How to reboot the Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet: everything from a soft reboot to a complete reset

Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets are some of the most popular wearables on the market, but even they sometimes require a forced reboot. Screen freeze, sync errors with the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit), failures after updating the firmware or discharging the battery to a critical level - all these problems are often solved by a simple reboot. However, not all users know that the Mi Band has several reset methods, and their choice depends on the model of the bracelet and the nature of the malfunction.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for rebooting for all generations of Xiaomi Mi Band (from Mi Band 1S to Mi Band 8 and Smart Band 7 Pro), including hidden features that are not written about in the official instructions. You will learn how to distinguish a soft reboot (without loss of data) from a hard reset (with a return to factory settings), as well as what to do if the bracelet does not respond to buttons or does not turn on after an update.

1.When do I need to reboot the Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet?

Rebooting is not a universal solution, but it helps to get the bracelet back to normal in 80% of cases.

  • πŸ“΅ The bracelet does not sync with the Mi Fitness application (error "Device does not respond" or "Synchronization failed").
  • πŸ”„ The screen hangs on the Mi logo or shows white backlight without an image.
  • πŸ”‹ After updating the firmware, the device quickly discharges or does not turn on.
  • 🚫 Sensors stopped working (does not measure pulse, does not count steps, does not display notifications).
  • πŸ”„ The bracelet spontaneously resets or turns off.

If the problem is hardware-related (e.g., the bracelet has fallen into water, the screen has crashed, or it doesn’t hold a charge after a year of use), a reboot is unlikely to help β€” you’ll need repair or replacement.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse reboot with factory reset. The first just restarts the system, and the second deletes all the data (steps, training, settings) and returns the bracelet to the "out of the box" state".

2. Soft reboot (without data loss)

This is the safest way to do so, and it doesn’t affect user data, and it’s suitable for the Mi Band 2/3/4/5/6/7/8 and Smart Band 7 Pro. The instructions are universal, but for older models (Mi Band 1S) it may not work.

Steps for a soft reboot:

  1. Connect the bracelet to the charger (even if the battery is not discharged).
  2. Press and hold the touch button (or the physical button on the Mi Band 2/3) for 10-15 seconds.
  3. Wait for the vibration and the appearance of the Mi logo - this is a signal of a successful reboot.
  4. Release the button and wait 1-2 minutes until the bracelet is fully loaded.

If the bracelet does not respond to the button holding, try an alternative method:

  • πŸ”Œ Connect the bracelet to charging.
  • πŸ“± Open the Mi Fitness app and go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band β†’ Reset the device.
  • πŸ”„ Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

β˜‘οΈ Checklist before soft reboot

Done: 0 / 4

Soft reset helps 60 to 70 percent of the time, so if the bracelet still doesn't work, go hard reset.

3. Hard reset (to factory settings)

This method removes all data from the bracelet, including:

  • πŸ“Š Statistics of steps, sleep and training.
  • βš™οΈ Individual settings (alarm clocks, notifications, screen order).
  • πŸ”’ Link to Xiaomi account (re-synchronization required).

Use a hard reset only if:

  • The soft reboot didn't help.
  • The bracelet hangs on the Mi logo and does not load.
  • You sell or transfer the bracelet to another user.

Instructions for hard discharge:

  1. Turn off the bracelet from charging (if it was connected).
  2. Press and hold the touch button for 20-30 seconds.
  3. When the screen goes out, release the button and press it again 5 times in a row (for Mi Band 4/5/6/7/8).
  4. Wait for the vibration and the inscription "Reset" or the Mi logo to appear.

For the Mi Band 2/3, the process is slightly different:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.


2 Hold the physical button for 10 seconds until you feel the vibration.




3. Release the button and press it immediately 3 times in a row.




4.The bracelet will reset and reset to factory settings.

⚠️ Note: On the Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8, hard reset may require confirmation via the Mi Fitness app. If the bracelet does not respond to buttons, use the charging method + Appendix (described in the following section).

πŸ’‘

If the bracelet does not turn on after a hard reset, connect it to charging for 1-2 hours. Sometimes the deep discharge of the battery blocks the start until full recharging.

4.Reboot via Mi Fitness app

If the physical buttons don't work, you can try rebooting the bracelet through the official app, which is suitable for all models except the Mi Band 1S.

Step-by-step:

  1. Open the Mi Fitness app on your phone.
  2. Go to Profile β†’ Mi Smart Band β†’ Device settings.
  3. Scroll down and select Reboot device or Reset settings (depending on the model).
  4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet vibrates and reboots).

If the app doesn’t have a reboot button, try:

  • πŸ”„ Untie the bracelet from the account (Profile) β†’ Mi Smart Band β†’ Disconnect the device and re-tether.
  • πŸ“± Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version.
  • πŸ”Œ Connect the bracelet to charging and try again.
Model braceletDoes it support rebooting through the app?Is a reset confirmation required?
Mi Band 2/3❌ No.❌ No.
Mi Band 4/5βœ… Yes.❌ No.
Mi Band 6βœ… Yes.βœ… Yes, confirmation code)
Mi Band 7/8βœ… Yes.βœ… Yes (via Bluetooth)
Smart Band 7 Proβœ… Yes.βœ… Yes (requires) PIN-code)
πŸ“Š What is your Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet?
Mi Band 2/3
Mi Band 4/5
Mi Band 6
Mi Band 7
Mi Band 8
Smart Band 7 Pro
Another model

5.What to do if the bracelet does not respond to reboot?

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be bigger than it looks. Here's the algorithm for the non-living bracelets:

  1. Check the charging: πŸ”Œ Use the original cable and power adapter. πŸ•’ Connect the bracelet to charge for 2-3 hours (even if the indicator does not burn). πŸ”„ Try another charger or USB-port.

Check the physical condition:

  • πŸ’§ If the bracelet is wet, dry it for 24 hours in rice or silica gel.
  • πŸ” Examine charging contacts for oxidation or dirt (clean with alcohol).
  • Update your firmware manually: Sometimes the bracelet gets stuck on the old version of the software. Forced update: 1. Install the latest version of the Mi Fitness app. 2. Connect the bracelet to charging. 3. In the app, go to Device Settings β†’ Firmware Update. 4. If the update doesn't start, turn off Bluetooth, restart the phone and try again.

If the bracelet is still not turning on, the power controller may have failed or the battery is damaged, in which case contact Xiaomi’s service center or consider buying a new device (repairs often cost more than a new Mi Band).

What to do if the bracelet is stuck in update mode?
If the bracelet shows update progress (e.g., 0% or 50%) and does not move further, do not turn it off from charging! Wait at least 1 hour - sometimes the process takes a long time due to slow Internet or server errors Xiaomi. If after this time there are no changes, try a hard reset (hold the button 30+ seconds).

6.How to avoid problems after the reboot?

After a successful reset or reset, follow these guidelines to keep the bracelet running consistently:

  • πŸ“± Update the Mi Fitness app: Older versions may conflict with bracelet firmware.
  • πŸ”‹ Don't drain battery to 0%: Deep discharge can cause power controller to fail.

If you have performed a hard reset, you will have to reconfigure the bracelet:

  1. Link it to your Xiaomi account via Mi Fitness.
  2. Set up notifications, alarms and screen order.
  3. Update the firmware to the latest version.
  4. Restore data from the backup (if it was created earlier).

πŸ’‘

After a hard reset, the bracelet may require re-activation through the app. If Mi Fitness can't see the device, try reinstalling the app or using another phone.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users are making bracelet problems worse because of the wrong actions. TOP-5 Mistakes and how to avoid them:

Mistake.Effects of consequencesHow to avoid
Interrupting firmware updatesThe bracelet stops turning on ("brick")Do not turn off Bluetooth and charging until the update is complete.
Use of non-original chargersDamage to the battery or power controllerUse only original Xiaomi cables and adapters
Hard reset without backupLoss of training statistics and sleepSync data with Mi Fitness before resetting
Charging the bracelet in the off stateThe bracelet may not turn on due to deep dischargeCharge the device at least once every 2-3 months, even if you do not use it.
Updating firmware through an unstable InternetBracelet failures after updateUse Wi-Fi or mobile internet with a good signal

If you've already made one of these mistakes, don't panic. In most cases, the bracelet can be "resuscitated" with a combination of hard reset and forced firmware updates (described in section 5).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

πŸ”Ή Can you reboot the Xiaomi Mi Band without a button?
Yes, if the bracelet is responding to charging. Connect it to the charger and wait for the indicator to appear. Then try rebooting through the Mi Fitness app (Device settings section). If the button is physically broken, contact the service center.
πŸ”Ή Why the bracelet does not sync with the phone after reboot?
The reasons may be different: πŸ“± Older version of Mi Fitness app (update it). πŸ”„ Cache conflict (clear app data in phone settings). πŸ”‹ Weak Bluetooth signal (reboot phone and bracelet). 🚫 The bracelet is tied to another account (reset and re-attach).
πŸ”Ή How to Reset Mi Band if it is blocked by a password?
If you forgot. PIN-code, perform a hard reset: Connect the bracelet to charge. Hold the button for 30 seconds until you feel the vibration. Release the button and press it immediately 5 times in a row. The bracelet will reset and the password will be deleted. Smart Band 7 Pro may require confirmation through the app.
πŸ”Ή Why does the bracelet discharge quickly after updating?
It's a typical problem with new firmware: πŸ”„ Reset the bracelet (soft reset). πŸ“± Turn off unnecessary notifications in Mi Fitness. πŸ”‹ Calibrate the battery: discharge the bracelet to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions. πŸ”„ Remove the firmware to the previous version (if available).
πŸ”Ή Can data be recovered after a hard reset?
No, hard reset completely erases the data from the bracelet, but if you previously synced the statistics with the Mi Fitness app, it will be stored in the Xiaomi cloud, and once the bracelet is tied, the data will automatically be loaded back (except for individual settings).