Xiaomi fitness bracelets are some of the most popular wearables on the market due to their combination of functionality, sensor accuracy and affordable price. However, even with such simple gadgets, users often have questions about how to properly sync the wristband with the phone, what applications are needed for this, and what to do if the connection is constantly broken. This article will help you understand all the nuances from choosing the right application (Mi Fitness or Zepp Life) to solving typical problems with Bluetooth.
We will consider not only the basic connection procedure, but also hidden settings that the manufacturer does not advertise - for example, how to forcibly reset the bracelet to factory settings, if it "hangs" during synchronization, or how to turn on the display of notifications from messengers on the Mi Band 7/8 screen. Particular attention will be paid to the models of recent years (Smart Band 8 Pro, Mi Band 8), since their firmware and pairing algorithms differ from the old versions.
What Xiaomi bracelets support Android connectivity
Before you start setting up, it’s important to make sure your bracelet model is Android compatible. Most Xiaomi devices work with Android 6.0 and newer phones, but there are nuances:
- 📱 Mi Band 1-6: Supports Android 5.0+, But for full operation (notifications, payments) requires Android 6.0+.
- 📱 Mi Band 7/8 Smart Band 8 Pro: Minimum version - Android 7.0, But for some features (for example, Always-on Display) you need Android. 9.0+.
- 📱 Xiaomi Watch S1/S2 watch 2 Pro: They require Android 8.0+ due to advanced functions (calls, voice assistant).
- ⚠️ Outdated models: Mi Band 1A Mi Band 2 may not work correctly with modern smartphones due to lack of firmware updates.
If your bracelet is released before 2018, check for firmware updates through the official app before connecting. For example, Mi Band 3 after upgrading to version 1.7.0.14 stopped supporting some features on Android 12+.
What to use: Mi Fitness or Zepp Life
Until 2022, all Xiaomi bracelets were customized through the Mi Fit app, but after the rebranding, the company divided the ecosystem into two areas:
| Annex | Supported models | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Fitness | Mi Band 3–8, Smart Band 7/8 Pro | Official software from Xiaomi, maximum compatibility, but limited sleep settings. |
| Zepp Life | Mi Band 7/8, Xiaomi Watch S2, Amazfit | Advanced health analytics, but may not support some Mi Band features (e.g. NFC). |
| Xiaomi Wear | Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Smart Band 8 Pro | A new app for smart watches, but still unstable with bracelets. |
For most users, Mi Fitness is the best choice. However, if you want detailed sleep statistics (such as REM phases), try Zepp Life. Note: you can't use both apps at the same time, which will lead to synchronization conflicts.
⚠️ Note: If you have previously used Mi Fit, before installing Mi Fitness, delete the old application and clear its data in the phone settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fit → Warehouse → Otherwise, the new bracelet may not connect.
Step-by-step: how to connect Xiaomi bracelet to Android
The pairing process takes no more than 5 minutes, if you follow a clear algorithm, we will analyze the universal scheme that is suitable for most models (Mi Band 5-8, Smart Band 7/8 Pro).
Download the Mi Fitness app from [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xiaomi.hm.health)
Turn on Bluetooth on your phone (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth)
Charge the bracelet to at least 20% (at low charge, synchronization may be interrupted)
Unpack the bracelet and remove the protective film from the charging contacts (if any)
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Step 1: Launching the application and registering
Open Mi Fitness and sign in to Xiaomi (or register a new one).If you already have a Mi Account (like a Redmi smartphone), use it to make it easier to sync data between devices.
Step 2: Adding a device
Click on the profile icon in the top right corner → Add device → select your bracelet model from the list. If your model is not, select Another device and enter the name manually (e.g. Mi Smart Band 8).
Step 3: Bluetooth interface
Make sure the bracelet is in search mode (the icon should be on the screen). 📱). In the app, click Connect and confirm pairing on your phone. If the connection request does not appear, reboot Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⚙️ → Reset).
Step 4: Set up notifications and permissions
After successful connection, the application will request access to:
- 📱 Notifications (to display messages on the bracelet).
- 📍 Geolocation (for accurate jogging tracking).
- 🔋 Auto-start (to keep the bracelet synchronized in the background).
Allow all requests, otherwise some features (like Find My Device) won’t work.
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If the bracelet doesn’t connect the first time, try resetting it to factory settings: press and hold the touch button for 10 seconds until vibration appears.
Configure notifications and additional functions
By default, Xiaomi bracelet shows only basic notifications (calls, SMS). To configure the display of messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) or mail, do the following:
1. Including notifications in Mi Fitness
Go to Profile → Your Device → Notifications and activate the Toggle Include Notifications. Then select the apps you want to see on your bracelet.
2. Customization of the displayed text
In the same menu, you can choose what will appear on the bracelet screen:
- 📌 Only the sender name (saves charge).
- 📜 Full text of the message (up to 120 characters).
- 🔕 Turn off vibration for individual applications.
3. Do not disturb activate
To prevent notifications from arriving at night, set up Do Not Disturb in Mi Fitness: Profile → Modes → Do Not Disturb. You can set a schedule (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00) or turn on the mode manually.
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If notifications are late, check your Android power saving settings: add Mi Fitness to the exclusion list (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All apps → Mi Fitness → Not Optimize).
What to do if Xiaomi bracelet does not connect to the phone
Pairing problems are the most common user complaint, and let's look at common errors and how to fix them.
1 The bracelet is not on the Bluetooth device list.
Reasons:
- 🔋 Battery discharged (charge the bracelet to at least 30%).
- 📶 The bracelet is too far from the phone (maximum distance is 10 meters).
- 🔄 Outdated bracelet firmware (update via Mi Fitness).
2. The connection is permanently broken
Decisions:
- 📱 Reboot your phone and bracelet (press the 10 seconds button on your bracelet).
- 🔄 Turn off Bluetooth on your phone, then turn it on again.
- 🚫 Remove the bracelet from the list of associated devices (Settings) → Bluetooth → ⚙️ bracelet → Forget) and reconnect.
3. "Unable to connect" error in Mi Fitness
This may be related to:
- 🌍 Regional restrictions (if you use them) VPN or unofficial phone firmware).
- 📦 Conflict with another fitness app (remove Google Fit or Samsung Health while you set up).
- 🔐 Blocking Mi Fitness with antivirus (add the application to exceptions).
⚠️ Note: If the Mi Band 8 or Smart Band 8 Pro bracelet does not connect to Android 13 phones+, Try to disable the private function DNS in network settings (Settings) → The Internet and the Internet → Private. DNS → This feature sometimes blocks the connection to wearable devices.
How to update the firmware of the Xiaomi bracelet through your phone
Regular firmware updates fix connection errors, add new features (e.g. support for new types of workouts) and improve sensor accuracy. You can check for updates directly in Mi Fitness:
Step 1. Check the current version
Open the application → Profile → Your device → About the device. The current firmware version is listed in the Software Version bar.
Step 2: Download and install the update
If a new version is available, an Update button will appear. Press it and wait until the process is complete. Don't turn off Bluetooth or close the app during the update!
What happens if you interrupt the update?
Step 3: Checking after the update
After installing the update:
- 🔄 Reset the bracelet (hold the button for 5 seconds).
- 📱 Sync data in Mi Fitness (profile) → Synchronize).
- ⚙️ Check the operation of all functions (pulse, pedometer, notifications).
If the bracelet starts to run out faster after the upgrade, reset it and reconnect it, which is because newer firmware versions sometimes reset power optimizations.
Hidden features of Xiaomi bracelets that you didn’t know about
In addition to the standard features (stepmeter, pulse, notifications), Xiaomi bracelets hide several useful chips that are not advertised in the instructions.
1. Music management
On the Mi Band 7/8 and Smart Band 8 Pro, you can switch tracks and adjust volume directly from the bracelet.
- Turn on the player on your phone (like Spotify or YouTube Music).
- Flick the bracelet screen to the left to the Music menu.
- Click on the icon. ▶️/⏸ play-control.
2. Quick access to the flashlight
On models with Always-on Display (such as Smart Band 8 Pro), you can double-press the flashlight. This feature is useful at night, but is disabled by default. To activate it, go to Mi Fitness → Profile → Your device → Screen → Quick flashlight.
3. Hidden mode "Not visible on the hand"
If you are not wearing the bracelet on your wrist (like your ankle), activate the Not Seen on your hand mode in the app settings, which will turn off automatic sleep detection and improve pedometer accuracy.
4. Alternative dials with secret functions
Some Mi Fitness dials have hidden features, such as the Energy dial showing real-time stress levels, and the Workout automatically triggers exercise when you're in intense motion.
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To access hidden dials, go to Profile → Your Device → Dials → Get more and search for the XMSH01 code (for Mi Band 8) or XMSB02 (for Smart Band 8 Pro).