Connecting Xiaomi Mi Band 3 to a smartphone: a complete guide to problem solving

Why do you need to sync Mi Band 3?

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet, released in 2018, is still one of the most popular trackers due to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face difficulties already at the first connection stage. Synchronization errors, Bluetooth problems or Mi Fit application malfunction can ruin the experience of the device.

In this article, we will not only discuss the standard connection procedure, but also hidden settings that will help avoid typical errors, such as why the bracelet is not detected on the iPhone after an iOS update, or how to reset the Mi Band 3 settings if it was previously associated with another account, and you will learn what alternative applications can be used instead of the official Mi Fit if it works unstable.

Important: The instruction is relevant for all versions of the firmware Mi Band 3 (including the latest 1.7.0.54) and compatible with Android 8.0+ and iOS 12.0+. If your smartphone is older, additional steps may be required - we will also consider them.

Preparing for connection: what to do before synchronization

Before you start pairing the bracelet with your phone, follow a few mandatory steps that will save time and prevent most errors.

• 📱 Update your smartphone operating system to the latest version. On Android, check in Settings → System system → Update on iPhone - in Settings → Mainstream → Update of the PO.
• 🔄 Reset the bracelet. To do this, plug it into charging and wait for the vibration (about 10 seconds), then turn it off. This will reset the time errors.
• 📲 Remove old versions of apps. If you previously had Mi Fit or Zepp Life installed, remove them and download the latest version from official stores.
• 🔋 Charge the bracelet to minimum. 50%. Low charge (<20%) possible failures in synchronization.

Pay special attention to Bluetooth resolutions. On Android 12+ and iOS 15+, systems actively block the background of applications.

1. On Android: go to Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Permissions and enable Bluetooth, Notifications and Auto Run.
2. On iPhone: Open Settings → Bluetooth, find Mi Band 3 in the list of devices and click the icon “i” next to it, then activate Connect automatically.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit application

The official Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life for newer versions) is the only way to fully connect the Mi Band 3, but its interface is often changed and some features are hidden.

Step 1: Download and Registration

Download Mi Fit from official sources:

• 🤖 Google Play for Android
• 🍎 App Store for iOS

After installation:

1. Launch the application and select the region of Russia (important for the correct operation of notifications).
2. Sign up with Xiaomi Account, Google or Apple ID. If you already have an account, sign in.
3. Accept all permission requests (geolocation, notifications, Bluetooth).

Step 2: Adding a device

Now, plug in the bracelet:

1. Click Profile → Add the device.
2. Choose a bracelet. → Mi Smart Band 3.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen. When the app asks you to turn on Bluetooth, confirm the request.

Install Mi Fit| Charge bracelet >50%| Enable Bluetooth| Allow notifications | Select "Russia" region-->

If the bracelet is not in, try it.

• 🔄 Reboot Mi Band 3 (connect/disable from charging 3 times in a row).
• 📱 Reboot Mi Fit and Bluetooth on your phone.
• 🚫 Make sure the bracelet is not tied to another account (read below for how to reset the peg).

How to connect Mi Band 3 to your phone

Now, to the synchronization process itself, follow the instructions carefully, because the order of action is important.

1. Activation of the bracelet

Before connecting to the phone Mi Band 3 you need to wake up:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger for 5-10 seconds until you feel vibration.
2. Turn it off. The Mi logo will appear on the screen.
3. Tap the touch button below the screen to go to the menu.

2. Synchronization with Mi Fit

At Mi Fit, please:

1. Click Add Add the device → Mi Smart Band 3.
2. Confirm the request to turn on Bluetooth.
3. Wait for the app to find the bracelet (it can take up to 30 seconds).
4. Click Connect and confirm the pairing on the phone.

If you have a "Disconnected" error at this point, check:

• 🔌 Bracelet charge (should be) >30%).
• 📶 Bluetooth stability (disable other devices, such as headphones).
• 🔄 Mi Fit version (update in the app store).

3. Profile setting

After successful connection:

1. Type in your data: gender, age, weight, height, and that's what you need to do to calculate your calories and your steps correctly.
2. Choose the main arm (which arm you will wear).
3. Activate the "Automatic Synchronization" option in the device settings.

Solving common connection errors

Even if you follow instructions correctly, users often encounter problems, and let's look at the most common errors and how to fix them.

1 The bracelet is not in the Mi Fit

If the app doesn't see Mi Band 3,

• 🔍 Check if the bracelet is connected to another phone, and it can only be linked to one device at a time.
• 📵 Make sure that Bluetooth is on and there are no active phones on the phone. VPN or firewalls blocking the connection.
• 🔄 Reinstall Mi Fit and clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fit → Memory. → Clear the cache).

2. "The device is already tethered" error

This means that the bracelet was previously synced to another Xiaomi account to break the binding:

1. On the phone to which the bracelet was tied, open the Mi Fit.
2. Go to Profile. → Mi Smart Band 3 → Untie the device.
3. Confirm the action.
4. Reset the bracelet to factory settings: Press the touch button for 10-15 seconds until the vibration and the words "Reset" appear.

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If you don’t have access to the old phone that the bracelet is attached to, contact Xiaomi support via the form at mi.com/support.Prepare a check or a picture of the box – this will speed up the unlocking process.

3. Permanent breaks of the connection

If the bracelet is periodically disconnected:

• 📱 On Android: Add Mi Fit to the list of Secure Apps (Settings) → Battery → Secure applications).
• 🔋 On iPhone: Turn off Low Power Mode (Settings) → Battery).
• 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware: Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Firmware update.

⚠️ Attention! If the bracelet stops turning on after the firmware update, plug it into charging for 1-2 hours. This often helps restore performance. If not, you need to flash it through the Mi Band 3 Tools (power users only).

Mi Band 3 apps: When Mi Fit doesn't work

The official Mi Fit app doesn’t always work well, especially on older smartphones, and fortunately there are more advanced alternatives.

1. Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Android)

This app supports all the features of Mi Band 3, including:

• 📊 Advanced sleep statistics (with phase graphs).
• 🔔 Flexible notification settings (you can choose which apps to show alerts from).
• 🎨 Customization of dials (more options than in Mi Fit).

You can download it here.

2. Mi Band Master (Android/iOS)

Suitable for users who need:

• 🔧 Manual control of vibration and brightness of the screen.
• 📅 Exporting data to Google Fit or Apple Health.
• 🛠 Possibility of resetting the bracelet without an official application.

3. Tools & Mi Band (Android)

This application allows:

• 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware manually (useful if Mi Fit doesn't offer updates).
• 🎨 Install informal dials (for example, with animation or additional widgets).
• 📡 Test the strength of the Bluetooth signal between the bracelet and the phone.

⚠️ Attention! When using third-party apps, turn off automatic sync in Mi Fit to avoid conflicts. Also be careful with manual firmware - the wrong version can "brick" the bracelet.

Resetting the Mi Band 3 to factory settings: when it’s needed

Sometimes the only way to fix the bracelet is to get it back to its original settings.

• 🔄 The bracelet does not connect to any phone.
• 🔒 Forgotten. PIN-code (if established).
• 📱 You need to transfer the bracelet to another user.

How to reset the settings

There are two ways:

Method 1: Through the menu of the bracelet

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → More → Reset (scroll the menu with swipes up / down).
2. Confirm the reset by pressing the touch button.
3. Wait for the vibration and reset.

Method 2: Hardware reset

If the bracelet does not respond to touch:

1. Put him on charge.
2. Press the touch button for 10-15 seconds until you feel the vibration and see the words "Reset".
3. Release the button and wait for the reboot.

After the reset, all data from the bracelet will be deleted, including the activity history and alarm settings, and can only be restored through a backup copy in Mi Fit (if it was created earlier).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Mi Band 3

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If the bracelet doesn’t connect despite all the effort, check it on another phone. If the problem persists, the Bluetooth bracelet module is likely to malfunction. In this case, contact the Xiaomi service center or consider buying a new device (for example, Mi Band 7 or Mi Band 8).