How to reset Xiaomi Mi Band 3 to factory settings: 5 working ways

Why would you want to reset the Mi Band 3?

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet, released in 2018, is still popular with users due to its reliability and functionality. However, even such a proven device sometimes requires a complete reset, the reasons can be different from banal synchronization errors to serious software failures when the bracelet ceases to respond to touch or display data correctly.

Most often, resetting to factory parameters helps in the following situations:

• 🔄 The bracelet doesn’t sync with Mi Fit or Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit) apps despite repeated attempts to reconnect.
• 📱 Persistent errors when updating the firmware through official software.
• 🔋 Battery malfunction: fast discharge, incorrect display of charge level (for example, shows 100% and immediately drops to 1%).
• 🚫 Interface freeze or complete insensitivity of the touch button.
• 🔒 The bracelet is tied to other people’s accounts (for example, after buying a used device).

It is important to understand that resetting is a last resort. Before you start the procedure, make sure that the problem is not solved by simpler methods: rebooting the bracelet, reinstalling the application or cleaning the cache on the smartphone. If you can not do without reset, in this article you will find all the relevant ways for Mi Band 3, including hidden functions and avoiding possible errors.

Method 1: Reset via Mi Fit/Zepp Life

The safest and most recommended method by the manufacturer is to use an official app, which is suitable if the bracelet still somehow responds to commands and connects to the smartphone.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life if you upgraded to new software) on your smartphone.
2. Go to the Profile section → Mi Smart Band 3 (or find your device in the list of connected gadgets).
3. Scroll down to Additional Settings (in some versions of the app it may be called Device Management).
4. Select Reset to factory settings or Untie the device (in Zepp Life, the path may differ: Device settings → Reset).
5. Confirm the action on the smartphone screen and wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet will reboot).

If there is no explicit reset button in the app, try untie the bracelet from your account first and then reconnect it, often resulting in the same result: a complete data cleanup.

Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged |Update the Mi Fit/Zepp Life app to the latest version |Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone |Close background apps that may interfere with sync

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⚠️ Note: After resetting through the application, the bracelet will automatically unplug from your Xiaomi account. To use the tracking and notification functions again, you will have to go through the pairing procedure again.

Method 2: Hardware reset (through the button of the bracelet)

If the bracelet doesn't respond to the app or doesn't connect to the phone at all, you can do a hard reset directly on the device, which works even in severe software failures.

Instructions for Mi Band 3:

1. Find the touch button on the case (it is also the only physical button under the screen).

If the screen does not respond to prolonged pressing, try the following combination:

1. Press the button 5 times in a row (quickly).


2. After the fifth press, hold the button for 5 seconds.




3. Release when the bracelet vibrates.

Method 3: Reset by decoupling from Xiaomi account

If you bought the Mi Band 3 hand-held and it is tied to the previous owner, a standard reset may not help - the bracelet will require authorization in someone else's account, in which case you need to force the device to untie from the old profile.

How to do this:

1. Immediately after the indicator appears, quickly press the touch button 5 times (the interval between clicks is no more than 1 second).

If this method does not work, try an alternative:

• 📱 Install the Mi Fit app on your smartphone and log in under your Xiaomi account.
• 🔄 In the Add Device section, select Mi Band 3 and follow the connection instructions.
• 🔗 At the interface stage, the system may offer to untie the bracelet from the previous account - confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: If the previous owner did not delete the bracelet from his account, you may need to contact him or contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, photo of the box with the serial number).

Method 4: Advanced reset via ADB (for power users)

This method is suitable only for those who are familiar with ADB debugging and are preparing for possible risks (for example, complete loss of performance of the bracelet), it is relevant if the standard methods did not help, and the firmware of the bracelet is damaged.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable to connect Mi Band 3 to PC (usually used adapter for charging).
• 📄 Firmware for Mi Band 3 (you can download from official forums Xiaomi or resources like XDA Developers).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the bracelet to your computer via cable (you may need to disassemble the case to access contacts).
2. Open the command line (CMD) and enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the bracelet is determined, proceed to the next step.
3. Reset to factory settings with the command: adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR
4. Wait for the bracelet to reset (it can take up to 5 minutes).

💡

Before using ADB, back up your bracelet data via the Mi Fit app if possible, and it will be impossible to reset your settings after resetting via ADB.

If the bracelet is not identified through ADB, try reflashing it manually using the MiBandTools utility (available on GitHub).

1. Download the latest firmware version for Mi Band 3 (file with.fw extension).
2. Connect the bracelet to the PC and start the command: mibandtool flash --fw path to file.fw
3. Wait for the firmware to be completed (the bracelet will reboot automatically).

Method 5: Reset through the hidden menu of engineering settings

Few people know, but the Mi Band 3 has a hidden engineering menu that allows you to perform diagnostics and resets without connecting to your phone, a method that doesn’t work on all versions of the firmware, but it’s worth a try.

How to open the engineering menu:

1. Go to the main screen of the bracelet (press the touch button once).
2. Scroll down to the item Still (or More in English firmware).
3. Press and hold the screen for 8-10 seconds until a menu labeled Test appears.
4. In the engineering menu, find Reset or Factory Reset and confirm your choice.

If the menu doesn’t open, try an alternative combination:

1. On the main screen, swipe left 3 times.


2 Press and hold the 5 seconds button.




3. Release when the word "Test Mode" appears.

💡

The hidden menu is not available on all Mi Band 3 firmware. If nothing happens after holding the button, your version of the software may be blocked by the manufacturer.

Frequent Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and let's look at the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The bracelet does not respond to resetting through a button

• 🔋 Reason: Battery is dead. Connect the bracelet to charge for 15 to 20 minutes, then try again.
• 🛠️ Reason: Mechanical damage to the button, check if there are cracks or dents on the body, if the button is not pressed, you will need repairs.
• 📱 Reason: Firmware conflict. Try updating the bracelet software through the Mi Fit app before resetting.

Problem 2: After resetting, the bracelet does not connect to the phone

• 🔄 Solution: Remove the bracelet from the list of Bluetooth devices on your smartphone and perform re-pairing.
• 📲 Solution: Reinstall the Mi app Fit/Zepp Life and log in again.
• 🌐 Solution: Check if the antivirus is blocking or VPN Connecting to Xiaomi servers.

Problem 3: The bracelet got stuck on the Mi logo after being reset

• 💻 Solution: If the freeze is repeated, try to reflash the bracelet through ADB (see method 4).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions