Changing your smartphone or having to transfer an activity tracker to another user are standard situations faced by a wearable electronics owner. However, before untieing a Xiaomi fitness bracelet from an old gadget, it is important to perform a series of preparatory steps to avoid losing accumulated statistics and avoid problems with locking the device. If you simply turn off Bluetooth or delete the application, the tracker will remain “tied” to the account in the cloud, which will make it impossible to re-activate it.
The procedure takes only a few minutes to properly disable, but requires attention to the details of the interface. Depending on whether you are using Mi Fit, Zepp Life or the newer Mi Fitness platform, the menu names may vary slightly, but the logic of actions remains the same throughout the Xiaomi Wearable ecosystem. Below we will discuss the full algorithm of actions that ensures the successful release of the device.
Ignoring digital hygiene rules when changing ownership can result in the new user being unable to sync the gadget. Xiaomi's security system blocks re-pairing unless the previous owner has removed the device from his profile. Therefore, deactivation should be carried out strictly through the software menu, not just by resetting the bracelet itself.
Why you need to properly untie the tracker
Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply reset the bracelet to factory settings to become “clean,” a dangerous misconception, since the binding is at the level of the company’s servers and Mi Account. If you plan to sell a device, gift it or simply switch to another operating system (for example, from Android to iOS), you need to break the digital connection in the application.
The main reason why you need to unplug Xiaomi Smart Band through the app is because of the mechanism of protection against theft and unauthorized access. As long as the device is listed in your profile, it will not allow another phone to create a new pair with it, which ensures that in the event of a loss of the phone, an attacker will not be able to simply reconnect the tracker to his gadget and access your data.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to reset the bracelet with a control button without prior detachment in the application will cause it to require authorization from an account to which it was previously associated.
Also, properly disabling allows you to keep your activity history in the cloud. If you just delete the app or lose communication, the sync will be interrupted and the data about the last workouts may be lost.
Preparation for the unsetting procedure
Before you start manipulating the software, you need to make sure the connection is stable, make sure that the bracelet is charged at least 20-30% so that it does not turn off at the most critical time, also check whether Bluetooth is on on the smartphone and whether the tracker is within range (usually up to 10 meters without obstacles).
It’s important to understand which app is running your device. Older models like the Mi Band 2, 3, 4 and early fifth-series versions often run through Mi Fit or its Zepp Life rebranding. Newer models, including the Mi Band 6, 7, 8 and Xiaomi Smart Band lineup, may require Mi Fitness (formerly Xiaomi Wear) apps.
☑️ Checklist before unbundling
If you change your phone but you leave the same account, you don't have to pre-delete, you just need to log in to the new device. However, if the goal is a complete cleanup or a change of owner, preparation is critical. Don't try to do anything if the connection is unstable, because the command may not reach the device.
Instructions: uncoupling through the Zepp Life app
The Zepp Life app (formerly known as Mi Fit) is the most common tool for managing Xiaomi trackers.The unbundling process here is as standardized as possible, but requires an accurate hit to the desired menu. First, open the app and go to the Profile tab in the lower right corner of the screen.
In the list of My devices, select your bracelet. It usually shows the model name and charge level. After you log in to the device menu, scroll to the bottom of the page. There you will find the Unlink or Unlink button. Pressing it initiates the disconnection process.
The system will request confirmation of the action, as this is an irreversible operation for the current session, after the confirmation, the process of synchronizing the latest data will begin, and then the bracelet will be removed from the list, and a vibration or a message about a successful shutdown may appear on the tracker screen.
What to do if the “untie” button is inactive?
It's important to note that after this procedure, the bracelet will return to factory settings, all personal data, such as alarm clocks, step targets and dial settings, will be erased, which is normal behavior to prepare the device for a new one.
Deleting the device via Mi Fitness
For modern models such as the Mi Band 7 Pro, Mi Band 8 and Xiaomi Watch smartwatches, the Mi Fitness app is used. The interface here is different from Zepp Life, which often causes confusion among users. Open the app and go to the bottom tab "Device."
At the top of the screen, you'll see a card of your connected gadget. Click on the three dots in the top right corner or scroll down to the "Device Settings" section. In the list of options, you'll need to find "Unconnect device" or "Unlink device."
The system will alert you that all data on the device will be deleted. Confirm the action. The process takes about 10-15 seconds. Unlike older versions of the software, it often requires an active Internet connection to update the status of the device on the Xiaomi Cloud server.
| Parameter | Zepp Life (Mi Fit) | Mi Fitness |
|---|---|---|
| Location of the menu | Profile -> My devices | Device -> Settings |
| Name of the button | Unlink (Unlink) | Untie the device |
| Data resetting | Automatic. | Automatic. |
| Network requirement | Preferably. | I'll be sure. |
Once the operation is completed successfully, the bracelet will reboot and go to pairing standby mode, now it can be connected to a new phone or transferred to another user, and make sure that the device disappears from the list in the application before you close the program.
Alternative method: reset via bracelet settings
In situations where the phone is lost, broken, or the app is not running, you can use the built-in menu of the tracker itself. This method is less preferable, since it does not always guarantee complete removal from the cloud account, but allows you to reset the settings of the gadget itself.
Inside the menu, find System or Additional. There should be a Reset or Factory Reset option. To confirm an action, you often need to press and hold the touch button or enter a pin code if it has been installed. On some models, such as the Mi Band 5 and later, you need to find an Untie icon that forcibly breaks the connection with the last phone.
⚠️ Note: Resetting through bracelet settings does not remove the device from your Mi Cloud account.If you sell the gadget after such a reset, the new owner will not be able to activate it until you remotely remove it from the list of devices in the application or on the site.
Use this method only in emergency cases. After resetting the bracelet menu, at the earliest opportunity, log in to the app from any device, log in to your account and follow the standard unblocking procedure to release the device's serial number.
💡
If the bracelet does not respond to reset, set it on charge for 15-20 minutes. Low battery power is a common reason for blocking menu functions.
Disconnection problems and their solution
Often users encounter errors when trying to untie the device, the most common problem is the message “failed to untie” or endless rotation of the download indicator. This can be due to unstable Internet connection or temporary failures on the Mi Cloud servers.
If the app says that the device is not found, even though the bracelet appears in the list, try the following:
- 📱 Close the application completely and restart it.
- 🔄 Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- 📶 Switch from Wi-Fi to Mobile Internet (or vice versa).
- 🗑️ In extreme cases, delete the application and install it again by logging into your account.
Sometimes it helps to remove the device from the phone’s Bluetooth settings. Go to Settings → Bluetooth, find your bracelet (like Mi Band 5) in the list, and click “Forget the device” or “Hide the device.” Then go back to the app and try untie it again.
If nothing works, your account may be locked or your device may be on a grey list due to previous sync errors, so you should wait hours or days before trying again, and servers can update the status of your device with a delay.
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The key factor for successful decoupling is a stable connection of the smartphone to the Internet, as the team is sent to the server to verify the rights of the owner.