How to use the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet: a step-by-step guide

What Mi Band 3 Can Do and Why You Need It

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is a compact device that helps monitor activity, sleep, heart rate and receive notifications from a smartphone. Despite its modest size, the gadget is equipped with a colored OLED- display, a waterproof housing (up to 50 meters) and a battery that lasts up to 20 days of operation. This is the ideal choice for those who want to monitor their health without unnecessary costs.

However, many users have difficulty getting to know the device first: how to connect it to a phone, set up notifications or interpret sleep data? In this article, we will break down all the key features of the Mi Band 3, give step-by-step instructions and reveal hidden features of the bracelet that you may not have known about.

Important: Mi Band 3 is compatible with Android 4.4+ and iOS 9.0+, but it requires the official Mi Fit app (or alternative firmware like Notify & Fitness for advanced features) to work properly. If you have a newer model, Mi Band 4/5/6, some of the instructions will remain relevant, but the interface and features may differ.

Preparation for use: unpacking and charging

Before you first turn on the Mi Band 3, you need to charge. In the kit you will find the bracelet, strap and charging cable with USB- connector. The battery has a capacity of 110 mAh, and the full charging cycle takes about 2 hours.

To start charging:

• 🔌 Remove the bracelet capsule from the strap by pulling it aside (don't put too much effort - the fixing mechanism is fragile!).
• 🔋 Connect the capsule to the charging cable so that the contacts match (the cable has a magnet for secure fixation).
• 📱 Connect the cable to the USB- port of your computer, charger, or power bank.

When you charge the bracelet, you'll see a lightning indicator on the screen. When the battery is 100% charged, the light will disappear. If the bracelet doesn't turn on after charging, check the density of the contacts, often the problem is dust or moisture on the metal parts.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use non-original charging cables - they can damage the battery or cause the device to overheat.The original Mi Band 3 cable is labeled MDY-08-EM.

Synchronization with the phone: installing the Mi Fit application

Without connecting to a smartphone, the Mi Band 3 works like a regular pedometer clock. To unlock all the features, install the official Mi Fit app:

• 📲 For Android: download from Google Play.
• 🍎 For iPhone: Available in the App Store.

After installation:

1. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (via Google/Facebook).
2. Click Profile → Add Device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 3.
3. Allow the app to access notifications, geolocation, and contacts (necessary for proper operation).
4. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and wait until the bracelet appears in the list of available devices.

If Mi Band 3 is not available, try:

• 🔄 Reset the bracelet (hold the touch button for 10 seconds).
• 📵 Disable Bluetooth on other devices nearby (may interfere with your device).
• 🔋 Make sure the bracelet is at least 20% charged.

Main functions and management of the bracelet

Mi Band 3 is controlled by a touch button under the screen.

• 👆 Swipe up/down—change screens (time, steps, pulse, etc.).
• 👇 Pressing a button – selecting a menu item or going back.
• 🔄 Holding the button for 3 seconds – lock/unlock the screen.

By default, the bracelet displays:

To access additional features (alarm clock, timer, phone search), press the button on the home screen to open the menu. Here you can turn on Do Not Disturb mode (disables notifications for 1 hour) or activate training tracking (running, cycling, walking).

💡

If the bracelet screen does not respond to touch, wipe it with a dry wipe - moisture or sweat can block the sensor.

Set up notifications: calls, SMS and messengers

To receive alerts about calls and messages:

1. Open Mi Fit → Select your bracelet → Notifications
2. Activate the Inbound Calls switch (also SMS for Android).
3. For instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) click Application Management and select the desired ones.

Features of the notifications:

• 📞 On Android, the bracelet vibrates and shows the name of the caller (if the contact is saved).
• 💬 For iPhone, notifications only come about calls and SMS (Apple's restriction).
• 🔔 You can set up a re-vibration (up to 10 times) for important alerts.

⚠️ Note: If notifications do not arrive, check:

• 🔕 The phone's settings do not disable Mi Fit's notification access.
• 📵 Bluetooth is on and the bracelet is connected (the indicator in Mi Fit must be green).
• 🔄 The bracelet menu does not activate Do Not Disturb mode.

Activity tracking: pedometer, pulse and exercise

Mi Band 3 automatically counts steps, distance and calories burned, and the accuracy of the data depends on the correct setting:

• 👟 In Mi Fit, specify your height, weight and step length (Profile → Personal Data).
• 🏃 For running/walking, select the appropriate mode in the bracelet menu (More → Training).
• ❤️ The pulse is measured automatically every 30 minutes, but you can start a manual measurement (hold the button on the pulse screen).

The training data is synchronized with Mi Fit, where it can be analyzed: pulse charts, pace, route map (if GPS is on on on the phone).

• 📍 Turn on GPS on your phone before you start your run.
• 🔋 Make sure the bracelet is at least 30% charged (intensive use drains the battery faster).
• 📊 In your workout settings (Mi Fit → Training → Settings), activate Voice prompts (works only with headphones).

If the pedometer shows inaccurate data:

• 🔄 Recalibrate the step length: walk 20 steps, measure the distance and enter it into Mi Fit.
• 🚶 Wear the bracelet on the non-working hand (for right-handers - left, for left-handers - right).
• 📵 Disable other pedometer devices (such as a smartphone) to avoid double counting.

💡

For accurate pulse measurement, wear a bracelet 2-3 fingers above your wrist and tighten the strap (but don’t squeeze your vein).

Sleep tracking and tips to improve sleep quality

Mi Band 3 automatically recognizes sleep phases (deep, light, wakefulness) and compiles a report in Mi Fit to keep the data accurate:

• 🌙 Wear the bracelet before going to bed and do not remove it until you wake up.
• 🔋 Charge the device to 100% in the evening (at night, battery consumption is minimal).
• 📵 Turn off notifications or activate Do Not Disturb mode.

In the dream report, you'll see:

• ⏱️ Total sleep duration.
• 🌓 Phase schedule (deep sleep should be 20–25% of total time).
• 🔄 The number of awakenings (normal - 1-2 times per night).

If the bracelet does not record sleep:

• 🔄 Reboot it before bedtime (hold the 10 seconds button).
• 🛏️ Make sure you don't move your arm too actively (a bracelet might consider it wakefulness).
• 📱 Check that Mi Fit has sleep tracking enabled (Profile → Settings → Sleep Tracking).

⚠️ Warning: Mi Band 3 algorithms can be wrong when you sleep irregularly (for example, if you wake up long at night).

Advanced features: alarm clock, phone search and music management

In addition to the basic features, the Mi Band 3 supports several useful features:

Alarm clock:

• ⏰ Set up in Mi Fit (Profile → Alarm clock) or right on the bracelet (Menu → More → Alarm clock).
• 🔕 You can set up up to 10 alarm clocks with a repeat on the days of the week.
• 🟓 From the bracelet menu, select More → Find the phone.
• 🔊 The phone will emit a loud signal (even if it is silent).
• 📍 Only works with an active Bluetooth connection.

3. Music management:

• 🎵 While playing music on your phone, flip the bracelet screen down to Music.
• ⏯️ You can pause the track here, switch to the next/previous track.
• 🔊 Loudness is only regulated on the phone.

4. Unlock the phone (Android only):

• 🔓 In Mi Fit, activate Phone Unlock (Profile → Settings → Device Unlock).
• 📱 The phone will unlock automatically when the bracelet is near.

💡

If the “Search for Phone” function does not work, check that the Mi Fit geolocation and microphone access is enabled in the Android settings (needed for an audible signal).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions