Why you may need to untie the bracelet from the smartphone
The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables even years after its release. However, users often face the need to uncoup it from the phone — whether it is selling a gadget, switching to a new model or fixing synchronization errors. The procedure seems simple, but has nuances that the manufacturer does not mention in the official documentation.
The main reasons for disconnecting the bracelet from the smartphone: transferring the device to another owner (without decoupling, the new user will not be able to tie the Mi Band to his phone), resetting to factory settings before firmware or repair, solving connection problems (for example, when the bracelet is not synchronized despite repeated attempts),
It is important to understand that simply removing the Mi Fitness app does not break the connection between devices - the bracelet remains tied to the Xiaomi account.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to untie the Mi Band 5, including software methods through the application, hardware reset, as well as solutions for cases when the bracelet does not respond to commands, and pay special attention to the typical mistakes that users make when trying to break communication between devices.
Method 1: Uncoupling through the Mi Fitness application (official method)
The most reliable and recommended method by the manufacturer is to use the branded Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit), which is suitable for most situations where the bracelet is working and syncs with the smartphone. Importantly, before starting the procedure, make sure that the phone has the latest version of the application installed, otherwise the uncoupling option may not be on the menu.
Step-by-step:
- Open the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone.
- Go to the Profile section → My devices.
- Choose your Mi Band 5 from the list of connected gadgets.
- Slap the gear icon (⚙️) top-right.
- Scroll down the settings list and select Untie the device.
- Confirm the action in the window that appears.
Once confirmed, the bracelet will be deleted from your Xiaomi account and all data (steps, pulse, sleep) will no longer sync. Note: this method does not reset the settings of the bracelet itself - it simply breaks the connection between devices. If you plan to transfer the gadget to another person, after unbundling through the application, it is recommended to perform a hardware reset (more about this in the next section).
Has the app been updated to the latest version?
Is the bracelet connected to your phone via Bluetooth?
Is there stable internet access?
Is important data stored from Mi Fitness to the cloud?-->
Method 2: Hardware reset Mi Band 5 to factory settings
If you can't uncouple through the app (for example, you don't have access to the smartphone that the bracelet was synced to), the only reliable way to break the connection is to completely reset the settings. This procedure will delete all data from the device, including the Xiaomi account binding, alarm settings and personal records. Importantly, after resetting, the bracelet will return to the "out of the box" state and require resetting.
How to perform the reset:
- On the Mi Band 5 bracelet itself, swipe your finger across the screen to the left until the Additional menu (three-dot icon) appears.
- Select Reset (circle arrow icon).
- Confirm the action by tapping the tick (✓).
- Wait for the bracelet to reset (it will take about 30 seconds).
Once reset, the bracelet will automatically unplug all devices and accounts, and can now be tied to a new smartphone via Mi Fitness. If the menu on the bracelet screen doesn't respond, try an alternative reset method:
What to do if the sensor of the bracelet does not respond?
Attention! After the hardware reset, all data that is not synced to the Xiaomi cloud will be permanently lost, including your sleep history over the past 30 days, notification settings, and individual activity goals. If you plan to continue using the wristband, export your data through Mi Fitness.
Never reset |1 once a year |Only before selling |On every glitch |I don't know how to do it-->
Method 3: Uncoupling through the web version of the Xiaomi account
A little-known but effective method is to manage devices via the web interface of your Xiaomi account, which is useful if you don’t have physical access to the bracelet (for example, it’s lost or broken), but you want to remove it from your profile, and it’s also useful when changing your phone when your old device isn’t available.
Instructions:
- Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in to your account.
- From the menu, select Devices (or Mi Cloud → Devices in the older version of the interface).
- Find your Mi Band 5 (can be displayed as MIBAND5 or by serial number).
- Press three points (⋮) Next to the device and select Delete.
- Confirm the action by entering the password from the account.
This method removes the bracelet from your profile, but does not reset it. If the gadgetlater is found or will be in the new owner, he still needs to perform a hardware reset to link to another account. Also note that the web interface may display devices that have not been used for a long time, they can also be safely removed.
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If multiple Mi Band 5 instances are displayed in the device list, only delete the one with the current day in the last activity. Old entries may refer to previous bracelets or sync errors.
Method 4: Disconnect via Bluetooth settings (alternative method)
In some cases, users successfully untie the bracelet by simply removing it from the list of Bluetooth devices on a smartphone. This method does not always work, but it can help if the Mi Fitness gives errors or the bracelet “hangs” during the synchronization process. The main disadvantage of the method is that it does not guarantee complete detachment from the Xiaomi account, so it is only suitable for temporary disconnection of communication.
How to do this:
- 📱 On Android: Go to Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth. Find the Mi Band 5 on the list, tap the gear next to it, and select Forget the device.
- 🍎 On iPhone: Open Settings → Bluetooth, find the bracelet in the list of "My devices" and click on the icon "i" next to it, then select Forget this device.
- 🔄 After removal, restart your smartphone and bracelet (to reboot the bracelet, connect it to charging and wait for vibrations).
This method often helps with synchronization errors when the bracelet connects to the phone, but the data is not updated. However, if the goal is complete unwinding before selling, it is better to combine this method with hardware reset. Also note that on some Xiaomi firmwares, after removal via Bluetooth, the bracelet can automatically connect again the next time Bluetooth is turned on.
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Deleting via Bluetooth is not the same as disconnecting from your account. Make sure to use Mi Fitness or the web interface to completely break the connection.
Problem Solving: The bracelet does not untidy or gives out errors
Even when following instructions, users sometimes find it difficult to do so, and consider common mistakes and how to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The "Untie the Device" button in Mi Fitness is inactive | The bracelet is not connected to your phone via Bluetooth | Turn on Bluetooth, wait for sync, then try again |
| After resetting, the bracelet is tied to the old account again. | The device was not removed from the Xiaomi web interface | Remove the bracelet via account.xiaomi.com |
| The bracelet does not respond to touches to reset | Battery discharged or sensor damaged | Charge the device for 10-15 minutes, then try again. If it doesn't work, use a forced reset via the charger. |
| Mi Fitness gives an error "Can't untie the device" | Unstable Internet connection or server problems Xiaomi | Check your network connection, restart the app, or try later. |
If none of the methods worked, the problem may be the bracelet's firmware. In rare cases, older versions of Mi Band 5 software contain bugs that interfere with the correct uncoupling. The solution is to update the firmware through Mi Fitness (Device Profile Section → Software Update). If the update is not available, try tying the bracelet to another phone with the latest version of the application and repeat the uncoup procedure.
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If you are selling the bracelet, ask the new owner to link the Mi Band 5 to your account in your presence before handing it over, which will confirm that the uncoupling has been successful.
What to do after the detachment: preparing the bracelet for the new owner
If you untie the bracelet to be passed to another person, it is not enough to simply disconnect from the account, so that the new owner can fully use the device, follow the following steps:
- 🔋 Fully charge the bracelet.The new user should be able to immediately start setting up without waiting for charging.
- 📱 Delete all personal data. Even after reset, some bracelets retain a notification history. To clear it, manually delete all notifications through the wristband menu before resetting.
- 🔄 Update the firmware. If you have a software update, install it before you transfer it, and that will save the new owner from potential bugs.
- 📋 Check the package. Make sure the bracelet comes with the original charging cable (many Mi Band models use unique connectors).
It is also worth notifying the new owner about the nuances:
The bracelet supports binding to only one device at a time.
To sync with the iPhone will require iOS 10.0 or later.
Some features (such as Mi Pay) may not be available depending on the region.
Attention! If you sell the bracelet through message boards, in the description, indicate that the device is completely untied from the previous account and ready for a new binding, which will increase customer confidence and eliminate questions after the sale.