Today’s wearables have become an integral part of the lives of millions of people seeking to monitor health and activity. Connecting Xiaomi’s wristband is the first and most important step, without which the device is just a piece of plastic and glass. The initial setup process can seem confusing to beginners due to the many versions of apps and tracker models.
In this detailed guide, we will examine all the nuances of pairing the Mi Band of different generations with smartphones based on Android and iOS. You will learn how to choose the right application, avoid common errors and ensure stable data synchronization.
Preparation of the tracker for the first launch
Before trying to find the device through the phone, you need to make sure that the tracker itself is ready to go.New models such as the Mi Band 7 or Mi Band 8 often come with minimal battery charge, so the first thing to do is to put the bracelet on charge. Even if the screen catches fire, a full connection to the power supply network ensures that the setup process does not interrupt due to discharge.
After the power is turned on, information about the language or QR-If the screen is black, press the touch button (or scan area) for a few seconds, activating the tracker exactly when it first turns on, when it goes into the pairing standby mode.
It's important to understand that different generations of devices can have different display features, for example, on older models like the Mi Band 3 or Mi Band 4, vibration confirmation was required, whereas newer versions do this automatically when scanned.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to connect the bracelet directly through Bluetooth settings on Android or iOS.This will lead to a pairing error, and the device will have to be removed from the list of available to start setting up again through the application.
Choosing the Right App for a Smartphone
Xiaomi’s ecosystem has undergone significant changes in recent years, including the software for wearable devices. Mi Fit has long been the standard, but now the company is actively moving users to the Xiaomi Wear platform (in some regions Mi Fitness).
When downloading the app, pay attention to the developer. The official publisher is Anhui Huami Information Technology or Xiaomi itself. Third-party programs may not display heart rate data correctly or give access to dial settings.
Installation is made through official stores: Google Play for Android or App Store for iPhone. After installation, you need to register your Mi Account account or log in through your existing profile. Google/Apple ID.
- 📱 Mi Fitness: Up-to-date app for Mi Band 6, 7, 8 and more new devices, supports iOS and Android.
- ⌚ Mi Fit: The classic application required for the Mi Band 1-5, and also for some models of weights and sneakers.
- 🏃 Zepp Life: New name for Mi Fit in global versions, functionality identical, but the interface is updated.
Choosing the right version of software is critical to job stability. If you own the latest Mi Band 8 Pro, using the old Mi Fit can limit functionality, such as keeping new dials or widgets from being installed.
The process of pairing with Android and iOS
The algorithm for connecting the bracelet to the phone is almost identical for both operating systems, but there are nuances in the permissions. After launching the application and authorization, click the Add Device button or the + icon in the upper corner. The application will request permission to use Bluetooth and geolocation - this is a mandatory requirement for finding gadgets.
When you start searching, bring the bracelet closer to your smartphone, and you should have an image of your tracker with its model on your phone screen, click on it to start the procedure, and at that point, you may see a vibration on your wristband screen, or you may ask to confirm the pairing — tap the touch area on the tracker.
☑️ Checklist before connection
The synchronization process can take anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes, while keeping your smartphone away from the bracelet, and when you successfully complete it, the tracker screen will display time, and the app will display the main screen with a pedometer.
| Model bracelet | Recommended annex | Min version of Android | Min version of iOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 3 / 4 | Mi Fit / Zepp Life | Android 5.0+ | iOS 10.0+ |
| Mi Band 5 | Mi Fit / Zepp Life | Android 5.0+ | iOS 12.0+ |
| Mi Band 6 | Mi Fitness / Zepp Life | Android 6.0+ | iOS 12.0+ |
| Mi Band 7 / 8 | Mi Fitness | Android 6.0+ | iOS 13.0+ |
Configure access rights and permissions
For notifications to work properly and to track routes, you need to give the application advanced rights. Android systems often kill background processes to save energy, which stops the bracelet from receiving messages. You need to go to the phone settings, find the Mi Fitness or Mi Fit app and allow auto-start and work in the background.
Special attention should be paid to access to contacts and call logs if you want to see the name of the caller on the wrist. Without this permission, the bracelet will only show the phone number or the word "incoming", and also enable access to notifications of all the right messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber.
iPhone (iOS) owners need to be careful when system requests appear. iOS strictly controls access to Bluetooth and notifications. If you accidentally click "Disable", the functionality will be limited.
⚠️ Note: On smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO be sure to turn on the item “No restrictions” in the battery settings for the tracker application, otherwise the system will constantly break the connection with the bracelet.
Firmware update and basic setup
Once connected, the app will suggest updating the bracelet firmware, a critical step, as the factory version of the software often contains errors that affect the accuracy of the pulsemeter and battery consumption, and the upgrade process takes about 5-10 minutes, and you can't use the bracelet at this time.
In the device profile menu, you can adjust the basic parameters: raise your wrist to turn on the screen, adjust the time format (12/24 hours), select a measurement system (metric / imperial), and download new dials from the extensive library.
For sports purposes, it is important to adjust your training profiles correctly, so you can add or remove the activities that are displayed in the bracelet menu so that you do not flip through the extra while running.
What to do if the update is suspended?
Solution and resetting of settings
Sometimes there are situations when the phone can't see the bracelet or the data is not synced. First of all, try rebooting both devices. If that doesn't work, remove the bracelet from the Bluetooth list in the phone's settings and untie it in the app.
If the problem persists, reset the bracelet to factory settings. On the tracker, find the System or Additional menu and select Reset. After that, you will need to reset the connection procedure.
A common problem is time desynchronization, usually by forcing an app to update data or reconnecting Bluetooth, and making sure the phone has an automatic time synchronizer over the network installed.
- 🔄 Reboot: Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- ❌ Removal: Forget the device in your phone's Bluetooth settings.
- 🔋 Charging: Make sure the contacts on the bracelet are clean and charged.
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If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch, put it on the charger for 2-3 minutes - this often resets the controller without completely resetting.
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The stable operation of the bracelet 80% depends on the correct settings of energy saving in the smartphone, and not on the quality of the gadget.