The Chinese giant’s modern wearables have become an integral part of millions of users’ lives, tracking every step and heartbeat. However, sometimes the device starts to malfunction, freeze or refuse to sync with the smartphone, in which situations the only surefire solution is to return to factory settings completely, which eliminates software failures and cleans up accumulated garbage.
The procedure for zeroing the memory of the activity tracker does not require deep technical knowledge or special equipment. All the necessary tools are already built into the software of the gadget or its companion application. Understanding the right algorithms of actions will allow you to quickly reanimate the Xiaomi Mi Band without risking damage to the hardware.
In this article, we will take a look at all the known ways to clean data, from software methods through mobile applications to forced reboot. You will learn about the intricacies of working with Zepp Life and Mi Fitness, and understand when it is necessary to hard reset. Following the instructions will help to return the device to working condition in minutes.
The main reasons for performing a data reset
The need to clean the tracker memory can arise for various reasons, and it is important to understand what kind of failure requires radical measures. Most often, users face synchronization problems when the bracelet stops transmitting pulse or sleep data to the phone, in which case the software reset helps to break an old, possibly damaged, communication session and install a new one.
Another common reason is to sell the device or give it to another family member, and before you put it into the wrong hands, you need to completely delete all personal information, including travel history and biometrics, which is a matter of your personal digital security and privacy.
⚠️ Warning: Before performing any cleaning actions, make sure you have at least 30% of the battery charged. interruption of the reset process due to battery discharge may result in the bootloader being blocked.
Also, sometimes you need to clean up after a failed firmware update that might have gone wrong, and if you notice that the touch response has gotten worse and the screen is late, that's a sure sign of the need for intervention. Software artifacts often accumulate over time, slowing down the processor.
- 🔄 Eliminating synchronization errors with a smartphone
- 🔒 Preparing the device for sale or transfer to another user
- 🐛 Fixing freezes after a failed software update
- 📉 Resetting accumulated errors in the operation of sensors
It is worth noting that regular prevention in the form of reboot helps to extend the life of the battery. Although modern lithium polymer batteries do not have a “memory effect”, software optimization of background processes after reset often gives an increase in autonomy.
Preparation of the gadget and smartphone for the procedure
Before you go into action, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps that ensure the success of the operation. The first thing to check the battery level on the tracker itself. If the indicator shows less than 20%, put the device on charge and wait for full recovery of energy.
The second important step is to ensure a stable connection between the wristband and the phone, and make sure that Bluetooth is on and that the distance between the devices is minimal. Sometimes, to successfully execute the detachment command, it is required that the gadget be in close proximity to the smartphone, literally within a radius. 10-15 centimeters.
☑️ Preparation for discharge
It is also recommended to update the companion app to the latest version available in the store. Developers are constantly making changes to the interface and algorithms, so the old version of the program may not display the settings menu correctly. Check for updates for Zepp Life or Mi Fitness in Google Play or App Store.
If you plan to delete your account completely, remember your credentials beforehand. After the reset, you will need to re-register, and losing your password can be a nasty surprise. You can save important training data through the in-app export function, if such an option is available in your version of the software.
The method of detachment through the Zepp Life application
The most common way to manage Mi Band trackers is the Zepp Life app (formerly known as Mi Fit), which is the software that performs the standard unbundling procedure, which is essentially a soft reset of connection settings. First, open the app and go to the Profile tab in the lower right corner of the screen.
From the device list, select your bracelet. You'll see a page with detailed statistics and settings for a particular device. Scroll down the options list, where you usually find system settings. Find Unlink or Unlink and click on it.
The system will request confirmation of your actions, warning that all data will be deleted from the device, after confirmation, the process of disconnection will begin, which will take a few seconds, at which time a vibration or corresponding icon may appear on the tracker screen.
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After the detachment in the app, it is also recommended to remove the device from the Bluetooth list in the settings of the phone itself to avoid conflicts when pairing again.
It's important to understand the difference between just disconnecting and completely resetting. An application undock often just clears the encryption keys and deletes the profile, but doesn't affect the encryption keys.
It's a deep system firmware file, and for most users, that's enough to solve the connection problems.
- 📱 Open the Zepp Life app and go to Profile
- 🔗 Select your Mi Band from the list of devices
- 🗑️ Press the "Unlock" button at the bottom of the screen
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window
If the bracelet continues to behave strangely after detachment, such as showing the wrong time immediately after switching on, a deeper cleaning may be required, but in 90% of cases this procedure solves the problem of desynchronizing steps and notifications.
Using the Mi Fitness app for new models
For newer models like the Mi Band 7, 8 and above, and the Xiaomi Watch, the company has switched to the Mi Fitness app (formerly Xiaomi Wear).The interface here is slightly different, but the logic remains similar. Open the app and go to Devices or Profile.
Select the connected gadget from the list. In the menu that opens, find the device settings section, which is often indicated by a gear or three dots in the corner. In this menu, look for the option "Untie the device" or "Reset".
The process in Mi Fitness can take a little longer because of the more complex data structure transmitted by the new models. During the procedure, don't turn off the smartphone screen and keep the application active. Interrupting the process during the command transfer stage can lead to the bracelet remaining in standby mode.
⚠️ Warning: If you change your phone, be sure to untie the device in the app before installing the Mi Fitness on the new gadget.
Once the procedure is completed successfully, the tracker will return to the “out of the box” state, and a welcome message or brand logo will appear on the screen, after which the device will go into pairing search mode, and now it can be linked to a new account or reconnected to the current one as a new device.
Hard Reset via the device menu
In situations where software methods through the smartphone do not work or the application does not see the bracelet, you have to resort to methods available directly on the device. Most models of Xiaomi Mi Band do not have a physical button, so control is through the touchpad or single-button (in older models).
To perform Hard Reset, you need to go to the settings menu of the tracker itself, usually the path is: swipe left or right until you find the Settings item (the gear icon).
In some firmware versions, especially on global versions, the reset option may be hidden. If you find a "Reset" or "Factory Reset", click on it and hold your finger on the screen (or button) for 3-5 seconds to confirm.