How to reset the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band to factory settings: 3 working ways

The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets are some of the most popular wearables on the market, thanks to a combination of functionality and affordable price, but even with such reliable gadgets, sometimes there are problems: the bracelet starts to glitches, does not sync with the smartphone, shows incorrect data or completely stops responding to touch, in 90% of cases, resetting to factory settings helps - a procedure that returns the device to its original state.

In this article, we will discuss all the current reset methods for Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8 models, including hidden methods for non-response devices. You will learn how to prepare for the procedure, what data will be lost, and how to avoid typical errors.

Why you might need to reset the Mi Band

Before we get to the instructions, it's important to understand where reset is really necessary and where the problem can be solved differently.

• 🔄 System freeze: bracelet does not respond to touch, screen freezes in one image or flashes.
• 📱 Synchronization problems: the device does not connect to the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app, data is not updated.
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: If the bracelet discharges in a few hours for no apparent reason, a reset can help.
• 🔒 Errors after an update: Incorrect firmware or update failure often requires a full reboot.
• 🏃 Incorrect sensor data: pedometer shows overestimated / underestimated values, pulsemeter works with failures.

However, resetting is not always the best solution. For example, if the bracelet is simply dead, first try charging it for 1-2 hours. If the synchronization problem is, check the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone or reinstall the application. Reset should only be used when other methods have not worked.

⚠️ Warning: After the reset, all data from the bracelet will be deleted, including activity history, alarm settings and notifications. If the device synced with the application, some data can be restored after reconnecting.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

To avoid losing important data and minimize risks, follow a few simple steps before resetting:

1. Sync your data with Mi Fitness or Zepp Life. Open the app, wait for full sync (the cloud icon in the upper right corner should disappear).
2. Take a screenshot of your settings. Go to the bracelet section in the app and take a picture of the screen with the notification settings, alarms and activity profiles.
3. Check the battery power. Make sure the bracelet has a charge level of at least 50 percent. If the charge is low, the reset may be interrupted.
4. Disconnect the bracelet from other devices. If it's been connected to multiple smartphones, remove it from the list of associated devices in the Bluetooth settings.

If you are using the Mi Band 5/6/7/8 function NFS-payment, be sure to untie the bank cards in the application before the reset. Otherwise, you may need to re-assign through the bank.

Synchronize data with the application

Take a picture of the bracelet settings

Charge the bracelet to at least 50%

Disable the bracelet from all devices in Bluetooth

Untie the bank cards (if used)

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Method 1: Reset via Mi Fitness/Zepp Life (recommended)

This is the easiest and safest method for most situations, and it works if the bracelet is switched on and synced to a smartphone, and the instructions are relevant for all models starting with the Mi Band 3.

Steps for discharge:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models).
2. Go to the Profile section → My devices and choose your bracelet.
3. Scroll down and click Disable Device (or Delete Device in Zepp Life).
4. Confirm the action. The bracelet will be deactivated from the account.
5. Now go back to the main menu of the app and click Add Device.
6. Select your Mi Band model and follow the instructions on the screen to reconnect.

Once reconnected, the bracelet will automatically update the firmware to the latest version and prompt you to restore settings from the backup (if any), which requires no physical impact on the device and is minimally risky.

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If the app doesn't have a "Disable Device" button, try updating the bracelet's firmware first, often solving problems without completely resetting.

Method 2: Hard reset through a button on the bracelet

If the bracelet does not respond to touch, does not turn on or sync, you will have to use a hardware reset. To do this, all Mi Band models (except Mi Band 8 with a buttonless design) have a physical button.

Instructions for Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7:

1. Remove the bracelet from your hand and place it on a flat surface with the screen up.
2. Find a small recess on the back with the inscription Reset (near the charging connector).
3. Take a paper clip or toothpick and press the reset button for 10-15 seconds until you feel a slight vibration.
4. Release the button. The bracelet will reset, and the Mi logo will appear on the screen.

For Mi Band 8 (without a physical button):

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Press and hold the touch area of the screen (not touching, but pressing with force) for 20 seconds.
3. Wait for the vibration and the appearance of the Mi logo.

⚠️ Note: Do not use metal objects to press the reset button on the Mi Band 3/4/5 — It can damage your contacts, and it's best to use a plastic toothpick or a special tool from the kit.

Method 3: Reset via engineering menu (for power users)

This method is suitable for the Mi Band 6/7/8 and allows you to perform a deep reset with access to hidden settings. It is useful if the standard methods did not work, but requires caution.

Instructions:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. On the bracelet screen, swipe left-right-left-right-left quickly (5 times) and this will open the engineering menu.
3. In the menu, find Reset or Factory Reset (can be called differently depending on the firmware version).
4. Confirm the reset by pressing the point and holding it for 3 seconds.

Once reset, the bracelet will reboot and be ready for a new setup, which also allows you to reflash the bracelet if the standard update through the application does not work.

What to do after resetting: setting up the bracelet from scratch

Once successfully reset, the bracelet will return to the factory settings, and it will need to be reconfigured.

1. Connect the bracelet to the app: Open Mi Fitness or Zepp Life. Click Add Device and select your Mi Band model. Follow the instructions on the screen to pair over Bluetooth.
2. Restore data: If you synced before reset, the app will prompt you to restore settings from the backup. Select Restore to return alarms, notifications and activity profiles.
3. Update the firmware: Go to Device Profile → Update the firmware. If a new version is available, install it.

Set up notifications and settings

• Return notification settings for calls, messages and apps.
• Set up the display of weather, pedometer and other widgets.

If the bracelet is unstable after reset (for example, quickly discharges or does not sync), try to re-update the firmware or reset again. Sometimes it takes 2-3 attempts to fully restore performance.

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After reset, the bracelet may show inaccurate pedometer and pulsemeter data for the first day, which is normal, because the sensors need time to calibrate.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

• ❌ Bracelet doesn't vibrate after reset: Reason: battery dead or button faulty Solution: plug the bracelet into charging for 30 minutes and try again. If it doesn't work, use reset via engineering menu.
• ❌ App doesn't see bracelet after reset: Reason: Bluetooth conflict or outdated version of app Solution: Reboot smartphone, update Mi Fitness/Zepp Life and try to connect again. On Android, cleaning the Bluetooth cache will also help (Settings) → Annexes → Bluetooth → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• ❌ Reset interrupted in the middle: Reason: low battery power or physical damage. Solution: charge the bracelet to 100% and repeat the reset. If the problem recurs, contact the service center.
• ❌ After reset, the bracelet shows Chinese characters: Reason: firmware failure or incorrect version of software. Solution: update the firmware through the application or reset again.

If none of the methods worked, there may be a problem with the hardware of the bracelet, in which case we recommend contacting an authorized Xiaomi service center or considering buying a new device (especially if the bracelet is more than 2-3 years old).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Mi Band reset