing dials, or activating Do Not Disturb mode on a schedule, and we’ll show you how to avoid common mistakes and customize the bracelet to suit your needs, whether it’s sports, sleep monitoring, or smart home management.

1. Preparation for setting up: what to do before connecting

Before you start syncing, make sure your smartphone and bracelet are ready to go, and often problems arise from not following basic conditions:

• 📱 Version. Android/iOS: Mi Fitness app requires Android 6.0+ iOS 12.0+. On older devices, synchronization may not work properly.
• 🔋 Bracelet charge: charge the device to at least 50% before setting up. At low charge, there may be failures when updating the firmware.
• 📲 App Permissions: Mi Fitness requests access to contacts, notifications, location and storage. Without these permissions, some functions will be blocked.
• 🌐 Internet connection: stable Wi-Fi or mobile internet is required for the first setup (the bracelet firmware update is done via the network).

Pay special attention to the region of your Mi Account. If you bought the bracelet in China or use the Chinese version of the app, some features (such as Xiaomi Pay or voice assistant) may not be available.

⚠️ Note: Linking the bracelet to a Mi Account from another region (e.g. China) may limit functionality. If you plan to use the Mi Band in Russia or Europe, register an account in the relevant region through the VPN before the first connection of the device.

2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application

Xiaomi's official bracelet management app is Mi Fitness (until 2022, it was called Mi Fit), which can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store. APK-files, as they may contain viruses or outdated versions.

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Sign in/sign in: Create a Xiaomi account or sign in to an existing one. If you already have a Redmi/POCO account, use it.
2. Adding a device: press + in the top right corner → select Bracelet → Mi Smart Band → specify your device model.
3. Bluetooth pairing: Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and wait for the app to find the bracelet. The bracelet will have a 6-digit code on its screen, and you can confirm it in the app.

If the bracelet is not present, check:

• 🔄 Reboot devices: sometimes helps to restart the bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds) and the smartphone.
• 📵 Conflict with other gadgets: disable other wearable devices (headphones, watches) that may interfere with pairing.
• 🛠️ Update firmware: in the bracelet menu (Settings) → About bracelet) check the relevance of the software. Outdated firmware can cause synchronization errors.

3. Basic bracelet settings: time, notifications, profile

Once you have successfully connected, start personalizing. Basic settings are configured in the "Device Profile" section of the Mi Fitness app.

Key menu items:

Important: If notifications don’t come to the bracelet, check the permissions for Mi Fitness in your phone settings. On Android 12+, you need to manually allow notifications for each app separately.

For accurate sleep tracking:

• 😴 Enable sleep mode in the Profile → Sleep monitoring: The bracelet will automatically detect sleep phases (light, deep, REM).
• ⏰ Set an alarm with the function “Smart lift” – the bracelet will wake you up in the optimal phase of sleep 30 minutes before the set time.
• 📊 Analyze the statistics in the Sleep section, and the app makes recommendations for improving sleep quality based on your data.

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If the bracelet incorrectly determines the phases of sleep, before going to bed, reset its settings to factory (Profile → Untie the device) and repeat the synchronization.

4. Advanced features: sports, payments, music management

Xiaomi’s modern bracelets are not just pedometer-enabled, but consider the hidden possibilities that many people don’t know about.

Training and sports:

• 🏃 Automatic activity recognition: the bracelet itself determines running, walking, cycling and swimming (for Mi Band) 7/8). To avoid false positives, calibrate the sensors to Profile → Training settings.
• 📈 Training plans: the app has ready-made programs for running, walking and cycling. Select a target (for example, "Burn 500 calories"), and the bracelet will track progress.
• 🏊 Swimming mode: on the Mi Band 6/7/8 It supports swimming style tracking and pool laps counting, and it's manually activated before training.

2. Xiaomi Pay and contactless payments:

The feature is only available for Mi Band 6/7/8 in regions where Xiaomi Pay is supported (not included in the list).

1. Open Profile. → Xiaomi Pay.
2. Add a bank card (Mastercard and Visa are supported).
3. Install. PIN-proof-of-payment.

⚠️ Note: For payments, the bracelet must be linked to a Mi Account from a supported region (e.g. China or Europe.

Control of music and camera:

• 🎵 Music remote: You can switch tracks and adjust volume on the bracelet screen. Works with Spotify, YouTube Music and the standard player.
• 📸 Remote camera descent: in Profile → More functions → Control the camera, turn on the option. You can now take photos from your smartphone by pressing the bracelet.

5. Customization of dials and personalization

One of the main advantages of Xiaomi bracelets is the ability to install custom dials. Standard options quickly get bored, and on the Internet you can find thousands of designs for any style.

How to install a new dial:

1. Open Profile. → Dials.
2. Choose a category (Sports, Classics, Minimalism, etc.).
3. Click on your favorite design and confirm the installation. The dial syncs with the bracelet for 10-30 seconds.

To install third-party dials (not from the official catalog):

• 🌐 Download a.bin file from trusted sources (e.g. Mi Band Masters or Amazfit Watchfaces).
• 📁 Put the file in the folder. MiFit/WatchFace phone-on.
• 🔄 Update the list of dials in the app (Profile) → Dials → Update).

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial dials may cause malfunctions in the bracelet. Before installing, check for reviews about a specific design and back up the data through Profile → Backup.

The Mi Band 7/8 supports animated dials and designs with additional widgets (weather, calendar, stress level).

• 🔋 To save money: choose static dials with minimal animations.
• 🎨 For functionality: Use designs with quick access to pulse, weather and notifications.

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Dials with weather and calendar widgets require constant synchronization with the phone, which increases battery consumption by 15-20%.

6. Battery optimization and problem solving

The life of the Xiaomi bracelet on a single charge varies from 5 to 20 days depending on the model and settings.

If the bracelet is not activated after discharge:

1. Connect it to charging for 30 minutes.
2. Press the touch button for 20 seconds to force reboot.
3. If the screen is not responsive, try resetting the settings through the app (Profile → Untie the device).

Resetting to factory settings helps with serious failures.

1. Go to Profile → About Bracelet → Resetting settings.


2. Confirm the action in the appendix.




3. After resetting, the bracelet will reset and be ready to be reset.

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If the bracelet is slow to respond to touch, update the firmware through Profile → Software Update. This often solves problems with lags.

7. synchronization with other services (Google Fit, Apple Health, Strava)

By default, Xiaomi’s bracelet data is stored only in Mi Fitness, but it can be exported to other fitness apps for comprehensive analysis.

Connect to Google Fit (Android):

1. Open Mi Fitness → Profile → Account → Connected apps.
2. Select Google Fit and log in.
3. Set up synchronization parameters (steps, sleep, pulse, etc.).

Connecting to Apple Health (iOS):

• 🍎 In Mi Fitness go to Profile → Settings → Apple Health.
• Turn on the switch and select the data for export.
• 🔄 Synchronization occurs automatically when you open the application.

To sync with Strava or MyFitnessPal, use intermediate services like SyncSolver or Health Auto Export (subscription required).

⚠️ Note: When synced with Google Fit, sleep data may be duplicated if you use multiple trackers at the same time. To avoid confusion, turn off sleep monitoring in one of the apps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi Mi Band