Xiaomi wearables are often reminded to increase their activity, and developers have introduced Personal Activity Intelligence (or PAI) to motivate users, but not everyone needs it in their daily use of the tracker. Some prefer to monitor their steps and pulse in real time, ignoring complex algorithms for calculating “life points”.
Disabling this option may be necessary if you want to simplify the interface on the bracelet screen or reduce the frequency of vibration notifications. Xiaomi Mi Band 5 allows you to flexibly configure the displayed widgets, but the calculation mechanism itself is hidden deeper in the settings of the conjugated application. It is important to understand that complete removal of the feature is impossible, since it is sewn into the firmware, but you can completely stop tracking and displaying it.
In this article, we'll take a look at all the ways you can control this setting, and you'll learn not only to hide the PAI dials, but also to completely disable the data collection for this metric through the Zepp Life app menu (formerly known as Mi Fit), which will help you personalize your device to your own needs without unnecessary information noise.
What is PAI and why to turn it off
PAI stands for Personal Activity Intelligence, a unique algorithm developed in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology that converts heart rate data during physical activity into a single numerical metric, and unlike simple step counting, it takes into account the intensity of the load and individual physiological characteristics of the user, such as age and gender.
The main purpose of implementing PAI is to show the user how much their activity is good for health in the long run. It is believed that maintaining a weekly rate above 100 units reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, many Xiaomi Band 5 users find this metric redundant, especially if they already use third-party apps for tracking workouts or simply do not want to see constant reminders about not achieving the goal.
Disabling or hiding this indicator is relevant for those who:
- 📉 Prefers a minimalist interface and does not want to flip through the extra screens on the bracelet.
- 🧘 Engages in meditation practices where high pulse is not the goal and the algorithm is not working correctly.
- 🔋 Wants to reduce power consumption as much as possible, although the impact of one widget on the battery is minimal.
It's worth noting that the calculation itself doesn't consume much power, but constant synchronization and background graph updates can contribute to the overall discharge of the device, so for some autonomy enthusiasts, the issue of deactivating redundant functions remains relevant.
Preparation for bracelet setting
Before making changes to the tracker configuration, you need to make sure that the device pairs correctly with the smartphone.To manage Xiaomi Mi Band 5, use the applications Zepp Life or Mi Fitness. The interfaces of these programs are updated periodically, so make sure you have the latest available version from Google Play or the App Store installed.
It is also important that the bracelet is charged at least on the 20-30%. The process of synchronizing settings requires a stable Bluetooth connection. If the connection is interrupted at the time of making the change, the settings may not apply, and you will have to repeat the procedure again.
☑️ Checking before setting up
It is also recommended to reboot the smartphone before setting up, which will clear the cache of Bluetooth services and provide a more stable connection.In some cases, the old settings may conflict with new sync requests, so a clean start connection often helps to avoid errors.
Hiding the PAI widget on the bracelet screen
The easiest and most effective way to turn off PAI for the user is to simply remove it from the tracker screen, so the bracelet will continue to collect data in the background (if the firmware allows it), but you won't see it when you scroll through the dials, which solves the problem of visual noise.
To do this, open the Zepp Life app on your smartphone. Go to your device profile, usually by clicking on the bracelet icon at the bottom of the screen or through the Profile tab. Find a menu item called "Display Items" or "Display Items".
In the list that opens, you will see all the screens available: pulse, steps, weather, notifications and, of course, PAI. Next to each item will be a menu icon (three bars) or a switch.
- 📲 Click on the list edit icon (usually in the upper right corner).
- ❌ Find a line «PAI» and press the red minus or switch the switch to the "Off" position».
- 💾 Click on the Save or Sync button to make changes apply on your device.
After syncing while scrolling through the screens on the Xiaomi Band 5, you will no longer see the activity score card, which creates the feeling that the feature is completely disabled, although technically it can remain active in the system.
💡
Hiding the widget does not stop data collection, but completely removes the visual display of the indicator on the bracelet screen.
Disable data collection via Zepp Life app
If your goal is to completely prevent the device from calculating and saving PAI metrics, you need to change the settings in the application itself. Zepp Life interface allows you to manage data sources and targets.
Go to Profile, select your Xiaomi Mi Band 5. Find Settings. There may be health monitoring items. In some software versions, there is an option to disable specific monitoring types, however, global PAI shutdown as an algorithm is often hidden.
Go to the notification settings inside the app. Find the section related to "Objectives" or "Achievements." This is where the alert settings for you have scored or lost PAI points are hidden.
| Parameter | Where to find out. | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| Notification of objectives | Profile → Settings → Notifications | Turn off the switchboard |
| Widget on screen | Profile → Management of widgets | Remove from the list |
| Pulse monitoring | Profile → Bracelet settings | Disable (affects PAI) |
It's important to understand that PAI is based on pulse data, and if you turn off your ongoing heart rate monitoring, PAI calculation becomes impossible or incorrect, and then you can find "Pulse Monitor" in your bracelet settings and select "Switched Off" or "Rarely" mode, which is a radical method that will deprive you of other important statistics.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling heart rate monitoring completely will make it impossible to use the Sleep Analysis and Stress functions, as they also rely on heart rate data.
Set up activity target values
Instead of completely disabling a feature that might still pop up in reports, you can simply change the target values. The app allows you to flexibly adjust what counts as "normal." If you set the target to the lowest possible value, the system will assume that you have always fulfilled the plan, and stop bothering you with reminders.
In the Zepp Life app, go to the home screen where your steps and stats are displayed. Click on the settings icon (usually the gear in the corner) or go to the Targets section, where you can change the daily step rate, which indirectly affects the calculation of activity.
It's also worth checking the Reminders section. There's a "Inactivity reminder" item in the bracelet settings. If it's on, the bracelet will vibrate if you sit for a long time. This is often confused with PAI requirements, but this is a separate feature. If you turn it off, you'll reduce the vibrations.
For users who use third-party apps (like Notify for Mi Band or Tools & Mi Band), the customization options are even wider, allowing them to intercept packets of data and filter them, preventing certain commands from reaching the bracelet screen.
Problems and their solution when disabling functions
During the setup process, users of Xiaomi Band 5 may encounter a number of typical problems. It often happens that after disabling the widget, it returns after another synchronization or update of the application, this is due to the fact that the user’s cloud profile can save the old configuration settings.
If the settings go off, try resetting the bracelet to factory settings, and do this through Profile → Bracelet Settings → Unbind. Then pair it again as if it were a new device. When you first set it up, keep a close eye on the checkmarks that the system suggests you should install.
What to do if the widget returns?
Another problem is time and date desynchronization, and if the wristband is out of time, the algorithms may miscalculate weekly activity by giving out odd values or errors, and make sure that the app is automatically synchronizing time with the phone.
In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Zepp Life app helps. Go to Settings → Apps → Zepp Life → Memory → Clear the cache on Android. Don’t confuse it with Clear Data, as in the latter case you will have to re-enter your login and password.
Comparison of software versions and impact on functionality
The functionality of Xiaomi Mi Band 5 depends on the firmware version. Different regions (Global, China, NFC version) may have different menus. In Chinese versions of firmware (CN), some items may be called differently or absent in the usual form, requiring the use of regional settings in the application.
Users have noted that the newer versions of the Zepp Life app (after rebranding from Mi Fit) have made the interface more confusing, with some settings being moved to a deep menu or combined with other health settings, and if you can't find the right item, check if the app itself has an update.
- 🌍 Regional features: In some regions, the function PAI It is more active and harder to hide without third-party utilities.
- 🔄 Updates: New versions of the software can return remote widgets, so after a major update settings should be rechecked.
- 📱 Compatibility: On iOS (iPhone), the application interface may be different from Android, but the logic of the work remains similar.
It’s also worth mentioning that there are modified versions of apps and firmware that allow you to completely cut out unnecessary features. However, using such software carries risks: you can get a brick instead of a bracelet or lose your warranty. Officially, Xiaomi does not provide the “completely remove PAI” button in the standard menu.
⚠️ Note: Installing third-party firmware on Xiaomi Band 5 is possible, but extremely risky and can lead to irreversible device failure.