Connecting Honor Band 5 to Xiaomi smartphones: a complete guide to solving typical bugs

Huawei’s Honor Band 5 fitness bracelet remains a popular choice among users due to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, Xiaomi smartphone owners (including Redmi and POCO models) often face difficulties in trying to sync devices from different brands. In this article, we will examine not only the standard connection process, but also the nuances that will help avoid common errors, from Bluetooth problems to application conflicts.

The main difficulty is that the Honor Band 5 is originally designed to work with the company’s Huawei Health application, which does not always correctly interact with the MIUI shell. In addition, the limitations of the Android operating system against the background (for example, battery optimization) can interrupt the connection. We tested all the methods described on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14 to ensure the functionality of the instructions.

Preparing the Xiaomi smartphone for connection

Before syncing, make sure your Xiaomi phone is ready to work with external devices.

  • 📱 Update. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest patches. This will eliminate known Bluetooth bugs.
  • 🔄 Reset your network settings (if you have previously had connection issues): → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.
  • 🔋 Turn off battery optimization for Huawei Health app: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Huawei Health → Battery → No restrictions.
  • 🛡️ Check Permits: Make sure the app has access to Location, Contacts (for notifications) and Warehouse.

The power saving mode is a special focus, and in MIUI, it defaults to limit Bluetooth background activity, causing the bracelet to break.

  1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance.
  2. Select Power Saving Mode → Settings.
  3. Add Huawei Health to the list of Unlimited Apps.

💡

If the bracelet is permanently disabled after connecting, try turning off the Adaptive Battery feature in the MIUI settings. It often blocks the background processes of third-party applications.

Installation and configuration of Huawei Health app

The official Huawei Health app is available on Google Play, but Xiaomi users with or without Chinese firmware (MIUI China) will need an alternative way to install.

If you have Google services installed on your Xiaomi:

  1. Go to Google Play Market and find Huawei Health.
  2. Install the application and wait for the download to be completed.
  3. Start Huawei Health and register (you can use Huawei ID, Google or phone number).

Option 2: Installation APK-file (for MIUI Google)

For GMS-free firmware (e.g. MIUI China):

  1. Download the latest version of Huawei Health from a trusted source (e.g. APKPure).
  2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Permissions → Installation of unknown applications.
  3. Install the downloaded.apk file and launch the application.

Once installed, be sure to update the app to the current version, even if you downloaded the APK. This will prevent compatibility errors with Honor Band 5.

Why is the call notification not working?
If the bracelet does not vibrate when incoming calls after connecting, check: 1. Call Log permission in Huawei Health settings. 2. Contact Sync settings in Settings → Notifications → Calls (in the Huawei Health app). 3. No restrictions for the Phone application in the MIUI battery settings.

Step-by-step instructions for connecting Honor Band 5

Now, let's move directly to synchronizing the bracelet with your phone, and follow the instructions carefully to avoid common mistakes.

  1. Choose the Honor Band 5 from the options offered.

If you have a “failed to connect” error during the connection stage, try the following:

  • 📵 Remove the bracelet from the list of paired devices in your phone’s Bluetooth settings.

The bracelet appears in the list of devices in Huawei Health| Shows current time and date |Syncs steps and pulse |Vibrates at test notification-->

Compatibility issues with Xiaomi and Honor Band 5

Even after a successful connection, Xiaomi users may experience periodic communication breaks, lack of notifications or incorrect data synchronization.

Problem 1: The bracelet is constantly switched off.

The reason is usually to optimize the MIUI battery, which pauses Huawei Health in the background.

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Huawei Health → Battery.
  2. Choose No Limits.
  3. Activate Autostart and Block in the background (if available).

Problem 2: Notices are not coming.

For the correct operation of notifications:

  • 📱 At Huawei Health, go to the Device → Honor Band 5 → Notifications and switch on.
  • 🔕 In the settings MIUI Open the Applications → Application management → Huawei Health → Notifications and allow notifications to be displayed.
  • 📵 Make sure that the bracelet settings do not activate the "Do Not Disturb" mode (double pressing the button of the bracelet).

Problem 3: Step and sleep data are not synchronized

If the data are not updated:

  1. Open Huawei Health and pull the screen down for forced sync.
  2. Check if Autosynchronization is enabled in the application settings.
  3. Make sure that the bracelet has enough charge (less than 10% can block synchronization).

Bracelet not connected at all |Constantly disconnected |No notifications arrive |No data synced |Another problem-->

Problem.Probable causeDecision
Bracelet not definedConflict with other Bluetooth devicesDisable other gadgets and restart your phone
Error "Can't update the firmware"Unstable Internet connectionConnect to Wi-Fi and try again
Notifications are coming with a delayBackground restriction in MIUITurn off battery optimization for Huawei Health
The bracelet does not vibrate when ringing.No permission to access contactsCheck the permissions in Android settings

Configuring additional functions

Once you've successfully connected, you can customize the Honor Band 5 to suit your needs, and consider key features that users often miss.

1. Monitoring of heart rate and sleep

To activate automatic pulse measurement:

  1. In Huawei Health, go to Device → Honor Band 5 → Heart Rate Monitoring.
  2. Turn on Continuous Monitoring or set the interval (e.g. every 10 minutes).
  3. To track sleep, activate Sleep Monitoring in the same menu.

Important: continuous monitoring of the pulse significantly reduces the time of operation of the bracelet — from 14 to 5-7 days. If you do not need constant measurements, choose the mode "Intelligent", which activates the sensor only when you are physically active.

2. Music management

Honor Band 5 can control the playback of music on your phone:

  • 🎵 Enable the option in the Device → Honor Band 5 → Managing music.
  • 🔄 Now swipes on the screen of the bracelet will switch tracks, and pressing the button – pause.

3. Alarm clocks and reminders

Setting alarm clocks directly from the bracelet:

  1. In the Huawei Health app, select Device → Alarm clocks.
  2. Add a new alarm clock, specifying the time and days of the week.
  3. Activate the option "Vibration on the bracelet" so as not to wake others.

💡

To save charge, disable unnecessary notifications from apps (such as games or social networks) in the Huawei Health settings. This will extend the autonomy of the bracelet for 2-3 days.

Alternative ways to connect (if Huawei Health is not working)

In rare cases, Huawei Health may not work properly on MIUI firmware, especially on custom or Chinese versions.

Method 1: Use Notify & Fitness App

This third-party app supports many fitness bracelets, including the Honor Band 5:

  1. Download Notify & Fitness from Google Play.
  2. In the application settings, select the Honor Band 5 bracelet model.
  3. Follow the pairing instructions (similar to Huawei Health).

Advantages of this method:

  • ✅ It works without Huawei Mobile Services.
  • ✅ Supports more settings to set up notifications.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ May not synchronize sleep and pulse data.
  • ❌ Requires manually configuring each type of notification.

Method 2: Connect via Mi Band Master (partial support)

The Mi Band Master app is originally designed for Xiaomi devices, but it has experimental support for Honor Band 5:

  1. Install Mi Band Master from Google Play.
  2. From the menu, select Add Device → Other Devices → Honor Band 5.
  3. Confirm the bracelet's pairing.

Note: this method is only suitable for basic functions (time, steps, notifications) and heart rate and sleep data will not be synchronized.

Honor Band 5 firmware update via Xiaomi

The firmware of the bracelet affects the stability and compatibility with the phone.

  1. Connect the bracelet to the charger and make sure the charge is at least 20%.
  2. Open Huawei Health and go to Device → Honor Band 5 → Firmware Update.
  3. If an update is available, click Download and Install.
  4. Do not disconnect the bracelet from your phone until the process is complete (it takes 5-10 minutes).

If the update is not available, try:

  • 🔄 Change region in Huawei Health settings (e.g. Europe).
  • 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes updates are blocked on corporate or public networks).
  • 🔧 Clear the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Huawei Health → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
What to do if the update is suspended?
If the upgrade process has stalled at 0% or another value: 1. Don't panic - wait 15-20 minutes. 2. If there is no progress, restart the phone and bracelet (press the button for 10 seconds). 3. Repeat the upgrade attempt. 4. In extreme cases, reset the bracelet to factory settings (at Huawei Health): Device → Reset data. Warning: reset will remove all data from the bracelet!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Honor Band connection 5 Xiaomi

Can you connect Honor Band 5 to Xiaomi without Huawei Health?
Yes, but with limitations. Apps like Notify & Fitness or Mi Band Master allow you to manage basic functions (notifications, time, steps), but do not synchronize health data (pulse, sleep).
Why Xiaomi doesn’t see Honor Band 5 when searching on Bluetooth
Possible reasons: The bracelet is already paired with another device (reset it settings); the MIUI settings have Bluetooth disabled for background apps; conflict with another fitness bracelet (unplug it before connecting); try rebooting both devices as well.
How to transfer data from Honor Band 5 to Xiaomi if the phone has changed?
Data is stored in a Huawei ID account. To transfer it to a new phone: Install Huawei Health on a new Xiaomi. Sign in with the same Huawei ID as your old phone. Connect the bracelet - the data is synchronized automatically. If you forget your Huawei ID password, restore it through the official Huawei website.
Can you use the Honor Band 5 with an iPhone if the main phone is Xiaomi?
Technically yes, but not recommended. Honor Band 5 can only be paired with one device at a time.Switching between iPhone and Xiaomi may cause data sync failures.If you need to connect to an iPhone temporarily, untie the Xiaomi bracelet from Huawei Health first.
How to Reset Honor Band 5 if it’s not connected to Xiaomi?
Perform hardware reset: Charge the bracelet to at least 20%. Press the physical button for 10 to 15 seconds until you feel the vibration. Release the button, the bracelet resets and resets to factory settings. After reset, reconnect the bracelet as if it were a new device.

If you encounter a problem not described in this article, check the firmware version of your Honor Band 5 (in Huawei Health: Device → Device Information).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use unofficial firmware for Honor Band 5 found on third-party resources.This may result in loss of functionality or even device breakdown.All updates must be installed exclusively through Huawei Health.