Xiaomi Mi Band 8: A Complete Guide to Setup and Use

The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 fitness bracelet became one of the most popular gadgets of 2026 thanks to a combination of affordable prices, stylish design and advanced features. But even such a simple device requires the right setup to unleash its full potential. Many users face problems when they first connect: the bracelet does not sync with the smartphone, does not show notifications or quickly discharges. In this article, we will analyze all the stages of settings, from basic synchronization to hidden functions that are not written in the official instructions.

Unlike the previous models, the Mi Band 8 has a full-fledged model. AMOLED-A screen with animation dials, improved health sensors and Xiaomi’s smart home control capability, but without proper customization, many features will remain unavailable, such as the default controls, and sports modes require manual activation. We will show you how to customize the bracelet to your needs – whether it’s fitness, notifications or battery saving.

Preparing for the first inclusion: what to do before setting up

Before you start syncing, make sure you have everything you need. Mi Band 8 is compatible with Android 6.0 devices.+ or iOS 10.0+, But to work properly, you'll need to install the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life), and the important thing is that if you're upgrading from Mi Band 7, the old settings won't automatically migrate, you'll have to configure everything from scratch.

Also check the bracelet. The box should have:

• 📦 The fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 8 with a strap
• 🔋 Charging cable (magnetic, without) USB-plug)
• 📄 Short instructions in several languages (Russian is available)

If you bought the bracelet separately from the strap, note that the Mi Band 8 uses a new type of mounting - straps from Mi Band 7 and older will not work. Also note the firmware version: in the first batches of 2023, there were bugs with a 24-hour time display format that were fixed in the updates.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application

The official Mi Fitness app is the only way to fully manage the Mi Band 8, which can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store, but there is a caveat: in some regions (e.g. Europe), the app may be called Zepp Life due to legal restrictions, while the functionality remains identical.

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Sign up or sign in through your Xiaomi account (if you don’t have one, create a new one).
2. Click Add Device and select Mi Smart Band 8 from the list.
3. Allow all application requests: access to notifications, geolocation (for weather), contacts (for calls).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to hide the bracelet over Bluetooth.

If the app doesn’t find the bracelet, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the Mi Band 8 (press the touch button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 Turn on/off Bluetooth on your smartphone.
• 🚫 Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugated devices in the phone settings.

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If you have a double. SIM on your smartphone, temporarily disable the second card - sometimes it interferes with a stable connection.

Basic bracelet setting: time, notifications, dials

Once you've successfully connected, you can customize it. The first thing you need to set up is the time and date display. The default time display is in 12-hour format, which is inconvenient for many users. To change that, you can use the time display in a 12-hour format.

1. Open the Mi Fitness app.
2. Go to Profile. → Mi Smart Band 8 → Display.
3. Select the time format → 24 hours.

Next, set up notifications. Mi Band 8 supports alerts from calls, SMS And apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, etc.) but by default, many of them are disabled:

1. In the app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → Notifications.
2. Activate the Call Notification and Notifications from the apps switch.
3. In the Application Management section, select the alerts you want to see on your bracelet.

Please note: if notifications do not arrive, check:

• 📵 Do not disturb on the bracelet (you can check the swipe down on the main screen).
• 🔕 Not disabled notifications for the Mi Fitness application in the smartphone settings.
• 🔄 Is it necessary to update the firmware of the bracelet (checked in Profile) → Mi Smart Band 8 → Firmware update).

Notifications included in Mi Fitness|Applications selected manually|Do Not Disturb mode is off.|Mi Fitness has access to notifications in phone settings|Bracelet firmware updated-->

Adjusting sports regimes and health monitoring

Xiaomi Mi Band 8 supports more than 150 sports modes, but only the basic ones are available by default: walking, running, cycling and swimming.

1. In the app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → Sport.
2. Click Add Mode and select the right ones (yoga, climbing, boxing, etc.).
3. For quick access on the bracelet, press the screen and drag the mode icon to the favorites list.

For accurate health tracking, adjust the following parameters:

• 🩺 Pulse measurement frequency: in Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → Monitoring the heart, select the interval (every 1, 5, 10 or 30 minutes). Frequent measurements reduce battery life.
• 😴 Sleep tracking: include in the Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → Sleep and activate a smart alarm clock so that the bracelet wakes you up in the phase of light sleep.
• 🩸 Blood oxygen levels (SpO₂): include in the Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → Oxygen in the blood, and the measurements are done automatically during sleep.

Important: To properly track sleep, wear the wristband on your non-working arm (left hand for right-handers, right hand for left-handers) and place it 2-3 fingers above your wrist, which reduces the impact of hand movements on sensor accuracy.

Advanced Features: Gestures, Quick Responses, Smart Home

Mi Band 8 supports a few hidden features that are not enabled by default, and one of the most useful is gesture control.

• 🙌 Raising your hand to turn on the screen (included in Profile) → Mi Smart Band 8 → Display. → Raise your wrist).
• 👆 Double touch for flipping screens (activated there).
• 📞 Deflection of the hand to reset an incoming call (in Profile) → Mi Smart Band 8 → Calls. → Deviation gesture).

Another useful option is quick responses to notifications, and you can set up template responses (like "I'll call you later" or "OK") for messages on WhatsApp, Telegram and other messengers.

1. Go to Profile. → Mi Smart Band 8 → Notifications → Quick answers.
2. Add up to 10 templates (maximum length is 30 characters).
3. Now, when you receive a message on the bracelet, you can swipe left and select the answer.

If you have a Xiaomi Smart Home device, the bracelet can control it directly, for example:

• 💡 Turn on/off smart lamps with double tap on the screen.
• 🔌 Manage the sockets through the bracelet menu.
• 🚪 Opening smart locks (if they support you) NFC).

To set up:

1. Make sure all devices are added to the Mi Home app.
2. In Mi Fitness go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → Smart home.
3. Select the devices you want to control from the bracelet.

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Gestures and quick responses save time, but can accidentally work. If the bracelet often turns on on its own, turn off the "Raise the wrist" function or reduce sensitivity in the settings.

Battery Optimization: How to Prolong Work Without Recharging

Officially, the Xiaomi Mi Band 8 holds a charge of up to 16 days, but in practice this figure depends on the settings.

To maximize the length of the work:

1. Turn off Always On Display (in Profile) → Mi Smart Band 8 → Display).
2. Reduce the brightness of the screen to 2-3 divisions.
3. Turn off automatic tracking SpO₂ sleepy.
4. Use the power saving mode (turns on at low charge automatically).

If the bracelet discharges too quickly (less than 5 days), check:

• 🔋 Is not a non-original charging cable used.
• 📲 Are there any background updates to the firmware running.
• 🌡️ Has the bracelet been overheated or cold (optimal temperature is 0 to 45)°C).

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If the bracelet is not charging, clean the contacts on the back with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, often the problem is oxidation or dust.

Solving common problems with Mi Band 8

Even after setting it up properly, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

1.The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone

• 📱 Reinstall the Mi Fitness app.
• 🔄 Reboot both the bracelet and the smartphone.
• 📡 Check if Bluetooth blocks your phone’s power saving mode.

2. Notifications are not working.

• 🔕 In the phone settings, give Mi Fitness permission to Autostart and Work in the background.
• 📵 Make sure that the bracelet is not activated mode Do not disturb.
• 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware to the latest version.

3.The bracelet discharges quickly

• 🔋 Check if you are always on display.
• 🩺 Reduce the frequency of pulse measurement.
• 📲 Remove unnecessary dials (they take up memory and consume charge).

4. Incorrect display of steps or pulse

• 👟 Make sure the bracelet fits tightly to the wrist (no more than 1 cm gap).
• 🩹 Set up personal data (height, weight, age) in your Mi Fitness profile.
• 🔄 Reset your health data (see spoiler above).

5.The bracelet does not vibrate at notifications

• 🔊 Check the vibration volume level in Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → Sound and vibration.
• 📵 Make sure the mode is not disturbed off.
• 🔄 Reconnect the bracelet to the phone.

If none of the methods helped, try to reset the bracelet to the factory settings:

1. In the app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → Untie the device.
2. On the bracelet, go to Settings. → System system → Reset (to do this, swipe up on the main screen, then find the gear icon).
3. Confirm the reset and reconnect the bracelet.

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If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch, try the “forced reset”: plug it into charging and hold the touch button for 20 seconds.

Hidden features and life hacks for Mi Band 8

Xiaomi Mi Band 8 is more than the instructions say. Here are some useful tips:

1. Hidden dials

In addition to the standard dials in Mi Fitness, you can install custom ones through third-party applications, for example, Notify & Fitness for Mi Band or Amazfit Watchfaces.

1. Download your favorite dial in.bin format.
2. In Mi Fitness go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → Dials → Add.
3. Select the downloaded file.

2. Music management

The bracelet can switch tracks and adjust volume on the smartphone to activate:

1. Turn on the player on your phone.
2. On the bracelet, swipe up and select the Music icon.
3. You can now pause/play tracks right from the wrist.

3. Phone search

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

1. On the bracelet, swipe up and select the phone icon.
2. Click Find the phone – the smartphone will begin to vibrate and make sound (even if it is in silent mode).

4. NFC Payment (only for the Chinese version)

The Chinese version of the Mi Band 8 has a module NFC for contactless payments via Alipay:

1. In Mi Fitness go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → NFC.
2. Attach a bank card (Chinese phone number will be required).
3. To pay, bring the bracelet to the terminal and confirm by pressing a button.

5. The secret regime of the developer

For power users, there is a hidden mode available to test new features, to activate it:

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings. → The bracelet.
2. Click 5 times in a row on the version number.
3. Return to the main menu and a new section for developers will appear.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions