Modern wearable gadgets from Xiaomi, such as Mi Band or Smart Band, are characterized by high autonomy and stability, but even they sometimes require user intervention. The situation when the tracker stops responding to touch, hangs on the logo or simply stops synchronizing data with the smartphone, is familiar to many owners. In such cases, a standard screen switching off is not enough, and a full reboot of the device system is required.
Unlike smartphones, fitness bracelets rarely have a physical power button, making the restart process less obvious to beginners. There are several ways to bring the gadget back to life, from a standard menu in the interface to forced methods through the app. Choosing the right algorithm of actions depends on your tracker’s current model and the degree of its “hang”.
In this article, we will take a look at all the restart methods available, from routine procedures to emergency measures, how to distinguish a software failure from a hardware failure and what steps to take if the touch screen has completely ceased to respond to commands.
Staff reboot through the device menu
The safest and most appropriate way to reboot the tracker is to use the built-in operating system menu, which is suitable for devices that work normally but require restarting to install updates or fix minor software bugs. On models starting with the Mi Band 4 and later, including the Mi Band 8, this feature is built directly into the interface.
To do this, you need to unlock the screen and scroll through the widget list all the way to the end. Usually, the control point is at the bottom of the list. When you click on the settings icon, you'll be taken to the menu where you want to find the System or More section, and there'll be a Reboot item available, which will start the process.
- 🔄 Swipe your finger across the screen to the end of the list of functions.
- ⚙️ Click on the gear icon (Settings).
- 🔌 Select the “Reset” option and confirm the action.
⚠️ Note: During the reboot process, do not try to sync the bracelet with your smartphone, as the Bluetooth module will be temporarily disabled.
Importantly, on some firmware versions, the reboot point may be hidden in the Settings → System submenu. If you don't find it right away, carefully examine all the tabs available. Once confirmed, the screen will go out, and after 10-15 seconds, the device will turn on again, displaying the brand logo.
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Before restarting, make sure that the battery is at least 15-20% so that the device is guaranteed a power cycle.
Forced restart when getting stuck
When the touch screen stops responding to touch, it is called a “freeze” in which case the regular menu is not available and requires a forced reboot method. For most Xiaomi Smart Band models, the algorithm of actions is unified and is based on long-term retention of the touch zone.
You need to find the sensitive area on the screen (usually the bottom third of the display or the special area under the screen if it is OLED) and press it. Hold your finger for a long time - from 20 to 30 seconds. At this point, the device can vibrate or show the logo, but you can not release your finger until the menu appears or a full reboot.
☑️ The algorithm of forced restart
If a standard long press doesn't work, try the "discharge" method. Leave the bracelet on until the battery runs out completely and the device shuts down itself. Then put it on charge and turn it on in the usual way. This method helps to reset static electricity and clear RAM of errors.
- 🔋 Leave the device until the battery is completely discharged.
- 🔌 Connect the original charging cable.
- ⏱️ Wait for the logo to appear and try to include it.
It should be noted that on older models, such as the Mi Band 2 or 3, the software reboot function may not be available, and in such cases, the discharging method is the only software way to solve the problem without disassembling the body.
Use of Mi Fitness and Zepp Life
The smart bracelet is controlled via a paired app on a smartphone. Sometimes a command to reboot can be sent remotely if the Bluetooth connection is stable. Two main applications are available to users of the Xiaomi ecosystem: Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit) and Mi Fitness.
In Zepp Life, you need to go to the device profile, scroll down to Settings, and find the Untie option. Although this action breaks the connection, in some cases it initiates a restart of sync services on the bracelet itself. The Mi Fitness app has the same logic: Profile → My → Settings → Untie.
⚠️ Warning: Uncoupling the device will clear training data not stored in the cloud.
A softer way is to use the "Device Search" function, if you click the search button in the application, the bracelet will vibrate. Sometimes the intense operation of the vibrator, combined with the software status request, can "stir up" the hung interface. Also, in the application settings, you can try to update the firmware if a new version is available, since the updating process always includes a reboot step.
Why is the bracelet not visible in the app?
Using third-party apps like Notify for Mi Band (for Android) gives you advanced control capabilities, and such utilities often have hidden commands to restart the Bluetooth stack or force time synchronization, which can indirectly solve the problem of freezing.
Comparison of Reboot Methods of Different Models
Xiaomi's line of wearable devices is extensive, and management practices may vary depending on the generation of the device and the type of operating system. AMOLED-screens have more complex logic of work compared to monochrome predecessors.
Below is a table showing the differences in reboot approaches for popular models, and note the physical interface and control type.
| Model of the device | Screen type | Availability of the reset menu | Forced discharge method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 8 / 9 | AMOLED | Got it (on the menu) | Long press (20 seconds) |
| Mi Band 7 | AMOLED | Got it (on the menu) | Long press (20 seconds) |
| Mi Band 6 | AMOLED | Got it (on the menu) | Long press (20 seconds) |
| Mi Band 4 | AMOLED | Got it (on the menu) | Long press (20 seconds) |
| Mi Band 3 | OLED | No. | Complete discharge. |
As you can see from the table, for modern models with a color display, the problem is solved software through the interface. For older versions, where there is no full operating system with a settings menu, the only option is waiting for battery discharge. This is due to the architecture of the microcontroller, which does not have a hardware reset button available to the user.
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Presence of color AMOLED-The screen in Mi Band 4 and later models guarantees the availability of a software menu for a safe reboot of the device.
Reset to factory settings
If a conventional reboot doesn’t fix the freeze issues, a full reset to factory settings may be required, a procedure that removes all user data, dial settings and stored workouts, returning the device to the “out of the box” state.
You can reset through a companion app. In Zepp Life or Mi Fitness, you go to the bracelet settings and select Reset or Unbind, confirming deletion. On the device itself, if you have access to the menu, you can find Settings → System → Reset.
- 🗑️ Open the bracelet control app.
- 📱 Go to the device profile and select "Untie».
- ✅ Confirm the removal of all data from the tracker.
Once the reset is done, the device will restart and prompt the pairing procedure to be reset, which is an effective method of dealing with software errors accumulated over a long period of use, but if the problem is caused by physical damage to the board, the reset will not help.
Diagnostics of charging and inclusion problems
Sometimes users confuse the need to reboot with power problems. If the bracelet does not turn on and does not respond to touch, perhaps it is not a software failure, but a deep battery discharge or oxidation of contacts.
Check the charger. The contacts on the cable and on the bracelet must be clean. Wipe them with a dry cloth or a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Try connecting the device to another one. USB-port or power supply, if the charge indicator does not appear on the screen during the 10-15 minutes, maybe the battery is out of order.
Also worth paying attention to is ambient temperature: the lithium polymer batteries used in the Smart Band can block charging at extremely low or high temperatures. Let the device lie at room temperature for about an hour before trying to turn on.
⚠️ Note: Do not use powerful Quick Charge (Power Delivery) units to charge the bracelet unless specified in the instructions. 5V/0.5A or 1And.
If none of the methods works and the bracelet continues to behave incorrectly, there is a high probability of hardware malfunction, in which case it is advisable to contact a service center or replace the device, since repairing trackers is often not economically feasible.