Why Mi Band 3 is still relevant in 2026
The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet, released in 2018, is still in demand among users due to the optimal combination of price and functionality. Despite the release of new models (up to the Mi Band 8), the trio continues to hold its ground thanks to reliability, long battery life (up to 20 days) and basic health monitoring functions: pedometer, pulse meter, call notifications and messages. Owners of the Samsung Galaxy A51 (released in 2020) often choose this bracelet as a budget alternative to the Galaxy Fit or Fitbit.
However, connecting devices of different brands – Xiaomi (Chinese manufacturer) and Samsung (Korean) – can cause difficulties. The main problems are related to the compatibility of firmware, Bluetooth versions and features of proprietary software. In this article, we will discuss not only the standard pairing procedure, but also nuances that will help to avoid errors such as “failed to connect” or “device not found”.
Requirements for phone and bracelet before connection
Before you start syncing, make sure your devices meet the minimum requirements:
- 📱 Samsung Galaxy A51: Android version is at least 10.0 (ideally 12.0 or later). → The phone. → Android version.
- 🔋 Mi Band 3: At least 50% battery charge. At low charge, the bracelet can turn off during setup.
- 📶 Bluetooth: The phone should be enabled version 4.2 LE Or higher. A51 Bluetooth 5.0 is used to ensure a stable connection.
- 📲 Mi Fit: latest version from Google Play (at 2026, 4.6.0 or later) Older versions may not support Mi Band 3.
Pay special attention to permissions for the Mi Fit app. Without access to Contacts, Notifications and Locations, the bracelet will not be able to display incoming calls or messages. Also check if Samsung Knox (built-in security) blocks third-party gadgets from connecting. If you have previously used another fitness bracelet (such as the Huawei Band or Honor Band), remove it from the list of conjugated devices in Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
Step-by-step: Connecting the Mi Band 3 to the Samsung A51
The synchronization process takes no more than 5-7 minutes, if you follow the algorithm:
- Install the Mi Fit app. Download it from Google Play (don't use the APK from third-party sources!). Once installed, open the app and sign up via Xiaomi Account, Google or Facebook.
If at the interface stage there is an error “I could not connect”, try the following actions:
☑️ What to do if Mi Band 3 is not connected
Configure notifications and basic functions
After successful connection, we will configure the key parameters to make the bracelet work as efficiently as possible:
- Notifications of calls and messages: 📞 In Mi Fit go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Notifications. 🔄 Turn on Call Notifications toggle and select apps (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS). ⚠️ Samsung. A51 Check the permissions for Mi Fit in Settings → Annexes → Mi Fit → Notifications → Permission.
- Monitoring sleep and activity: 😴 Turn on Automatic Sleep Monitoring in Bracelet Settings. 🏃 Set personal data (weight, height, age) to accurately count calories in your Profile → Personal information.
Lock screen
- 🔒 In Mi Fit, activate Phone Unlock (Android 5.0 is required)+). On the Galaxy. A51 It works through Smart Lock.
What if the Mi Band 3 is not a phone-defined device?
Alternative applications for Mi Band 3
The official Mi Fit app doesn’t always work well on the Samsung A51, especially after One UI updates.
- 📊 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band – supports all of the features of Mi Band 3, including notifications, sleep monitoring and screen settings.
- 🔧 Tools & Mi Band - advanced settings for vibration, screen brightness and even replacement of branded dials.
- 🏃 Mi Band Master – focus on sports features (detailed training statistics, data export to Google Fit).