Smart activity trackers Xiaomi Mi Band 3 have proven to be reliable assistants in tracking health, but even time-tested gadgets sometimes fail. Periodically, users face situations when the device stops syncing with the smartphone, freezes or displays incorrect heart rate data, in which cases the only right solution is a complete reset to factory state.
The process of data zeroing may be necessary not only when the breakdown, but also when changing the owner of the tracker or transferring it to another person. It is important to understand that resetting the settings will remove all the accumulated statistics from the bracelet itself, so before starting the procedure, make sure that important data has already been transferred to the cloud or application. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to return the device to its original state.
Many Mi Band 3 owners mistakenly believe that a reset requires a computer or complex manipulation of soldering contacts. In fact, the recovery procedure is as simple as possible by developers and takes only a few minutes, the main thing is to follow the algorithm of actions clearly so as not to damage the tracker software.
When you need a full reset of the tracker Xiaomi
There are clear signs that you need to interfere with the software part of the gadget, and most often, a factory reset is required when the Bluetooth connection is constantly broken when the phone stops "seeing" the bracelet.
Another common reason is that the sensors are not working properly. If the Mi Band 3 is starting to show a resting pulse of 120 beats per minute or the pacer counts thousands of steps while you sleep, it's a clear signal of a software failure.
Sometimes the problem is not the device itself, but the software version conflict. After a major update to the Mi Fit (or Zepp Life) application, the old configuration data can cause errors, in which case cleaning the tracker memory allows you to eliminate the incompatibility and establish the correct exchange of data.
- 🔴 The tracker is constantly hanging and does not respond to the touch button presses.
- 🔴 Data synchronization is lost despite Bluetooth enabled.
- 🔴 Sensors show clearly erroneous values (pulse, steps, sleep).
- 🔴 You are planning to sell or give the device to a new owner.
⚠️ Warning: Before performing the reset, make sure that the battery charge is at least 20-30%. If the device turns off during the process of overwriting system files, it can turn into a “brick».
Preparation for the procedure: important nuances
Before you start active, you need to properly prepare the smartphone-bracelet bundle.The first step should always be to back up the data if you plan to use the tracker further.The Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit) usually does this automatically, but it's best to check the synchronization relevance manually.
The second important aspect is to update the app to the latest version: Older versions of the software may not properly handle reset commands sent to the fitness tracker. Go to your smartphone app store and make sure you have an up-to-date release installed.
It’s also worth checking if the bracelet is connected to other devices.If the Mi Band 3 was previously paired with another phone, it should be “forget” in the Bluetooth settings of that device. Having an active connection with a foreign gadget can block reset or detachment attempts.
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Before resetting, open the Zepp Life app and force the data to be updated by pulling the screen down, ensuring that all your statistics are stored in a cloud profile.
Don't ignore battery charge checks. Although the reset process doesn't require much power, a sudden shutdown at a critical moment can disrupt the power controller. If the indicator shows low charge, set the tracker on charge for 15-20 minutes before the procedure begins.
Method 1: Uncoupling with the Zepp Life app (Mi Fit)
The safest and most correct method of resetting is to use official software, which ensures that all settings are reset correctly and that the user's account is terminated with the device without errors.
Go to the Profile tab in the lower right corner of the screen. In the list of My devices, find your Mi Band 3. Click on the tracker name to enter the device management menu. Here we are interested in the option "Untie" or "Unbind".
After pressing the button, the system will request confirmation of the action. The application will warn that all data will be deleted from the bracelet, but will remain in the account profile. Confirm the action, and the process of disconnecting the connection begins. At this point, the bracelet interface may blink, and the device will return to the welcome screen with the Mi logo.
☑️ Checklist of the right detachment
It's important to note that just removing an app from your phone or turning off Bluetooth is not resetting. The data stays in the tracker's memory, and when reconnected, it can jarg again, which is why software uncoupling through the menu is a must.
If the bracelet has not reset itself after detachment, but has simply gone out, try touching the touch zone. If there is no reaction, put it on charge. Usually, after successful detachment, the Mi Band 3 goes into pairing waiting mode, as you can see from the vibration when approaching the phone.
Method 2: Reset through the menu of the bracelet itself
In some situations, access to the app on the phone may be lost, or the smartphone is temporarily unavailable, in which case you can try to reset directly through the Mi Band 3 interface. However, it is worth remembering that the functionality of the tracker menu is limited, and the full item "Factory Reset" may not be in the usual form.
To start, unlock the tracker screen by tapping the touch button. Flick the screens left or right until you find the option “Additional” (three-dot or gear icon, depending on the firmware version).
If the Reset option is missing, which is common on standard firmware, you can try a forced reboot. To do this, find the “Switch off” option (if any) or just wait for the battery to drain completely, although the latter method is not recommended due to possible damage to the battery.
⚠️ Warning: Don't chaotically press the touch button while searching for menus.Mi Band 3's interface is sensitive and you can accidentally trigger a workout or alarm clock, which will knock your settings down.
Once the reset is confirmed through the menu, the device should vibrate and reboot.The screen will go out and the Mi logo will appear in a few seconds.This means that the reboot cycle is started and the settings return to factory settings.
Note that menu resets don’t always delete all cached data as cleanly as app uncoupling, so if your goal is to fix sync errors, the Zepp Life method remains a priority.
Problems: If the bracelet is not reset
There are times when standard methods don't work, the bracelet can hang on the logo, not respond to touch, or endlessly try to connect to the phone, and in these situations, a deeper approach to solving the problem is required, often with a simple but effective cold reboot procedure.
Put the tracker on the charger connected to USB-port of the computer (not power bank or fast charging of the smartphone). 10-15 Sometimes a steady low-voltage current will cause the controller to restart the system and exit the error cycle.
If the software methods are powerless, you can try the discharging method. Leave the Mi Band 3 to lie down until it's completely depleted until it stops responding even to the charging connection. Then set it to charge. When you turn it on after you've completely discharged, the device often resets temporary errors.
- 🔵 Try clearing the Zepp Life app cache in Android settings.
- 🔵 Remove the device from the Bluetooth list in your phone settings.
- 🔵 Reinstall the application on the smartphone again.
- 🔵 Use another smartphone to try pairing and resetting.
What to do if only the charger is on fire?
In rare cases, the problem may be hardware: If the tracker heats up when trying to reset or behaves inadequately after all the manipulations, the battery or memory controller may have failed, in which case hardware repair may not be feasible due to the cost.
Setup after reset: first run
After a successful reset, the Mi Band 3 goes into pairing mode, and the screen should show vibration and, possibly, the camera will be able to perform the reset, QR-Now you need to reconnect the tracker to the smartphone so that it becomes a useful tool.
Open the Zepp Life app and click Add Device. Select the device type, "Bracelet" (or "Mi Band"). The app will start a search. At that point, hold the bracelet close to your phone. When your tracker appears on the list, click on it.
The bracelet screen and smartphone should show identical confirmation codes. Tap the touch button on the tracker to confirm pairing. Then you start synchronizing the time and setting the profile. Make sure the time zone is set correctly, otherwise the notifications will come with a shift.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended setting |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist lifting | Included. | Turn on (you can turn off for savings) |
| Notifications | Off. Off. | Enable for the desired applications |
| Purpose of steps | 5000 | Set up individually (e.g. 10,000) |
| Time format | 12 hours. | 24 hours (more convenient for the CIS) |
Don't forget to set up notifications. By default, they're all turned off to save power. Go to the bracelet settings in the app, select "Application Notifications" and activate the messengers that are important to you. This will allow Mi Band 3 to vibrate when incoming calls and messages.