Connecting Xiaomi Mi Band 3 to a smartphone: full instructions with pictures and tips

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular gadgets for monitoring activity even years after its release, its simplicity, reliability and affordable price attract new users, and older model owners often return to it as a backup device. However, the process of first connection can raise questions — especially if you have never worked with Xiaomi wearable electronics before.

In this article, we will not only discuss the basic pairing procedure through the official Mi Fit app, but also the nuances that the manufacturer does not know, such as why the bracelet may not be detected on the iPhone, how to avoid the error "Device is not supported" on older smartphones, and what to do if the Mi Band 3 refuses to sync data after updating the firmware, and you will find current 2026 ways to solve problems with connection via Bluetooth 5.0 and alternative applications for those who do not want to use Mi Fit.

Preparation for connection: what to check before pairing

Before you start setting up, make sure that all the conditions for a successful connection are met, and neglecting these points is the main reason for 70% of the appeals in support of Xiaomi about the Mi Band 3.

• 📱 Operating system version: Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+. On older versions, the Mi Fit app will either not install or will work with errors. → About the phone (Android) or Settings → Mainstream → About this device (iOS).
• 🔋 Bracelet charge: Battery level should be at least 20%. With less charge, the Mi Band 3 may interrupt the pairing process or not appear in the list of available devices. Charge the gadget to at least 50% for stable operation.
• 📶 Bluetooth and geolocation: Bluetooth (Device Search Mode) and geolocation services should be enabled on your smartphone (even if you don’t plan to use it). GPS-Without geolocation, Mi Fit will not be able to identify the region and offer up-to-date settings.
• 🌐 Internet connection: To download the bracelet firmware and login to the Xiaomi account, you will need stable Internet access. It is recommended to use Wi-Fi, as mobile traffic can be interrupted.

Despite the stated support for all devices with Bluetooth 4.0 and higher, in practice, owners of phones with Mediatek chips (especially the budget models Redmi and Poco) face connection problems. If your smartphone Released before 2018, check the reviews about compatibility with Mi Band 3 on the forums in advance.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Fit application

The official Mi Fit app is the only legal way to fully manage the Mi Band 3. Alternative programs (for example, Notify & Fitness or Mi Band Master) allow you to expand the functionality, but do not guarantee stable data synchronization.

• 🤖 Google Play for Android (version 4.6.0 and later).
• 🍎 App Store for iOS (version 4.6.0 and later).

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Authorization: Launch Mi Fit and log in to Xiaomi account (or create a new one if you don’t have one). Use a valid email, which will receive notifications about backups of data.
2. Selection of region: Indicate the country of residence (important for the correct display of weather and local notifications). For Russia, for Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, etc.
3. Permissions: Give the application access to: 📍 Geolocations (for tracking jogging). 📁 Storage (for backup copies). 🔔 Notifications (for synchronization with SMS messenger). 🏃 Physical activity (to collect data from smartphone sensors).

Important: If you use an iPhone after installing Mi Fit, go to Settings → Bluetooth and manually find the Mi Band device 3 (It can be displayed as MI Band 3_XXXX). Click on it and select Forget this device, then go back to Mi Fit and start the pairing process again. This will help avoid the "Unable to connect" error".

Install Mi Fit from the official store|Sign in to your Xiaomi account|Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on your smartphone|Charge the bracelet to 50%+|Provide all requested permits-->

Step-by-step instructions for pairing Mi Band 3 with a smartphone

When all the preparatory steps are complete, you can start the connection itself. The whole process will take no more than 5 minutes, if you follow the algorithm:

1. Activation of the bracelet: Press the Mi Band 3 touch button (round touchpad below the screen) and hold it for 3 seconds until the 4-digit code appears on the display. This is confirmation that the gadget is ready to pair. If the screen does not respond, check the density of the capsule to the strap - sometimes the contacts are oxidized.
2. Adding a device to Mi Fit: In the app, click on the profile icon (lower right corner) → Add device → select Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 3. If your model isn’t listed, upgrade to the latest version of the Mi Fit.
3. Bluetooth pairing: The screen will request to turn on Bluetooth (if it is still off), after activation, the application will start searching for devices, when the Mi Band appears in the list. 3_XXXX, You can tap it, and the bracelet and the app will have the same one. 4-identifiable code - confirm the pairing by pressing the touchpad of the gadget.
4. Firmware update: Once connected, Mi Fit will automatically check the firmware's relevance. If an update is available, agree to install. Do not interrupt the process or turn off Bluetooth - this can lead to "bricking" of the bracelet (loss of performance). The average refresh time is 2-5 minutes.

If you encounter a "Disconnected. Try again" error during the pairing phase, do the following:

1. Close Mi Fit through the latest app menu.
2. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone again.
3. Reboot the bracelet: to do this, connect it to charging, wait for vibrations, then turn off and press the touchpad 10 times in a row.
4. Repeat the connection attempt.

Configure notifications and basic functions

Once you have successfully connected, the Mi Band 3 can be customized to suit your needs, and the main settings are in Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 in the Mi Fit app.

1. Notifications from the phone

To receive notifications about calls, SMS and messages from messengers:

1. Go to Call Notifications and turn on the slider.
2. In the Application Notifications section, select messengers (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) from which you want to receive the allerts.
3. Set up the Notification Style: You can choose vibration, screen backlight, or both.

On the iPhone notifications work only for incoming calls and SMS. For instant messengers will require an additional application Notify for Mi Band (paid, ~300 rubles).

Activity monitoring

In the section Activity goals can be configured:

• 🏃 Steps: Target number of steps per day (by default 8000 steps).
• 💤 Sleep: Automatic monitoring of sleep phases (light/deep)/REM). For accuracy, wear a bracelet on an unworking hand.
• 🏊 Swimming: Turn on swim tracking if you are in the pool (the bracelet is waterproof up to 50 meters).

3. Screen and interface

Personalize the display of information:

• 🔄 Screen order: In the screen setting, you can swap the dials (time, steps, pulse, etc.).
• 🌙 Night mode: Automatic turn off the backlight of the screen from 22:00 to 7:00.
• 🔒 Screen lock: Protection against accidental pressing (included in Settings) → Screen).

💡

If notifications come with a delay, in Android settings, turn off Battery Optimization for the Mi Fit app. → Annexes → Mi Fit → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Find Mi Fit and select "Do not optimize".

Solving common problems with Mi Band 3

Even after a successful connection, users encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

1. The bracelet does not sync the data

Causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Update the firmware: Go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Firmware update.
• 📵 Reconnect Bluetooth: In the phone's "forget" Mi Band 3 device, then re-pair.
• 🗃️ Clear the Mi Fit cache: On Android go to Settings → Annexes → Mi Fit → Memory. → Clear the cache.

2. Fast battery discharge

If the bracelet discharges in 1-2 days instead of the declared 20:

• 🔋 Turn off the constant pulse: In Settings → Monitoring your heart rate by hand instead of automatically.
• 📶 Reduce the synchronization frequency: In Settings → Autosynchronization set the interval 30-60 minute.
• 🌡️ Turn off weather notifications: They update every hour and consume charge.

3.The bracelet does not vibrate at notifications

Check the following settings:

• 🔕 Do Not Disturb: On the bracelet, scroll down to the bell icon and make sure it is not crossed out.
• 📳 Permissions for Mi Fit: On Android in Settings → Annexes → Mi Fit → Notifications should be included all sliders.
• 🔄 Reboot the bracelet: Connect to charging for 5 seconds, then turn off.

💡

If the Mi Band 3 has stopped responding to the presses, try hard reset: plug in to charge, wait for the vibration, then press the touchpad and hold for 15 seconds until you feel 3 vibrations in a row, then the bracelet will return to the factory settings, but all data will be deleted.

Alternative applications for Mi Band 3

If you don't like Mi Fit, you can use third-party software that offers advanced features, but may be less stable:

• 📊 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band: A Paid App (≈300 rubles.) with support for custom dials, advanced notifications and data export to Google Fit.
• 🔧 Mi Band Master: Free, open source Android app that lets you customize vibrations, control music and create your own screen menus.
• 🌍 Amazfit: The official app from Huami (Made Mi Band) supports all the features of the Mi Fit, but with a different interface.

Warning: When using third-party applications:

⚠️ Note: Some programs (such as modified versions of Mi Fit) may contain malicious code or violate Xiaomi's privacy policy. APK Only from trusted sources (APKMirror, GitHub official developers), and note that after connecting through third-party software, you may need to re-assign to Mi Fit to update the firmware.

Reset Mi Band 3 to factory settings

If the bracelet is unstable or you plan to sell it, perform a complete reset.This will delete all data, including:

• 📊 Activity statistics.
• ⚙️ Individual settings (dials, notifications).
• 🔑 Linking to Xiaomi account.

Resetting instructions:

1. Open the menu on the bracelet by swiping the screen up to the icon ⚙️ Settings.
2. Select Reset (Icon with arrow in a circle).
3. Confirm the action by tapping the touchpad. The bracelet vibrates and reboots.

Alternatively, if the screen is not responding:

1. Connect the Mi Band 3 to the charger.
2. Wait for vibration (sign of the start of charging).
3. Press the touchpad and hold for 10-15 seconds until you feel 3 vibrations in a row.

Important: Once reset, the bracelet will be untied from the Xiaomi account. To connect it again, you will need to repeat the pairing procedure from scratch (see section 3 of this article).

💡

Before resetting, back up your data to Mi Fit: Go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Backup data and export the statistics to the cloud, which will allow you to recover your activity history after reconnecting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band 3