Connecting Xiaomi Mi Band to a smartphone: full instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long become the standard for tracking activity, sleep and health. Their popularity is due not only to the affordable price, but also to the ease of use – you can connect the bracelet to your phone in 5 minutes, even if you have never used wearable electronics before. However, beginners often wonder what application to download, how to synchronize data, why the bracelet does not find the phone or displays an error.

In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step connection process for all current models – from the Mi Band 6 to the latest Mi Band 8 Pro – and also talk about the nuances of working with Android and iOS. Particular attention will be paid to the typical problems: what to do if the bracelet does not connect, how to reset to factory settings and why the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life) may not see the device.

If you've just unpacked the bracelet and want to set it up quickly, go straight to the instruction section. If you've already had a connection problem, check out the troubleshooting unit, where we've compiled solutions for 90% of cases.

Preparation for connection: what will be needed

Before you start syncing, make sure you have everything you need. Here's the minimum set:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 12.0+ (Newer bracelet models require a more recent OS version).
• 🔋 Charged bracelet (minimum 20% battery) New Mi Band devices are often discharged to zero - plug it into charging for 30-60 minutes.
• 📲 Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life or Mi Fit) download it from official stores: Google Play for Android App Store for iOS

If you are updating the bracelet from an older model (for example, from Mi Band 5 to Mi Band 8), we recommend that you remove the old device from the application before connecting a new one.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mi Band bracelets do not support simultaneous connection to multiple phones.If you are trying to sync your device with a new smartphone, first untie it from the old one in the app settings.

Also check that notifications are allowed on your phone for the Mi Fitness app - otherwise you won't receive alerts for calls and messages to the bracelet.On Android, this is done in Settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Notifications, on iOS - in Settings → Notifications → Mi Fitness.

💡

If you have a Mi Band 8 Pro with GPS, Before you use it, update the bracelet firmware through the app, which will fix any possible location bugs.

Step-by-step: how to connect Mi Band to the phone

Now, the process itself. The instructions are universal for all Mi Band models, but we will note the features for new versions (for example, the Mi Band 8 Pro).

Step 1. Turn on the bracelet.

Click the touch button below the screen (or tap the screen if it's the Mi Band). 7/8). If the bracelet is discharged, plug it into charging, the indicator will light up red. ~2 hour.

Step 2 Launch the Mi Fitness app

Open the app and sign up (or sign in to Xiaomi account if you already have one). Without an account, data sync won't work!

Step 3. Add a new device

Click on the profile icon (in the lower right corner) → Add the device → Choose your Mi Band model from the list. If your model is not available, update the app.

Step 4: Allow access to data

The annex will request permission to:

Click Allow for all queries, otherwise some of the features will not work.

Step 5. Synchronize the bracelet

The app will start searching for the device.

• The bracelet is located next to the phone (no further than 1 meter).
• Bluetooth is enabled on both devices.
• The bracelet displays the confirmation code (if not, restart it by pressing the button for 10 seconds).

When the bracelet appears in the list, click on it and confirm the connection in the application.

Step 6: Update the firmware (if necessary)

Once connected, the app can suggest updating the firmware, and you can agree that this will fix the bugs and add new features.

• Don't unplug the bracelet from your phone.
• Stay with the app.
• Make sure the bracelet is charged >50%.

Bracelet charge >20%|Bluetooth is on on the phone|Mi Fitness app updated|Device removed from old phone (if previously connected)|Permissions for the annex are given-->

Setup of the bracelet after connecting

Now that the bracelet is synchronized, you can customize it to your needs, and here are the key parameters that you should check:

1. Basic settings

In the Mi Fitness app, go to the section of your bracelet and set up:

• ⏰ Alarm clocks – add repeating signals or one-off reminders.
• 🔔 Notifications – Select which apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS) You want to receive alerts.
• 🔋 Screen – set the backlight time (5–30 seconds) and brightness.

2. Health monitoring

In the Profile menu → The device → Health monitoring activate:

• 💓 Measurement of pulse (automatic or scheduled).
• 😴 Sleep tracking (including daytime naps).
• 🩺 Blood oxygen levels (SpO₂) — available on the Mi Band 6/7/8.
• 😓 Stress level (for Mi Band only) 7 Pro/8 Pro).

3. Sporting regimes

In the Training section, select the activities you practice (walking, running, cycling, swimming, etc.). The Mi Band 8 Pro offers 7 sports automatic recognition.

4.Gestural and quick action

On the Mi Band models 7/8 tune in:

• 👋 Raising your hand to turn on the screen.
• 🔄 Wrist flip to skip track (if Xiaomi headphones are connected).
• 📸 Control of the camera of the phone (photo with double pressing on the bracelet).

⚠️ Attention: On the Mi Band 8 Pro, continuous pulse monitoring greatly reduces your operating time. If you want autonomy, set the measurement interval in Settings → Monitoring of heart rate → Every 30 minutes.

How to connect Mi Band to another phone

If you want to transfer the bracelet to a new smartphone (for example, changed Android to iPhone or vice versa), follow this instruction:

Step 1 Untie the bracelet from the old phone

Open Mi Fitness on your old device, go to Profile → Your device. → Untie, confirm the action.

Step 2. Reset the bracelet settings

On the bracelet itself:

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Reset (for Mi Band) 6/7/8).
2. For Mi Band 5 and older: Press the touch button for 10 seconds until vibrations appear.

Step 3. Connect to a new phone

Install Mi Fitness on your new smartphone, log in to the same Xiaomi account and repeat the connection procedure.

If you use different operating systems (e.g., switching from Android to iOS), health data may not be automatically transferred.

• Export data from Mi Fitness on your old phone (if you have one).
• Or sync your account with Google Fit (for Android) or Apple Health (for iOS).

💡

When changing your phone, always untie the bracelet in the app first, rather than just reset it.This will save your details in your Xiaomi account.

Mi Band is not connected: reasons and solutions

If the bracelet is not synced with the phone, check these points:

1. Bluetooth problems

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off and turn on again).
• 📱 Forget the device in Bluetooth settings (on Android: Settings) → Bluetooth → Mi Band → Forget it).
• 🔋 Check the bracelet charge – at levels below 10%, synchronization may not work.

2 Mi Fitness app errors

3. Conflict with other devices

• If the bracelet has been connected to another phone before, reset it (see instructions above).
• Disable other wearable devices (smart watches, headphones) that may interfere with the connection.

4. Problems with bracelet firmware

How to connect Mi Band without a phone: alternative ways

Can you use the Xiaomi Mi Band without a smartphone? Technically, but with serious limitations. Here's what works and what doesn't:

✅ What's available without a phone:

• 🕒 Time and date (synchronized at the last connection).
• 🏃 Basic pedometer (calculation of steps without detail).
• 🔋 Music management (if the bracelet has already been paired with the phone).
• 🔦 Lantern (on Mi Band) 7/8 hold-button).

❌ What won't work:

• 📊 Synchronization of data (steps, sleep, pulse will not be stored in the application).
• 🔔 Notifications (calls, messages).
• 🔄 Firmware update.
• 🌍 GPS-Tracking (even on Mi Band 8 Pro without a phone).

If you want a time-and-pedometer-only bracelet, you can use it offline, but for full health tracking, you need to connect to your phone.

Important: Without regular synchronization (at least once every 7 days), the bracelet can reset the accumulated data about steps and sleep.

Tips for increasing the working time of the bracelet

One of the most common complaints about the Xiaomi Mi Band is that it drains the battery quickly.

1. Optimize your monitoring settings

• 💓 Set your pulse every 30 minutes instead of a continuous pulse.
• 😴 Turn off automatic daytime sleep tracking (if not necessary).
• 📊 Turn off autosynchronization of data (synchronize manually 1-2 times a day).

2. Manage notifications

• 🔔 Leave only important notifications (calls, SMS, messengers).
• Turn off alerts from social media and games.

3.Tune the screen.

• ⏱️ Reduce the lighting time to 5 seconds.
• Put the brightness to a minimum comfortable level.
• Turn off your arm lift if you don’t use it often.

Other advice

• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware – in new versions optimize energy consumption.
• 🔋 Avoid full discharge – charge the bracelet at 20-30% charge.
• 🧲 Do not hold the bracelet near magnets or wireless charging (this may affect sensors).

💡

On the Mi Band 8 Pro GPS It consumes up to 30 percent of the charge per hour, and use it only when needed, not in the background.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Mi Band