Wearable electronics owners from Xiaomi and Huami periodically face situations when the gadget starts to work incorrectly, this can be expressed in desynchronization of data, freeze the interface or the appearance of strange errors that do not disappear after a simple reboot, in which case the only effective solution is a complete return to factory parameters, known as a reset or hard reset.
The procedure for cleaning the device’s memory requires careful attention, as it irrevocably deletes all accumulated data about physical activity, dial settings and pairings. Before starting any manipulations, it is critical to make sure that you understand the consequences of this action and prepare backups of important data, if this is possible with the application used.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available ways to restore the health of smartwatches and fitness bracelets. We will look at the standard methods through the menu of the device itself, remote reset via the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life mobile application, as well as emergency methods for completely locked gadgets.
When you need a complete reset of your smartwatch
Understanding when to tamper with the system files of a wearable device helps to avoid unnecessary loss of data, which is often used when users notice that the pulsemeter stops reading or sleep data stops being transmitted to the smartphone, a classic sign of a software error that can be eliminated by cleaning the system cache.
Another common reason is to sell the device or transfer it to another user, in which case the reset is necessary to break the Bluetooth connection and delete all personal profiles, without which the new owner will not be able to register the gadget to his account, since the device will consider itself assigned to the previous owner.
- 🔄 The watch no longer responds to touches of the screen or physical buttons.
- 📉 A sharp drop in the autonomy of work, not associated with battery wear.
- 📡 Permanent breaks of connection with the smartphone when in the range.
- 🔒 Forgot the screen unlock pin (if the model supports this function).
It is worth noting that software failures often occur after a failed firmware update. If a new firmware version is downloaded, the system files may become corrupted, in which case the reset helps to re-initiate the system partitions and start the device normally.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting does not eliminate physical damage. If the screen is broken or the button is physically infested, the software methods will be useless and can aggravate the situation.
It's also relevant when you change the operating system on your phone, when you switch from Android to iOS or vice versa, old configuration files can conflict with the new environment, and a clean start ensures that all synchronized services work smoothly.
Preparation of the device for the restoration of factory parameters
Before you start cleaning, you have to do a series of preparatory steps, which minimizes the risk that the device will shut down at the most inopportune moment, and the first and most important condition is the battery level, which should be at least 50-60% to ensure that the process is complete.
The second step is to check the connection stability. If you plan to control the process via a smartphone, make sure that the Bluetooth module is working correctly. Some models require an active Internet connection to confirm the operation or download the necessary system files before cleaning.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Be sure to check the companion app version. Outdated versions of Mi Fit or Zepp Life may not display device status correctly or have an up-to-date reset command. Updating the app to the latest version from the official store is a must for compatibility.
If you have third-party dials on your watch, keep in mind that the standard interface design will return after the reset. All downloaded additional themes will be deleted and you will have to download them again.
Method 1: Reset via the device's own menu
The most direct method, which does not require a smartphone at hand, is available on models with a touch screen and advanced functionality, such as the Xiaomi Watch or Amazfit. First, you need to unlock the screen and go to the main menu, usually called by swipe or pressing the bottom button.
In the list of applications, find the Settings icon (often looks like a gear) inside the menu, you will need to scroll down to the bottom where the system options are located. We are interested in System or About device, depending on the version of the HyperOS shell or Wear OS.
- 👆 Click on "System" or "Additional».
- 🗑️ Select the option “Reset” or “Factory Reset».
- ✅ Confirm the action by clicking on the green tick or entering the pin code.
- ⏳ Wait for the brand logo to appear and the reboot to be completed.
It is important to understand that on non-touch screen models (classic Mi Band fitness bracelets without a display or with a monochrome screen), this method may not be available or implemented through a hidden menu.
What to do if the menu does not open?
Once the operation is confirmed, the device will alert you that all data will be deleted, which is the last line of protection against random actions, and once you press the confirmation button, a process that takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes will begin.
Method 2: Remote reset via Mi Fitness or Zepp
This method is the most common and convenient for most users of the Xiaomi ecosystem: it allows you to control the device from a large and convenient smartphone screen. Open the application that is used to synchronize data (formerly it was Mi Fit, now it is Mi Fitness or Zepp Life).
Go to the Profile tab in the lower right corner of the screen. In the list of connected devices, select your watch or bracelet. You will see the device management page, which displays the current charge, firmware version and available actions.
Scroll down to the bottom. You'll find the Unbind button, or Unbind. Pressing this button initiates the disconnection process. The system will ask for confirmation, warning you that the data will be deleted from the wearable gadget, but will remain in the account cloud.
There is a nuance with models running Wear OS (such as the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro). In the Google Wear OS application, the process can be different: you need to select a device, click on the settings gear and choose to Break the pair. This action automatically triggers a reset on the clock.
⚠️ Note: When uncoupled through the app, the training data is usually stored in the cloud profile, but local settings, such as the order of display of widgets on the dial, will be lost irretrievably.
Once successfully untied, the watch will go into pairing mode, waiting for a new connection. QR-This is a signal that the procedure has been successful and the device is ready for a new setup.
Method 3: Emergency reset for got stuck models
In situations where the device does not respond to touch or button presses, and the app on the phone shows the status of “Not connected”, emergency measures are required, often the only way to resuscitate the gadget after a critical failure.
For touchscreen and single-button models (such as the Amazfit GTS/GTR series), there is a hard-reset method that triggers a reset in some cases. You need to pinch the side button and hold it for 20-30 seconds. The device can vibrate several times - do not release the button until the logo appears.
If standard retention doesn't work, you can try the discharge method. Leave the device on until the battery runs out completely and the clock shuts down on its own. Then put it on charge. When you turn on at low charge, some models automatically start the system recovery procedure.
| Model of the device | Resetting method | Retention time | Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 6/7/8 | Through the app | N/D | Vibration + Logo |
| Xiaomi Watch S1 | Menu + Button | 10 seconds. | Vibration. |
| Amazfit Bip | Settings menu | N/D | smiley face |
| Redmi Watch | Long press. | 20 seconds | Redmi logo |
For some specific models, such as the Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite, there is a combination of actions: holding the button while charging. However, this method is less predictable and depends on the version of the firmware.
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If the watch is on but the screen is black (no picture), try bright lighting with a flashlight. AMOLED-In the matrices in the Always-On Display mode, the interface can be simply very dull, and you consider the device to be off.
Data recovery and reconfiguration
After successfully completing the reset procedure, the device returns to the "out of the box" state.The welcome screen will prompt you to select a language and scan. QR-At this point, it's important to take your time and follow the instructions on the screen carefully.
When you reconnect to Mi Fitness or Zepp, the system will prompt you to restore data from a backup. If you previously synced data to the cloud, your steps, weights and heart rate statistics will return in full, thanks to your link to Mi Account or Zepp account.
- 📲 Open the application and click "Add device».
- 🔍 Find your model in the list or scan it. QR-code.
- 📥 Allow all requested accesses (geolocation, notifications).
- 🔄 Wait for a firmware update if requested.
Note that the notification settings from apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, calls) will reset. You will have to re-allow notifications from specific programs to be displayed in the app’s watch management menu.
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Always check for firmware updates after a reset, and often it is the new version that fixes the bugs that led you to need to reset.
For privacy-conscious users, it is important to know that after unbundling and resetting, the previous owner loses access to the device’s geolocation and data, making it safe to sell or transfer to third parties.
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
During the reset process, users can encounter various problems, one of the most common is the “failed to untie” error or connection timeout, which often occurs due to an unstable Bluetooth signal, the solution is simple: get closer to the router or phone, turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone.
Another problem is the endless bootloop cycle after reset, and if the logo appears and disappears indefinitely, it could indicate damage to the system partition, which may require flashing the device through special engineering software, which is a complicated procedure.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to disassemble the device or open the case if it hits the bootloop. this will deprive you of warranty and, most likely, will not solve the software problem.
There is also a situation where the clock is reset but not visible when looking for new devices, in which case you need to delete the old watch records from the Bluetooth settings of the phone itself ("Forget the device") and only then start searching again.
Remember, a full reset does not restore previously deleted data unless it has been synchronized with the cloud before the reset. The local memory of the watch is completely cleared, and it will be impossible to recover steps from the past week without a cloud backup.