How to Reboot Xiaomi Mi Band 5: All Ways to Reset and Restore

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is one of the most popular fitness bracelets on the market, but even it is not immune to crashes: screen getting stuck, improper synchronization with the phone or a sudden disconnection can be unsettling. In most cases, a simple reboot solves the problem, but not all users know how to do it correctly.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can reboot the Mi Band 5, from soft restart to full reset to factory settings, when to use each method, how to avoid data loss, what to do if the bracelet doesn’t respond to commands at all, and the unique ways to restore work after a failed firmware update that are not written in the official instructions.

Why might Mi Band 5 require a reboot?

Xiaomi fitness bracelets run on simplified operating systems, making them vulnerable to software failures, and here are the most common reasons why the device may be “glued”:

🔄 Long-term operation without rebooting – like smartphones, bracelets need periodic restarts to clean the cache.
📱 Conflict with Mi Fit or Zepp Life app – especially after phone update.

Symptoms for which it is worth trying a reboot:

📵 Mi Fit app doesn't see bracelet, though Bluetooth is enabled.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet has stopped responding after a fall or mechanical impact, rebooting may not help.In this case, check the integrity of the body and display - repair may be necessary.

📊 How often do you reload your fitness bracelet?

Once a week.

Only when it's bugging.

Never rebooted.

I don't know how to do that.

Method 1: Soft reboot (restart)

It's the safest method, and it doesn't cause data loss, and it helps 80 percent of freezes, and it doesn't require a phone connection.

Instructions:

Connect the bracelet to the charger (even if the battery is not discharged).
Wait for the charging icon to appear on the screen (usually in 5-10 seconds).
Turn off the bracelet from charging and wait 30 seconds.
Connect to charging again – the device should automatically restart.

If the screen does not respond to the charging connection:

Try another cable or power adapter.
Wipe the contacts on the bracelet and charger with an alcohol napkin.
Wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes the device wakes up after a long charge.

Check the battery power (minimum 20%)

Use the original Xiaomi cable

Clean contacts of dust and moisture

Wait 1-2 minutes after disconnecting from charging-->

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet turns on after a soft reboot but turns off immediately, this is a sign of a battery failure, in which case only a replacement of the battery in the service center will help.

Method 2: Hard reset (forced reset)

If a soft restart doesn't work and the bracelet still doesn't respond, try a hard reboot, which resets all the time data (steps, pulses per day) but saves the basic settings and user profile.

For the Mi Band 5, there are two options for a hard reboot:

Option A: Through a physical button (hidden sensor)

There's a hidden touch button on the bracelet body underneath the screen to activate it.

Remove the bracelet capsule from the strap.
Place your finger on the area under the screen (where the physical button is usually located on other models).
Hold your finger for 10-15 seconds until the bracelet vibrates.
Let go of your finger – the Xiaomi logo will appear on the screen, signaling a reboot.

Option B: Through the charger

If the touch button does not work:

Connect the bracelet to the charger.
Hold your finger on the touch button (under the screen) for 20 seconds.
The bracelet should vibrate and reset.

After a hard reboot:

🔄 Sync your bracelet with Mi Fit or Zepp Life to recover data.
⚙️ Check notifications and alarms settings – they may reset.

Resetting method	Is the data preserved?	Implementation time	When to apply
Soft reset	Yeah.	1-2 minutes	Minor hangings, slow work
Hard reboot (sensor)	Partially (Daily data is reset)	3-5 minutes	Strong freezes, unresponsive screen
Hard reset (charging)	Partially (Daily data is reset)	5 minutes.	The bracelet does not respond to the sensor
Reset to factory settings	No (full clean-up)	10 minutes.	Critical failures, preparation for sale

Method 3: Resetting to factory settings

A complete reset removes all data from the bracelet, including:

User profile (height, weight, age).
Settings of notifications and alarms.
Activity data (steps, sleep, exercise).
Coupled devices (phone, headphones).

Use this method only in extreme cases:

🔧 Bracelet does not sync with the phone despite multiple reboots.
📱 After updating the firmware, the device is not working correctly.
🔄 You prepare the bracelet for sale or transfer to another user.

Resetting instructions:

Open the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app on your phone.
Go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Additional → Reset to factory settings.
Confirm the action on the bracelet screen (if it reacts).
Wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet vibrates and reboots).

If the bracelet does not respond to commands from the application:

Put him on charge.
Hold the touch button under the screen for 30 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.
After rebooting the bracelet will be as new - you will need to re-tuning.

What to do if the reset does not help?

If the bracelet still doesn’t work after a complete reset, the problem may be in the hardware: 1. Check the battery – if it is swelling, a replacement will be required. 2. Check the contacts on the board (when disassembling) – oxidation or corrosion can disrupt work. 3. Sweep the bracelet manually through Mi Band Tools (requires root rights to the phone). 4. Contact the service – if the warranty is valid, repair will be free (provided there is no mechanical damage).

Method 4: Recovery after a failed firmware update

If the bracelet is bricked after a firmware update, standard reboot methods won't help -- you'll need to force flashing, a process that's more complicated, but you can do it at home.

You'll need:

📱 Android phone with root rights (or unlocked bootloader).
🔌 Cable to connect the bracelet to the phone (need an adapter) USB Type-C → Micro-USB for Mi Band 5).
💻 Mi Band Tools (available on the official website).
📄 Firmware file for Mi Band 5 (you can download it on the forums) XDA Developers or 4PDA).

Step-by-step:

Install Mi Band Tools and provide all the necessary permissions.
Connect the bracelet to the phone via an adapter (contacts should fit tightly!).
In the app, select Firmware → Install custom firmware.
Download the firmware file (.fw or.bin format).
Start the firmware process and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off the bracelet!).
After successful installation, the bracelet will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Attention: The wrong firmware can permanently disable the bracelet. If you're not sure what you're doing, see a specialist. Also note that spontaneous firmware removes the warranty.

💡

Before you run the firmware, back up the current version of the software through Mi Band Tools (Backup section), which will help you roll back if the new firmware is unstable.

Frequent Reboot Errors and How to Avoid Them

Many users make mistakes that make the problem worse, and the most common ones are:

❌ Using unoriginal chargers – this can lead to battery problems or failures in the operation of the power controller.
❌ Interrupting the firmware update process – if the bracelet is being updated, don’t disconnect it from your phone or discharge the battery below 50%.
❌ Reset to factory settings without backup – before complete cleaning, export your sleep and workout data in the Mi Fit app.
❌ Disassemble the bracelet without experience - inside the Mi Band 5 fragile plumes that are easy to damage.

How to avoid problems:

✅ Use only original Xiaomi accessories.
✅ Regularly (once every 1-2 weeks) reload the bracelet to clean the cache.
✅ Before updating the firmware, check the reviews of other users on the forums.
✅ If the bracelet is wet, dry it before charging (despite being waterproof, salt and chlorine can damage the contacts).

💡

If the bracelet doesn't turn on after all the manipulations, check it on another phone. Sometimes the problem lies in the failure of the Bluetooth module of the smartphone, not in the Mi Band 5 itself.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all reboot methods are exhausted and the bracelet still doesn’t work, the following options remain:

Contact the Xiaomi Service Center: 📍 Find the nearest center on the official website. 💰 Warranty repairs are free if there is no mechanical damage. ⏳ Repair period - from 3 days to 2 weeks.
Buy a new bracelet capsule: 🛒 On AliExpress or in official Xiaomi stores sold individual modules Mi Band 5 (without straps). 💲 Cost - about 1500-2000 rubles (for 2026). ⚙️ Replacement takes 2 minutes: just remove the old capsule and insert a new one.

Upgrade to a new model

🆕 Xiaomi Smart Band 8 or Mi Band 7 have improved stability and new features (e.g., the new Xiaomi Smart Band, GPS).
🔄 When buying a new model, you can transfer health data through your Xiaomi account.

Before the service visit:

📋 Write down the bracelet serial number (located on the back of the capsule).
📱 Remove the bracelet from the Mi Fit app to avoid conflicts when reconnecting.
🔋 Charge the device to at least 30% – the service may require a demonstration of the problem.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

❓ How often should you restart Mi Band 5 for prevention?

It is recommended to do a soft reboot every 1-2 weeks, which helps to clear the cache and prevent the accumulation of software errors. If you actively use sleep tracking and training, you can reboot the bracelet more often - every 5-7 days.

❓ Can I reload the bracelet without a charger?

Yes, but only if it responds to touch. To do this: Swipe your finger down the screen to open the menu. Find Reboot (on some firmware - Restart). Confirm action. If the screen does not respond, you can not do without charging.

❓ After reset, the bracelet does not sync with the phone?

The problem is usually with the Bluetooth cache. Try: Remove the bracelet from the list of devices in the phone's Bluetooth settings. Reboot the phone. Re-add the bracelet through the Mi Fit app. If it doesn't work, turn off Bluetooth, turn on the plane mode for 30 seconds, then reconnect.

❓ Can data be recovered after a complete reset?

Unfortunately, your steps, sleep and workout data can't be recovered in recent days, it's only stored in the wristband's memory. However, you can return a longer history (if it's synced to the app) to: Open Mi Fit or Zepp Life. Go to Profile → My Devices → Mi Band 5 → Data History. Export the data to a file (if required). Once you reconnect the wristband, the story is synchronized again (but only the one that was saved in the cloud).

❓ The bracelet discharges within hours of rebooting?

A quick discharge after a restart usually indicates that: 🔋 Battery wear – if the bracelet is more than 2 years old, the battery may have degraded. 📱 Background activity – check if continuous heart rate monitoring is enabled (Settings) → Heart monitoring → Mode: Auto). 📲 Firmware failure — try updating the software through Mi Fit. Diagnostic: Turn off all notifications and background functions. See how fast the bracelet discharges in standby mode (without active use). If the discharge goes quickly even when it is off, bring it to the service.