Fitness trackers often face situations where a smart device starts to work incorrectly, freezes or refuses to sync with the phone. In such cases, the only right solution is a complete reset to factory condition. The procedure for returning the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 to its original state does not require complex technical skills, but requires attention to detail to avoid losing important health data.
There are two main ways to do this: through the tracker's menu itself or through the Mi Fit mobile app (now renamed Xiaomi Wear).The method depends on whether the touch screen responds to your touch and whether the Bluetooth connection works. If the bracelet is completely locked, you will have to use a hardware method.
Before any manipulations, we strongly advise you to make sure that the battery is at least 20-30%. Interrupting the reset process due to discharge can lead to a software error, after which the device will have to be carried to the service center.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Before you start the process of cleaning the memory, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps, which will help you avoid losing important training and sleep statistics that you have accumulated for months, if you have the opportunity, back up the data through the cloud service or sync the tracker with the application right before resetting.
It’s also worth checking if your bracelet is tied to your Mi Account, which may require re-authorization.In some cases, older Bluetooth settings may interfere with the new connection, so it’s a good idea to remove the device from the phone’s paired list.
It's important to understand the difference between a reboot and a full reset. A reboot just shuts down and turns on the system, saving all your data, whereas a reset removes user settings. If your goal is just to eliminate a small glitch, try first just turning off and turning on the tracker through the menu.
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Before reset, open the Mi Fit app and force the data to be updated by pulling the screen down so that the last static goes to the server.
Resetting settings through the menu of the bracelet itself
This is the most preferred method if the device's screen is touch-sensitive and the menu is stable, allows you to quickly clear the data without having to search for a smartphone or open additional applications. The interface of the Mi Band 5 is quite intuitive, but requires accurate actions.
To start, unlock the screen and scroll through the main menu until you find the "Additional" item or the gear icon. Depending on the firmware version, this section may be called differently, but it's usually at the bottom of the feature list. We need to get into the deep menu of the system.
- 🔍 Find and select System or Settings in the lower menu.
- 🔄 Scroll through the list of options to the item “Reset” or “Unbind” (Unbound).
- 👆 Press the screen and hold your finger for a while. 3-5 seconds to confirm the action.
- ✅ Wait for the vibration and appearance of the Mi logo, which signals the beginning of the cleanup.
Once confirmed, the system will automatically restart, all your personal data, including dial settings, alarm clocks and step targets, will be deleted, and the bracelet will return to the state it was in immediately after purchase in the store.
☑️ Reset algorithm through menu
⚠️ Warning: After resetting through the bracelet menu, it can automatically break the connection to the phone, but doesn't always remove itself from the smartphone's Bluetooth device list. manually remove the tracker from the phone's Bluetooth settings to avoid conflicts when you next connect.
Uncoupling and resetting via the Mi Fit app
If the touch screen is intermittent or you prefer to control the device from your phone, use the official application. This is the most reliable way, as it is guaranteed to correctly break the connection and clear the cache on the server side.
Open the Mi Fit or Xiaomi Wear app on your smartphone. Make sure the bracelet is connected and displayed on the home screen. Go to the Profile tab in the lower right corner of the interface, where all your connected devices are displayed.
In the list of devices, find your Mi Smart Band 5 and click on it. The control page will open, where you will scroll down to the very end, and there you will see the "Untie" or "Unbind" button, and pressing this button will initiate the process of disconnecting the connection.
- 📱 Open the application and go to the device profile.
- 🗑️ Click the "Untie" button at the bottom of the screen.
- ⚠️ Confirm the action in the pop-up warning window.
- ⏳ Wait for the report of the successful completion of the operation.
After that, the bracelet will automatically go into the pairing waiting mode. QR-The data on the bracelet itself will be cleared, but the history in the app will remain if you do not delete the account completely.
What to do if the button is inactive?
Hardware reset and reset when getting stuck
Situations where the Xiaomi Band 5 stops responding to touch and does not turn off in the standard way are rare, but require a special approach. Unlike smartphones, bracelets do not have a physical button to reboot, so you have to use software crutches.
The first and easiest method is charging. Connecting the tracker to the charger often triggers a hardware interrupter that can "wake up" the system or, conversely, reboot it if it's getting stuck. Leave the device on charge for 10-15 minutes.
If charging doesn't work, you can try the "deep discharge" method. Leave the bracelet on until the battery completely sits down and it shuts down itself. Then put it on charge. When turned on, the system often conducts self-testing, which can eliminate the software failure.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble the body of the Mi Band 5 to close the battery contacts if you do not have experience.The bracelet capsule is filled with sealant, and the violation of the integrity of the body will lead to loss of moisture protection and warranty.
There is also a reset method, but it only works if the Bluetooth module is alive. Try to find the device through third-party Bluetooth scanning apps on the phone and send a command to shut down if such a feature is available in diagnostic software.
Comparison of data dumping methods
The choice of cleaning method depends on the current state of your gadget, and to make it easier for you to determine, we have prepared a comparative table that shows the pros and cons of each method, which will help you save time and choose the right path.
| Method | We need a phone. | Data retention in the annex | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the wristband menu | No. | Yes (automatically) | Low. |
| Through the Mi Fit app | Yes. | Yes. | Low. |
| Full discharge. | No. | No (data lost) | Medium |
| Third-party software | Yes (PC/Phone) | Depends on the software. | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, standard methods through menus or apps are the most secure, ensuring that your data stays in the cloud and your device returns to factory settings without the risk of damage to hardware.
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Use the Mi Fit app to unbundle if you plan to sell the bracelet or transfer it to another user – this ensures that the binding to the account is completely removed.
Frequent post-reset problems and their solution
Once you have done the reset, there may be some common problems, and most users will find that the bracelet is not visible to the phone when they search again, which is normal as the device goes into standby mode.
If the phone doesn't see the tracker, make sure that the old connection's Bluetooth settings don't have a record of the Mi Band 5. If you have one, click "Forget the device." Only then start the search in the app again. Sometimes a simple Bluetooth reboot on the smartphone helps.
Another problem is that you don't synchronize your time, and when you reset, the watch on the wristband can get lost, and the time automatically pulls up from the phone right after you pair it successfully and log in to the app for the first time, and if that doesn't happen, check the permissions for the app in your phone settings.
- 📡 Check if it's on. GPS geolocation on the phone (required for search).
- 🔋 Make sure the bracelet is at least 50 times charged%.
- 📲 Reinstall the Mi Fit app if the problem persists.
⚠️ Warning: When reconnecting, the bracelet may suggest updating the firmware. Don't interrupt this process and keep the device next to the phone.