The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet remains a popular gadget even years after its release, thanks to its reliability, long battery life and wide functionality. However, when trying to connect it to a new smartphone (especially if it is a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO model), users often face a problem: the bracelet is “not seen” in the Mi Fitness application or refuses to sync, the reason is usually one – the device is tied to another account or phone.
Resetting the Mi Band 3 to factory settings solves this problem 95% of the time, but there are nuances here. For example, if the bracelet is discharged or damaged, standard methods may not work. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to reset (via the app, the button on the case and even hidden commands), and explain how to properly connect the gadget to the Xiaomi phone after zeroing.
Why is Mi Band 3 not connected to Xiaomi phone?
Before you drop the bracelet, make sure it's not the smartphone or app that's the problem, and here are the main reasons why the Mi Band 3 might not sync:
- 📱 Link to another account. The bracelet remembers the last phone and account connected. Xiaomi/Mi Account. Without reset, you will not be able to connect to a new device.
- 🔄 Outdated firmware: If the bracelet hasn't been updated in a long time, it may not be compatible with the current version of the Mi Fitness app.
- 📶 Bluetooth issues: Xiaomi smartphones sometimes get the module settings down (especially after the update) MIUI).
- 🔋 Battery discharge: At a charge level below 10%, the bracelet enters energy-efficient mode and may not respond to connection attempts.
- 🚫 It is rare, but it happens: bracelets bought in China may have restrictions on connecting to foreign accounts.
If you've ruled out smartphone problems (reboot it, switch on Bluetooth, update Mi Fitness), the next step is to reset the bracelet. But here it's important to understand that not all reset methods work the same way. For example, zeroing through the app doesn't always remove the binding to the account, and a "hard" button reset can cause the battery to freeze if the battery is discharged.
Method 1: Reset Mi Band 3 via Mi Fitness app (soft reset)
This is the safest method, but it only works if the bracelet is already connected to the phone (even if it's not on the device list), skip this section and move on to hardware reset.
Instructions:
- Open the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) on the phone to which the bracelet is tied.
- Go to the Profile section → My devices and choose Mi Band 3.
- Slap the icon. ⚙️ («Settings) in upper right corner.
- Scroll down and click Untie the device (or Remove the device in older versions).
- Confirm action. The bracelet vibrates and resets, signaling that the reset has been successful.
After that, the Mi Band 3 should appear in the list of available devices on the new phone. If not, try rebooting the bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds) or using alternative methods.
Make sure the bracelet is charged (>20%)
Update Mi Fitness to the latest version
Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on your phone
Sign in to Mi Account (if not authorized)
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⚠️ Note: If the bracelet was linked to a Mi Account account with two-factor authentication, after unbundling through the application, you may need to re-enter the password on the new device. SMS-code) connection will be impossible - in this case, only hardware reset will help.
Method 2: Hardware reset Mi Band 3 (button on the body)
This method works always, even if the bracelet does not turn on, does not respond to touch or is locked with a password. The main condition is a sufficient amount of charge (at least 5-10%). If the charge indicator does not burn when connecting to charging, first charge the bracelet for 15-20 minutes.
How to perform the reset:
- Remove the bracelet capsule from the strap (pull it towards the screen).
- Find the touch button on the back (under the label Mi).
- Connect the bracelet to charging (not necessarily, but recommended for stability).
- Press the touch button for 20-30 seconds until the Mi logo and vibration appear on the screen.
- Release the button and the bracelet will reboot and return to factory settings.
After resetting, the bracelet screen should show a welcome message in Chinese (or English).If instead you see a white flashing screen or the bracelet not responding, try repeating the procedure by pre-charging it to 50%.
What to do if the bracelet does not respond to reset?
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet vibrates but does not reset. | Insufficient charge or firmware failure | Charge 30+ minutes, repeat reset |
| The screen flashes white and goes out | Critical discharge or damage to the display | Charge 1-2 hours, if it does not help - carry to the service |
| After resetting, the bracelet does not turn on. | Failure of the power controller | Connect to 12+ hours of charging (sometimes helps) |
| Bracelet asks for password after reset | Residual account details | Repeat hardware reset 2-3 times in a row |
Method 3: Reset via hidden menu (for power users)
Few people know, but Mi Band 3 has a service menu through which you can reset without an app, a method that is useful if the bracelet connects to the phone but does not appear in Mi Fitness (for example, due to a synchronization failure).
Instructions:
- Connect the bracelet to your phone via Bluetooth (in Android settings, without the app).
- Install the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app (available on Google Play).
- Open the app, select Mi Band 3 and go to Tools → Secret Menu.
- Enter the 1234 (standard password for the service menu).
- Select the Reset to Factory option and confirm.
This method does not work on all firmware, but if you can log in to the menu, the reset will be deeper than the standard application, and after the procedure, the bracelet will automatically reboot and be ready for a new binding.
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If you have a Xiaomi phone on MIUI, add them to the AutoRun and Battery Free list before using third-party apps (such as Notify & Fitness).
How to connect Mi Band 3 to Xiaomi phone after reset
After a successful reset, the bracelet should be defined as a new device. However, on Xiaomi smartphones, there are sometimes nuances with connection due to the features of MIUI.
- Install the latest version of the Mi Fitness app (download from Google Play or AppGallery).
- Sign in to your Mi Account (required!).
- Put it on your phone: 📶 Bluetooth (and allow Mi Fitness to use it). 📍 Geolocation (to search for devices). 🔄 Auto-run for Mi Fitness (in battery settings).
Add the device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 3
Wait until the bracelet appears on the list and tap it.
Confirm the pairing on the phone and bracelet (it will appear on the request – touch the touch button).
If the bracelet is not present, try:
- 🔄 Reboot your phone and bracelet.
- 📱 Remove all previously saved Bluetooth devices called Mi Band in your phone settings.
- 📲 Update MIUI up to the latest version (in old builds there are bugs with Bluetooth) LE).
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On Xiaomi phones with MIUI 12+, turn off the dual Bluetooth connection function in the settings before connecting the bracelet. It can interfere with stable synchronization with the Mi Band.
Typical errors and their solutions
Even after a reset, users are faced with problems, and here are the most common errors and ways to correct them:
1.The bracelet does not vibrate or react after being reset.
Reasons:
- 🔋 Battery discharge (even if the indicator is on fire).
- 💧 Moisture falling under the body (corrosion of contacts).
- 🛠️ Damage to the vibratory motor.
Solution: plug the bracelet into charging for 2-3 hours, if it doesn't work, disassemble the case (carefully!) and check the battery contacts.
2. When connecting, an error appears "Device is not supported"
This means that:
- 📱 You have an old version of Mi Fitness (update it).
- 🌍 The bracelet is intended for another region (e.g. the Chinese version for Mi Account with a Chinese phone number).
- 🔄 The bracelet firmware is outdated (requires an update via Mi Fitness).
3. The bracelet connects but does not synchronize data
Check it out.
- 📶 Permits for Mi Fitness (access to notifications, contacts, physical activity).
- 🔄 Energy saving settings (add the app to exceptions).
- 📱 Bluetooth version (the phone should have Bluetooth 4.2 support)+).
⚠️ Note: If you bought the bracelet with your hands, there is a risk that the previous owner tied it to a Mi Account with two-factor authentication. SMS-The only way out is to contact the seller or contact Xiaomi (but they rarely help in such cases).