How to reset the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 5 on factory settings: 5 ways

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet is one of the most popular wearables, but even with it, there are sometimes problems: interface glitches, synchronization errors or the need to transfer the gadget to a new owner. In such cases, resetting to factory settings helps - a procedure that returns the bracelet to its original state, removing all user data.

In this article, you will find 5 proven reset methods (including hidden methods for unusual situations), understand when hard reset is needed and when reboot is enough, and learn how to avoid losing important data. We will also explain why the bracelet may not be reset the first time and what to do if new errors occur after reset.

All instructions are tested on current versions of the Mi Band 5 firmware (including global and Chinese) and are compatible with Mi Fit and Zepp Life. If your bracelet freezes, does not respond to touch or gives a Sync Failed error, this guide will help bring it back to life without contacting the service center.

When you need to reset Xiaomi Mi Band 5 to factory settings

Resetting is not always the first recommendation for bracelet problems, often with a simple reset (holding the 10 seconds button) or reconnecting to the phone, but there are situations when hard reset becomes necessary:

🔄 Selling or transferring a bracelet: The new owner won't be able to link the device to their account unless you delete the old peg.
🐌 Strong lags and hangs, if the bracelet brakes, doesn't respond to swipes or constantly reboots.
🔗 Synchronization errors: Persistent data failures in Mi Fit or Zepp Life, even after reinstalling the application.
🔋 Battery problems: Fast discharge, incorrect percentage of charge or inability to charge.
📱 Change your smartphone if you change your phone and can't connect the bracelet to your new device.

It is important to understand that the reset removes all data from the bracelet:

📊 Activity statistics (steps, sleep, pulse).
⚙️ Custom settings (alarm clocks, notifications, screen order).
🔑 Account binding Xiaomi/Zepp.

Data in the cloud (if synchronization is working correctly) will be saved, but local records will be lost.

⚠️ Attention: If the bracelet does not respond to touch and does not charge, the reset may not help. In this case, the problem is most likely in the hardware (battery, screen plume).

📊 Why you want to lose Mi Band 5?

Gluts and slows down.

I want to sell/gift

Not synchronized with the phone.

Other

If the Mi Band 5 screen is touch-responsive, use the built-in reset feature, which works on all firmware versions and does not require a phone connection.

Step-by-step:

Swipe your finger to the right on the screen to open the bracelet menu.
Find the Settings icon** (cog) and tap it.
Scroll down to Reset** (or Reset in English firmware).

The bracelet will reset, and you'll see the Mi logo, which means the reset was successful, and you can now connect it to your phone as a new device.

☑️ Preparation for reset via menu

Bracelet charging ≥ 30%Disconnect from the phone (in Mi Fit)Remember the current settings (to take pictures of the screens)Make sure the screen responds to touch

Done: 0 / 4

If you don't have Reset, you have outdated firmware, upgrade your bracelet through the Mi Fit app, or use alternative methods (see below).

Method 2: Reset via Mi Fit or Zepp Life

If the bracelet is synced to your phone but you don’t want to look for the reset menu on the small screen, use the mobile app, which is suitable for those who plan to continue using the Mi Band 5 after the reset.

Instructions for Mi Fit:

Open the application and go to the "Profile" section» → «Mi Smart Band 5».

Instructions for Zepp Life (if you use this firmware):

Go to "Profile» → «Mi Band 5».

Once unplugged in the app, the bracelet won't be removed from the device list - it will simply become inactive. To reconnect it, click Add Device** and follow the instructions.

Annex	The way to dump	Time to reset	Do you need a connection to the bracelet?
Mi Fit	Profile → Mi Band 5 → ⋮ → Untie.	~30 seconds	Yes.
Zepp Life	Profile → Mi Band 5 → Remove the device	~20 seconds	Yes.
Menu bracelets	Settings → Reset	~15 seconds	No.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet does not reset after detachment in the application (continues to show old data), reset through the device menu (Method 1).

Method 3: Hardware reset (if the bracelet does not respond to the screen)

If the Mi Band 5 is frozen, not turning on or the screen is not responsive to touch, a hardware reset via a physical button will help, which works even with the battery dead (if at least 5% of the charge remains).

How to make a hard reset:

Press the button for 20-30 seconds until you feel the vibration and see the Mi logo.

If nothing happens after holding the button:

🔋 Check the battery charge (plug in to charge for 10 minutes).
🧲 Try to hold the button for longer (up to 40 seconds).
🔌 Use the original charging cable – a faulty cable can block reset.

What if the bracelet does not vibrate when reset?

If there is no vibration and logo after holding the button, the touch button may have failed. In this case, try: 1. Connect the bracelet to charge and hold the button. 2. Use the reset method through the charging cable (Method 4). 3. If nothing helps, it is a hardware malfunction (requires repair).

Important: Hardware resets do not always remove the account binding. If the bracelet requests authorization after the procedure, use Method 2 (application untidy).

Method 4: Reset via charging cable (hidden method)

A little-known reset method that works even if the bracelet is completely discharged or does not respond to a button, and you will need the original charging cable from the Mi Band 5.

Instructions:

Connect the bracelet to the charger (can be power bank or computer).
As soon as the charging indicator (battery) appears on the screen, quickly touch the touch button** under the screen 5 times.
After the fifth touch, hold the button for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.

This method works thanks to the feature of the firmware Mi Band 5: when you connect to a charger, the device temporarily unlocks access to the service menu. If the first time failed, repeat the steps, holding the button longer.

If the bracelet does not show a charging indicator:

🔌 Check the cable and power supply (use the charge from the smartphone on the 5V/1A).
🧹 Clean the charging contacts on the bracelet with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
⏳ Wait 10-15 minutes – the battery may be completely discharged.

💡

If you don’t have the original cable, you can use a magnetic cable. USB-cable from other Xiaomi devices (such as Mi Band 4 or Mi Band 6), but reset efficiency may decrease.

Method 5: Reset via Mi Band Tools (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use a third-party Mi Band Tools app (available for Android), which allows you to perform a deep reset, bypass locks and even flash the bracelet.

How to reset with Mi Band Tools:

Install the app from Google Play.
Connect the bracelet to your phone via Mi Fit (the app must "see" the device).
Open Mi Band Tools and provide all the necessary permissions.
Go to the "Tools" section» → «Factory Reset».

Advantages of this method:

✅ It works even if the bracelet is blocked after a failed firmware.
✅ Allows you to choose the type of discharge (soft or full).
✅ Compatible with custom firmware.

⚠️ Note: Mi Band Tools can lead to loss of warranty if the bracelet was purchased officially, and there is a risk of "bricking" the device if you do not act correctly.

If the bracelet is not activated after resetting through Mi Band Tools:

🔄 Try to re-sweeten it through the same app.
🔋 Connect to charging for 1-2 hours (possibly the battery was discharged in the process).
📱 Reinstall Mi Fit and try to connect the bracelet as a new device.

💡

Mi Band Tools reset is an extreme method, only use it if the standard methods have failed and you understand the risks.

What to do after resetting: setup Mi Band 5 from scratch

After the successful reset, the bracelet will return to the factory settings, and now it needs to be reconfigured.

Account binding: Open Mi Fit or Zepp Life. Click Add Device» → «Mi Smart Band 5. Follow the instructions on the screen (scan required) QR-bracelet).

Data recovery

If the synchronization worked before the reset, the data will be automatically recovered from the cloud.
If not, reset the bracelet (step targets, alarm clocks, clocks).

Once anchored, it is recommended that:

🔄 Update the bracelet firmware (in Mi Fit: Profile) → Mi Band 5 → Firmware update).
🔋 Fully charge the battery (up to 100%) to calibrate the power controller.
📊 Check your sleep and heart rate settings (they are reset to default values).

If the bracelet is unstable after reset (e.g., discharges quickly or does not sync), perform another reset (hold the button for 10 seconds).

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Mi Band 5

❓ The bracelet dropped, but asks for an old account?

This means that the Xiaomi account link has not been removed. Try: Log in to an old account via Mi Fit and untie the bracelet; use Mi Band Tools to force reset the binding; contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (if the bracelet is new).

❓ When you reset the bracelet doesn't turn on?

Possible causes and solutions: 🔋 Battery discharge: connect to charging for 1-2 hours. 🔌 Faulty cable: Try another charger. 💻 Firmware failure: run the bracelet through Mi Band Tools. 🛠️ Hardware breakdown: if nothing helps, contact the service.

❓ Can I reset my bracelet without my phone?

Yes, if the screen is touch-responsive, use Method 1 (bracelet menu). If the screen is not working, Method 3 (hardware reset via a button) or Method 4 (through charging cable).

❓ Reset will remove step and sleep data forever?

The local data (on the bracelet itself) will be lost, but if it synced with Mi Fit or Zepp Life before the reset, you can recover it from the cloud after re-associating it.

❓ How often should you drop the bracelet for stable work?

Regular resets are not required. You only need to do this when there is a major failure or before you sell. You can prevent it by reloading the bracelet once a month (holding the 10 seconds button), updating the firmware regularly, clearing the cache in the Mi Fit app.