Connecting Xiaomi Mi Band 3 to Huawei phone: full instruction with error solutions

Is the Mi Band 3 and Huawei compatible?

The 2018 Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet is still popular with users due to its functionality and affordable price; however, owners of Huawei phones (especially models without Google services) often face difficulties in trying to connect the device, due to the features of the firmware and limitations of the Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) ecosystem.

In this article, we will discuss three official pairing methods (via Mi Fitness, Zepp Life and alternative methods), and solve typical problems: from Bluetooth Pairing Failed error to no notifications. All instructions are relevant for EMUI 10–14 firmware and Magic UI 7–8 (2026).

Important: if your Huawei is powered by Google Mobile ServicesGMS) (e.g. models until 2019), the connection process will be easier – just install Mi Fitness from Google Play. HMS Core (without Google) will require additional steps.

Method 1: Connect via Mi Fitness (for Huawei with GMS)

This method is suitable for Huawei P30 Pro, Mate 20 Pro and other models, Released until May 2019, where Google services are still available.

1. Install the app. Download Mi Fitness from Google Play. Avoid third-party APKs, which may contain malicious code.
2. Sign up for a Xiaomi account. If you don't have one, create it through Sign Up in the app. Use a valid email and it will receive a confirmation email.
3. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and activate the Mi Band 3 (click on the touch button of the bracelet until the vibration appears).
4. Add the device. In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Add the device → Mi Smart Band 3.

If the bracelet is not present, check:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth: Turn off and turn on the module in the phone settings.
• 📱 Application permissions: In Huawei settings, go to Apps → Mi Fitness → Permissions and enable access to Location, Bluetooth, and Notifications.
• 🔋 Bracelet charge: If the charge level is below 20%, the Mi Band 3 may not appear in the list of available devices.

Charge Mi Band 3 to 50%|

Install Mi Fitness from the official store |

Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on Huawei|

Create/log in to a Xiaomi account-->

Once you've successfully paired, sync your data: in the main menu of the application, click Sync (cloud icon). If the process freezes, restart the application.

Method 2: Connect via Zepp Life (for Huawei without Google)

For Huawei P40, Mate 40, Nova 9 and newer (with HMS Core), the official Mi Fitness app is not available. Instead, use Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit), which supports Mi Band 3 via a workaround:

1. Download Zepp Life from Huawei AppGallery.
2. Create a Zepp account. When registering, specify the same email as in your Xiaomi account (if any).
3. Add the device manually: Profile → Add the device → Other devices → Mi Band 3
4. Confirm the pairing on the bracelet (double pressing the button).

⚠️ Warning: In Zepp Life, some of the features of the Mi Band 3 will be limited, such as:

• 📱 Call notifications (only) SMS and instant messengers.
• 🎵 Music control.
• 🔄 Automatic sleep synchronization (manual start required).

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If Zepp Life doesn’t find the bracelet, try turning off the power saving for the app in Huawei’s settings (Battery → App Launch → Zepp Life → No Limits).

For full work, we recommend an alternative method using APK Mi Fitness (see the next section).

Method 3: Manual connection via APK Mi Fitness (for HMS)

If your Huawei doesn’t support Google, but you want to get the full functionality of the Mi Band 3, follow this guide:

1. Download APK Mi Fitness from a trusted source (e.g. APKPure) and the version must be at least 4.6.0.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Security → Additional → Installation from unknown sources → Enable for the browser
3. Install an APK and open the app. Google Play Services missing error may appear when you first start up — ignore it.
4. Sign in to your Xiaomi account and add Mi Band 3 as described in Method 1.

⚠️ Warning: When using APK without Google Play Services, you will not be able to:

• 🌍 Data sync with Xiaomi cloud (local storage only on the phone).
• 📊 Some widgets in the app (e.g. weather).
• 🔄 Automatic update of the bracelet firmware.

For stable operation, turn off battery optimization for Mi Fitness:

Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Battery → Disable “Manage automatically”

Table: Comparison of Mi Band 3 Connection Methods to Huawei

Solving Typical Connection Problems

Even after successful pairing, users encounter errors. Consider the most common:

1. "Bluetooth Pairing Failed" error

The reason: Bluetooth protocol conflict between Huawei and Mi Band 3.

• 🔄 Reset Bluetooth settings: Settings → System → Reset → Network reset (includes Bluetooth)
• 📱 Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugated devices and add again.
• 🔋 Reset the bracelet: plug in to charge, wait for vibrations, then turn off and turn on again.

2. no notifications are received on the bracelet.

The problem is typical for Huawei with EMUI 12+, where background processes are limited.

• 🔔 Set up notifications in Mi Fitness: Profile → Mi Band 3 → Notifications → Enable for the right apps
• 🛠 Add Mi Fitness to Secure Apps: Settings → Battery → Launch Applications → Mi Fitness → Enable Protect
• 📵 Turn off Do Not Disturb mode on the bracelet (hold the 5 seconds button).

3. The bracelet is not synchronizing the data

This is most often due to energy saving or unstable Internet.

• 🌐 Check the network connection: Mi Fitness requires the internet to sync.
• ⚡ Turn off battery optimization (see instructions above).
• 🔄 Reinstall the application if the error persists.

Mi Fitness (via Google Play) |

Zepp Life (via AppGallery) |

APK Mi Fitness (manual installation)|

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Additional settings after connection

After successful pairing, customize the Mi Band 3 to suit your needs:

1. Personalization of the dial

Mi Fitness is available ~20 standard dials to set the custom:

1. Download the dial file with the.bin extension (for example, with AmazonFit).
2. Place the file in the MiFit/watch_face folder on your phone.
3. In the app, select Profile → Mi Band 3 → Change dial → Local.

2. Set up notifications

To filter notifications:

Mi Fitness → Profile → Mi Band 3 → Notifications → Select apps

For Huawei with HMS, some notifications (e.g. from Huawei Health) may be duplicated to disable duplicates:

Settings → Notifications → Applications → Huawei Health → Disable “Show notifications on the lock screen”

Activation of the "Bracelet Search" function

If you lost Mi Band 3, find it through the app:

Mi Fitness → Profile → Mi Band 3 → Find the device

The bracelet will emit a sound signal and vibration, only works when you have an active Bluetooth connection.

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For stable Mi Band 3 with Huawei, disable all power saving features for the Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app and add it to battery optimization exceptions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band 3 and Huawei