The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables due to its combination of affordable price and wide functionality. However, iPhone owners often face difficulties with their first connection, from synchronization errors to problems with displaying notifications. In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step connection algorithm, the nuances of settings through the official Mi Fitness application, and how to fix common failures.
Unlike Android devices, where the process is usually smooth, iOS has a number of limitations due to Apple’s security policy, such as allowing manual notifications to function properly, and taking into account the nature of data exchange between ecosystems. We tested the instruction on iPhone 12/13/14/15 with the latest iOS versions (16-17) and confirmed its performance.
If you’ve used other brands’ bracelets before (e.g. Huawei Band or Honor Band), note that the Mi Band 5 uses its own Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 5.0) communication protocol, which may require additional action when pairing first. In this article, you’ll find up-to-date screenshots of the Mi Fitness interface (version 5.12.0) and tips for optimizing the power consumption of the bracelet when working with the iPhone.
Device requirements before connection
Before you start syncing, make sure your gadgets meet the minimum requirements. Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is compatible with iPhone, starting with the model 5S (2013 release), but for stable operation it is recommended:
- 📱 iPhone with iOS version 10.0 or later (optimum - iOS 14)+).
- 🔋 Bracelet charge at least 20% (at low charge synchronization failures are possible).
- 📶 Active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) to download applications and updates.
- 🔄 Bluetooth enabled on iPhone (version 4.0 or higher).
Pay special attention to the versions of the Mi Fitness app. There are two official utilities from Xiaomi available in the App Store:
- 🏃 Mi Fitness is the main fitness bracelet app (formerly called Mi Fit).
- 🏠 Xiaomi Wear – alternative software, but with reduced functionality for the Mi Band 5.
We recommend using Mi Fitness as it supports all the features of the bracelet, including dial setting, sleep monitoring and notification management. the app weighs about 150 MB and is available in Russian.
⚠️ Note: If your iPhone has a beta version of iOS, there may be conflicts with Mi Fitness. Before connecting the bracelet, roll back to stable firmware or wait for the official release of the update.
Step-by-step: connecting Mi Band 5 to iPhone
The pairing process takes no more than 5-7 minutes if you follow the algorithm without skips, and the following is the current procedure, taking into account the latest Mi Fitness updates:
- Install the Mi Fitness app: Open the App Store on your iPhone. type in the Mi Fitness search and select the official app from Xiaomi Inc. Click Install and wait for the download to complete.
Synchronize the bracelet:
- Put the Mi Band 5 on your hand and tap the touch button to activate.
- Wait until the 6-digit code appears on the bracelet screen.
- Enter this code in the Mi Fitness app on your iPhone.
Once you have successfully connected, the app will offer to update the bracelet firmware (if a new version is available).We recommend that you update immediately, as it fixes synchronization errors and adds new features (for example, support). SpO₂ — blood-oxygenation).
Install Mi Fitness from the App Store|
Register a Xiaomi | account
Turn Bluetooth on iPhone|
Charge Mi Band 5 to 20%+|
Allow notifications for Mi Fitness-->
Configure notifications and basic functions
By default, the Mi Band 5 displays only basic notifications (calls, SMS). To expand the functionality, you need to manually configure the settings in Mi Fitness:
- Notifications from apps: Go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Notifications. Activate Call Notifications and Notifications from apps. Select the apps you want to see on your bracelet (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
- Switch screens: In the Display and Brightness section, set the screen backlight time (5-10 seconds). Select the screen order when swiping: Steps → Pulse → Weather → Music, etc.
Health monitoring:
- Turn on Automatic Heart Rate Monitoring (interval: 1–30 minutes).
- Activate Sleep Tracking and Measurement SpO₂ (requires the last firmware).
Important: To allow notifications on iPhone to work properly, you must allow Mi Fitness to access Notifications in your system settings (Settings → Notifications → Mi Fitness → Allow notifications). Without this step, alerts will not appear.
| Function | How to turn it on | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Quick access to music | Profile → Mi Band 5 → Managing music | Works with Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music |
| Phone search | Profile → Mi Band 5 → Phone search | The bracelet vibrates when moving away from the iPhone by >10 meters |
| Do not disturb mode. | Swipe down on the bracelet screen → icon 🌙 | Disable notifications for a given period of time |
| Automatic screen locking | Profile → Mi Band 5 → Screen locking | Unlocks the iPhone when holding the bracelet |
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If notifications are duplicated on the wristband and iPhone, turn them off in the settings of a particular application (for example, in Telegram → Settings → Notifications → Disable on Apple Watch).
Common mistakes and their solutions
Even with the exact instructions, iPhone users sometimes face problems, and we have collected the TOP-5 errors and ways to fix them:
- ❌ Bracelet not found when searching: Make sure Mi Band 5 is charged and on (press touch button).Reboot Bluetooth on iPhone: Settings → Bluetooth → Turn off/On. Remove the bracelet from the Bluetooth device list manually and reconnect.
- ❌ The app freezes in the sync stage: Update Mi Fitness to the latest version in the App Store. VPN or proxy servers, which can block the connection to Xiaomi servers. Reinstall the application, pre-save your account data.
- ❌ No notifications: Check permissions in iPhone Settings → Notifications → Mi Fitness. Open Mi Fitness, go to Profile. → Mi Band 5 → Notifications and re-activate the option.Reboot your iPhone and bracelet (to reboot the Mi Band 5 hold the touch button for 10 seconds).
If none of the methods helped, try to reset the bracelet to the factory settings:
- On the bracelet, go to Settings → More → Reset (or hold the touch button for 15 seconds).
- In the Mi Fitness app, remove the device: Profile → Mi Band 5 → Delete the device.
- Repeat the connection process from scratch.
⚠️ Note: Resetting the bracelet deletes all local data (steps, sleep, workouts.
Can't find a bracelet.|
Notifications are not working|
App's out |
Everything connected the first time |
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Optimization of the bracelet with iPhone
To ensure that the Mi Band 5 is stable and cost-effective, follow these tips:
- 🔋 Energy saving: Turn off the Constant screen lighting (Profile) → Mi Band 5 → Display. Reduce the automatic pulse rate to 10 to 30 minutes. Use dark dials (AMOLED-The screen of the bracelet consumes less energy).
- 📶 Data Synchronization: Enable Autosynchronization in bracelet settings for automatic data transfer. Manual synchronization: pull the bracelet screen down and hold for 2 seconds.
- 🛡️ Security: Set a password to unlock the bracelet (Profile) → Mi Band 5 → Activate Loss Protection – the bracelet will vibrate when away from the iPhone.
For advanced users, if you want to export health data to Apple Health, follow these steps:
- Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Settings → Integration with Apple Health.
- Activate switches for the parameters you want to sync (steps, sleep, pulse).
- Confirm access in the Apple Health pop-up window.
Note: Xiaomi does not transfer data to Apple Health SpO₂ Stress and stress – these metrics are only available in the Mi Fitness app itself.
How to reset Mi Band 5 without an app?
Comparison of Mi Band 5 with other models for iPhone
If you’re choosing between the Mi Band 5 and other fitness bracelets for iPhone, note the key differences:
| Model | Compatibility with iOS | Unique functions | Autonomy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 5 | iOS 10+ (full) | Measurement SpO₂, 11 sports modes, magnetic charging | Up to 14 days. |
| Mi Band 6 | iOS 12+ (full) | AMOLED-screen 1.56", 30 sports modes, measuring stress levels | Up to 14 days. |
| Huawei Band 6 | iOS 9+ (limited) | Screen 1.47", skin temperature measurement, 96 sport modes | Up to 14 days. |
| Apple Watch SE | iOS 14+ (full) | ECG, Fall Detection, Integration with Apple Ecosystem | Up to 18 hours. |
The Mi Band 5 beats the competition in price/function ratio, but is inferior to the Apple Watch in depth integration with the iPhone. For example, the Apple Watch allows you to answer calls directly from the bracelet, while the Mi Band 5 only notifies about them. On the other hand, the autonomy of the Mi Band 5 in 10-14 days versus 1-2 days in the Apple Watch makes it an ideal choice for those who do not want to charge the gadget daily.
If you care about accuracy, consider that the Mi Band 5 can overstate steps by 5-10% compared to the Apple Watch or Garmin. For professional athletes, it is better to consider specialized trackers (for example, Polar H10), but for everyday use, the Mi Band 5 remains the best option.
Update firmware and reset settings
Regular firmware updates fix bugs and add new features to update Mi Band 5:
- Make sure the bracelet is charged 50% or more.
- Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (update via mobile Internet may be interrupted).
- Open Mi Fitness, go to Profile → Mi Band 5 → Firmware Update.
- Click Update and wait until the process is complete (don’t interrupt the connection!).
The current firmware version for the Mi Band 5 is 1.0.3.58 (June 2026).
- 🩺 Improved measurement algorithm SpO₂.
- 🏃 New sports modes (yoga, dancing).
- 🔒 Security fixes for syncing with iOS 17.
If the bracelet has become unstable after the update (for example, notifications are not displayed or time is lost), reset:
- In the app: Profile → Mi Band 5 → Untie the device.
- On the bracelet: Settings → More. → Reset.
- Reconnect the bracelet as you did when you first used it.
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet stops turning on after the firmware update, plug it into charging for 30 minutes, often solving the problem. If the screen remains black, contact Xiaomi Support (possible hardware failure).
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Update your firmware only when you have a stable Wi-Fi connection and your bracelet is >50% charged. An interrupted update can cause your device to “brick.”