The Chinese giant’s modern wearables have become an integral part of the lives of millions of users around the world. However, like any sophisticated electronics, they can sometimes malfunction, freeze or refuse to sync with a smartphone. In such situations, the most effective solution is often to completely reset the parameters to factory values, a procedure that returns the device to its original state by removing accumulated software debris and configuration errors.
Many owners are afraid to perform Hard Reset for fear of permanently ruining the gadget, but in fact it is a regular feature. It is important to understand the difference between a simple shutdown and a deep recovery. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of this procedure for various models, including the Mi Band fitness bracelets and the full-fledged Amazfit and Xiaomi Watch smartwatches.
Before you start taking action, you need to make sure that you have actually exhausted other troubleshooting options. Sometimes the problem is that the app on your phone is not working properly or that Bluetooth connection is temporarily out of order. However, if the gadget is behaving unpredictably, resetting is a necessary step to restore it to work.
There are several ways to bring the device back to life, and the choice of method depends on the specific model and the degree of its “load”. Some activity trackers allow you to clean directly through the menu, while others require the use of third-party software or special combinations of buttons. Resetting completely removes all the data about training, notifications and bindings stored in the device’s memory.
Preparation of the gadget for the procedure of resetting
Before you start the recovery process, it is critical to conduct a number of preparatory activities. Ignoring this stage may result in the fact that after a reboot you will not be able to reconnect the device or lose important health data. Make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60%, as a sudden disconnection during memory formatting can damage the software shell.
It’s also worth checking the firmware version. Sometimes the problems with the work are solved by simply updating the software through the Zepp Life or Mi Fitness app. If you are determined to perform a reset, make sure that you have access to the account to which the device is associated, as after cleaning, you will need to re-authorize.
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Before resetting, be sure to back up data in a companion app if such a feature is available for your model so as not to lose your long-term activity history.
Here is a list of things to do before the procedure:
- 🔋 Charge the device to at least half to avoid turning off at a critical moment.
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone is nearby and Bluetooth is enabled for possible re-synchronization.
- 🔑 Remember your Mi or Google account password if your watch needs to be unlocked.
- 📝 Write down important settings that you changed manually to quickly restore them later.
Once you've done these steps, you can go directly to reset methods, and remember that uncoupling the device in the app before resetting on the clock is often a prerequisite for successful re-pairing in the future.
Resetting settings through the menu on smart watches
The most civilized and safe way to get the device back to factory settings is to use an embedded interface, a method that is available for most modern models such as the Xiaomi Watch S1, Amazfit GTR/GTS series and more advanced versions of the Mi Watch. The interface may differ depending on the operating system installed (Wear OS or proprietary RTOS), but the logic of actions remains similar.
Usually, the path to the desired function is through the main settings menu. You will need to find the partition responsible for the system or general parameters. In some cases, the reset option can be hidden in the submenu "About device" or "System settings." Be careful when navigating, as the touch screen can react with a delay if the system is severely overwhelmed with errors.
⚠️ Warning: Once confirmed, all data, including dials and downloaded songs, will be permanently deleted.
The algorithm for most touch screen models is as follows:
- 👆 Unlock the watch screen and go to the main app menu.
- ⚙️ Find and open the Settings section (Settings).
- 🔄 Select System or More Settings (More Settings).
- 🗑️ Click on Factory Reset and confirm the action.
The process takes between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, which may show the brand logo or progress indicator on the screen, and do not attempt to interrupt the process with the press of buttons, as this may damage the bootloader.
☑️ Checklist before resetting via menu
Use of an application for detachment and cleaning
Often, users are faced with a situation where the watch is getting stuck and does not respond to touch, but is visible in the Bluetooth list of the smartphone. In this case, the initiative can be intercepted through a companion app. For the Xiaomi ecosystem, this can be Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit), Mi Fitness or Amazfit. This method is especially relevant if the interface on the watch itself is not available.
The procedure begins with removing the device profile from the application, which sends a command to the device to break the connection and often initiates the cleaning of the pairing data. However, it is worth noting that not all models result in a full Factory Reset. Sometimes you need to additionally reset in the application itself after detachment.
Let’s take a look at the basic steps for popular apps:
- 📲 Open the application and go to the device profile.
- 🔻 Scroll down to the end of the options list.
- ❌ Press the Unpair button or Remove Device button).
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
After that, the gadget should reboot and return to the pairing standby mode. If this does not happen, and the screen remains black or hangs on the screensaver, a forced reboot method or the use of hardware buttons will be required.
What if the app doesn’t see the clock?
Hardware reset and reboot for different models
In situations where software methods are powerless, physical buttons come to the rescue. Xiaomi and Amazfit devices often feature forced reboot or recovery mode, especially for single-button models like the Mi Band 4/5/6/7 or Amazfit Bip.
For activity trackers without a touch screen (or with limited functionality), the pumping method of the charger is often used. Connecting to a power source can activate the screen and allow you to enter the menu if the system is not dead.
Compare the methods for different series of devices:
| Model of the device | Resetting method | Duration of retention | The result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 4-7 | Menu (More -> Factory Reset) | 3 seconds (confirmation) | Total reset |
| Amazfit Bip/U | Button (15 seconds) | 15-20 seconds | Reboot. |
| Xiaomi Watch | Settings -> System | No hold. | Factory Reset |
| Redmi Watch | Settings -> System | No hold. | Factory Reset |
For the Amazfit series, the combination often works: hold the button 15-20 seconds before vibration. This is the analog of Hard Reset on smartphones. If the device responds to touch, but the menu does not open, try to press the off button for 10 seconds for a forced restart, and then quickly enter the settings.
⚠️ Note: Do not use metal objects to press buttons if they are recessed in the case to avoid short circuit or damage to leakage.
Solving problems after discharge
Once the reset procedure is successfully completed, the device must behave like a new one just removed from the box. However, the setup process can run into difficulties. The most common problem is that the watch is not visible when searching via Bluetooth or the app cannot complete the pairing. This is often due to the fact that the old profile is left in the phone's memory.
You need to go to your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings, find a forgotten device (such as the Mi Band 5 or Amazfit GTS) and click “Forget this device” or “Steam.” Only after the Bluetooth cache is completely cleared can you start searching again, and it is also recommended to restart the smartphone before you try again.
If the clock is turned on, but the screen is turned off or is not working correctly:
- 🔋 Put the device on charge. 30-40 minutes, even if the indicator shows full charge.
- 🌡️ Let the gadget lie at room temperature if it overheats.
- 🔄 Try resetting again if the first attempt was wrong.
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If the clock continues to freeze after reset and reset, the problem may not be in the device, but in the version of the app on the smartphone - try updating or reinstalling Zepp Life / Mi Fitness.
In rare cases, a firmware update may be required after a reset, and the system will suggest it when you first connect to the Internet via your phone, and don't ignore this suggestion, as newer versions of software often contain bug fixes that may have caused the reset to be necessary.
Frequent errors and ways to fix them
Users often encounter typical errors when trying to return a device to factory settings, one of the most common being a message that says "failed to reset" or an endless reboot cycle, which can be due to lack of space in the system partition or damage to the file system.
If the watch is bootloop (infinitely rebooting), try to leave it on charge for several hours. Sometimes low battery power prevents you from completing critical cleaning processes. In the case of models based on Wear OS (for example, TicWatch or Xiaomi Watch S1), it can help to enter Recovery mode through a combination of buttons, if one is provided by the manufacturer.
Also worth mentioning is the sensor problem. Once the pulsemeter or accelerator is reset, the first ones may not work properly. 10-15 You don't have to rush the device into service, give it time to stabilize, and if the problem persists for more than an hour, there may be a hardware malfunction.
Remember that regularly restarting your device (once a week) helps avoid the accumulation of system debris and reduces the likelihood of needing a complete reset in the future.