How to connect Xiaomi fitness bracelet to the Mi phone: full instructions with pictures and tips

Xiaomi fitness bracelets are among the most popular wearables on the market due to their combination of functionality, sensor accuracy and affordable price. However, many users face difficulties when connecting the bracelet to a smartphone for the first time, especially if both devices are from the same brand. In this article, we will discuss all the steps of synchronization from phone preparation to notification settings, as well as consider typical errors and how to fix them.

The feature of connecting a fitness bracelet to a Xiaomi Mi phone is an optimized MIUI ecosystem that simplifies the process, but requires a few nuances. For example, some bracelet models (Mi Band 7 Pro, Mi Smart Band 8) support fast binding via NFC, and older versions (Mi Band 4) may require manual Bluetooth tuning. We covered all scenarios from new to outdated devices.

1. Preparing Xiaomi phone to connect bracelet

Before syncing, make sure your smartphone is ready to work with the wearable device, which will save you most of the problems during the connection stage.

First, check the operating system version. For a stable fitness bracelet, you need a MIUI 10 or later (for Mi Band 6/7/8 - MIUI 12+). Update the firmware through Settings → About Phone → System Update if necessary. Also make sure that the phone is on:

• 📱 Bluetooth (version 4.2 or higher)
• 📶 Mobile data or Wi-Fi (for app download and synchronization)
• 📍 Geolocation (required for accurate tracking of activity)
• 🔋 Battery charge above 20% (on bracelet and phone)

The second important point is model compatibility. Not all Xiaomi bracelets work equally well with the brand’s smartphones. For example, the Mi Band 8 Pro requires Android 6.0+, and for the Mi Band 3, Android 4.4 is enough.

2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness (Zepp Life) application

Xiaomi’s official fitness bracelet management app is called Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit), which has been renamed Zepp Life for the international market since 2023, but is still available under the original name in Russia and CIS countries.

• 📥 From Google Play (for phones with Google services)
• 📥 From AppGallery for Huawei devices)
• 📥 Isa MIUI App Store (pre-installed on Xiaomi smartphones)

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Open the app and register (you can use your Xiaomi account, Google account or phone number).
2. Click Add Device and select your bracelet model from the list.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen – the app will prompt you to turn on Bluetooth and permissions to notifications.

Important: If you have a Mi Band 8 Pro bracelet or newer, the app may request access to Files and Media to download the dials. Do not deny permission, otherwise some of the features will not be available.

3. Step-by-step instructions for connecting the bracelet to the Mi phone

Now, to the synchronization process itself, consider two scenarios: standard Bluetooth connectivity and fast NFC tethering (available for Mi Band 7 Pro/8 Pro and NFC-based smartphones, such as the Xiaomi 13/14 series).

Method 1: Connect via Bluetooth (for all models)

1. Activate the bracelet by pressing its touch button (or screen). Wait for the Bluetooth icon to appear.
2. In the Mi Fitness app, click Add Device → select the bracelet model.
3. The phone will be asked to connect - confirm it.
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 2 minutes).

Method 2: Fast NFC connection (for supported models)

1. Unlock your phone and open the Mi Fitness app.
2. Put the bracelet to NFC-chip on the back of the smartphone (usually marked with an icon).
3. Wait for the vibration and the sound signal – the devices will automatically mate.

If the bracelet is not connected, check:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📵 Make sure the bracelet is not tied to another phone (reset it via Settings). → Reset on the bracelet).
• 📱 Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version.

4. Set up notifications and basic functions

Once the connection is successful, we will adjust the key settings to make the bracelet work as efficiently as possible. Basic settings are available in the Device Profile section of the Mi Fitness app.

Notifications from the phone

To make the bracelet vibrate when incoming calls and messages:

1. Go to Notifications. → Management of notifications.
2. Turn on the Display Notifications switch.
3. Select the applications you want to receive notifications from (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS).

Activity tracking

For accurate counting of steps and calories:

• 👟 Indicate your height, weight and age in your profile.
• 🏃‍♂️ Enable Auto-Sleep Tracking and Inactivity Reminder.
• 📊 Set your goals by step (recommended value of 8000-10,000 per day).

Professional advice: If the bracelet counts steps incorrectly, calibrate it. To do this, walk 20 steps with your phone in your hand, then confirm sync in the application.

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To save the bracelet charge, turn off the permanent pulsemeter (Settings → Heart Monitoring) and leave only the manual measurement.

5. Solving common connection problems

Even with the right setup, there can be failures.-5 errors and ways of eliminating them.

If none of the methods did not help, reset the bracelet to factory settings:

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → Reset (for Mi Band 6/7/8 – swipe down on the home screen).
2. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
3. Repeat the connection process again.

⚠️ Warning: Reset will remove all data from the bracelet (steps, sleep, workouts) and sync it with the app beforehand!

6 Additional Features: Payments, Music, Weather

Modern Xiaomi fitness bracelets support not only basic functions, but also advanced features.

Contactless payments (NFC)

The Mi Band 7 Pro and newer models are equipped with an NFC chip that allows you to pay for purchases directly from the bracelet.

1. Add a bank card to Mi Pay (the app is preinstalled on Xiaomi smartphones).
2. In Mi Fitness, go to Device Management → Contactless Payments.
3. Follow the instructions for linking the card to the bracelet.

Note: The function works only with partner banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB, etc.).

Managing music

From the bracelet, you can switch tracks and adjust the volume on the phone:

• 🎵 Turn on the player on your phone (for example, Spotify or Yandex Music).
• 📱 On the bracelet swipe up to open the control panel.
• 🔊 Use the buttons. Play/Pause and Next/Previous.

Weather and alarm clocks

The bracelet can show weather forecasts and alarms.

1. In the Mi Fitness app, activate the Weather option.
2. Add an alarm clock through device control → alarm clocks.

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For a stable job. NFC-Keep the bracelet close to the terminal (no further than 2-3 cm) and make sure the battery is charged at least 30 cm%.

7. Update the firmware bracelet via Xiaomi phone

Regular firmware updates fix bugs, add new features and improve sensor accuracy, and it is recommended to check for updates every 1-2 months.

How to update the bracelet:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to your device profile.
2. Press firmware update (if the button is active, then a new version is available).
3. Connect the bracelet to charging and wait for the process to complete (don’t turn it off!).

The update time depends on the model:

• 🕒 Mi Band 6/7: 5–10 minute.
• 🕒 Mi Band 8 Pro: Up to 15 minutes (due to more data).

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the upgrade, this can lead to a breeze (breakdown) of the bracelet. If the process is stalled, wait for the battery to 0% and try again.

8. Alternative ways of connecting (without an official annex)

If you can't use Mi Fitness (for example, due to regional restrictions), you can plug the bracelet in via the side of the app.

• 📲 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Android) – supports all models, including outdated ones.
• 📲 Mi Band Master - advanced dial and notification settings.
• 📲 Gadgetbridge (open-source) – for users who want to avoid official Xiaomi services.

Instructions for Notify & Fitness:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Turn on the developer mode on the bracelet (5 times tap the version number in Settings → About the bracelet).
3. Connect via Add the device in the application.

Warning: Application Party may not support all features (e.g, NFC-There is also a risk of losing the warranty if the bracelet firmware is damaged.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi fitness bracelet