The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long been one of the most popular wearables due to the combination of affordable price, compactness and wide functionality. Even basic models (such as the Mi Band 6 or Mi Band 7) have a pedometer, sleep monitoring, pulse monitor and smartphone notifications. However, many users use only 20-30% of the bracelet’s capabilities, without knowing about hidden chips or the correct setting.
In this article, we will analyze all the stages of working with the Xiaomi Band – from the first connection to fine-tuning notifications and saving battery life. We will focus on common errors (for example, why the bracelet does not sync or discharge quickly) and rarely used but useful functions such as music control or phone search. 5/6/7/8, Smart Band 7 Pro and Xiaomi Band 8 Pro (with due regard to their specific features).
Connecting Xiaomi Band to a smartphone: step-by-step instructions
Before you first use the bracelet, you need to tie it to your phone through the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life), which takes 3-5 minutes, but there are nuances that may cause synchronization to fail.
1. Install Mi Fitness from Google Play or the App Store. Android requires a version at least 6.0, iOS requires at least 12.0.
2. Sign up or sign in through your Xiaomi/Google/Apple account.
3. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and allow the application access to geodata (required for the pedometer to work correctly).
4. Click "Add device" → select the model of your bracelet from the list.
If the bracelet is not present, check:
- 🔋 Bracelet charge level (at a discharge below 10%, the connection may be interrupted).
- 📱 Phone compatibility: Some Huawei or Meizu models block Mi Fitness background work.
- 🔄 Reboot the phone’s Bluetooth module (turn it off/on in settings).
Charge the bracelet to 50%+
Install Mi Fitness and resolve all requests
Enable Bluetooth and geolocation
Reboot your phone if you have trouble finding your device-->
Once successfully connected, the bracelet will automatically update the firmware (if a new version is available), do not interrupt the update process, which can cause sensors to fail or the device to fail completely, and on average, the update takes 5-10 minutes.
Basic gestures and bracelet control
Interaction with Xiaomi Band is based on a combination of touch screen (in models with a display) and a physical button (in Mi Band 5 and older).
| Action. | Gesture/button | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Screen awakening | Raise your hand or press the button | In the settings, you can turn off auto-lighting |
| Scrolling through the menu | Swipe up/down screen | Mi Band 6/7 supports smooth scrolling |
| Going back | Swipe from right to left or hold the button | In some cases, only the button works. |
| Selection of a paragraph | Touching the screen or pressing a button briefly | Band 8 Pro adds vibrational recoil |
In non-screen models (e.g. Mi Band 4 NFC), control is only done via the button:
- 🔘 Single pressing – switching between time/steps/pulse.
- 🔘 Double-click – go to the notification menu.
- 🔘 Retention 3 seconds - on / off the bracelet.
Mi Band 6
Mi Band 7
Mi Band 8 / 8 Pro
Another model.
I haven't bought it yet.-->
If the bracelet does not respond to touch, try:
⚠️ Note: Touch screen Xiaomi Band can glitch in high humidity (for example, after a shower) or if it has traces of cream. wipe the display with a dry wipe and restart the device with a button hold.
Setting up notifications: what can and can not be displayed
One of the most popular features of the bracelet is to display notifications from the phone, but not all messages are displayed by default, and some messengers (for example, Viber or Slack) may not be supported, to configure notifications correctly:
1. Open Mi Fitness → Go to Profile → Your Device → Notifications.
2. Turn on the Notifications switch and allow the app to access the alerts in the phone settings.
3. In the "Applications" section, select messengers and social networks, notifications from which you want to see on the bracelet.
Limitations and nuances:
- 📵 On iPhone, notifications only work for standard apps (Messages, Phone, Calendar). WhatsApp or Telegram will require additional settings in iPhone Settings. → Notifications → Mi Fitness.
- 🔕 On Android, you can adjust the vibration and backlight of the screen when notified, but not all models support text display (for example, in Mi Band 5 only icons are shown).
- 🚫 Some banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) block the transmission of notifications to third-party devices for security reasons.
💡
If notifications come with a delay, add Mi Fitness to the list of apps optimized for background work (on Android: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).
To save charge, you can set "Silent Mode" - the bracelet will not vibrate at night. Activated in Mi Fitness → Profile → Modes → Quiet Mode.
Health monitoring: pulse, sleep and stress
Xiaomi Band can track pulse, blood oxygen levels (SpO₂), Sleep quality and even stress levels, and the accuracy of measurements depends on the correct setting and wearing of the bracelet:
How to measure the pulse and SpO₂:
- On the bracelet, go to the “Heart” menu (icon) ❤️).
- Choose "Pulse" or «SpO₂» and wait for the result (10-30 seconds).
- For accuracy, keep your hand motionless at heart level.
The data is automatically synced with the Mi Fitness app, where you can view the charts for the day/week/month.
- 🩺 Pulse at rest: 60-100 min/mun (Athletes may be less than the).
- 🩹 SpO₂: 95-100% (below 90% — reason to see a doctor).
- 😴 Deep sleep: 15-25% total-time.
How does a bracelet track stress?
Typical errors in measurements:
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet shows a pulse of 220 beats/min or SpO₂ 85% for no apparent reason, most likely, the sensor is not tightly attached to the skin. Check the strap - it should sit tight, but not crush the arm. Also avoid measurements immediately after exercise or in low ambient temperatures (below). +10°C).
Training and sports functions
Xiaomi Band supports up to 30+ types of workouts, from walking and running to swimming and yoga.
- On the bracelet, select the “Training” menu (icon) 🏃).
- Select the type of activity (e.g., “Running” or “Bicycle”).
- Press “Start” – the bracelet will start to track the time, pulse and calories burned.
After training, the data will be automatically stored in Mi Fitness, where you can analyze:
- 📊 Graphic pulse during loading.
- 🔥 Intensity areas (such as burning fat or cardio).
- 🏆 Achievements (records by time or distance).
For swimming (Mi Band 7/8 have 5 ATM protection):
- 🏊♂️ Turn on the "Swimming" mode before submerging in water.
- 📵 After training, wipe the bracelet with a dry cloth - salt and chlorine can damage the strap.
- ⚠️ Do not press the button under water – it can break the tightness.
💡
For accurate tracking of running or cycling, connect the bracelet to your phone's GPS.The Mi Band 8 Pro has built-in GPS, but it drains the battery faster (up to 20% in 1 hour of workout).
Saving battery power: how to extend the work of the bracelet
The life of the Xiaomi Band from one charge varies from 5 days (Band 8 Pro with Always-On Display) to 20 days (Mi Band 6 in power saving mode).
Top.-5 Ways to save money:
- 🌙 Turn off Always-On Display (Constantly Burning Screen) in Settings → Display.
- 🔔 Reduce your pulse rate to “every 30 minutes” (instead of 1 minute).
- 📴 Disable notifications from unnecessary apps (such as games or news services).
- 🔋 Use the power saving mode (includes in Mi Fitness at a charge level below 20%).
- 🌡️ Avoid extreme temperatures (below) -10°C or higher +40°C) - this accelerates discharge.
If the bracelet is discharged in 1-2 days, check:
⚠️ Attention: A quick discharge can be caused by constant sync with your phone (for example, if you open Mi Fitness often) or a firmware failure.Try to reset the bracelet to factory settings: Settings → About the device → Reset. After reset, do not restore data from the backup - set up the bracelet again.
💡
If the bracelet screen is too bright at night, reduce the backlight to Settings → Display → Brightness. The Mi Band 7/8 has automatic brightness adjustment depending on the lighting.
Resetting settings and problem solving
If the bracelet has started to glitches (not synchronize, does not show notifications, incorrectly counts steps), try the following steps:
Soft reset (reset):
- Hold the bracelet button for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the button and wait for the reboot (it will take ~30 seconds).
Hard reset (return to factory settings):
- In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile → Your Device → About Device → Reset.
- Confirm the action – the bracelet will delete all data and unplug the account.
Frequent problems and solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet is not synchronized. | Bluetooth or App Failure | Reboot your phone and bracelet, update your Mi Fitness |
| He doesn't count steps. | Wrong position on the arm | Wear a bracelet 2-3 cm above your wrist, fastening the strap tightly |
| It's discharged fast. | Always-On Display or frequent notifications | Turn off unnecessary functions (see the section on saving charge) |
| Doesn't measure pulse. | Dirt on the sensor or weak contact with the skin | Wipe the sensor with alcohol and tighten the bracelet |
If there are problems after reset, check:
- 📲 Phone compatibility: Some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro) have conflicts with Mi Fitness over the phone. MIUI.
- 🔄 Bracelet firmware version: update it through Settings → About the device → Update of the PO.
- 🔌 Charging cable: use only the original cable (non-original can damage contacts).