How to set up Xiaomi Mi Band 3: a complete guide with photos and tips

Xiaomi Mi Band 3

Mi Band 3

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for setting up the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 from scratch, including connecting to a smartphone, personalizing screens, setting up activity tracking and solving typical problems. We will also tell you which apps are best to use in 2026 and how to extend the battery life.

If you've just bought a wristband or decided to bring it back to life after a long downtime, this guide will help you understand all the nuances, and for experienced users, we have prepared hidden functions and life hacks that few people know about.

Preparation for setting up: what to do before connecting

Before you start setting up Mi Band 3, make sure you have everything you need, and in many cases, connection problems are caused by trivial inaccuracies at the beginning.

Here is the mandatory checklist before setting up:

Pay special attention to bracelet charging.Mi Band 3 comes with minimal charge, and if the indicator doesn't burn when connected to the charger, check:

• 🔌 The cable is tightly connected (magnetic contacts must be drawn)
• 🔋 Used by the original USB-adapter (5V/1A)
• ⚡ The charging indicator flashes red (when fully charged, it will turn green)

If the bracelet does not respond to charging, try to clean the contacts with a soft brush or change them. USB-In rare cases, the problem may be a faulty battery, which will require repairs.

💡

To speed up the first charge, connect the bracelet to USB-The port of the computer instead of the socket - the current will be more stable.

What to choose from: Mi Fit vs Zepp Life

Officially, the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 supports two apps: Mi Fit (from Xiaomi) and Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit).Both are available for Android and iOS, but have key differences.

Let's compare them in the table:

Our advice: if you want stability and detail, go for Zepp Life, and if you're used to Xiaomi's classic interface and don't need advanced analytics, Mi Fit will do just fine.

Both apps are free, but Zepp Life has a premium subscription with advanced features (like personal training recommendations), but the free version will suffice for most users for the Mi Band 3.

How to connect Mi Band 3 to your phone

Now, the most important thing is that the bracelet is paired with a smartphone, and the process is the same for both applications, but we'll show you Mi Fit, because it's more common.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Mi Fit and click Profile → Add the device.
2. Choose a bracelet. → Mi Smart Band 3.
3. Allow the app to access Bluetooth and notifications.
4. Click on the bracelet icon in the application and wait for the device to be searched.
5. When Mi Band 3 is on the list, tap it.
6. Confirm the pairing on the phone and on the bracelet (button on the screen).

If the bracelet is not present:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off/On).
• 📱 Make sure that the distance between the devices is not more than 1 meter.
• 🔋 Check the bracelet charge (at low charge, the connection may break down).
• 🚫 Turn it off. VPN Power saving modes – they can block the connection.

Once you've successfully connected, the app will suggest you update the bracelet firmware. Always agree that new versions fix bugs and add features. It'll take 2-5 minutes to update, so don't interrupt!

💡

The first firmware update may take longer than usual, which is normal, as long as the bracelet is at least 50 percent charged.

Set up notifications: calls, SMS and messengers

One of the main features of the Mi Band 3 is alerts for incoming calls, messages and events. By default, notifications are disabled, so they need to be configured manually.

How to enable notifications:

1. In the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app, select your bracelet.
2. Go to Notifications. → Management of notifications.
3. Activate the switch Enable notifications.
4. Select the apps you want to see on your bracelet (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
5. Set up vibration and repeat alerts (if desired).

Please note:

• 📱 Android will need to allow Mi Fit to access notifications in system settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fit → Notifications).
• 🍎 On iPhone, notifications are limited (only calls and calls) SMS textless).
• 🔔 To prevent notifications from being duplicated, turn them off in other fitness apps (e.g. Google Fit).

If notifications do not arrive:

⚠️ Note: On some smartphones (especially Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung), the Mi Fit app can be blocked by the power saving system. → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Mi Fit → No restrictions.

Also check if notifications are disabled directly on the bracelet:

1. On Mi Band 3, swipe down to the Settings menu.
2. Choose More. → Notifications.
3. Make sure the Enable option is active.

Personalization of the bracelet: dials, brightness, alarm clocks

Mi Band 3 allows you to customize the appearance and behavior of the bracelet for yourself. Let's consider the main options that you should change immediately after connecting.

1. Change of dial

By default, the bracelet shows the time in a minimalist style, but you can choose from 5 built-in dials:

• 🕒 Classic (analogue clock)
• 📊 Sporty (with steps and pulse)
• 🌙 Night (dark theme)
• 🎨 Colored (with accent colors)
• 🔢 Digital (large numbers)

To change the dial:

1. In the application, select Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Dials.
2. Slip on your favorite option and click Sync.
3. Wait 10-20 seconds, the bracelet will update the screen.

2. Screen brightness adjustment

The Mi Band 3 screen has 5 brightness levels. To save battery, choose the best one:

1. On the bracelet: Settings → Display. → Brightness.
2. Annex: Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Screen settings.

3. Alarm clocks and reminders

The wristband can wake you up with a vibration, which is useful if you don't want to disturb others.

1. Annex: Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Alarm clocks.
2. Click Add and specify the time.
3. Choose the days of the week and the type of alert (single/repeated).
4. Activate the Smart Alarm – it will wake you up in the light sleep phase 30 minutes before the set time.

💡

If you often forget to drink water, include reminders in your profile. → Mi Smart Band 3 → The bracelet will vibrate every hour and show the progress of water consumption.

Tracking activity: pedometer, pulse, sleep and training

Mi Band 3 is not just a watch, it's a full-fledged fitness tracker, so let's figure out how to set up the right activity tracking to keep the data accurate.

1. Stepper and goals

By default, the bracelet counts steps automatically, but you can configure a personal goal:

• 👟 Annex: Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Steps by step (recommended value: 8000–10,000 steps).
• 📏 For more accurate calculation, specify the step length in Settings → Personal information.

Pulse measurement

The bracelet can measure your heart rate automatically (every 30 minutes) or on request.

1. Annex: Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Monitoring of heart rate.
2. Select a mode: 🔄 Auto – Measurement every 30 minutes (consumes battery). 🛑 Manually - only when you press the bracelet on the screen. 💤 Sleep – tracking the pulse at night (useful for analyzing sleep).

3. Sleep tracking

No additional adjustments are required to analyze sleep, the bracelet automatically detects when you fall asleep, but for more accurate data:

• 😴 Go to bed at the same time (bracelet learns to recognize your regimen).
• 📵 Do not put your phone near the bracelet – it can interfere with sensors.
• 📊 Check the sleep statistics in the app: deep / light sleep, wake-ups.

4. Training regimes

Mi Band 3 supports tracking of 5 activities:

• 🏃 Running (outside/pathway)
• 🚴 Cycling
• 🏊 Swimming (waterproof bracelet up to 50 meters)
• 🚶 Walking
• 🏋️ Gym room

To start training:

1. On the bracelet, swipe right to the Training menu.
2. Select the type of activity and press the button.
3. Once completed, press the button again – the data is synchronized with the application.

⚠️ Warning: When swimming, do not press the bracelet button underwater - this can damage the tightness. Just stop for a pause, and to complete the workout, step out of the water and press the button.

Advanced Settings: Reset, Update, and Hidden Features

If you want to make the most of Mi Band 3, pay attention to these hidden features and rarely used features.

1.Reset to factory settings

If the bracelet has started to glittle or you want to sell it, reset:

1. On the bracelet: Settings → More. → Reset.
2. Confirm the action by pressing a button.
3. After the reset, the bracelet will look like new.

2. Manual firmware update

If the automatic update does not work:

• 🔄 Annex: Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Firmware update.
• 📥 If the update is not available, check the firmware version in Settings. → The bracelet.
• 🔧 For forced updates, disconnect the bracelet from the application and connect again.

3. Hidden functions

• 🔍 Phone search: if you lost your smartphone, swipe on the bracelet → Find the phone, the phone will make a sound.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Turn off automatic pulse measurement and notifications from unnecessary apps.
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization: Enable in the application settings so that data is updated without manually running.

4. Alternative firmware

For power users, custom firmware (such as Amazfit Mod) is available that adds new dials, iOS notifications, and other features, but installing it requires unlocking the bracelet and can result in a loss of warranty.

⚠️ Warning: Installing unofficial firmware can disrupt sensors or cause the bracelet to overheat!

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 3