How to connect a pedometer Xiaomi to a smartphone: full instructions with pictures and tips

Why you can’t connect a Xiaomi pedometer – and how to fix it

Xiaomi fitness bracelets and smartwatches (including Mi Band 7/8 Pro, Smart Band 8, Watch 2 Pro) sync with smartphones through the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit). However, even experienced users often have problems: the device is not on the list of available, the connection is cut off, or the step data is not updated, the reasons lie in the incompatibility of software versions, lack of permissions or conflicts with other gadgets.

In this article, you’ll find the latest ways to connect for Android and iOS in 2026, including bypassing common bugs (e.g. code 10008 or “Device Not Supported”). We’ll also look at how to transfer data from your old wristband to your new one, and why Xiaomi might require a Mi Account link even for basic functionality.

If you've tried to connect and you've got an error, skip the first partition and go straight to problem solving. For beginners, we'll start by getting your phone and gadget ready.

What Xiaomi pedometer models support phone connection

Not all Xiaomi devices sync in the same way. Here are the key differences:

• 📱 Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8 — Connected via Mi Fitness (Android) 6.0+/iOS 10+). Demand Bluetooth 4.2+.
• ⌚ Mi Smart Band 8 Pro/Watch 2 Pro – support Zepp Life (alternative software for advanced metrics).
• 🏃 Mi Band 1S/2 — Older models, only work with Mi Fit (version) 4.6 below).
• 🔋 Redmi Watch 3 Active – Budget version with limited synchronization (no support) ANCS iPhone).

Important: Xiaomi is gradually moving all devices to the Zepp Life platform from 2023, but Mi Fitness remains the main application for the basic models.

Preparing the phone before connecting

Before synchronizing, follow these steps to avoid errors:

Turn on Bluetooth and GPS on your phone

Install the latest version of Mi Fitness/Zepp Life

Disable the power saving mode for the application

Remove Bluetooth cache in phone settings-->

On Android, you also need to:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Permissions.
2. Enable access to geodata, contacts (for notifications) and autorun.
3. B Settings → Bluetooth removes all previously paired Xiaomi devices.

For the iPhone:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone (this resets the Bluetooth cache).
• 📱 B Settings → Confidentiality → Geolocation Services Enable Access for Mi Fitness.
• ⚠️ Turn it off. VPN — It can block Xiaomi synchronization servers.

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If you have Android 12+, add Mi Fitness to the Battery Optimization Exclusions list, which will prevent connection breakdowns.

Step-by-step: how to connect a pedometer Xiaomi to the phone

Consider the process using the Mi Band 8 and Mi Fitness app (the steps are similar for other models).

1. Download Mi Fitness from official stores: 🤖 Google Play (Android) 🍎 App Store (iOS)

⚠️ Attention: Do not use APK from third-party sources – they may contain viruses or outdated firmware versions.

Account registration

Launch the application and log in via Mi Account (you can create it here). Without an account, data synchronization will be limited.

Searching device

Click Add Device → Bracelet and select your model. Make sure the bracelet is charged (minimum 20%) and is located next to the phone (no further than 1 meter).

Pairing.

The bracelet will have a 6-digit code on its screen, enter it into the app. If the code doesn't show, click the touch button on the bracelet.

Firmware update

After you connect, the app will prompt you to update the software. Do not interrupt the process - this can cause the device to crash.

After successful synchronization, check that the app displays:

• 📊 Step data (updated every 5 minutes).
• 🔋 Bracelet charge level.
• 🔔 Status of notifications (if included).

Table: Common mistakes and their solutions

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If the bracelet is not detected at all, try connecting it to another phone - this will help identify the problem in the gadget or your smartphone.

Solving complex problems: What to do if nothing helps

If the standard methods didn’t work, try these advanced methods:

1. Resetting the bracelet to factory settings

On the Mi Band 7/8:

1. Open the device profile in the application → Untie.
2. Press the touch button for 20 seconds until vibration appears.
3. Reconnect as a new device.

2. Manual addition of the device through MAC-address

For Android:

1. Install the MAC Address Finder.
2. Find your bracelet's MAC (starts with C8:0F:10 or F4:12:FA).
3. In Mi Fitness, select Add Manual → Enter MAC.

3. Use of alternative applications

If Mi Fitness is not working:

• 🔄 Notify & Fitness (for Android) – supports all Mi Band models without binding to Mi Account.
• 🍎 Mi Band Master (iOS) - an alternative with advanced settings.

⚠️ Note: Third-party applications may not support proprietary features (e.g, PAI or SpO2).

4. Verification of regional restrictions

Some features (such as NFC in the Mi Band 8 Pro) are blocked for devices purchased in China.

1. Change your region to India or Singapore.
2. Reset the bracelet.
3. Update the firmware through Mi Fitness.

How to transfer data from the old bracelet to the new

When you replace the Mi Band 5 with the Mi Band 8, all settings and statistics will be saved if:

1. Both devices are linked to a single Mi Account.
2. You use the same app (Mi Fitness or Zepp Life).

For manual transfer:

1. Open Mi Fitness → Profile → Export data (.json format).

Important: the history of steps is only transferred to the last 30 days. For a complete archive, use Google Fit or Apple Health:

• 🤖 On Android: Mi Fitness → Settings → Synchronization with Google Fit.
• 🍎 On iOS: Mi Fitness → Apple Health → Enable all permits.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi pedometer