Xiaomi’s smart gadgets, including the Mi Band fitness trackers and the full-fledged Amazfit or Watch, are famous for their autonomy and stability. However, like any complex electronic device, they can encounter software errors, interface freezes or incorrect display of health data. In such situations, the user often has to resort to radical measures to bring the device back to life. Understanding how to properly reset the Xiaomi watch settings is a basic skill for any wearable electronics owner.
There are several ways to get the device back to factory status, and the choice of the specific method depends on the model of the gadget and the degree of its “locking”: some models allow you to perform the procedure directly through the menu on the screen, others require the use of a smartphone, and still others require physical impact on the buttons. It is important to determine in advance which option is suitable for your case, so as not to damage the software.
In this article, we will take a look at all the reset methods available, from software reboot to full Hard Reset, and learn about the differences between models with Wear OS and proprietary shells from Huami, and discuss what data will be lost in the process and how to prepare for the procedure to minimize inconvenience.
Preparation for the resetting procedure
Before you take any drastic action, you need to understand the consequences of a complete reset, which deletes all user data stored on the device, including your workout history, dial settings, and associated Bluetooth profiles. If your tracker or watch is synchronized with the cloud service, the data can be stored there, but the local copy will be destroyed irrevocably.
Make sure the battery charge is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to a critical firmware error, after which the gadget will turn into a "brick" and require complex recovery through the engineering menu. It is also recommended to turn off alarms and reminders to avoid unnecessary noise during system reboots.
If you plan to sell the device or transfer it to another user, be sure to unplug your Mi Account or Zepp account. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the gadget because of theft protection. To do this, go to the application settings on your smartphone and select Unplug or Unbind before starting the reset procedure.
⚠️ Warning: Before performing a full reset, make sure that all important training data is synchronized with the application server.
Check the relevance of the companion app version on your smartphone. Often, problems with sending a reset command arise from incompatibility between the watch software and the mobile app. Update Mi Fit, Zepp or Wear OS to the latest available version through the Google Play store or App Store.
What data is deleted when resetting?
Resetting settings through the menu of the device itself
The safest and most appropriate way to bring the watch back to factory settings is to use a built-in interface, a method that is available for most modern models such as the Xiaomi Watch, Redmi Watch and Mi Band trackers with color displays. Navigation on the menu may vary depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same.
To start, unlock the device screen and find the settings icon, usually indicated by a gear, in the list of parameters, you need to find the "System" or "General settings" section. This is where the software management options are hidden. In some Amazfit models, this item may be called "System" or "Profile".
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 🔍 Find Reset or Factory Reset at the bottom of the system menu.
- ✅ Click on it and confirm the action by selecting a green tick or the OK button».
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed, which takes 10 to 30 seconds.
- 🔄 The device will automatically restart and greet you with the screen of the initial setup.
Wear OS-based watch owners (like the classic Mi Watch) must act through the app menu. Press the side button, find Settings, scroll down to System, then select Connect and Reset, and finally, Settings Reset. The system will alert you to data loss, requiring reconfirmation.
☑️ Checklist before resetting through the menu
Once the procedure is completed successfully, the gadget will return to the “out of the box” state, which means that all your personalizations will be removed. If the device was unstable, this step often solves problems with interface lags or incorrect heart rate counting.
Using a mobile application for resetting
If the watch’s touch screen doesn’t respond to touch or menus are not available, you can use remote control via your smartphone. Apps Zepp (formerly Mi Fit) and Wear OS by Google provide functionality for managing connected devices, this is especially convenient when the buttons on the device’s case are locked or not working properly.
Open the app on your smartphone and go to the Profile tab. Select your watch or tracker from the device list. From the control menu that opens, look for the Device Settings or Manage section. Unbind or Reset Settings is often available here.
It is important to distinguish between two types of actions in the application:
| Action. | The result | Data retention |
|---|---|---|
| Unbind (Unbind) | Bluetooth breaks, watch ready for new | The data on the clock can be saved |
| Reset settings (Reset) | Complete deletion of data and return to factory parameters | All data is deleted |
| Delete from your account | Removes the device from the list in the cloud | Does not affect the data in the device |
For Mi Band models, it is often enough to simply select Untie, and the tracker will prompt you to reset the next time you connect. However, for a full Hard Reset, you need to go to the profile settings through the Zepp app, scroll down and select "Factory Reset." The application will send a command to the device, and the process will go automatically.
Keep in mind that to execute a command via the app, the watch must be within a radius of confident Bluetooth reception (usually up to 10 meters without obstacles).If communication is interrupted at the time of critical data transmission, the reset may not occur and you will need to repeat the procedure.
Hard Reset (Hard Reset) buttons
In situations where the system is completely got stuck, the screen is unresponsive, and the app does not see the device, the only option is hardware reset, which simulates the removal of the battery (which is impossible in modern sealed gadgets) and causes the controller to reboot in memory cleanup mode.
Hard Reset is a process that depends on the design of the device. For a single-button watch (such as the Mi Band 4/5/6), the long-button method is most often used. You need to press a touch or physical button and hold it for 15-20 seconds. At first, the device will try to just reboot, but if you continue to hold it, it will go into reset mode.
For dual-button models like the Xiaomi Watch Color or Amazfit GTR, the combination can be more complicated. Often you need to hold both buttons at the same time or hold the bottom button when the screen is off.
- ⚡ Press the bottom button on 10-15 seconds before the logo appears.
- 🔄 Once the logo appears, release the button and press it again immediately (or press the top, depending on the model).
- 🛠️ The Recovery menu (if there is a display) can appear on the screen, where you need to select "Wipe Data».
- 🔌 If there is no screen, hold the button until the vibration and the language setting logo appears.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the hardware reset process even if the screen is out. Wait for the "Mi" or "Amazfit" logo to appear, which indicates a successful system launch.
Some specific models, such as older versions of the Mi Watch, may require a charger connection during button reset, providing stable power at the peak power consumption of the memory controller.
What to do if the buttons do not respond?
Specificity of reset for different models Xiaomi and Amazfit
Xiaomi’s ecosystem includes many devices from different manufacturers (Huami, Huahuan, etc.), so the procedures may differ. For example, for the popular Mi Band 6 or Mi Band 7, there is no standard reset menu on the device itself – only through the Zepp app. Unlike them, the Redmi Watch 2 Lite already has a full menu of settings on board.
The Amazfit Bip and its counterparts require a special approach: they don't have a touch screen, and the navigation is done with a single button. To reset them, you need to go to the menu (long press), find the settings icon (cogs), scroll to the information icon (the letter "i") and there find the reset point. This is an unobvious path that often confuses users.
For flagship models on Wear OS, such as the Xiaomi Watch (first generation), the procedure is identical to resetting any Android device.However, if the watch is getting stuck on the Google logo, you may need to log into Recovery mode via a combination of buttons when you turn on (usually holding the top button + connecting charging).
It is critical to know the exact model of your device before you start manipulating, as firmware for global (Global) and Chinese (CN) versions can have different reset menu structure. Using the wrong instructions for the Chinese version of the watch can lead to the fact that you will not find the desired menu item.
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Write down the device model listed on the back cover or in the app before looking for the instructions. Different revisions of the same name (e.g. Mi Band 5 NFC and no NFC) may have the same software, but it is better to double-check.
Removal after resetting settings
Once you successfully reset your Xiaomi watch, the device can behave unpredictably. This is normal for a cold start. The first thing you do is try to find a previously paired phone. If you don't have an automatic connection, don't panic and try to reset immediately.
Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and start the app. Start the process of adding a new device ("Add device" or "+"). The app should find your watch in search mode. If it's not, try rebooting your smartphone - this clears the Bluetooth stack cache that could "remember" old erroneous connection data.
Possible problems and solutions:
- 📉 Wrong time: Immediately after connecting, the watch should sync the time with the smartphone. If this does not happen, check the permission to access the geolocation and time in the application settings.
- 🔋 Fast discharge: In the first hours after reset, the system indexes and back-end synchronization, which consumes the battery. 2-3 quietly.
- 📉 No pedometer: Sensors can be calibrated. Walk with the device 50-100 Steps to activate the accelerometer.
⚠️ Warning: If the watch is constantly booted or warmed after reset, this may indicate hardware malfunction or firmware damage.
In rare cases, you need to re-authorize your Mi Account, enter your data, and all your historical health data, if it was in the cloud, will be pulled back, and you will have to re-set the dials, because customization will fly off when you completely reset.
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A complete reset is not a panacea for all troubles. If after two consecutive resets the problem (for example, a Bluetooth dump or a pulsemeter glitches) persists, it is likely to be the hardware of the device.