How to set up Xiaomi Mi Band 3: full instruction from connection to hidden features

Xiaomi Mi Band 3

fine-tuning

Mi Band 3

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for initially setting up the bracelet, connecting to a smartphone, activating hidden functions, and solving typical problems. We're going to take a look at basic options like notifications or alarm clocks, but also little-known features like how to use a bracelet to unlock your phone or adjust individual vibration patterns for different contacts. 2026 year and working on devices under control Android/iOS.

If you’ve just unpacked the Mi Band 3 box or want to recheck your settings, this guide is for you. Even experienced users will find a couple of useful life hacks here!

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

Before you start syncing the Mi Band 3 with your smartphone, follow a few preparatory steps that will save time and eliminate the typical errors like “bracelet does not connect” or “app does not see the device”.

First, check the compatibility of your smartphone. Mi Band 3 officially supports:

• 📱 Android 5.0 and higher with Bluetooth 4.0 support)
• 🍎 iOS 9.0 and higher (iPhone) 5s newer)

Older versions of the OS may have problems synchronizing data or displaying notifications.

Second, charge the bracelet to at least 50%. Even though the Mi Band 3 is powered on with even 10% charge, low battery levels can interrupt the firmware update process. Use the original cable from the kit - third-party charges are sometimes not recognized by the device.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is not responding to the charging connection, check the cleanliness of the contacts on the back of the case.

Finally, remove old versions of the Mi Fit app if they were installed earlier.

• 🤖 For Android: Google Play
• 🍏 For iOS: App Store

Older versions of the app may not support the current bracelet firmware.

2. First on and connecting to a smartphone

Now, let's get to the setup process itself. Follow the instructions Step-by-step to avoid errors:

Step 1. Turn on the bracelet

Click on the touch button below the Mi Band screen 3 And hold her down. 2-3 If the screen doesn't respond, plug the bracelet into charging on the device. 10-15 minutes, the battery may be completely discharged.

Step 2: Installation of the connection

Step 3: Synchronization

Once the bracelet appears in the list of available devices, click on it. The bracelet will display a 4-digit code — confirm it in the application. If the code does not appear, reload the bracelet (hold the 10 seconds button).

Removed old versions of Mi Fit|

Bracelet charged at least 50% |

Bluetooth enabled on your smartphone |

All requests for the application (notifications, geodata) are allowed)-->

If the bracelet is not connected, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and bracelet.
• 📱 Remove the bracelet from the list of associated Bluetooth devices in the phone settings and repeat the procedure.
• 🔌 Connect the bracelet to another smartphone (to check the health of the device).

⚠️ Note: iPhones sometimes have a problem with a permanent connection break.Solution: Go to Settings → Bluetooth, find Mi Band 3 in the list and click "Forget this device", then repeat the sync.

3. Basic settings: time, profile and notifications

Once you've successfully connected, you need to adjust the basic settings, and without that, the bracelet won't display the time correctly, count the steps, or show notifications.

Setting up a user profile

In the Mi Fit app, go to the Profile section (the person icon at the bottom of the screen) and fill in:

• 👤 Paul
• 📏 Growth
• ⚖️ Weight.
• 🎂 Date of birth

These data are used to calculate calories, activity goals, and sleep analysis, and if you don't specify height and weight, the numbers are inaccurate.

Synchronization of time

The wristband automatically pulls up the time from the smartphone, but sometimes there are discrepancies.

1. Open Mi Fit. → "Mi Smart Band 3".
2. Go to "Additional settings" → "Time on the device".
3. Press "Sync."

Set-up of notifications

To make the bracelet vibrate when calling and texting:

1. In Mi Fit, select "Mi Smart Band 3" → "Notifications".
2. Turn on the "Show notifications" switch.
3. Select the applications you want to see notifications from (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, VKontakte).

💡

If notifications come with a delay, turn on Auto Start and Background Operations in the phone settings for the Mi Fit app. On Xiaomi, this is done in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start

4. Set up activity and sleep tracking

The Mi Band 3 can automatically recognize walking, running, and even swimming (assuming the bracelet is waterproof), but you need to adjust the tracking settings correctly for accurate data.

Activity and pedometer

By default, the bracelet counts 10,000 steps a day as a goal.

1. Open Mi Fit. → "Profile".
2. Click on "Steps-by-Steps"
3. Choose the desired number (1,000 to 30,000 steps).

For a more accurate calculation of steps:

• 👟 Wear the bracelet on the non-dominant hand (for right-handed - left, for left-handed - right-handed).
• 📱 Turn it on. GPS on a smartphone to record routes (in training settings).
• 🔄 Calibrate the pedometer regularly: walk 20 steps with the bracelet and compare with the data in the application.

Sleep tracking

Mi Band 3 automatically detects sleep phases (deep, light, wakefulness) but requires:

1. Wear a bracelet before bed (preferably on the 1-2 scaling-hour).
2. Turn on the "Do Not Disturb" mode in the bracelet settings so that vibrations do not wake up at night.
3. Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged (otherwise, the tracking will be turned off).

Training and sports regimes

The bracelet supports 5 types of training:

• 🏃‍♂️ Running (outside/pathway)
• 🚶‍♂️ Walking
• 🚴‍♂️ Cycling
• 🏊‍♂️ Swimming (for waterproof version only)
• 🏋️ Gym room

To start your workout, swipe down on the bracelet screen and select the desired mode. The data will be synchronized with the Mi Fit automatically after completion.

5. Hidden features and life hacks for Mi Band 3

Many users don’t realize that the Mi Band 3 has much more than just showing the time and steps, and here are some hidden features that will make your interaction with the bracelet more convenient:

1. Unlocking the phone

The bracelet can unlock Xiaomi smartphone without entering a password.

1. In Mi Fit, go to "Mi Smart Band 3" → "Unlocking the phone".
2. Follow the instructions on the screen (you will need to add the bracelet to the list of trusted devices in the phone settings).

🔹 It only works on Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 9 and newer.

2. Individual vibrations for contacts

You can assign unique vibration patterns to different contacts:

1. In Mi Fit, select "Notifications" → "Vibration adjustment".
2. Add contact and select one of the 10 rhythms available.

3. Music management

From the bracelet, you can switch tracks and adjust the volume:

• 🎵 While playing music, swipe down on the bracelet screen.
• 🔊 There's a button panel "Play/Pause", "Next" and "Previous".

🔹 It only works with a standard player or Spotify.

4. Phone search

If you lose your smartphone, you can make it ring from the bracelet:

1. On the bracelet swipe down to the icon "🔍 Phone search".
2. Click on it, the phone will vibrate and make sound (even if it is silent).

5. Secret Menu of Engineering Settings

For experienced users, there is a hidden menu with additional options:

1. On the bracelet, go to the "Swipe to the right".
2. 10 times quickly press "About bracelet".
3. A menu with debugging options will appear (it is not recommended to change without need!).

💡

The most useful hidden feature is Mode Mode (disables the screen lighting when notified). → Mi Smart Band 3 → Screen. → Movie mode

Setting up alarm clocks and reminders

One of the most popular features of the Mi Band 3 is vibration alarms, which wake you up without disturbing anyone else, and you can set them up in two ways:

Method 1: Through the Mi Fit application

Method 2: Right on the bracelet

1. Swipe down on the bracelet screen to the icon "⏰ Alarm clock".
2. Click on it and select "Add".
3. Set the time with the touch button.

Maximum alarm clocks are 10. If you need more, remove unnecessary alarms or use reminders on your smartphone calendar, which will also be duplicated on the wristband.

Reminders of inaction

The bracelet may remind you to get up and stretch if you sit in place for a long time:

1. At Mi Fit, go to Targets" → "A reminder of inaction".
2. Turn on the option and set the interval (30 minutes to 2 hours).

When triggered, the bracelet will vibrate and show the message "It's time to warm up!".

Event reminders

You can set up notifications about important matters:

• 📅 In the smartphone calendar, create an event with a reminder.
• 🔔 In Mi Fit, enable calendar sync (Mi Smart Band 3) → Notifications → Calendar).

The bracelet will vibrate 10 minutes before the event.

7. Update firmware and reset settings

Regular firmware updates add new features and fix bugs. Mi Band 3 gets updates through the Mi Fit app, but sometimes the process can freeze. Here's how to update the bracelet correctly:

How to update firmware

1. Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged.
2. Connect your smartphone to Wi-Fi (update via mobile Internet may be interrupted).
3. Open Mi Fit. → "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 process takes 5-10 The bracelet will reset automatically.

⚠️ Warning: If the update is stuck in the Preparation stage, restart the bracelet (hold the 10 seconds button) and try again. If the problem recurs, remove the bracelet from Mi Fit and reconnect the bracelet.

How to Reset the Bracelet to Factory Settings

If the bracelet starts to glitches or you pass it to another person, reset:

1. On the bracelet, go to "More" → "Settings" → "Reset".
2. Confirm the action by pressing the button.
3. After the reboot, the bracelet will be like a new one – you will need to re-synchronize with your smartphone.

Alternatively, if the screen is not responding:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Hold the touch button for 15 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.

8. Solving common problems

Even with a reliable device like the Mi Band. 3, Sometimes there's a failure.-5 problems and solutions:

1.The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone

• 🔄 Reboot the bracelet and smartphone.
• 📱 In Bluetooth phone settings, “forget” the Mi Band 3 device and reconnect.
• 🔌 Check if Mi Fit includes access to Geodata and Notifications.

2. no notifications are coming.

• 🔔 In Mi Fit, check if notifications are included for the right apps.
• 📵 On iPhone, go to Settings → Notifications → Mi Fit and enable "Allow notifications".
• 🔄 Reconnect the bracelet to the phone.

3. The battery goes down fast.

• 🔋 Turn off unnecessary notifications.
• 🌙 Enable "Energy Saving Mode" in the bracelet settings.
• 🔄 Update the firmware – in new versions optimized battery consumption.

4. inaccurately counts steps

• 👟 Reconfigure the pedometer: walk 20 steps and compare the data in Mi Fit.
• 📱 Turn it on. GPS for more accurate tracking of routes.
• 🔄 Wear a bracelet on a non-dominant hand.

5.The screen is unresponsive to pressing

• 🔌 Connect the bracelet to charge for 10 minutes - the battery may have run out.
• 🔄 Restart the device (hold the 10 seconds button).
• 🛠️ If the screen is damaged, contact the service center (screen repair costs in the case of a computer). ~1 500 ₽).

💡

If the bracelet has stopped vibrating, check the "Silent Mode" settings in Mi Fit. Sometimes the vibration turns off after updating the firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 3