Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have become an integral part of the daily lives of millions of users, but even the most reliable devices sometimes require a complete reboot. Reset to factory settings may be necessary when selling a gadget, fixing software failures or preparing to transfer to another person.
In this article, we will discuss all the current reset methods for Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8 bracelets, including hidden features that are not described in the official documentation. You will learn how to return the device to a βcleanβ state without losing functionality, as well as what to do if standard methods do not work, and pay special attention to the typical errors that users make during resets and how to avoid them.
Why you might need to reset your Xiaomi bracelet
A complete reset is not just about deleting personal data, but it returns the bracelet to a boxy state, which solves a number of problems:
- π Software glitches: If the bracelet starts to glitches (not synchronizes, shows incorrect data, arbitrarily reboots), resetting often helps restore stability.
- π± Smartphone Change: When switching to a new phone, the bracelet may conflict with the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app due to being tied to an old account.
- π° Preparation for sale: deletion of all personal data (steps, pulse, sleep history) is a mandatory step before transferring the device to another owner.
- π Blocking after a failed update: if the firmware flew off or the bracelet stuck on the logo, a hard reset may be the only way to resuscitate.
It is important to understand that resetting is not always a panacea, for example, if the problem is related to physical damage (broken screen, moisture), software reboot will not help, and some models (such as the Mi Band 7 Pro) have additional levels of reset β through a service menu that few people know about.
Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance
Before you start resetting, follow a few critical steps that will save you from data loss and unforeseen problems:
- Sync with Mi Fitness/Zepp Life. Once reset, the entire activity history on the bracelet will be erased, but if it is stored in the cloud, you can recover it later.
- Remember the firmware version. This will come in handy if the bracelet refuses to update after reset. You can find the version in the Settings β Device menu.
- Untie the bracelet from your account (if you plan to sell). In the app, go to Profile β My devices and remove the gadget.
- Charge the bracelet to at least 50%. Resetting at low charge can make it impossible to further turn on the device.
Pay special attention to the account untied item. Many users forget to do this, as a result, the new owner can not tie the bracelet to his phone, in some cases, you need to contact Xiaomi support for manually untiing the binding, which takes up to 7 days.
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If you drop the bracelet before selling, take a screenshot of the About device menu with the serial number and firmware version, which will increase customer confidence.
Method 1: Reset via Mi Fitness/Zepp Life (for all models)
The safest and most recommended method is to use the official app, which is suitable for all Mi Band models, except when the bracelet is completely locked or does not respond to the connection.
Step instructions:
- Open the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app (depending on the bracelet model).
- Go to the Profile section β My devices and choose your bracelet.
- Scroll down and find the item Untie the device or Remove the device.
- Confirm the action. The system will suggest saving the data in the cloud β agree if you plan to use the bracelet further.
- After unbundling, go to Bracelet Settings β Additional β Resetting.
If the "Reset" item is not in the menu, try an alternative way:
Profile β Settings β Local Devices β [Name of your bracelet] β ResetThe reset time takes from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, and the bracelet will reboot and return to the factory settings, and then it can be linked to a new account.
Battery charge > 50%|Data synchronized with the cloud|Bracelet untied from account|The app is updated to the latest version-->
Method 2: Hardware reset with buttons (for Mi Band 3/4/5/6)
If the bracelet doesnβt respond to the app or you forget the password from your Xiaomi account, you can use a hardware reset, which works on most models, but requires precise follow-up.
For the Mi Band 3/4/5/6, the instructions are as follows:
- Unplug the bracelet from the strap to access charging contacts.
- Connect the bracelet to the charger (not necessarily to the network β just connect).
- Press and hold the touch button under the screen for 10-15 seconds.
- Without releasing the button, unplug the bracelet from charging, then reconnect.
- Hold the button for another 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears on the screen.
For the Mi Band 7/8, the procedure is slightly different.
1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Quickly press the touch button 5 times in a row.
3. Hold it for 10 seconds for the 6th click.
4. Release after the vibration and logo appear.If the bracelet does not respond, check:
- π The charger is good (try another one).
- π± The bracelet is not tied to another phone at the moment.
- π Charging contacts are clean (oxidation can block the reset signal).
What if the bracelet is stuck on the logo after resetting?
Method 3: Reset via service menu (hidden feature for Mi Band 7 Pro and later)
Advanced models like the Mi Band 7 Pro or Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro have a hidden service menu that allows you to perform a deep reset without being tied to an application.
To get into the service menu:
- Go to the main menu of the bracelet, swiping the screen to the left to the item Still.
- Click on Settings. β About the device.
- Quickly press 5 times on the Model Number (e.g. M2229B1).
- You'll see a Service Mode menu. Select Reset All Settings.
- Confirm the action by pressing OK.
Additional options are also available in this menu:
| Item | Description | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Factory Reset | Complete reset with deletion of all data | Before sale or in case of critical failure |
| Reboot Device | Simple reboot without data loss | If the bracelet is slowing down, but the settings need to be saved |
| Clear Pairing | Removal of phone tethering | If you canβt connect to a new smartphone |
| Test Mode | Sensor and screen checks | To diagnose hardware problems |
Careful: Incorrect actions on the service menu can lead to a loss of warranty if the bracelet was officially purchased.
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The service menu is not available on all firmware, and if nothing happens after 5 clicks, then your version of the software does not support this feature.
Method 4: Reset via ADB (for power users)
If the bracelet is completely locked and does not respond to any manipulation, you can try resetting using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method requires technical skills and is only suitable for bracelets based on Android Wear (for example, Xiaomi Watch S1).
This will require:
- π± Computer with drivers installed ADB.
- π USB-cable (for some models, a special adapter is required).
- π Knowledge of the command line.
The main commands for discharge:
adb devices # Checking the connection
adb shell recovery --wipe_data # Data reset
adb reboot #RebootDetailed instructions for your model can be found on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums. note that improper use of ADB can permanently disable the bracelet.
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Before using ADB, check if your model supports USB debugging. The service menu of the bracelet should include the Debug Mode item.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even with the seemingly simple procedure, users often make mistakes that lead to additional problems, and here are the most common ones:
β οΈ Warning: Never interrupt the reset process by turning off the bracelet from charging.This can damage the boot sector and the device will turn into a brick".
- π Low charge reset: If the battery is under 20% discharge, the bracelet may not complete the procedure or freeze.
- π± Use of the old version of the application: Mi Fitness versions below 4.6.0 may not have a reset option.
- π Forgotten account binding: if you donβt untie the bracelet before resetting, the new owner wonβt be able to activate it.
- π Incomplete reset: Some models require reset confirmation twice (first in the app, then on the bracelet).
Another common problem is that the bracelet doesn't turn on after reset, 90% of the time it's due to a battery that's dead, connect the device to charge for 1-2 hours, even if the light isn't on, and if that doesn't work, try using another charger (preferably the original one).
β οΈ Note: Mi Band 7 and later bracelets may require re-activation through resetting. QR-Without this, some functions (such as notifications) will not work.
What to do if the reset does not help
If there are problems after the reset, it may be due to hardware malfunctions or deep software errors.
- Check physical condition: Check the charging contacts for oxidation or contamination. Check the strap - sometimes damaged contacts at the module attachment point cause malfunctions.
Update the firmware
After reset, install the latest version of the software through the app, and sometimes old firmware conflicts with newer versions of Mi Fitness.
Try alternative software.
Apps like Notify & Fitness or Mi Band Master sometimes work better with older bracelets.
Contact the service.
If the bracelet is not turned on, shows artifacts on the screen or does not charge, these are signs of hardware breakdown.
For Mi Band 5 and older models, there is another way to reanimate, forced firmware through the Mi Band Tools utility, which allows you to manually download official firmware even if the bracelet does not respond to standard methods, and you can find instructions and firmware files on thematic forums.
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If the bracelet is not computer-defined when connected via ADB, try using the USB-OTG adapter and plug it directly into the phone with the debugging enabled.