Xiaomi’s modern wearables have proven to be reliable and functional health tracking aids, but even the most advanced electronics can sometimes fail: the screen stops responding to touch, heart rate data stops synchronizing, or the interface freezes completely, and in such situations, the first thing you need to do is reboot the device.
Unlike smartphones, activity trackers rarely have a physical power button, which puts many users in a baffling position. There are several proven methods to reanimate the Mi Band or Xiaomi Smart Band without going to a service center. The specific method depends on your bracelet model and how it freezes.
In this article, we will take a look at all the known ways to reboot, from software methods through the application to hardware reset, and learn how to safely restart the system so as not to lose accumulated data about steps and training.
⚠️ Before performing any complete data reset actions, make sure the bracelet is synced with the application to keep your activity history in the cloud.
If your gadget is just slow, it may be lacking battery power, and in some cases, low power causes false system freezes that are solved by simply recharging.
Reboot methods via Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app
The safest and easiest way to reboot a fitness tracker is to use an official mobile app, a technique that is suitable for models that respond to connections but don’t work correctly. To start, open the Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit) or Mi Fitness on your smartphone.
Go to the device profile, usually at the bottom of the screen or in the Profile menu. Find the Settings or System section. Depending on the firmware version and the bracelet model, there may be an Unplug or Reboot button, and clicking on it initiates the system's software rebuke.
If a standard reboot button is missing, you can try the disabling method. Select the "Untie" or "Unpair" option. This action will break the Bluetooth connection and often force the tracker's communication module to restart, after which the bracelet will again become visible to search.
- 📱 Open the companion app on your smartphone and wait for the connection.
- 🔍 Go to the settings of a particular device in the profile list.
- 🔄 Find the item "System settings" or "About the device».
- ⚡ Click the Reboot button (if available) or perform the unbundle.
It's important to understand that software rebooting through an app doesn't delete your personal data, which is analogous to turning off and on your computer, where the operating system shuts down the background and starts over, and this is the approach most preferred for minor software failures.
⚠️ Note: When uncoupling the device through the application, the training history may no longer appear on the bracelet screen, but it will remain in the history of the application.
Sometimes the sync process can get stuck. If the application says "Connect..." and can't execute a command, try turning off and re-enable Bluetooth on the phone itself, which will refresh the connection and allow the reboot command to go well.
For touchscreen models like the Mi Band 6, 7, 8, the menu may look different, and some firmware versions have a direct reboot button in the bracelet settings menu, making it unnecessary to use the phone for this procedure.
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Software reboot via the app is the most secure method that does not require physical intervention and saves all user data.
Hardware reboot via charger
The classic method of resuscitating any electronics is the discharge and charging cycle. In the case of Xiaomi fitness bracelets, connecting to a power source often causes the system to restart automatically, which is because the power controller, when the voltage is applied, initiates a check of the systems and starts the bootloader or main OS.
To use this method, remove the tracker capsule from the strap (if the design allows) or connect the device to the entire charge. USB-the cable to the power adapter or the computer port. The screen should light up, showing the battery icon or the Mi logo.
If the bracelet was completely dead, leave it on charge for 10-15 minutes. Often the system cannot start at a critically low charge level. Once the logo appears, the device actually undergoes a cold start procedure.
- 🔌 Connect the charging cable to the port USB computer.
- 🔋 Make sure the contacts on the bracelet and cable are clean and dry.
- ⏱ Leave the device to charge for at least 5 minutes before the logo appears.
- 👀 Watch the screen: the appearance of the logo means a successful start.
There's a nuance with models that have a removable capsule. If the bracelet doesn't respond to the connection, try to carefully remove the tracker from the silicone strap and plug only the module itself in, sometimes the contacts in the strap become oxidized or contaminated, preventing charging.
In rare cases, the charge shake helps: plug the bracelet, wait for the vibration or the screen to light up, then immediately turn off and reconnect. Repeating the cycle 2-3 times can "wake up" the getting stuck controller.
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Use only the original cable or certified analogues to charge, and cheap cables can deliver unstable voltages, which will prevent the system from starting correctly.
This method is especially effective if the touch screen has stopped responding to the presses, but the backlight lights up when connected, which suggests that the hardware is intact, and the problem lies in the software that is reset when power is applied.
Use of the "Factory Reset" function in bracelet settings
A more radical but effective method is Factory Reset, which is available on newer models such as the Mi Band 5, 6, 7, 8 and Xiaomi Smart Band Pro series, and returns the device to the “out of the box” state by removing all settings and data.
To do this, you need to unlock the bracelet screen and go to the main menu. Swipe, find the Settings icon (usually a gear). In the list of options, look for System or Reset.
The system will request confirmation of action, because this is a critical operation, and once confirmed, the bracelet will turn off and in a few seconds it will turn on with the initial language and time settings, and all your workouts, dial settings and alarm clocks will be deleted.
- ⚙️ Go to the “Settings” menu on the tracker screen.
- 🗑 Find the "System" item» → «Reset or "Factory Reset».
- ✅ Confirm the action by pressing the tick or button.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed and the device reconfigured.
The use of factory reset is necessary if the software reboot does not help, or if you plan to sell the device, this ensures that your personal data does not get to the new owner.
| Method | Data retention | Difficulty | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the app | Complete. | Low. | 1 minute |
| Through charging. | Complete. | Low. | 5-10 minutes |
| Factory dumping | No (removes everything) | Medium | 2-3 minutes |
After the reset, you will need to re-connect the bracelet with the smartphone, and the application will suggest configuring it as a new device or recovering data from a backup if it was created previously in the cloud.
Features of the reboot for different models of the Mi Band
Xiaomi’s fitness tracker lineup is extensive, and each model has its own controls. Understanding these nuances will help avoid mistakes. Older models like the Mi Band 2 and Mi Band 3 often had a touch button or single physical button, which made it easier to control, but made it harder to reset when getting stuck.
The Mi Band 3 and Mi Band 4 are characterized by the absence of an explicit reboot button on the menu, where the most effective method is to charge or wait for a full discharge. Models with color screens (Mi Band 6 and later) have a more complex OS that freezes less often, but requires more careful handling.
Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro and 8 Pro series models have built-in GPS and more powerful processors. They may require more time to reboot. If the screen goes out but the device vibrates, the system is rebooting, don't touch it at this point.
- 📟 Mi Band 1-3: Often require the capsule to be reloaded with contacts.
- 📱 Mi Band 4-5: Respond to prolonged retention (if there is a button) or charging.
- 🖥 Mi Band 6-8: Have a reset menu in the settings and a sensitive touchscreen.
- ⌚ Pro versions: More time to start due to complex system.
Owners of older versions should consider that the battery in them may have degraded. Frequent reboots can be a symptom of the fact that the battery is not holding the voltage under load, and the system is constantly thrown into the recharge.
Secrets of Old Models
Firmware updates are not to be ignored. Often, problems with specific models hanging are solved by releasing a patch from the manufacturer. Check the version of the software in the application before you decide on radical measures.
What to do if the bracelet does not respond fully
A situation where a fitness bracelet turns into a brick and does not respond to any action is rare, but possible. If the screen is black, there is no vibration, and charging does not help, do not rush to throw the device away. There may be a deep discharge or a failure of the controller.
The first thing you need to do is leave the device on charge for a long time, from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Deep discharge lithium polymer batteries take time to gain the minimum voltage to start the charge controller.
If that doesn't work, try "zero discharge" and leave the bracelet off for a few days (3-5 days) until the battery is completely dead, then put it on charge, which sometimes calibrates the battery and allows the system to start.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble the bracelet body or heat it with a hairdryer, which will cause irreversible damage to the water protection and the electronics themselves.
In some cases, it helps to connect to another. USB-Computer ports can provide a more stable current without surges than cheap Chinese power units.
If neither method revived the gadget, there could be a hardware malfunction, which could be a battery failure or damage to the screen plume, in which case it is more advisable to contact the service or purchase a new model, since repairs are often unprofitable.
☑️ Diagnosis of a broken bracelet
Prevention of hangings and maintenance tips
To avoid the need for frequent reboots, you should follow simple rules for the use of wearable electronics, regular maintenance of the device prolongs its life and ensures stable operation.
First of all, keep an eye out for updates. Developers are constantly improving their code optimization; installing the latest firmware version through an app is the best way to prevent software errors; and don't ignore notifications of new versions of software.
Second, don't overload the device: Installing too many third-party dials or constantly running sensors in the background can drain CPU resources.
- 🔄 Regularly check for updates in the app.
- 🧹 Remove unused dials and widgets.
- 💧 Keep the sensor and charging contacts clean.
- 🔋 Do not let the battery run completely to zero on a regular basis.
Extremely low or high temperatures can negatively affect the operation of the lithium battery and the response rate of the system, and try not to leave the gadget in the cold or in direct sunlight.
Cleaning the device with a wet wipe after exercise will help avoid sweat getting into the micro-slits, which can cause contact corrosion and false sensor alerts. Hygiene is important not only for you, but also for engineering.
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Regular cleaning of the cache (through junction/binding) and updating the firmware reduce the probability of freezes by 90%.