How to completely disable the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 3: all working ways

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet has become one of the most popular activity tracking gadgets due to its combination of price and functionality. However, even such a simple device can have situations when it needs to be completely turned off - whether it is to save charge before long-term storage, fix software failures or prepare for sale. Unlike smartphones, where the off button is always at hand, with smart wristbands, it is not so obvious.

Many users are faced with the fact that the standard hold of the touch button does not lead to the expected result, and the official Mi Fit application (or its alternatives like Zepp Life) simply does not have the option of completely turning off, this is due to the features of the firmware and energy-saving mode of the device. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn off the Mi Band 3, including forced methods, and explain why the bracelet can not respond to commands and how to avoid data loss when disconnected.

Why not turn off Mi Band 3 in the standard way?

Unlike newer models (such as the Mi Band 5 or 6), where the shutdown function is implemented at the interface level, the Mi Band 3 did not initially have this option.

• 🔋 Energy efficiency: The bracelet is designed for minimal power consumption in standby mode (up to 20 days of autonomy), so a complete shutdown was considered unnecessary.
• 📱 Application Dependence: Most of the control is done via Mi Fit, where there is no button "Stop".
• 🔄 Firmware architecture: early versions of the software did not provide software power outage without physical intervention.
• 🛠️ Service restrictions: the manufacturer assumed that the bracelet will work in the mode 24/7, a) the shutdown will be required only for repair.

However, there are workarounds, both through hidden button combinations and third-party utilities. It is important to understand that completely disabling the Mi Band 3 results in a reset of current activity data (steps, sleep, pulse) if they were not synchronized with the application.

Method 1: Forced shutdown by holding the button

The simplest method, which works in 80% of cases, is to hold the touch button for a long time.

1. Remove the bracelet from your hand and place it on a flat surface with the screen up.
2. Find the touch button below the screen (it doesn’t physically press, it reacts to touch).
3. Hold your finger on the button for 15-20 seconds until the screen goes out and the bracelet vibrates three times in a row.
4. Release the button. If the bracelet doesn't turn on again, it's off.

If the Mi Band 3 boots again after releasing the button, repeat the procedure by holding the button for up to 30 seconds. In some firmwares, the retention time is increased to protect against accidental shutdown.

Synchronize data with Mi Fit|Disable the bracelet from Bluetooth|Make sure the battery is charged >10%|Prepare the charger in case of failure-->

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet does not respond to the hold of the button, this may indicate a firmware freeze or a mechanical breakdown of the sensor. In this case, try connecting it to charging for 10-15 minutes, and then try again.

Method 2: Shutting off through battery discharge

If the software doesn't work, you can use the natural battery drain, which takes longer, but it's guaranteed to turn off the bracelet.

1. Disable the bracelet from the Mi Fit app in your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings.
2. Activate the functions on the bracelet that consume maximum energy: 🔦 Turn on the screen lighting to the maximum (in bracelet settings). 📊 Activate continuous pulse measurement. 🔔 Enable step notifications (vibration every 100 steps).

Leave the bracelet active for 12 to 24 hours and it will automatically turn off when it is down to 0%.

After full discharge, connect the bracelet to the charger - it will turn on automatically. This method also helps to "reset" minor software failures, but is not recommended for regular use, since deep discharge reduces battery life.

Method 3: Disconnect via the Mi Fit application (hidden function)

The official Mi Fit app doesn't have an explicit shutdown button, but in some versions of the bracelet firmware, you can initiate a software reset that actually disables the device.

1. Open Mi Fit and go to your bracelet profile.
2. Select Device Settings → Additional → Resetting.
3. Confirm action. The bracelet will reset and shut down for 5-10 seconds.
4. Immediately after reset, hold the touch button to interrupt the download.

This method does not work on all firmware, but if the bracelet does not turn on itself after reset, it is successfully turned off. Note that the reset deletes all unsynchronized data (steps, sleep, workouts), so update the statistics in the application first.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If you have experience with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can turn off the bracelet via the command line.

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on the Developer Mode on the bracelet: Go to Settings → About device. Press 5 times on the firmware version. Go back to the basic settings and activate Debugging over Bluetooth.

adb devices


adb shell reboot -p

The reboot-p command simulates a total power outage, which is suitable for testing firmware or if the bracelet is stuck in a reboot cycle, but it requires root rights on some versions of the firmware, which can void the warranty.

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If the bracelet is not determined through ADB, try connecting it to Mi Fit first, and then enable the option “Allow debugging (for security only)” in the developer settings.

Method 5: Physically shutting down the battery (extreme case)

If all software methods are exhausted and the bracelet does not respond to commands, then disassembly of the case to physically turn off the battery is a risky method that should only be used when:

• 🔧 Permanent hanging of the bracelet, not eliminated by rebooting.
• 💧 Moisture entering the body (drying is required).
• 🔋 Battery bloating (seen by body deformation).

Disassembly will require:

1. Plastic spatula or mediator.
2. Fryer (to soften the glue).
3. Tweezers and a screwdriver with a cross-tipped tip.

Procedure:

1. Heat the edge of the bracelet with a hair dryer (not higher than 60°C) to soften the glue.
2. Carefully slid the back cover with a spatula, starting at the corners.
3. Disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard (it is usually glued with tape).
4. Wait 1-2 minutes and plug the plume back in.

⚠️ Warning: Disassembly of the Mi Band 3 will void warranty and may damage flexible plumes.If you are unsure of your skills, contact the service center.After the battery is physically disabled, the bracelet may require forced firmware through the Mi Fit.

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Physical battery shutdown is the last chance to "resuscitate" the bracelet. 90% of the time, problems are solved by software (1-4), so only resort to disassembly in case of critical failures.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to turn off Mi Band 3, users often face typical problems.

• ❌ The bracelet does not turn off after holding the button Solution: Make sure the battery charge is above 5%.When the charge is low, the device ignores the off command.
• ❌ When the bracelet is turned off, the solution immediately turns on: This is normal behavior when connecting to a charger.
• ❌ Mi Fit doesn't see the bracelet after reset Solution: Remove the device from the app, restart the smartphone and perform re-synchronization.
• ❌ The screen is flashing, but the bracelet is not turning off Solution: This is a sign of a firmware failure. Try updating the software via Mi Fit or perform a reset.

If the bracelet is unstable (spontaneously restarts, does not sync data), check the firmware version in Settings → About Device before turning off. Current version at 2026 is 1.0.9.54 or higher. Update the software through the app if necessary.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions