Changing your smartphone is always stressful, connected with data transfer and setting up your familiar environment, but most of all users are worried about the fate of wearable electronics. Mi Band fitness bracelets have become an integral part of the ecosystem, tracking sleep, pulse and steps, so their fast and correct connection to a new device is a priority. The migration process does not always go smoothly due to the peculiarities of Bluetooth and data caching in the Android operating system, which requires strict adherence to the sequence of actions.
Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco equipment often find that the old application stops seeing the device or the data stops updating after changing the gadget. To avoid losing statistics and notification problems, you need to follow a number of preparatory steps that are often ignored in a hurry. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that ensures the stable operation of the tracker on the new phone.
The main difficulty is that the bracelet can be “clamped” with an old application or hang in standby mode, waiting for confirmation from the previous host. It is critical that before starting a new setting, completely untie the tracker from the old smartphone through the Bluetooth settings and the application. Ignoring this step leads to pairing errors in 90% of cases when the new device sees the bracelet but cannot complete the authorization procedure.
Preparing the old and new device for migration
The first step is to properly prepare the software on both devices. On an older smartphone, if it is still available, you need to log into the Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit) or Mi Fitness and find the device management menu, and you should select the option “Untie” or “Unpair”, which will forcibly break the connection and clear the access keys on the wearable gadget side.
On the new Xiaomi phone, you need to make sure that the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system is updated to the latest available version, this ensures that you have up-to-date Bluetooth drivers and security patches that can block third-party accessories. Also check if GPS (geolocation) is enabled, since in modern versions of Android this is a mandatory requirement for Bluetooth scanning.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to just remove the app from your old phone without first unbending the bracelet.The device will remain locked for new connections, and you'll have to perform a full tracker reset via the settings menu.
Make sure both devices are charged.The initial synchronization and firmware update process of the bracelet may require up to 15-20 minutes of active time, and discharging at this point is not allowed.The tracker itself must be charged at least 50% to avoid interrupting firmware recording.
Installation and configuration of the Zepp Life or Mi Fitness app
Xiaomi ecosystem uses two main applications for work with wearable electronics: Zepp Life and Mi Fitness. The choice of specific software depends on the model of your bracelet and personal preferences, however, for new models (Mi Band 6, 7, 8 and later), the manufacturer increasingly recommends using Mi Fitness.
Once installed, you need to register for a Mi Account or log in through a Google profile, which is a must, as all health data is stored in the cloud and linked to the user account, and without authorization, the application will work in a limited demo mode, not allowing you to add the device.
It is important to give the application all the permissions requested immediately after the first run. Android can aggressively restrict the background work of trackers to save energy, so you need to manually allow access to Bluetooth, location, notifications and background activities. Without this, the bracelet will constantly lose touch with the phone.
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When setting permissions, select the Always Allow option to access geolocation if available, otherwise the bracelet will not be able to track your jogging routes correctly.
The process of pairing the bracelet with a new smartphone
The process of connecting on new Xiaomi phones is greatly simplified by integrating the Fast Pair protocol. Once you open the app and go to profile, click the Add Device button. The system will automatically start scanning the surrounding space for compatible gadgets.
If the bracelet is in pairing mode (usually it switches to it automatically after detachment from an old phone or reset), it will appear in the list of available devices with the model name and serial number. Click on the device name to start the procedure. A digital confirmation code will appear on the tracker and smartphone screen - make sure they match and confirm the action.
☑️ Checklist of successful pairing
In the rare cases where automatic search doesn't work, you can try manual mode. To do this, in the Bluetooth menu of the smartphone itself, find the device (for example, Mi Band 5) and click "Forget the device" or "Unpair the pairing", then repeat the search inside the application. Sometimes a direct connection through the Bluetooth system menu conflicts with the application, so it's better to first clear the pair list in the phone settings.
The primary connection may be a tracker software update. Don't interrupt this process and keep your phone near the bracelet. The firmware update often fixes pulsemeter bugs and improves connection stability, so wait until you complete the installation to 100%.
Configure notifications and permissions in MIUI
One of the most common problems Xiaomi users have is the lack of notifications from messengers on the wristband, which is due to aggressive optimization of the battery in the shell of MIUI. To fix this, you need to go to the phone settings, find the "Apps" section and go to managing the rights of running programs.
Find your bracelet app (Zepp Life or Mi Fitness) on the list and enable auto-start. This will allow the app to run immediately after the phone is turned on without waiting for the user to manually start up. Without this step, notifications can only come after the application is opened.
| Setup parameter | Recommended value | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Included. | Settings → Applications → Auto Launch |
| Activity monitoring | No restrictions. | Settings → Battery → Applications |
| Permits | All included | Settings → Applications → Permissions |
| Displaying on top of others | Permission. | Special Opportunities / Special Rights |
Also check the settings of the notifications themselves within the tracker app. The profile menu → notification settings should activate the app notification switch. Next in the list below, you need to manually tick the boxes opposite WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber and other relevant programs. If the tick is ticked but the notifications do not come, try to delete and add the app again from this list.
Why do notifications come with a delay?
Synchronization of data and transfer of history
Many users are afraid of losing their footstep and sleep statistics when changing their phone. The good news is that the data is not stored in the phone's memory, but on the servers of their Mi Account account. Simply logging in on a new device with the same login, and the whole story will be automatically picked up.
However, if you change platform (e.g., switch from iPhone to Android or vice versa), the process can be complicated. data from Apple Health is not transferred directly to Zepp Life on Android, in which case it is recommended to wait for the old device to fully sync with the cloud before untieing the wristband.
Once connected to the new phone, start forced synchronization by pulling the main screen of the application down. Make sure that the current time and date on the bracelet coincide with the phone, as time dissynchronization can lead to incorrect display of activity time in the logs.
⚠️ Note: If you use third-party data analytics apps (such as Health Sync or Notify for Mi Band), you will have to reconfigure them.
Solving Typical Connection Problems
Even if you follow all the instructions, you can have technical difficulties, and one of the most common is the “failed to connect” error or the endless circle of rotation of the boot indicator, in which case a complete clearing of the Bluetooth cache will help. To do this, in the phone settings, find the “Bluetooth” menu, click on three dots in the corner and select “Reset Bluetooth settings”.
Another common problem is that the bracelet is visible on the list, but when you try to connect, it gives an error. This can mean that the device is "hanging." To fix this, put the tracker on the charge. Connecting the power cable often initiates a reboot of the device, resetting the suspended communication modules.
If nothing works, reset the bracelet completely to factory settings. In the tracker’s menu, find the Settings section (cog icon) → System → Unbind/Reset. After that, the device will be clean and ready for a new one, just like on the first day of purchase.
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Rebooting both devices (smartphone and bracelet) solves more than 80% of connectivity problems, eliminating temporary software glitches in the Bluetooth module.