How to connect Xiaomi Mi Band 3 to the phone: instructions with pictures and tips for setting up

Why sync Mi Band 3 with a smartphone?

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet, despite the new models, remains popular due to its balance of price and functionality, but to unlock its capabilities — sleep monitoring, call notifications, pedometer — you need to properly connect the device to your phone, and without synchronization, the bracelet becomes a normal, vibrational watch.

The connection process seems simple, but users often face typical problems: the application does not see the bracelet, the connection is interrupted, or the data is not updated. In this article, we will discuss not only the basic instructions, but also the nuances for Android and iOS, as well as how to solve common errors. If you already have experience with other versions of the Mi Band (for example, Mi Band 4 or Mi Band 6), note that the algorithm for the “three” has key differences.

Before you start, check two points: 1) Bracelet charge level – if the indicator shows less than 20%, connect the Mi Band 3 to charge for 30-40 minutes. 2 Smartphone compatibility: the device works with Android 4.4+ or iOS 9.0+, but for stable operation, a version at least Android 6.0 or iOS 12 is recommended.

Step 1: Install the official Mi Fit app

Mi Band 3 requires a proprietary Mi Fit app (developed by Xiaomi). Alternative programs like Notify & Fitness or Mi Band Master may offer advanced features, but official software guarantees stability and regular updates.

Download the application from verified sources:

• 📱 Android: Google Play (avoid being used) APK From third-party sites - the risk of viruses!).
• 🍎 iOS: App Store.
• 🌐 For Huawei: Use AppGallery or APKPure (only with a hash check of the file amount!).

After installation, open Mi Fit and register via:

• 📧 Email (recommended for data backup).
• 📱 Phone number (quickly but linked to) SIM-map).
• 🔄 Xiaomi, Google or Facebook account (if you already have a link to other brand devices).

⚠️ Note: If you use the Mi Band 3 with two smartphones (for example, a work and a personal), tie the bracelet to the main device. Simultaneous synchronization with multiple phones is impossible - this will lead to data failures.

Install the Mi Fit application|Charge the Mi Band 3 to 50%+|Turn on Bluetooth on your phone|Register with Mi Fit|Allow all application requests (geolocation, notifications)-->

Step 2: Activate Bluetooth and search for your device

Before connecting, make sure that on the phone:

• 🔵 Bluetooth enabled (in settings or via the Quick Access Panel).
• 📶 Geolocation active (required to accurately track activity).
• 🔔 Notifications for Mi Fit are allowed (otherwise the bracelet will not vibrate when calling).

At Mi Fit, please:

1. Click on the + icon (or Add Device) in the upper right corner.
2. Select the category "Brecelet» → «Mi Smart Band 3».
3. Hold the phone to the bracelet at a distance of less than 10 cm – this will speed up the search.

If Mi Band 3 is not located:

• 🔄 Reset the bracelet (press the touch button 10 seconds before vibration).
• 📱 Restart Bluetooth on your phone.
• 🚫 Make sure the bracelet is not connected to another device (untie it in the settings of the old phone).

Step 3: Synchronization and initial setup

Once the application is successfully connected, it will prompt you to perform the initial setup, and it is important to specify the correct data here, as it will affect the accuracy of tracking:

Once you've saved the settings, the bracelet vibrates, which is a signal of successful synchronization, and you can now start customizing:

• 🎨 Change the dial: in Mi Fit, select Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Dials.
• ⏰ Set an alarm clock: Profile → Alarm clock (up to 10 signals).
• 🔋 Turn on the display of the charge level on the bracelet screen.

💡

If the bracelet shows the wrong time after synchronization, check the time zone settings in the phone. Mi Band 3 takes time automatically from the smartphone and does not support manual adjustment.

Step 4: Set up notifications and calls

One of the key features of the Mi Band 3 is to alert you about calls and messages, so that they work:

On Android:

1. Open your phone settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Notifications.
2. Allow access to SMS, calls and other apps (e.g. Viber, Instagram).
3. In Mi Fit itself, go to Profile → Notifications and turn on the switches for the right messengers.

On iOS:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Bluetooth and find Mi Band 3 in the list of devices.
• 🔔 Click on the icon “i” next to the bracelet and turn on “Show notifications».
• ⚠️ On iPhone, the bracelet does not support the display of text messages – only a notification of a new message.

Important: Android 10+ and iOS 14+ may require additional permission to access notifications manually for each app (e.g. Telegram or Gmail).If notifications don't come, check:

• 🔄 Reboot the bracelet and phone.
• 📵 Make sure that the “Do Not Disturb” mode is off.
• 🔋 Check the charge level of the bracelet - with a low charge, notifications may not come.

💡

On iPhone, notifications with Mi Band 3 only work when you are actively connected to the Mi Fit app in the background. Closing the application via swipe will interrupt synchronization.

Step 5: Solving Common Problems

Even with the right connection, users face common errors, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods helped, try to reset the bracelet to the factory settings:

1. In Mi Fit, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Untie the device.
2. On the bracelet, press the touch button 20 seconds before the Mi logo appears.
3. Repeat the connection process from scratch.

⚠️ Note: After resetting all data from the bracelet (steps, sleep, training) will be deleted. If you have autosynchronization enabled with Mi Fit, the information will be stored in the cloud Xiaomi.

Step 6: Additional features and hidden capabilities

Mi Band 3 supports features that many users don't know about.

• 🏃 Phone-free workouts: The bracelet can record jogging, cycling and walking offline (data synced later).
• 💤 Monitoring of sleep with phases: Mi Fit shows depth of sleep (light/deep)/REM) — You need to wear a bracelet at least for this. 4 nights in succession.
• 🔒 Unlocking the phone: on Android you can configure unlocking the smartphone when the bracelet approaches (required) MIUI or third-party applications like MacroDroid).
• 📊 Data export: Mi Fit can download activity history in Google Fit or Apple Health.

To activate hidden functions:

1. In Mi Fit, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Lab (or Additional).
2. Turn on the options: 🔄 Autodetermining training (bracelet recognizes running or walking). 🌙 Do not disturb mode according to the schedule (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Mi Band 3