Connecting Xiaomi fitness bracelet to Android phone: full instructions from A to Z

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 experienced users sometimes have difficulty 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 not only the standard synchronization procedure, but also the nuances that will help to avoid typical errors.

The Xiaomi ecosystem is very well integrated: Mi Band bracelets (from 3rd to 8th version), Xiaomi Smart Band and even models for children (Mi Bunny) require specific settings when connecting to phones on MIUI or pure Android. For example, on Redmi or POCO smartphones, you may need to turn off power saving for Bluetooth, and owners of NFC bracelets may need to additionally activate contactless payments in the application.

If you’ve just unpacked the new Mi Band 8 or are restoring your old Mi Band 5 after resetting, this guide will help you set up your device in 5-10 minutes.We’ll also look at what to do if your phone doesn’t see the bracelet, how to transfer data when you change your smartphone, and why some features may not be available on non-Chinese firmware.

1. Connection Preparation: What to Check Before Synchronization

Before you start connecting, make sure both devices are ready to interact. Often problems arise from basic omissions: a dead bracelet battery, outdated phone firmware, or conflicts with other gadgets.

Here is the checklist before starting:

• 🔋 Bracelet charge: at least 20% (optimally 50% or higher) If the indicator flashes red, connect the device to charge for 30-60 minutes.
• 📱 Android Version: Not Lower 6.0 Marshmallow (for Mi Band) 7/8 Android recommended 8.0+). You can check the version in Settings → The phone.
• 🔄 System updates: the phone must have the latest security patches installed, which is critical for Bluetooth to work smoothly.
• 📴 Free space: the phone must have at least 500 MB of free space to install the application and cache.

Pay special attention to the Bluetooth module. Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12+ can activate the power saving mode for wireless connections, which blocks the constant connection to the bracelet.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Energy Saving.
2. Select the power saving settings of the applications.
3. Find the Mi Fitness (or Zepp Life) app and set up a No Limits mode for it.

2 Which app to use to connect: Mi Fitness vs Zepp Life

Until 2022, all Xiaomi bracelets were connected through the official Mi Fit app (later renamed Mi Fitness).However, with the release of the Mi Band 7, the company began the transition to the Zepp Life platform, which combined Xiaomi and Amazfit devices.

Here are the key differences and recommendations:

Important! If you have a Mi Band 8 or newer, install Zepp Life — Mi Fitness doesn't support these models. For Mi Band 6 and older, you can use any app, but Zepp Life will have more features. You can only download official versions from Google Play or AppGallery — third-party APKs may contain malicious code.

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If you are upgrading from Mi Band 5 to Mi Band 8, export your Mi Fitness data before switching to Zepp Life. → Settings → Export of data

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect the bracelet to the Xiaomi phone

Now, to the synchronization process itself, the manual is suitable for all Mi Band models (except for the children's versions), but there are nuances for different versions of Android and MIUI firmware.

Step 1: Installation of the application

• 📥 Download Mi Fitness or Zepp Life from the official store (links above).
• 🔓 Allow all permissions requested: Geodata, Notifications, Physical Activity.
• 📋 Sign up or sign in through your Xiaomi account (required!). Without linking to your account, some of the features will be blocked.

Step 2: Activate Bluetooth and search for the device

• 🔵 Turn on Bluetooth on your phone (Settings) → Connected devices → Bluetooth).
• 🔍 In the app, click Add Device (Icon «+» profile-button).
• 📱 Choose your bracelet model from the list. If you don't have one, update the app!

Step 3: Synchronization and adjustment

• 🔄 Wait for the phone to find the bracelet (it can take up to 2 minutes) and the verification code will appear on the screen of the bracelet.
• ✅ Confirm the connection in the app and on the bracelet (press the button or tap the screen).
• ⚙️ Fill in the basic data: gender, age, weight (this is necessary for accurate calorie counting).

The app displays a bracelet model|On the bracelet appeared the default dial|The phone vibrates when confirming the connection|In the notifications appeared the message "The device is connected"-->

Critical note: if you use a Xiaomi smartphone with firmware MIUI Global, in some regions (e.g. Europe) access to the feature may be blocked NFC-To unlock it, you'll need to change the firmware region to China or India.

4. Problem Solving: Phone doesn't see bracelet or connection cuts

Even with the right settings, the connection may not work, and let's look at some of the most common errors and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The phone can't find the bracelet

• 🔋 Reset both devices. Sometimes it helps with a hard reset bracelet: press the button 10-15 seconds before vibration.
• 📱 Make sure your phone has power saving mode turned off for Bluetooth (see section 1).
• 🔄 Try connecting via another app (for example, if Zepp Life doesn't work, try Mi Fitness).

Problem 2: The connection breaks in a few minutes

• 📵 Check if the connection is blocking the antivirus or VPN. Turn them off temporarily.
• 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware: in the application go to the Device Profile → Update of the PO.
• 📱 On Xiaomi phones with MIUI 13+ It can help to disable the automatic switching function Wi-Fi/Bluetooth network-setting.

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Mi Band 8 with Always-On Display (AOD), Make sure that your bracelet settings enable Raise your wrist to wake up, otherwise the screen will be constantly active, reducing the time from 16 hours to 5-7 hours.

5. Set up notifications and additional functions

Once connected successfully, you can customize the bracelet to suit your needs, and most users are limited to basic functions, but the Mi Band has a lot more to do.

Notifications

To receive alerts about calls and messages:

1. In the app, go to Device Profile → Notifications.
2. Turn on the Call Notification and Notifications from the apps switch.
3. Select the apps you want to see on your bracelet (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
4. Set the Inactivity Time – how many minutes after the last action the bracelet will vibrate, reminding of inactivity.

Additional functions

• 🏃‍♂️ Training: Enable automatic activity recognition (Settings) → Activity monitoring: The bracelet will determine whether you walk, run or ride a bike.
• 💤 Sleep monitoring: Activate a smart alarm clock – the bracelet will wake you up in the light sleep phase 30 minutes before the set time.
• 🔒 Phone lock: In Zepp Life, you can enable automatic locking of the smartphone when the bracelet is removed (Settings) → Security).
• 💳 NFC-Payments: For the Mi Band 7 Pro/8 configure Mi Pay in the Wallet section (bank card binding is required).

Xiaomi phones with MIUI have an additional feature: the integration of the bracelet with system functions. For example, you can configure the unlocking of the phone when the bracelet approaches (in Settings → Lock screen → Additional). This only works if the phone and bracelet are tied to the same Xiaomi account.

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For maximum accuracy, calibrate the bracelet once a month. For this, go to the Device Profile → Sensor Settings → Calibrate steps and walk 20-30 steps with your phone in your hand.

6. Data transfer when changing the phone or resetting the bracelet

If you change your smartphone or reset your bracelet to factory settings, you don't have to lose the statistics you've accumulated. Data is stored in the Xiaomi cloud, but there are nuances.

How to transfer data to a new phone:

1. Install the same app (Mi Fitness or Zepp Life) you used before.
2. Log in to the same Xiaomi account that the bracelet was linked to.
3. Connect the bracelet again - the activity history and settings of the dials will be restored automatically.

How to reset the bracelet to factory settings:

• On Mi Band 6/7/8: Go to Bracelet Settings → System → Reset.
• On Mi Band 5 and older: Press the button for 10 seconds before the vibration appears.
• After resetting the bracelet will be as new - you will need to reconnect.

⚠️ Note: If you sell or transfer the bracelet to another person, be sure to untie it from your account in the app (Device Profile) → Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to connect the gadget to his phone.

Xiaomi phones with MIUI 14 have a cross-platform synchronization feature: if you also have a Xiaomi laptop or tablet, the data from the bracelet will automatically be duplicated to all devices through the Mi Cloud account. To enable this option, go to Account Settings → Data Sync and activate the Health and Fitness switch.

7. Optimization of the bracelet: how to extend the autonomy time

One of the biggest complaints about fitness bracelets is that they drain quickly, but with the right setup, the Mi Band can last up to 20 days (for the Mi Band 8) or 14 days (for the Mi Band 7).

Main recommendations:

• 🔋 Turn off the constant pulse (in Settings) → Monitor your heart rate only during exercise or sleep.
• 🌙 Set the screen brightness to a minimum (or turn off completely).
• 📶 Disable notifications from unnecessary apps (such as games or social media).
• 🔄 Update the firmware bracelet – in new versions optimized power consumption.

Advanced settings (for experienced users):

• 🛠️ Turn on the bracelet's Flight Mode if you don't use notifications (saves up to 30% charge).
• 📊 Turn off automatic activity recognition if you don’t exercise regularly.
• 🔄 Reduce the data synchronization frequency to 1 time every 6 hours (in the application settings).

Xiaomi phones with MIUI have a hidden Bluetooth optimization feature that can extend the bracelet.

1. Enter the phone code ##4636##.
2. Select Battery Information → Menu (three dots) → Battery history.
3. Find Mi Fitness/Zepp Life in the list and turn off Background activity (but that will turn off notifications!).

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If the bracelet discharges in 2-3 days, check it for moisture under the body. Even a slight condensation can cause a short circuit. To dry, put the gadget in rice for 12-24 hours (do not turn it on!).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions