First inclusion of Xiaomi Mi Band 5: full guide from unpacking to synchronization

Where to start: Preparing for the first inclusion

Buy Xiaomi Mi Band 5 and do not know how to turn it on? Don’t rush to press the button – first understand the configuration and basic requirements. In the bracelet box, you'll find the device itself, a strap (usually already installed), a magnetic-connector charging cable, and brief instructions in several languages. No power supply is a normal practice for Xiaomi: the manufacturer assumes that you already have one. USB-charge-port.

Before you first turn on, make sure you have an Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+ smartphone with Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit) installed. Without it, the bracelet won't be able to sync data and update firmware. Also check that Bluetooth and Geolocation are enabled on the phone - they'll be required to pair devices. If you're using an iPhone, you may need to temporarily turn off Charge Saving mode, as it limits the background of the apps.

Important: Mi Band 5 doesn't have a physical on button as we know it. Instead, it uses a touch screen with a single mechanical key underneath the display. Pressing that button for 3 seconds forcefully resets the bracelet -- don't confuse that with turning it on! The first activation happens automatically when you connect to charging or after syncing with your smartphone.

Step 1: Charging the bracelet before first use

Although the Mi Band 5 comes with a small battery charge, the manufacturer recommends fully charging the device before first turning on, which involves calibrating the battery and preventing possible malfunctions. Connect the bracelet to the charging cable by connecting the magnetic contacts on the back of the case with the cable connector.

Charging indicator is displayed on the bracelet screen:

• 🔋 Red Battery Badge – Less than 20 Charges%
• 🟡 Yellow icon – charge from 20% to 80%
• 🟢 Green badge - charge over 80%
• ⚡ Lightning in a circle – full charge (100%)

The full charge time is about 1.5-2 hours. Do not leave the bracelet on charging for more than 3 hours, this can reduce the battery life.

• 🔌 Density of magnetic contact attachment
• 🔋 Correction USB-port
• 📱 Condition of the cable (whether there is damage to the insulation)

Step 2: Install and configure the Mi Fitness app

While the bracelet is charging, install the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) on your smartphone, download it from the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play (for Android). Once installed, launch the app and register through your Xiaomi, Google or Apple ID account. If you already have a Mi Account, use it – this will make it easier to synchronize data between devices.

When you first start, the application will request permissions to:

• 📍 Geolocation (to track activity)
• 📱 Notifications (to display alerts on the bracelet)
• 📁 Storage (to save training data)
• 🔋 Background work (for real-time synchronization)

Don't deny these permits.

After registering, go to Profile → Add a device and select Mi Smart Band 5 from the list. The app will prompt you to turn on Bluetooth and start searching for the bracelet. If the device is not located, check:

• 🔄 The bracelet is charged at least 20 times%
• 📱 Bluetooth is turned on on on your smartphone
• 🚫 The bracelet is not connected to another phone.

Step 3: First Enable and Pair with a Smartphone

When the bracelet is charged and the app is ready to go, you can start turning on. Xiaomi Mi Band 5 activates automatically when you first connect to charging or after you press the touch screen. If the screen does not respond, follow the following steps:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charging cable for 5-10 seconds, then disconnect.
2. Touch the touch screen – the Mi logo should appear.
3. If the screen remains black, press and hold the physical button under the display for 10 seconds until you feel the vibration.

After activation on the screen bracelet will appear QR-code or pairing request. In the Mi Fitness app, select Add Device → Mi Smart Band 5 and follow the instructions on the screen. QR-code, point the smartphone camera at the bracelet screen. Alternatively, manual input. PIN-The code that appears on the bracelet (usually 0000 or 1234).

It takes about 30 to 60 seconds to pair, and when the bracelet is complete, it vibrates, and the app will notify you of a successful connection, and you can now start setting the basic parameters.

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If the bracelet doesn't find the smartphone, try rebooting both devices. On Android, cleaning the Mi Fitness app's cache in your phone's settings will also help.

Step 4: Basic bracelet setup via Mi Fitness

After pairing, the application will suggest adjusting the main parameters of the bracelet.

Pay special attention to the Notifications section, where you can choose which apps will send alerts to the wristband. For example, if you want to see notifications from WhatsApp or Telegram, include them in the list, and set alarm clocks and sedentary reminders, which help maintain an active lifestyle.

Don't miss the Screen section in the bracelet settings.

• 🌓 Select a dial (more than 100 options available)
• ⏱️ Set the lighting time (recommended 5-10 seconds)
• 🔄 Turn on the screen autorotation (for left-handers)

Step 5: Update the firmware and check the health

After the first setup, check for firmware updates. Outdated software can cause sensor or synchronization failures.

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5.
2. Select firmware update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete.

Important points in the update:

• 🔋 The charge level of the bracelet should be more than 50%.
• 📶 The bracelet should be located next to the smartphone (within a radius of 1 meter).
• ⏳ Do not interrupt the process – this can lead to a blink (breakdown) of the device.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is disabled or an error message appears during the upgrade, do not try to re-start the process immediately. Wait 10 minutes, restart the bracelet (hold the 10 seconds button) and try again. If the error persists, please contact Xiaomi with the error code.

After the update, check the performance of the main functions:

• 🏃‍♂️ Stepper (walk 10-20 steps and check the counter)
• ❤️ Pulsemeter (measure the pulse at rest)
• 💤 Sleep monitoring (wear a bracelet overnight)
• 📞 Notifications (send a test message to your phone)

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Updating the firmware is a must-do step after purchase, new versions fix sensor errors and add features (e.g. monitoring) SpO₂ later-release).

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with the right setup, users sometimes face problems, and let's look at typical situations and ways to solve them:

If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch, try:

1. Wash the screen with a dry wipe (possibly it has fat or moisture on it).
2. Reboot the device (hold the 10 seconds button).
3. Update the firmware through Mi Fitness.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet starts to run out quickly after the firmware update, reset it to factory settings and repeat the upgrade procedure. In 10% of cases, failures during the update lead to increased power consumption. If the problem persists, contact the service center - the battery may be faulty.

Additional settings for experienced users

After basic setup, you can activate hidden Mi Band 5 features that aren’t enabled by default:

• 🩸 Monitoring SpO₂ (oxygen saturation: available in firmware as of version 1.0.9.54.To enable, go to Mi Fitness → Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Sleep monitoring → Measurement SpO₂.
• 🏊 Swimming Tracking: Activated in Training → Sports: The bracelet is waterproof (up to 50 meters), but after swimming in salt water, wash it with fresh water.
• 🔒 Screen lock: protects against accidental tapping during sleep or exercise. Included in bracelet settings → Screen locking.
• 🎵 Music control: allows you to switch tracks straight from the bracelet.Works with Spotify, Apple Music and the standard player.

Custom dials are available for customization enthusiasts, and can be downloaded through apps like Amazfit Watch Faces or BandFaces. Installation is done through.bin files that are uploaded to Mi Fitness in the Dials section → Add. Note that informal dials can reduce battery life.

If you use Mi Band 5 for training, adjust your heart rate to your goals:

• 🟢 Zone 1 (50-60% of max) – warm-up, recovery
• 🟡 Zone 2 (60–70%) – Fat burning
• 🔴 Zone 3 (70–80%) – Cardio, Endurance
• 🟣 Area 4 (80-90%) – Interval training
• ⚫ Zone 5 (90–100%) – maximum load

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To extend the life of the battery, turn off constant monitoring of heart rate (leave only manual measurements) and reduce the brightness of the screen to 2-3 divisions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the first inclusion of the Mi Band 5