The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular gadgets for tracking activity, despite the release of new models of the series. But many users are faced with confusion: which application officially supports this model in 2026? Previously, Mi Fit was used exclusively for synchronization, but after the rebranding of the Xiaomi ecosystem, this situation has changed. Today the bracelet works with two platforms - Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit) and the classic Mi Fit, which is still available in some regions.
In this article, we will discuss in detail:
What apps are guaranteed to be compatible with Mi Band 5 this year?
What is the difference between Zepp Life and Mi Fit in functionality and interface?
How to connect the bracelet to avoid synchronization errors
Hidden opportunities that are opened only through official applications.
We will focus on compatibility issues with new versions of Android/iOS and the nuances of data transfer between platforms. If you just bought Mi Band 5 or plan to update the software, this guide will help avoid typical errors.
Official applications for Xiaomi Mi Band 5 in 2026
Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is supported by two official applications from the manufacturer:
- 📱 Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit) is the main app for new devices Xiaomi/Amazfit. It completely replaced the Mi Fit in most regions, including Russia and Europe.
- 🔄 Mi Fit is an outdated version, still available in some countries (e.g. China, India) and has not received updates since 2022.
Important: Mi Band 5 is not compatible with Xiaomi Wear app (for smartwatches) or Google Fit directly. To sync with the latter will require workarounds, which we will discuss below.
Since 2023, Huami (a firmware developer for Xiaomi) has completely switched to the Zepp brand, so Zepp Life has become a priority application. However, in some cases, Mi Fit can offer unique features - for example, manual notification settings for instant messengers, which is absent in Zepp Life.
Zepp Life vs Mi Fit: Which is Best for Mi Band 5?
To determine the choice, compare the key features of both applications in the table:
| Function | Zepp Life | Mi Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible with Mi Band 5 | ✅ Full (updates to 2026) | ⚠️ Partial (frozen on version 4.6.0) |
| Sleep tracking (phase) | ✅ REM, lung-deep sleep | ✅ Only light/deep |
| Training. | ✅ 110+ species (including yoga, swimming, etc) | ❌ 30 species (basic) |
| Integration with Apple Health/Google Fit | ✅ Automatic. | ❌ Only manually. |
| Customization of dials | ✅ 100+ Options (including animated ones) | ❌ 20 options (static) |
The table shows that Zepp Life offers advanced functionality, especially for athletes. However, Mi Fit has one key advantage - stability on older smartphones (Android 6.0+). Zepp Life requires at least Android 8.0 or iOS 12.0.
Mi Fit also retains the ability to manually calibrate the pedometer, which can be critical for users with a non-standard gait. In Zepp Life, this feature is automated and not always accurate.
How to connect Mi Band 5 to Zepp Life: step-by-step instructions
If you have chosen Zepp Life, follow this algorithm for seamless synchronization:
- Download Zepp Life from the official store: 🤖 Google Play 🍎 App Store
Xiaomi Account
Bluetooth
Mi Band 5
Profile → Add the device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 5
Confirm the pairing on the bracelet (vibration + tick on the screen).
Critical error: If the bracelet is not identified, check:
- 🔋 Mi Band 5 charge level (minimum 20%).
- 📱 Permissions for Zepp Life: Geodata, Notifications, Warehouse.
- 🔄 Reboot the Bluetooth module of the smartphone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Off/On).
Charge the bracelet to 50% |
Remove old versions of Mi Fit|
Enable geolocation on your smartphone |
Update Zepp Life to the latest version-->
After successful connection, we recommend you to immediately update the bracelet firmware through the Device Profile → Software Update. This will fix bugs with the display of notifications and increase the accuracy of the sensors.
What if Zepp Life doesn’t see Mi Band 5?
Hidden Mi Band 5 features available only through apps
Many users don't realize that the Mi Band 5 has much more than just counting steps, and you can activate the following via Zepp Life or Mi Fit:
- 🔍 Stress monitoring (requires inclusion in a profile) → The bracelet analyzes heart rate variability and gives recommendations for relaxation.
- 🩺 Measurement SpO₂ (Available manually through the bracelet menu or on schedule in the app.
- 🏊 Swimming tracking. Zepp Life supports swimming pools and open water with stroke counts.
- 🎵 Music control. You can switch tracks directly from the bracelet (works with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music).
Mi Fit has a unique feature, which is setting up a smart alarm clock, which analyzes sleep phases and wakes up at the optimal moment 30 minutes before the set time. In Zepp Life, this algorithm works differently: the alarm clock is triggered strictly on time, but with a smooth vibration.
Lifehack: To turn on Do Not Disturb mode on the bracelet, press the sensor for 3 seconds on the main menu, which will turn off all notifications except the alarm clock.
💡
If Zepp Life doesn't show sleep data, check if the "Sleep Auto-Detection" feature is enabled in your profile settings. The bracelet should be worn 30 minutes before bedtime.
Compatibility issues: Mi Band 5 and new smartphones
With the release of Android 13/14 and iOS 16/17, many users have experienced sync errors.
- Background activity restrictions: System can force Zepp to close Life/Mi Fit to save battery. ⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi/Redmi s MIUI Add Zepp Life to Autostart and disable Battery Optimization for the app (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Zepp Life → Battery).
- Conflict with other fitness apps (Google Fit, Samsung Health) that can block sensor access.
- The latest version for the Mi Band 5 is 1.0.3.56 (released March 2023).
The problem with the lack of notifications from messengers is relevant for the iPhone.
- Open iPhone Settings → Notifications → Zepp Life.
- Enable the options "Allow notifications" and "Show on the lock screen".
- In Zepp Life itself, go to Profile → Mi Band 5 → Notifications and manually select apps (Viber, WhatsApp, etc.).
Important for Huawei owners: Devices with EMUI 12+ may require the installation of Huawei Mobile Services to properly run Zepp Life.
Alternative Apps: Should You Try?
In addition to the official solutions, there are third-party apps for the Mi Band 5, such as:
- 🛠️ Notify & Fitness – Expands Notifications, but Requires Root Rights to Android.
- 📊 Mi Band Master – an alternative client with open source (supports customization of dials).
- 🔗 Tools & Mi Band – Allows you to export data to Google Sheets.
However, these solutions have critical shortcomings:
- ❌ No guarantee of stable operation (frequent communication breakdowns).
- ❌ Risk of blocking Xiaomi account for using unofficial software.
- ❌ No support for new firmware (e.g. 1.0.3.56 may not sync).
Bottom Line: Third-party apps are only for power users who are ready to experiment. For most, it's better to stay on Zepp Life.
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Using unofficial apps can result in a loss of warranty on the bracelet and errors in health data.
Data transfer between Mi Fit and Zepp Life
If you're going to switch from Mi Fit to Zepp Life, it's important to transfer historical data correctly.
- Sign in to Zepp Life with the same Xiaomi Account as Mi Fit.
- Wait for automatic synchronization (can take up to 24 hours).
- If the data does not appear, manually export it from Mi Fit: Profile → Settings → Data Export → Select period → Save file.csv
⚠️ Warning: Sleep detailing is lost during export/import (phases) REM) Save your backup to the Xiaomi cloud (Mi Cloud) before you switch.
If you are using iOS, you will need to:
- Export your story from Mi Fit to Apple Health.
- In Zepp Life, enable synchronization with Apple Health (Profile → Settings → Connected Services).
Critical nuance: data on stress and SpO₂ They don't transfer between applications. They'll have to be reassembled.