Modern Redmi smartphones, such as the popular Redmi Note 8 Pro, have powerful functionality that is perfectly complemented by wearable electronics. Xiaomi’s Mi Band 3 fitness tracker has become a classic of the budget segment, offering a great balance between price and capabilities. Proper synchronization of the gadget with the phone gives access to notifications, detailed health statistics and music management.
The process of pairing Android devices, especially with the MIUI shell, has its own nuances that must be considered for stable operation. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with a Bluetooth 5.0 module, which guarantees a reliable connection, but requires the correct configuration of system resolutions. In this guide, we will analyze each step to avoid typical errors when starting use.
Before you start active, make sure that your tracker is charged at least 20-30%.This is necessary to ensure that during the process of updating the firmware bracelet, which often occurs immediately after connecting, the device does not turn off. Mi Band 3 compatibility is provided with Android 4.4 or iOS 9.0 and above, which fully covers the capabilities of your smartphone.
Preparation of the smartphone and installation of the application
The first and most critical step is to install the right software on your phone. To work with the third-generation tracker, Mi Fit remains the official and most stable application (renamed Zepp Life in some regions), downloading the program exclusively from the official Google Play store to avoid the introduction of malicious code or the use of stripped-down versions.
Once you install the app, take your time to turn on Bluetooth. Go to your phone's settings and find the privacy and application rights section. You need to give the app location rights, background and contact access if you want to see the names of the callers on the wristband screen. Without these permissions, MIUI can block the tracker to save energy.
⚠️ Note: If you have previously used other tracking apps (such as from Huawei or Samsung), uninstall them or turn off sync in your Bluetooth settings to avoid address conflicts.
When you first start up Mi Fit, you will be asked to sign up or log in to Xiaomi’s account, a requirement because all your health data is stored in the manufacturer’s cloud, use a strong password and link your phone number to restore access in case your device is lost.
The process of pairing devices via Bluetooth
When the preparatory phase is complete, you can move to a direct connection. Turn on Bluetooth on your Redmi Note 8 Pro, but do not try to connect the device through the standard Android settings menu.
Launch Mi Fit, go to the Profile tab and select Add Device. From the list of available gadgets, select Mi Band 3. The app will start searching, and once the tracker is detected, a vibration and confirmation button will appear on its screen. Click on it to allow connection.
☑️ Checklist of successful connection
In some cases, the system may request pairing through the standard Android window. If this happens, confirm the action, but remember that the main control center is still the application. Once the connection is successful, automatic time-date synchronization will begin, which is critical for the correct operation of alarm clocks and reminders.
What to do if the search does not find the bracelet?
Setup of notifications and notifications of applications
One of the main reasons for buying a fitness bracelet is the ability to receive notifications directly on your wrist. To configure this functionality on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, go to Mi Fit under “Mi Band 3” and select “App Notifications.” Here you will see a list of all installed programs that can send data to the tracker.
Activate the switches for the messengers, social networks and system notifications you want, but just turning them on isn't enough. On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI shells, there is an aggressive memory management system that can kill background processes. You need to lock the Mi Fit application into memory and let it auto-start.
| Type of notification | Where to set up | Features on MIUI |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming calls | Bracelet settings | Access to contacts is required |
| SMS text message | Bracelet settings | It only works with the main number. |
| Applications (WhatsApp, TG) | Profile -> Notifications | You need to access notifications in the system |
| Alarm clock | Inside the Mi Fit app | The phone should be on. |
To access third-party notifications, the system will redirect you to special features or Android notification menus. Find Mi Fit list and allow access. Without this step, messages will arrive on the phone, but the bracelet will not vibrate.
⚠️ Warning: Excessive notifications can significantly reduce battery life of the Mi Band 3. Leave only the most important apps active.
Health monitoring and sensor calibration
Once successfully connected, you can have a full range of health tracking capabilities. The Mi Band 3 is equipped with an optical pulse sensor that works either automatically or manually. To improve measurement accuracy, it is recommended to wear the wristband tightly, but not clamping your wrist, about 1-2 cm from the bone.
You can set the frequency of automatic pulse measurements in the app, the more often you take the measurements, the higher the battery consumption, but the more detailed the statistics, and you can also monitor the sleep phases, which analyzes the movements and pulse at night, and it is important that the bracelet is worn before going to bed.
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For accurate steps count, enter your data (height, weight, step length) into the user profile of the Mi Fit application. Without this data, calorie calculation will be incorrect.
The sedentary reminder feature deserves special attention, and if you're sedentary, the tracker will vibrate every hour, telling you to get up and stretch, a useful feature worth activating in the device's settings.
Solving Typical Connection Problems
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Redmi Note 8 Pro users may encounter difficulties. Most often the problem lies in the Bluetooth cache or the conflict of application versions. If the device does not connect, try clearing the cache of the Mi Fit application through the phone settings: Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Memory → Clear.
Another common situation is that the bracelet is visible in the phone's Bluetooth list but not connected, in which case you need to remove the device from the list of paired Bluetooth settings of the smartphone itself, and then re-initiate the search through the Mi Fit application. Direct connection via Android settings is not supported for data transfer.
If nothing works, reset the tracker completely. In the bracelet menu, find Unbind or factory reset, and then repeat the pairing procedure from the beginning.
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90% of connection problems are solved by completely removing the device from the phone’s Bluetooth memory and cleaning the Mi Fit app’s cache.
Firmware updates and personalization
Immediately after the connection, the application may suggest updating the firmware of the bracelet. Updating is an important process that corrects errors, improves the accuracy of sensors and adds new dials. It is recommended to perform this operation when the bracelet charge is more than 50%, and the phone is near the router or has stable mobile Internet.
The upgrade process can take 5 to 15 minutes.At this time, the screen of the bracelet will burn and the phone should not be locked (it is better to keep the screen on or check status often).Aborting the process can cause the device to break, so do not be distracted by other tasks at this point.
⚠️ Attention: During a firmware update, it is strictly forbidden to close the Mi Fit app or leave the Bluetooth range.
Once updated, you can download new dials through the app, and in the Dials section, there's a store with thousands of different design options, pick the ones that show the information you need, and set them in one click.
How do I get my old dial back?
Optimization of the background
To prevent the Redmi Note 8 Pro from “disabling” the bracelet to save energy, you need to set up autostart correctly. Go to the Safety app (green icon with lightning), select Permissions → Autostart and turn on the slider opposite the Mi Fit.
Also, in the battery settings, find Mi Fit and select No Limits mode, which allows the app to be permanently in memory and transmit notifications instantly. Without this setting, you may notice that notifications come late or not at all if the phone hasn't been unlocked for a long time.
Compliance with these recommendations will ensure stable operation of the bundle of the smartphone and tracker throughout use. Properly configured Mi Band 3 will be an indispensable assistant in the control of activity and health.