What application is needed for the Xiaomi Mi Band 3: Mi Fit or Zepp Life fitness bracelet?

Why App Choice Is Important for Mi Band 3

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet, released in 2018, is still popular with users due to its reliability, long battery life and wide functionality. However, many owners face confusion: which app officially supports this model and where to download it? The fact is that over the years, the Xiaomi application ecosystem has changed - and now users have a choice between two official solutions: Mi Fit and Zepp Life (formerly known as Mi Band Master in some regions).

In this article, we will look at which application is a priority for the Mi Band 3 in 2026, how they differ, how to connect the bracelet correctly, and what nuances to consider when setting up. You will also find instructions for solving problems related to synchronization, firmware updates and notifications, if you just purchased the bracelet or plan to bring it back to life after a long downtime, this guide will help avoid common errors.

Xiaomi Mi Band 3: Mi Fit vs Zepp Life

Since the Mi Band 3 was released, Xiaomi has offered users the Mi Fit app, a universal tool for managing all of the brand’s fitness bracelets and smart scales. However, in 2020, that changed: Xiaomi began gradually migrating users to a new app, Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit), which was originally developed for devices of subsidiary Huami. Both apps are now available on Google Play and the App Store, but their functionality for the Mi Band 3 has key differences.

Here are the main differences that will help you decide on the choice:

• 🔹 Mi Fit: a classic application with a minimalist interface, supports all the features of the Mi Band 3, but updates for this model are less common. In some regions (for example, in Europe) may require binding to a Xiaomi account.
• 🔹 Zepp Life: more modern design, advanced sleep and activity analytics. Mi Band 3 is not available for all features (for example, there is no support for some widgets), but the application is actively developing.
• 🔹 Regional restrictions: In China and some Asian countries, Mi Band 3 only works via Mi Fit. In Europe and Russia, both apps are available, but Zepp Life can offer more up-to-date health data.

It is important to understand that the Mi Band 3 does not support new applications like Xiaomi Wear or Mi Fitness, they are designed for more recent models (starting with the Mi Band 5).

How to connect Xiaomi Mi Band 3 to the phone: step-by-step instructions

The process of connecting the bracelet to the smartphone is the same for both applications, but there are nuances that depend on the firmware version of the device. If you connect the Mi Band 3 for the first time or after resetting, follow this instruction:

1. Install the app: Download Mi Fit or Zepp Life from the official store (Google Play or App Store). Avoid third-party APKs - they may contain malicious code.
2. Sign up for an account: Mi Fit will have Mi Account, Zepp Life will have Zepp account (you can use the same email for both).
3. Turn on Bluetooth: On your smartphone, activate Bluetooth and allow the application to access geodata (this is necessary for the pedometer to work correctly).
4. Add the device: In the app, click Profile → Add the device → Mi Smart Band 3 (in Zepp Life, the path may be different: Devices → Add).
5. Sync the bracelet: Wait for the app to detect the Mi Band 3 (it should flash white). Confirm the pairing on the phone and bracelet (click on its touch button).

If the bracelet is not detected, try the following:

• 🔄 Reboot the Mi Band 3: Connect it to charge and hold the touch button for 10 seconds until vibrations appear.
• 📱 Reinstall the app: sometimes the cache interferes with the correct connection.
• 🔋 Check the charge: If the battery level is below 10%, the bracelet may not appear in the list of available devices.

Charge the bracelet to 50% or higher

Remove old versions of Mi Fit/Zepp Life

Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on your phone

Update the smartphone to the latest version

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Set up notifications and basic features in Mi Fit and Zepp Life

Once you connect Mi Band 3 to the app, you need to configure notifications, data displays, and other settings, and both apps have similar processes, but menu layouts may vary.

1. Notifications of calls and messages

To make the bracelet vibrate when incoming calls or messages:

• 📱 In Mi Fit: Go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Call Notifications and Notifications from apps. Select messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.) for which you want to include alerts.
• 📱 In Zepp Life: The Way Will Be Device → Notifications → Notification management: You can adjust vibration, sound (if supported) and filter by application.

Important: Android requires you to allow an application (Mi Fit or Zepp Life) to access notifications in the system settings: Settings → Applications → [application name] → Notifications.

2. Customization of dials

The Mi Band 3 supports interchangeable dials, but their choice is limited compared to the new models.

1. Go to Profile. → Mi Smart Band 3 → Dials.
2. Choose one of the available options (usually 3-5 pieces).
3. Click Sync to apply the changes.

Zepp Life has a similar path, but there may be more options through integration with Amazfit.

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If there is an error in the dial list, try updating the bracelet firmware through the app, which sometimes solves the problem with displaying additional styles.

3. Monitoring sleep and activity

Both apps offer sleep analytics, but the data processing algorithms are different:

• 😴 Mi Fit: Divides sleep into “deep”, “light” and “wakefulness”, but does not always accurately define the phases.
• 😴 Zepp Life: Uses Amazfit’s improved algorithms, adds metrics"REM-sleep (REM sleep) and gives recommendations for improving rest.

To enable sleep tracking, activate the Sleep Monitor option in the bracelet settings and make sure it is worn on your hand before bedtime.

Mi Band 3 firmware update: why and how to do it

The firmware bracelet is responsible for stability, bug fixing and sometimes adds new features. Mi Band 3 updates are less common than new models, but they are recommended for the following reasons:

• 🐞 Error correction: for example, time synchronization problems or failures in displaying notifications.
• 🔋 Energy optimization: New firmware versions can increase battery life.
• 🔄 Application compatibility: without updates, the bracelet may no longer work correctly with the latest versions of Mi Fit or Zepp Life.

To update the firmware:

1. Connect the bracelet to charge and make sure the charge level is above 50%.
2. Open the app (Mi Fit or Zepp Life) and go to bracelet settings.
3. Find the Firmware Update (in Mi Fit it can be hidden behind Additional).
4. If an update is available, click Download and wait until the process is complete. Don't turn off the bracelet from charging or close the app!

⚠️ Note: Some users report that after updating the firmware through Zepp Life, the bracelet begins to discharge faster. If you notice this, try reversing to the previous version by contacting Xiaomi support.

Solving common problems with Mi Band 3

Even after setting up correctly, the Mi Band 3 may not work properly.

1.The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone

Causes and solutions:

• 📵 Bluetooth is off: Check if it’s on and in power saving mode.
• 🔄 Conflict with other devices: If other gadgets (earphones, smart watches) are connected to the phone, turn them off temporarily.
• 📱 Older version of the app: Update Mi Fit or Zepp Life to the latest version.
• 🔋 Low charge bracelet: Charge it to 30% and try again.

2. no notifications are coming.

A common complaint of users is that the bracelet does not vibrate when calling or texting.

• 🔔 Phone Settings: Is Notifications Allowed for Mi Fit/Zepp Life?
• 📵 In bracelet settings: whether notifications are enabled for specific applications (e.g. WhatsApp)?
• 🔕 Do Not Disturb: On the bracelet, it can be activated accidentally (hold the touch button for 3 seconds to check).

3.The bracelet discharges quickly

If the Mi Band 3 holds a charge for less than 3-4 days, try:

• 🔄 Reset settings: In the application, find Untie the device, then plug it back in.
• 📵 Disable unnecessary functions: Constant pulse monitoring and automatic sleep tracking puts the battery to death.
• 🔋 Check the charger: Use only the original cable - unoriginal can damage the battery.

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet discharges in a few hours and warms up, this may indicate a malfunction of the battery.In this case, contact the service center - self-replacement of the battery can lead to damage to the device.

Resetting the Mi Band 3 to factory settings: when it’s needed

Resetting the bracelet to factory settings helps in cases where:

• 🔄 The device does not sync with the phone despite all attempts.
• 📱 The application gives an error "The device is not supported".
• 🔋 The bracelet is unstable (spontaneously reloaded, does not respond to touches).
• 🔒 You sell or transfer the bracelet to another person.

To perform the discharge:

1. Open the app (Mi Fit or Zepp Life) and go to bracelet settings.
2. Find the item Untie the device or Remove the device.
3. Confirm the action - the bracelet will be reset to factory settings.
4. For hardware reset (if the app is not available): connect the bracelet to charging, hold the touch button for 20–30 seconds until you feel the vibration and see the Mi logo.

After resetting the bracelet will be like a new one – it will need to be reconnected to the phone and set up.

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Factory reset removes all the data from the bracelet (steps, sleep, settings). If you care about statistics, export it to Google Fit or Apple Health before resetting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band 3 and annexes