The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 smartwatch remains one of the most popular fitness trackers even years after its release. Its simplicity, long-duration autonomy, and rich functionality (sleep, pulse, 11 sports modes) appeal to users. However, many face difficulties when connecting first — especially if it comes to changing a smartphone, reinstalling an app or updating the firmware of the device. This article will help you understand all the nuances of pairing the Mi Band 5 with a phone on Android and iOS, including solutions to typical bugs.
It is important to understand that the connection process depends on the version of the watch firmware and the application used. Since 2023, Xiaomi has been actively transferring users from Mi Fit to the new Zepp Life app (formerly Amazfit), which causes confusion. We will consider both options, as well as alternative methods for owners of custom firmware or devices without access to official app stores.
Preparation for connection: what to check before pairing
Before you start connecting, make sure your smartphone and watch meet the minimum requirements. Mi Band 5 is compatible with Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+ devices, but more recent OS versions are recommended for full operation.
- 🔋 The battery charge of the watch is at least 20%. At low charge, the pairing process can be interrupted.
- 📶 Bluetooth on your phone – must be enabled and in device search mode.
- 📱 Application permissions – Mi Fit or Zepp Life must have access to geodata, notifications, and contacts (for proper functionality).
- 🔄 Firmware updates – if the watch has not been updated for a long time, you may need to update it through official software.
Pay special attention to the region of the account. Xiaomi links the functionality of the devices to the country of registration of the Mi Account. For example, in the Chinese version of the firmware may not be Russian, and in the European version some features (such as measuring blood oxygen levels) If you bought a watch in China, you may need to change the region of the account.
Method 1: Connect via the official Mi Fit app
Despite Xiaomi’s move to Zepp Life, Mi Fit remains relevant for many users, especially owners of older versions of the watch. To connect the Mi Band 5 via Mi Fit, follow the following steps:
- Download and install Mi Fit from Google Play or the App Store. Make sure the app version is no older than 2023 - legacy versions may not support new firmware.
- Sign up or sign in to your Mi Account. If you don't have an account, create it through the app or at account.xiaomi.com.
- Turn on the Mi Band 5 by touching the touch button. The watch should vibrate and display the Mi logo.
- In the Mi Fit app, go to Profile → Add Device and select Mi Smart Band 5.
- Follow the instructions on the screen: confirm the pairing on the clock (touch the tick) and wait for the synchronization to complete.
If the process is stuck in the “Connection” stage, try:
- 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (disable/enable in settings).
- 📱 Remove the watch from the list of associated devices in the Bluetooth settings of the phone and try again.
- 🔋 Remove the charging cable from the watch for 10 seconds and insert it back (soft reset).
The latest version of Mi Fit is installed|Bluetooth is enabled and visible for other devices|Mi Account is tied to the right region|The clock is at least 20 times charged%-->
Method 2: Connect via Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit)
From 2023, Xiaomi recommends using Zepp Life to manage the Mi Band 5.This app offers advanced health analytics and a more modern interface, but may not support some of the features of older firmware.
- Install Zepp Life from Google Play or App Store.
- Sign in through your Mi Account (if you already have a Zepp account, use it).
- In the main menu of the app, click Add Device and select Mi Smart Band 5.
- Allow the app to access notifications, geodata, and physical activity (required for the tracker to work properly).
- Hold the phone to the clock (not more than 10 cm) and wait for the vibration on the bracelet. Confirm the pairing by pressing the touch button.
Important: If you have previously used Mi Fit, you need to untie the watch from the old app before connecting to Zepp Life. To do this, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Untie the device. Otherwise, there may be a connection conflict.
The advantages of Zepp Life over Mi Fit:
- 📊 More detailed sleep reports (including deep and superficial sleep phases).
- 🏃♂️ Extended sports modes with recovery analysis.
- 🌍 Support for multiple interface languages (including Russian) regardless of your account region.
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If your heart rate is not displayed in Zepp Life after you connect, check your watch settings: go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Device settings → Heart rate monitoring and turn on the Continuous option.
Solving common connection errors
Even when following the instructions, users often encounter errors, and consider the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "Can't find the device." | Bluetooth is off or the clock is dead | Turn on Bluetooth, charge your watch to 50%, reboot your phone |
| "Device not supported" | An outdated version of the app or firmware watch | Update Mi Fit/Zepp Life and watch firmware through settings |
| "Sync error" | Conflict with another associated device | Remove the watch from the phone’s Bluetooth device list and reconnect |
| "The Wrong Region" | Mi Account is linked to another region (e.g. China) | Change your account region in settings or create a new account |
If the clock is connected but the data is not synchronized (steps, pulse, sleep), try:
- 🔄 Reconnect the device in the application (Profile) → Mi Smart Band 5 → Untie. → Reconnect).
- 📱 Clear the Mi app cache Fit/Zepp Life in the phone settings.
- 🔋 Reset the clock to factory settings (press the touch button 10 seconds before vibration).
What if the watch doesn’t vibrate when connected?
Alternative ways of connecting (without official applications)
In some cases, users may not be able or willing to use Mi Fit or Zepp Life, for example if:
- 📵 The device is not certified in your region (Google Play issues).
- 🔒 On the phone installed custom firmware without Google services.
- 🛠️ The watch is stitched with alternative firmware (for example, Custom Mi Band 5).
For such cases, there are workarounds:
1. Connect via Notify & Fitness (for Android)
Notify & Fitness for Mi Band allows you to control your watch without official software.
- 📟 Notifications of calls and messages.
- 🏃♂️ Displaying steps and pulse.
- 🔋 Battery monitoring.
To connect:
- Download the app from Google Play or 4PDA (for devices without Google).
- Turn on the Developer Mode on the watch (5 times tap the firmware version number in Mi Fit).
- In Notify & Fitness, select Mi Band 5 and follow the instructions.
2. Connect via Mi Band Master (for iOS)
The jailbreak iPhone has a Mi Band Master app that extends the functionality of the watch.
- 🎨 Changes the dials without restrictions.
- 🔔 Adjusts vibration for specific contacts.
- 📊 Exporting Health Data to Apple Health.
💡
Alternative applications can take away your warranty and cause the watch to run unstable, and use them only if official methods are not available.
Setting up hours after connecting: what to do first
After successful pairing, it is recommended to perform the basic setting of the Mi Band 5 for comfortable use:
- Update firmware: Go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Update firmware. Current version for 2026 is 1.0.9.54 (may vary depending on the region). Update takes 5-10 minutes, do not interrupt the process!
- Set up notifications: In Device Settings → Notifications, select apps that must duplicate the alerts on the clock. Android also requires you to allow Mi Fit/Zepp Life to access notifications in your system settings.
- Activate health monitoring: Enable continuous pulse measurement (Settings → Heart Rate Monitor → Continuous) and blood oxygen levels (SpO2). These features shorten battery life, but are useful for monitoring the condition.
- Set the dial: In Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Dials, select one of the pre-installed options or download additional ones from the store (available only in Zepp Life).
For advanced users, hidden functions are available:
- 🔍 Do Not Disturb: Disables notifications for a predetermined period (Settings) → Don't disturb).
- 🌙 Automatic sleep detection: The watch itself recognizes when you fell asleep, but for accuracy it is better to specify the time of rest manually.
- 🏊 Swimming mode: activated manually before swimming (Sports modes) → Swimming).
💡
To save battery power, turn off automatic pulse measurements at night, and to do this, in your heart rate monitoring settings, select Intelligent mode instead of Continuous.
Frequent questions and problems after connecting
Even after successful pairing, users are faced with nuances in the work of the Mi Band 5.
❓ Why the clock doesn't show call notifications?
❓ How to Reset Mi Band 5 to Factory Settings?
❓ Can you connect Mi Band 5 to two phones at the same time?
❓ Why the clock is discharged quickly?
❓ How to Change Your Language on Your Watch if It’s Chinese?
What to remember when connecting Mi Band 5
Connecting Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is a simple process, but requires attention to detail.
- 📱 Zepp Life is recommended for new users – it offers more features and works more stable with the latest firmware.
- 🔄 If the watch was previously connected to another phone, be sure to untie it in the old app.
- 🌍 Mi Account Region Affects Available Features – Change It in Settings If You Need.
- 🔋 If you have connection problems, check your battery first and restart Bluetooth.
If you encounter a bug that isn’t mentioned in the article, check out the 4PDA forums or Xiaomi’s official forum, which often publish solutions for rare cases. For custom firmware or uncertified device owners, alternative apps like Notify & Fitness may be the only way out.
With the right settings, the Mi Band 5 will last for years, remaining a reliable assistant in monitoring health and activity, the main thing is to remember to update your firmware and monitor compatibility with your smartphone.