How to connect Xiaomi Mi Band 8 to a smartphone: full instructions with pictures and tips

The Xiaomi Mi Band 8 fitness bracelet became one of the most popular gadgets of 2026 thanks to a combination of affordable prices, stylish design and advanced health monitoring features. However, many users face difficulties when connecting the device to a smartphone for the first time. This article will help you understand everything from installing an application to setting up notifications and solving typical errors.

Unlike previous models, the Mi Band 8 has an updated interface and new synchronization capabilities, we will look at the process for both Android and iOS mobile platforms, as well as give recommendations for optimizing the performance of the bracelet, and pay special attention to data security and compatibility with different versions of operating systems.

1.Preparation for connection: what to do before pairing

Before you start connecting, make sure your smartphone meets the minimum requirements. Mi Band 8 will require:

• 📱 Android 6.0 or later (for iOS – iOS 12.0 and higher)
• 🔋 Bracelet charge at least 20% (optimally - 50% and higher)
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
• 📲 Free space on the phone (Mi Fitness app weighs in) ~150 MB)

Importantly, if you're upgrading from the Mi Band 7 or older model, it's recommended that you first untie the old device in the app, which will prevent conflicts when synchronizing data, and check if the phone is power-saving mode is on, which can block the background operation of the application.

⚠️ Note: On some Samsung and Huawei models with aggressive battery optimization, the Mi Fitness app can automatically close.In this case, add it to the exception list in the phone settings.

For iPhone users, it’s important to consider that the feature of constant heart rate monitoring in the background is limited due to Apple’s policy: To receive pulse notifications in real time, you will have to keep the app open or turn it on manually.

2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application

The official bracelet control app is called Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit).

• 🤖 For Android: Google Play
• 🍎 For iOS: App Store

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Open the application and select the region of Russia (important for proper server operation)
2. Sign up or sign in through your Xiaomi, Google, Apple account ID Facebook
3. Click Add Add the device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 8
4. Allow all permissions requested (geolocation, notifications, contact access)

At the registration stage, note that linking to the Xiaomi account gives additional features:

After successful authorization, the application will offer to update the firmware of the bracelet. It is not recommended to refuse the update - in the new version, critical synchronization errors with Android are fixed. 13/14 iOS 17.

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If the app doesn’t find the bracelet, try restarting Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on in settings) or restarting Mi Fitness.

3. Step-by-step connection of Mi Band 8 to the phone

Now, let's get to the mating process itself.

1. Turn on the bracelet by pressing the touch button before the Mi logo appears
2. In the Mi Fitness app, click Connect and select Mi Smart Band 8 from the list.
3. The bracelet will appear 6-digit code – enter it in the application
4. Confirm the pairing on both devices
5. Wait until the synchronization is complete (may take up to 2 minutes)

If the bracelet is not displayed in the list of available devices:

Make sure Bluetooth is on on your phone |

Check that the bracelet is charged (the indicator should flash when pressed)|

Reboot both devices|

Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in the Bluetooth settings of the phone|

Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version-->

For Android 14 and iOS 17 users, the system requires additional validation of access rights to health sensors, without which the bracelet will not be able to transmit data on heart rate and oxygen levels in the blood.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (especially on Redmi and POCO) There may be a conflict between the Mi Fit system application and the new Mi Fitness version, in which case, delete the old application through Settings. → Annexes → Remove updates.

After successful connection, it is recommended immediately:

• 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware (if available)
• 📱 Set up notifications about calls and messages
• ⏱ Select the format of displaying time (12/24 hour)
• 🎨 Set up your favorite dial

4. Notification setting and data synchronization

One of the key features of the Mi Band 8 is call and message alerts, to set them up:

1. In the app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → Notifications
2. Turn on the Call Notification switch
3. In the Applications section, select the messengers from which you want to see notifications
4. Set up the vibration and backlight of the screen when notified

For the correct operation of notifications on Android, you need:

• 📵 Disable battery optimization for Mi Fitness
• 🔔 Allow auto-launch of the application
• 📲 Enable notification access in system settings

On the iPhone, the process is a bit more complicated:

1. Go to Settings. → Notifications → Mi Fitness
2. Enable notifications and sounds
3. In the Alerts section, select Banners or Windows
4. Return to the app and update your sync settings

To synchronize health data:

• 🩺 Turn on continuous heart rate monitoring (discharges the battery faster)
• 🛌 Set up sleep tracking (automatic or manual)
• 🏃 Enable activity recognition (walking, running, cycling)
• 📊 Connect integration with Google Fit or Apple Health

5. Solving common connection problems

Even with all the steps done correctly, users sometimes encounter errors.

If the bracelet is connected but the data is not synchronized:

1. Check your internet connection on your phone
2. Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version
3. Reboot both devices
4. Remove and re-add the bracelet in the app

For Samsung Galaxy users with One UI 5/6 There's a specific problem: the system can block the background work of Mi Fitness:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Battery
2. Choose Not to Optimize
3. Enable background activity

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If nothing works, try connecting the bracelet to another phone, and if there is a hardware defect, contact the service center.

6. Optimization of the bracelet after connection

To make the Mi Band 8 work as efficiently as possible, it is recommended to perform several additional settings:

• 🔋 Enable Economy mode to increase the operating time (in bracelet settings)
• 🌙 Set up the "Do Not Disturb" mode for sleep.
• 🏊 For swimmers, activate Swimming Mode (turns off the touch screen when water hits)
• 🔒 Install. PIN-code for unlocking the bracelet (protection against accidental pressing)

For advanced users, hidden functions are available:

• Activation of Developer Mode (5 times click on the firmware version in bracelet settings)
• Install custom dials through.bin files
• Customizing gestures (e.g. raising your hand to turn on the screen)

To save battery power:

• Reduce the brightness of the screen to 2-3 division
• Turn off continuous heart rate monitoring (leave only nighttime)
• Reduce screen lighting time to 5 seconds
• Disable notifications from unnecessary applications

For athletes, it is useful to set up:

• 🏃 Autodetermining activities (in training settings)
• 📊 Target pulse zones for cardio training
• 🏆 Weekly progress reports

7 Compatibility with other devices and services

Mi Band 8 can be integrated with various ecosystems and services.

To connect to Google Fit:

1. In Mi Fitness go to Profile → Settings → Accounts and synchronization
2. Select Google Fit and log in.
3. Set up synchronization parameters (which data to transmit)

For integration with Apple Health:

1. In the iPhone settings go to Privacy → Health → Mi Fitness
2. Turn on switches for the desired data categories
3. Go back to the app and update your settings.

With smart Xiaomi devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners), the bracelet can interact through Mi Home:

• 💡 Lighting control (on/off)
• 🔌 Control of smart sockets
• 🤖 Starting a cleaning robot vacuum cleaner

8.Security and privacy when using Mi Band 8

Like any device that collects health data, the Mi Band 8 requires attention to safety issues.

• 🔐 Use a complex password for your Xiaomi account
• 🛡 Enable two-factor authentication in your account settings
• 📱 Regularly update the bracelet firmware and application
• 🔄 Check what data is synced to the cloud.

In the Mi Fitness privacy settings, you can:

• Disable location data collection
• Limiting access to contacts
• Delete health data history
• Disable personalized advertising

To completely remove data from the bracelet:

1. In the app, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 8 → Untie the device
2. Confirm removal and reset the bracelet to factory settings
3. Delete your Mi Fitness account if you no longer plan to use the service

⚠️ Warning: When selling or transferring the bracelet to another person, make sure to reset to factory settings, otherwise the new owner will have access to your health data and notifications.

For additional protection, you can:

• Install PIN-bracelet
• Disable notifications on the phone lock screen
• Use a separate Xiaomi account for a bracelet only

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Check regularly which apps have access to Mi Fitness data in your phone settings. Remove access to unnecessary services.

Frequently asked questions