Connecting Xiaomi Smart Bracelet to Smartphone: From Installation to First Synchronization

Xiaomi Mi Band smart bracelets remain among the most popular fitness trackers due to the combination of affordable price, long-term autonomy and wide functionality. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulties with the first connection of the device – especially when it comes to new models like Mi Band 8 or Smart Band 7 Pro, where the synchronization process is different from the usual algorithm for the Mi Band 4.

In this article, we will look at all the stages of connection, from choosing the right application (Mi Fitness instead of the outdated Mi Fit) to solving typical problems such as the “Can’t Find a Device” error or Bluetooth crashes. We will pay special attention to the features of connecting to the iPhone (where manual permission to access notifications is often required) and the nuances of working with Zepp OS-based bracelets (for example, Mi Band 7 Pro).

1.What application do you need to connect Xiaomi Mi Band?

Until 2022, all Xiaomi bracelets were customized through the Mi Fit app, but with the release of the Mi Band 7, the company moved to a new platform - Mi Fitness (formerly known as Zepp Life). Today, Mi Fit does not officially support models of the newer Mi Band 6, although some features can work through third-party firmware.

Here is the current list of applications depending on the bracelet model:

• 📱 Mi Fitness - for Mi Band 7/7 Pro/8, Smart Band 7 Pro and newer. Download: App Store / Google Play.
• 🔄 Mi Fit - for Mi Band 3/4/5/6. Support is gone, but the app is still available in stores.
• ⚠️ Zepp – an alternative application for bracelets based on Zepp OS (Mi Band 7 Pro, but with limited functionality compared to Mi Fitness.

Important: if you have a Mi Band 8 or newer, installing a Mi Fit is pointless – the bracelet simply will not be determined. Also note that Mi Fitness requires registration through a Xiaomi account (or Zepp for some regions).

2 Preparation of the bracelet for the first connection

Before syncing with the phone, you need to activate the bracelet itself, and the process varies depending on the model:

• 🔋 For the Mi Band. 5/6/7: Connect the bracelet to the charger. Once the Xiaomi logo appears on the screen, tap the sensor, the device will turn on automatically.
• 📶 For the Mi Band. 7 Pro/8: Press and hold the touch button for a while. 5 seconds until it appears QR-plug-in.
• 🔄 For the Mi Band. 3/4: Take the capsule off the strap and insert it into the charging cable. 20%) The bracelet will turn on itself.

If the bracelet does not respond to touch:

1. Check the charge level (the battery should be displayed on the screen).
2. Reboot the device: for the Mi Band 7/8 hold the sensor for 10 seconds, for older models – connect to charging and wait for the restart.
3. If the screen is left blank, try another charging cable (especially for the Mi Band 4, where contacts often fail).

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If the Mi Band 8 bracelet doesn’t turn on after charging, try holding it for 15-20 minutes – sometimes it takes time to initialize the battery.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect the bracelet to the phone

Consider the process with Mi Fitness (for Mi Band 7/8). The steps are similar for older models, but the application interface may be different.

1. Install the app (links above) and sign up through your Xiaomi account (or sign in if you already have an account).
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and allow Mi Fitness access to geodata (required for iOS!).
3. In the application, click Profile → Add the device → Bracelet.
4. Select your model from the list (e.g. Mi Smart Band 7).
5. Press Connect and wait for the phone to find the bracelet. QR-Code – scan it through the app.
6. Confirm pairing on the phone and bracelet (click on the sensor bracelet when a request appears).
7. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 2-3 minutes).

If the bracelet is not present:

• 🔄 Restart Bluetooth on your phone.
• 📱 Make sure the bracelet is unlocked (the screen displays the time or the time). QR-code).
• 🚫 Turn it off. VPN Proxies – they can block the connection to Xiaomi servers.

Charge the bracelet at least 30% |

Install Mi Fitness (for Mi Band 7/8)|

Enable Bluetooth and geolocation |

Scan. QR-bracelet|

Confirm the pairing on both devices-->

4. Set up notifications and basic functions

After connecting, it is recommended to immediately configure:

Features for iPhone:

• 📱 Notifications may be delayed (up to 5 minutes) due to iOS restrictions.
• 🔕 To make the bracelet vibrate when calling, in the settings of the iPhone → Phone. → Calls on other devices turn on the option for Mi Fitness.
• 🚫 Some features (such as music management) only work with Apple Music.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the right connection, users are facing problems.

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Band 7 Pro or Mi Band 8 bracelet is permanently disconnected from your phone, check the firmware version in Profile → About the device. For stable operation, you need firmware at least 1.16.0.14 (update via the application).

For the Mi Band 8 and 7 Pro models, the problem with the screen hanging after the update is also relevant.

1. Turn off the bracelet from your phone in Mi Fitness.
2. Hold the touch button for 15 seconds for a forced reboot.
3. Reconnect the bracelet through QR-code.

6.How to update the firmware of the Xiaomi bracelet?

Firmware updates add new features and fix bugs (e.g., Mi Band 8 update 1.18.0.20 improved pulsemeter accuracy).

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Your Device → About the Device.
2. If an update is available, an Update button will appear.
3. Connect the bracelet to charging (required!), then press Update.
4. Do not unplug the bracelet from charging and do not close the application until it is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: When you update the Mi Band 7 Pro or Mi Band 8 via Mi Fitness on your iPhone, there is sometimes a “Not enough memory” error, in which case update the firmware via your Android device or wait for a fix in the next release of the app.

If the update is hanging:

• 🔄 Restart the application and try again.
• 📵 Turn off Wi-Fi on your phone – sometimes conflicts with Bluetooth.
• 🔋 Make sure the bracelet is at least 50 times charged%.

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Update your firmware only through the official Mi Fitness app. Using third-party firmware (for example, through Notify & Fitness) can result in the blocking of your Xiaomi account.

7. Alternative ways of connection (without an official annex)

If Mi Fitness does not work (for example, due to regional restrictions), you can use:

• 🔗 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Android) – supports Mi Band 3-8, but requires manual notification settings.
• 🍎 Mi Bandage (iOS) - an alternative for iPhone with advanced vibration settings.
• 🖥️ Gadgetbridge (Android) - open source software for connecting without a Xiaomi account. Supports basic functions (steps, pulse), but without notifications.

Limitations of alternative applications:

• ❌ No official support for new features (e.g., no official support for new features, SpO2 Mi Band 8).
• ❌ Possible problems with synchronizing sleep and exercise data.
• ❌ Notify & Fitness is not working on iPhone due to Apple restrictions.

If you choose Gadgetbridge, consider that connecting the Mi Band 7/8 will require:

1. Untie the bracelet from Mi Fitness.
2. Enable the Developer Mode on the bracelet (5 times click on the firmware version in About the device).
3. In Gadgetbridge, choose a model of the bracelet manually.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi Mi Band