The 2016 Xiaomi Mi Band 2 fitness bracelet is still popular with users due to its reliability, long battery life and basic features for tracking activity. However, when changing a smartphone, many people face the problem of how to properly untie the bracelet from the old phone and connect it to the new one without losing accumulated data. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of the process, from preparing devices to solving possible synchronization errors.
Itโs important to understand that the Mi Band 2 runs through the official Mi Fit app (or its alternatives like Zepp Life), and the connection process depends on the new phoneโs operating system. For example, Android may require additional permission adjustments, and iOS may require an update to the braceletโs firmware. Weโll look at both options, and weโll also explain how to avoid common mistakes, such as not being able to detect the device or resetting after reconnecting.
If you plan to use a wristband with a different brand of phone (for example, switch from iPhone to Samsung or vice versa), be prepared that some historical data may not be transferred automatically, in which case we recommend exporting statistics from the old account in advance.
Preparation for connection: what to do before pairing
Before you connect Mi Band 2 to your new phone, follow a few steps to help avoid synchronization and data security issues.
One is to untie the bracelet from the old device. If you don't, the new connection may end up in error due to a pairing conflict. In the Mi Fit app, go to Profile โ My devices, select Mi Band 2 and click "Unplug." Alternatively, you can reset the bracelet to factory settings directly from it: press and hold the touch button for 10-15 seconds until the vibration appears.
The second is to check the compatibility of the new phone. Mi Band 2 officially supports:
- ๐ฑ Android 4.4 and higher with Bluetooth 4.0 support)
- ๐ iOS 9.0 and higher (iPhone) 5s or newer)
If your new phone is older than the versions listed, the Mi Fit app may not install or work properly, and you may need to use third-party apps like Notify & Fitness or Mi Band Master, but they donโt guarantee full functionality.
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If you are switching from Android to iOS or vice versa, export data from Mi Fit in CSV format in advance. For this, go to Profile โ Settings โ Data Export in the application.
Install and configure the Mi Fit app on a new phone
The official Mi Fit app is the only reliable way to fully manage the Mi Band 2.
- ๐ค Google Play for Android
- ๐ App Store for iOS
After installation, follow the following steps:
- Start Mi Fit and register a new account (or sign in to an existing one if you want to save your data history).
- In the app menu, click "Add device" (+ in the upper right corner).
- Choose from the Mi Smart Band 2 list (not to be confused with newer models!).
- Follow the on-screen instructions by allowing the app to access Bluetooth, Notifications, and Locations (on iOS, the latter is mandatory).
At this point, you may have a "Can't find the device" error, most often because the Bluetooth on the phone is on, but the bracelet is not in pairing mode. To activate it, tap the touch button on the Mi Band 2 3-5 times in a row, the indicator should start flashing blue.
Step-by-step instructions for connecting Mi Band 2 to a new phone
Now, let's move directly to the pairing process, and follow the instructions carefully to avoid the typical errors.
Charge the Mi Band 2 to 100% (green indicator)
Remove the bracelet from the Bluetooth device list on your old phone
Update the Mi Fit app to the latest version
Turn on Bluetooth and geolocation on your new phone-->
Step 1: Activate the bracelet pairing mode
Press the Mi Band 2 touch button once, the screen should show the current time. Then tap the button again and hold it for 5-7 seconds until you feel the vibration and see a flashing blue indicator, which means that the bracelet is ready to connect.
Step 2. Search for the device in Mi Fit
In the Mi Fit app, click Add Device and select Mi Smart Band 2. Scan will begin. If the bracelet is not located:
- ๐ Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off and turn on again).
- ๐ฑ Make sure the distance between the phone and the bracelet is less than 1 meter.
- ๐ Check the bracelet charge (at a level below 10%, the pairing may not work).
Step 3: Confirmation of connection
When the bracelet is detected, a notification with a confirmation code (e.g., 1234) will appear on the phone screen. Simultaneously, the same code will appear on the Mi Band 2 display. Tap the touch button of the bracelet to confirm the pairing. If the codes do not match, repeat the process with step 1.
Step 4: Set up notifications and synchronize
After successful connection, the application will offer to configure:
- ๐ Notifications (incoming calls, SMS, messenger).
- ๐ Activity goals (steps, sleep, pulse).
- โฐ Alarm clocks (bracelet vibration).
Allow all the necessary permissions to ensure that the functionality of the bracelet works correctly.
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If the bracelet does not sync data (steps, sleep) after connecting, go to Profile โ Mi Smart Band 2 โ Sync data and click Sync.
Solving problems with connecting Mi Band 2
Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can have errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet is not on the list of devices | Bluetooth is disabled or the bracelet is not in pairing mode | Turn on Bluetooth, reboot the bracelet (hold the 10 sec button) |
| The โfailure to connectโ error | Conflict with another device or outdated firmware | Reset the bracelet to factory settings, update the Mi Fit |
| Data is not synchronized | No internet connection or account failure | Check the network connection, re-enter your Mi Account |
| The bracelet vibrates but does not show notifications | Notifications are not allowed in Mi Fit | Go to Phone Settings โ Applications โ Mi Fit โ Notifications and enable access |
Critical error: if the bracelet is permanently disabled after 1-2 minutes, this may indicate an incompatible version of Bluetooth. Check if your phone supports Bluetooth 4.0 LE (Low Energy) - without it, the Mi Band 2 will not work.
What if Mi Fit doesnโt see the bracelet even after resetting?
Transfer data from the old phone to the new one
If you want to keep your activity history (steps, sleep, exercise), there are two ways to transfer data:
Method 1: Synchronize with your Mi Account
If you use the same Xiaomi account on both phones, the data is automatically synced to the cloud.
- Open Mi Fit and wait until the sync is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes).
- Check the statistics section, which should show the history of the last 30 days.
Method 2: Manual export/import (if accounts are different)
If you create a new account, export your data from your old phone:
- In Mi Fit, go to Profile โ Settings โ Export data.
- Save the file to the device (CSV format).
- Transfer the file to a new phone and import it through the same menu (if the feature is available).
Note that not all data can be transferred correctly โ for example, sleep schedules are sometimes incomplete.
โ ๏ธ Note: When using different Mi accounts on the old and new phone, the activity history before the date of the bracelet connection to the new device will be lost.
Alternative applications for Mi Band 2 (if Mi Fit doesn't work)
In some cases, the official Mi Fit app may not work well or support your phone at all, and third-party programs come to the rescue:
- ๐ Notify & Fitness for Mi Band โ Supports notifications, pedometer and sleep monitoring.
- ๐ Mi Band Master - Advanced vibration, alarm and display settings. link to Google Play.
- ๐ Mi Bandage is one of the few iOS solutions to get around Apple's restrictions.Jailbreak requires.
Advantages of alternative applications:
- โ More vibration settings and notifications.
- โ Support for older versions Android/iOS.
- โ Possibility of customizing the screen of the bracelet (for some models).
Disadvantages:
- โ No official support from Xiaomi.
- โ Possible data synchronization errors.
- โ Not all functions (such as heart rate monitoring) can work properly.
โ ๏ธ Warning: When using third-party apps, turn off automatic sync in Mi Fit to avoid conflicts. Otherwise, the bracelet may start to โhangโ or quickly discharge.
How to reset Mi Band 2 to factory settings before connecting
If the bracelet was previously paired with another phone and you have connection problems, do a full reset, which will delete all settings, including alarm clocks and step data.
Method 1. Through the bracelet
- Press and hold the touch button for 10-15 seconds until you feel vibration.
- Release the button - the bracelet will reset, and all settings will be reset.
Method 2. Through the Mi Fit application
- Open Mi Fit and go to Profile โ Mi Smart Band 2.
- Press three points (โฎ) in the upper right corner and select "Disable the deviceยป.
- Confirm the action - the bracelet will be untied and dropped.
After resetting, the bracelet will return to factory settings, and it can be connected to a new phone as a new device.
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Factory reset is a last resort, so before you do that, try turning off the bracelet in Mi Fit on your old phone, and that will save some data (like your sleep history over the past 30 days).