How to set up Xiaomi Band: from connectivity to hidden features

Xiaomi Band fitness bracelets (formerly known as Mi Band) remain among the most popular wearables due to the combination of affordable price, long autonomy and wide functionality. However, even a simple setup can raise questions for a beginner: why the bracelet does not connect to the phone, how to change the dial or why notifications do not come? In this article, we will analyze all the stages of settings – from first inclusion to fine customization, and also solve typical problems.

It is important to understand that the setup process is slightly different depending on the model: Xiaomi Band 8, Band 7 Pro or outdated Mi Band 5/6. But the basic principles remain general. We'll focus on the current versions of the firmware and the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit), which is available for Android and iOS. 2020 Some functions may not be available for a year, we will warn about this separately.

Before you start, make sure you have:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 12+ Bluetooth-on
• 🔋 Charged bracelet (minimum 20% battery)
• 📲 Installed Mi Fitness app (you can download it from Google Play or App Store)
• 📧 Xiaomi account (can be created directly in the app)

1. First turn on and connect to the phone

The new Xiaomi Band bracelets come off. To activate them, connect the bracelet to the charging cable (even if the battery is dead) - it will automatically turn on. The Mi logo will appear on the screen, and then a suggestion to connect to the phone.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app and sign in to your Xiaomi account (or sign up).
2. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Add the device.
3. Choose your bracelet model from the list (e.g. Xiaomi Smart Band 8).
4. Allow the app to access notifications, geolocation, and Bluetooth (required!).
5. Click Connect and wait until the bracelet appears in the list of available devices.
6. Confirm the pairing on the phone and on the bracelet itself (click on its screen).

If the bracelet is not present, try:

• 🔄 Restart Bluetooth on your phone.
• 📴 Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in the phone settings and reconnect.
• 🔋 Reset the bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds).
• 📲 Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version.

⚠️ Warning: On iPhone, after connecting, be sure to close the Mi Fitness app via swipe up and run again - otherwise notifications may not work.This is an iOS bug that Xiaomi has not yet fixed.

2. setting the main parameters: time, language, units of measurement

Once connected, the bracelet automatically syncs the time and date with the phone, but some settings will have to be adjusted manually.

1. In the Mi Fitness app, select your bracelet on the home screen.
2. Go to the Device Profile → Settings of the device.

Key options are available here:

On Xiaomi Band 8 and later, the Adaptive Brightness feature is introduced, which automatically adjusts the backlight depending on the lighting, but in the dark the screen can become too dim, so many users turn it off.

It is also possible in this section:

• 🔔 Set up vibration (strength and duration).
• 🔒 Set a password to unlock the bracelet (useful if you are afraid of accidental pressing).
• 🌙 Activate night mode (disables the screen illumination at specified hours).

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If you have a new language, reset it (press the button for 10 seconds) is a firmware bug that occurs on Band 7 and older.

3. Installation of dials (Watch Faces)

One of the main advantages of the Xiaomi Band is the ability to change the dials. In the standard set of 5-10 pieces, but through the application you can download hundreds of additional (including animated ones).

Method 1: From the Official Gallery

1. In the Mi Fitness app, select a bracelet → Dials.
2. Scroll down to the Recommended or Trends section.
3. Select your favorite dial and click Install.
4. Wait until it loads on the bracelet (usually 5-10 seconds).

Method 2: Through Third Party Services

For advanced users, there are sites like Amazfit Watch Faces where you can download unofficial dials.

• 📱 Root access on Android (or use of the app) ADB).
• 🖥️ Mi Band Tools (for experienced users only!).
• ⚠️ Risk of blocking the bracelet in case of incorrect installation.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Band 8, installing third-party dials could cause resets the next firmware update. Xiaomi doesn't officially support this feature.

To return the standard dial:

1. Press the bracelet screen for 2 seconds.
2. Select Settings → Dial → Reset.

Make sure the bracelet is charged (>30%)

Connect it to your phone via Bluetooth

Close background applications on a smartphone

Do not interrupt the installation process (can take up to 30 seconds)-->

4. Set up notifications: calls, SMS, messengers

By default, the bracelet only vibrates when incoming calls. To receive notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), social networks (Instagram, VK) or mail, you need to:

On Android:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, go to Device Profile → Notifications.
2. Turn on the Call Notification and Notifications from the apps switch.
3. Click Notification Management and select the apps you want to see alerts from.
4. In the phone settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Notifications) allow notifications to be displayed without sound (otherwise they will be duplicated).

On the iPhone:

1. In Mi Fitness, enable Call Notifications.
2. Go to the iPhone Settings → Notifications → Mi Fitness and activate Allow notifications.
3. For instant messengers (for example, Telegram), separately turn on Show on the lock screen.

Limitations:

• 📵 On Band 7 and older, notifications are only displayed as an app icon (no text).
• 🔕 Band 8 can read the first 30 characters of the message.
• 🚫 Some applications (such as Viber) may not be supported.

To read the notification on the bracelet, swipe your finger up the screen. To delete, swipe to the left.

5 Fitness functions: pedometer, pulse, training

Xiaomi Band can track steps, pulse, sleep and 150+ Types of exercise (running to yoga) to customize these functions:

Stepper and activity

• 👟 In Mi Fitness go to Statistics → Steps and set a daily goal (8000-10,000 steps recommended).
• 📊 To reset the step counter, click on the chart and select Reset data (helpful if you forgot to wear the bracelet in the morning).
• 🏃‍♂️ For accurate calorie count, include your weight, height and date of birth in your profile.

Pulse measurement

• ❤️ By default, the pulse is measured every 30 minutes. To change the frequency, go to the Device Profile. → Monitoring of heart rate.
• 📉 If the readings seem inaccurate, try to tighten the bracelet (it should sit 1-2 fingers above the wrist).
• ⚠️ Band 8 Pro has a sensor on the device SpO₂ (saturation of blood with oxygen), but its indications are informative and do not replace medical devices.

Training regimens

To start training:

1. On the bracelet, swipe up the screen and select Training.
2. Choose the type of activity (e.g. Running, Bicycle, Swimming).
3. Press Start – the bracelet will start recording the pulse, steps and distance traveled.
4. At the end, click Finish to save the results in the app.

In Mi Fitness, you can:

• 📈 View load schedules by day/week.
• 🏆 Set goals (for example, run 5 km per training session).
• 🔄 Sync data with Google Fit or Apple Health.

⚠️ Note: When swimming, the Xiaomi Band 8 automatically recognizes the style (brass, crawl), but for an accurate calculation of the length of the pool, be sure to specify it in the training settings (by default it is 25 meters).

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To save battery, turn off automatic training recognition (Settings) → Training. → Auto-identification. This function eats up to 20 percent of the charge per day.

6. Battery autonomy and economy

Officially, the Xiaomi Band 8 holds a charge of up to 16 days, but in practice this figure varies from 5 to 12 days depending on use.

Additional advice:

• 🔋 Charge the bracelet to 100% and do not leave it on charge for more than 2 hours – this can reduce the battery life.
• 🌡️ Avoid overheating (do not leave in the sun) and hypothermia (below -10).°C).
• 🔄 If the bracelet discharges in 1-2 days, reset it to factory settings (Settings) → Reset).

To check the status of the battery:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, select a bracelet.
2. Scroll down to the device status block.
3. Press the battery - here is displayed the percentage of charge and approximate operating time.

7. Resetting and problem solving

If the bracelet starts to glitches (it does not sync, does not respond to touch, shows incorrect data), resetting to factory settings will help.

• 📉 All data from the bracelet will be deleted (but stored in the Mi Fitness app).
• 🔄 I'll have to reconnect him to the phone.
• ⚙️ Standard settings (dial, notifications, etc.) will return.).

How to reset your settings:

1. On the bracelet, swipe up the screen and select Settings (icon) ⚙️).
2. Scroll down to Reset and confirm the choice.
3. Wait 1-2 minutes for the bracelet to reset.

Typical problems and solutions:

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the bracelet Xiaomi Band 7/8 If you're stuck on the logo, it might indicate that the firmware is damaged, and if you do, you can go to the service center, and if you do that, you can actually lose your ability to do it yourself.

8 Hidden functions and life hacks

Many users don’t know that the Xiaomi Band is much more than it seems.

1. Music management

You can wear the bracelet.

• 🎵 Switch tracks (swipe left/right across the screen during playback).
• 🔊 Adjust volume (on Band 8 – double tap on the screen).
• ⏸ Pause reproduction (single touch).

To do this, in the bracelet settings, turn on Music Management.

Quick response to messages (Band 8 only)

In the models with NFC You can configure 5 quick responses to messages (e.g., "I'm on my way," "I'll be back later:

1. In Mi Fitness, go to Notifications → Quick Answers.
2. Add your own phrases (maximum 20 characters).
3. When receiving a message on the bracelet, swipe up and select the answer.

3. Phone search

If you lose your phone, you can make it ring at full volume, even if it is silent:

1. On the bracelet, swipe up and select More → Find the phone.
2. The phone will begin to vibrate and make sound (works within a radius of 10 meters).

4.Do not disturb mode

To turn off all notifications and vibrations for a specific time (e.g., in a meeting):

1. On the bracelet: Settings → Don't disturb.
2. Choose the interval (from 1 hour to the whole day).

5. NFC Payment for the payment (only for Russia and China)

Xiaomi Band 7 Pro and Band 8 Pro have a module NFC, which allows you to link a Mir bank card or UnionPay for contactless payment:

1. In Mi Fitness, go to the NFC → Add a map.
2. Follow the instructions of the bank (confirmation will be required through the SMS).
3. To pay, bring the bracelet to the terminal (as a card).

⚠️ Attention: Function NFC It only works with cards of Russian banks that support Mir Pay or UnionPay. Visa/Mastercard unsupported!

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Hidden gestures: on Xiaomi Band 8 you can turn on the camera control of the phone directly from the bracelet (in the settings More) → Camera control is convenient for selfies or group photos.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Band