How to completely disable the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 5: all working ways

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet has become one of the most popular activity-tracking gadgets thanks to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face the need to completely turn off the device — whether to save battery power, reset before selling or fix software failures. Unlike smartphones, where the off button is always at hand, with Xiaomi fitness trackers, everything is not so obvious.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways Mi Band 5 can be turned off, from a standard shutdown through a menu to a forced reset in the event of a freeze, how to turn off the bracelet correctly without losing synchronized data, what to do if the screen does not respond to touch, and why the device can sometimes turn on spontaneously after a shutdown.

Why do you need to turn off Mi Band 5?

At first glance, a fitness bracelet doesn't need to be turned off regularly - it's optimized for round-the-clock operation. However, there are a few situations where a complete shutdown becomes a necessity:

• 🔋 Saving battery life over long periods of storage (for example, if you don’t plan to use the bracelet for several months) even when you’re in standby mode, the battery gradually drains.
• 🔄 Reset settings before selling or transferring to another user. Without a complete shutdown, the data can remain in the device's memory.
• 🐞 Fixing software glitches when the bracelet starts to glitches: not synced with the smartphone, incorrectly displays notifications, or stops tracking the pulse.
• ⚡ Preparation for firmware updates. Some software versions require rebooting the device to install correctly.
• 🛠️ Repair or replacement of the battery. Any manipulation of the internal components requires a complete shutdown.

It's important to understand that simply disconnecting from the Mi Fit/Zepp app is not the equivalent of turning off the bracelet itself. The device will continue to work offline, consuming battery power. A complete power outage is the only way to completely "sleep" the gadget.

Method 1: Standard shutdown through the bracelet menu

The most obvious and safe method is to use the device's built-in menu, which is suitable if the bracelet screen is touch-sensitive and the device itself is not locked by a password.

1. Unlock the bracelet screen (swipe your finger up if the screen is locked)

2. Scroll the menu to the right to the item More (or More in English version)

3. Select Settings (cog icon)

4. Scroll down to Turn off (or Power off)

5. Confirm the action by touching the tick.-->

If there is no “Switch Off” item in your menu, it could mean:

• 📱 The device is tied to an outdated version of the Mi Fit app (update it via Google Play or App Store).
• 🔄 The bracelet works on early firmware (update the software through the official application).
• 🔒 Children's mode or parental control is installed on the device (requires to remove restrictions).

Once the shutdown is confirmed, the bracelet screen will go out, and after a few seconds the device will completely turn off. To re-energize, you will need to connect the Mi Band 5 to the charger - the model does not have a mechanical switch on.

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If the bracelet does not respond to touch when selecting "Switch off", try to clean the screen of moisture and dirt with a dry wipe. Often the sensor stops working due to to toe fat marks.

Method 2: Forced reboot (soft restet)

If the bracelet is stuck and doesn't respond to touch, but the screen is still glowing, you can try software reboot, which doesn't erase data, but it puts the device back on.

For this:

1. Connect the Mi Band 5 to the charger (even if the charge is full).
2. Keep the device charging for 10-15 seconds – sometimes enough to automatically reboot.
3. If the screen is not responding, disconnect the bracelet from charging and wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in.

If the soft reset didn’t help, move on to more radical methods (see next section).Forced reboot helps in 70% of freezes, but does not solve problems with hardware failures (for example, when the bracelet falls).

Method 3: Complete reset (hard reset) through the application

When the bracelet is no longer responding to commands, and the standard shutdown is not available, the hardware reset remains, which erases all data from the device, returning it to the factory settings.

To perform the hard reset:

1. Open the Mi Fit or Zepp app on your smartphone.
2. Go to your Mi Band 5 profile (slip on the bracelet icon at the top of the screen).
3. Select Device Settings → Untie the Device (or Unpair in English).
4. Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (may take up to 2 minutes).

Once unset, the bracelet will automatically reboot and return to factory settings. Importantly, this method does not work if the device is discharged to 0% or has a physical damage to the button, in which case you will need to recharge the bracelet to at least 10-15% before resetting.

Method 4: Hardware reset via hidden button

Few people know, but the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 has a hidden reset button that activates when you press the case, which is useful if the bracelet does not respond to charging and is not detected in the application.

Instructions:

1. Remove the strap from the bracelet to access the back panel.
2. Find a small hole next to the charging connector (usually located to the left of the contacts).
3. Take a paperclip or toothpick and gently press inside the hole for 10-15 seconds.
4. Hold the pressure until you feel a slight vibration (a signal to start resetting).

After that, the bracelet will reboot and return to factory settings, which is guaranteed to work even on fully locked devices, but requires caution - too much press can damage internal contacts.

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A hidden reset button is the last chance to bring the bracelet back to life if other methods have failed, but once it is used, the device will require re-association to the application and tuning from scratch.

Method 5: Disconnection through battery discharge

If no other method works, and the bracelet still shows signs of life (vibrates, flashes the screen), you can wait for the battery to drain completely, which is passive and takes a long time, but in some cases it is the only possible way.

To speed up the process:

• 🔌 Disconnect the bracelet from the charger.
• 📴 Turn on the maximum brightness of the screen and activate all sensors (pulse, pedometer) through the menu.
• 🔋 Use the bracelet in constant activity mode (for example, start a workout).

On average, the Mi Band 5 discharges in 12-24 hours with active use. Once fully discharged, the device will automatically turn off. To re-energize, you will need to connect it to charging for 5-10 minutes.

⚠️ Attention: Frequent complete discharge of lithium polymer batteries reduces their lifespan. Use this method only in extreme cases when other methods are not available.

What if the bracelet does not turn on after disconnection?

Sometimes, after the Mi Band 5 is turned off, it refuses to turn on even after it is connected to a charger, and the causes can vary from deep discharge to hardware malfunctions.

1. Check the charger: 🔌 Try another one. USB-port. 🔍 Examine the bracelet and charging contacts for oxidation or dirt (clean with alcohol).

Give me time to charge.

If the battery is completely discharged, it may take 10-15 minutes to charge until the first sign of life (vibration or indicator).

Try another cable.

Sometimes the problem lies in a damaged USB-Type A cable. Use the original Xiaomi cable or a certified analogue.

Reset the settings via PC

If the bracelet is defined by the computer as a device but does not turn on, you can try flashing it through the Mi Fit Tool (an informal utility for Windows).

If none of these methods worked, there is likely a hardware problem, such as a damaged battery, power controller, or screen plume, in which case we recommend contacting Xiaomi’s service center.

Frequent questions about turning off Xiaomi Mi Band 5