Owners of popular wearable electronics often face the need to replace or clean accessories. The question of how to remove the strap from the Xiaomi Mi fitness bracelet becomes relevant when wearing the material, wanting to change color or after intensive training. Despite the apparent simplicity of the design, inept actions can damage the silicone or even break the plastic ears of the mount.
Modern models of activity trackers, such as the Mi Band 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, have their own design features that must be considered. The mechanism of fixing the capsule at the base may vary depending on the generation of the device. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for the different versions of the wristbands so that you can safely perform the replacement.
Proper removal of the old strap extends the life of the tracker itself. Silicone has the property of accumulating sweat and pollution, so regular replacement or deep cleaning of the base is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also hygiene. Next, we will look at step-by-step instructions that will help you avoid common mistakes.
Features of the construction of the capsule fastening
Before you start to physically affect the device, you need to understand the mechanism of fixation. Most models of the Mi Band series use a system of hidden latches or tight landing. The tracker capsule is held by friction and special protrusions that enter the reactive slots of the silicone base.
Early models such as the Mi Band 2 and Mi Band 3 used a system with two hidden lock buttons, which were placed on the inside of the strap and required simultaneous pressing to release the tracker. Newer versions, starting with the fourth generation, moved to a simpler, but neat method of extraction due to the elasticity of the material.
And it's important to note that the silicone base loses its elasticity over time, and when exposed to ultraviolet light and skin fats, the material can become stiffer or too sticky, making it much harder to extract the capsule, requiring additional precautions, and understanding the type of attachment your model is the first step to a successful replacement.
- 🔹 Latch type: typical of Mi Band 2 and 3, requires spot exposure.
- 🔹 Type of mounting "traction": used in Mi Band 4-8, framed.
- 🔹 Basic material: thermopolyurethane (TPU) or silicone that affects the rigidity of the fixation.
- 🔹 Location of sensors: affects which side is more convenient to start extraction.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
To safely perform the procedure, it is recommended to prepare the work surface. It is best to use a soft-coated table or bed a towel so that the accidentally fallen cap does not scratch and fall on the floor. Good lighting also plays a critical role, since the fixtures are often small in size.
Tools can be items that are found in every home, the main requirement is that there are no sharp edges that can damage the screen or body of the tracker, plastic cards, wooden blades or even a blunt oil knife are best suited, metal tools should be used with extreme caution.
⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp metal objects (needles, knives, tweezers) to poke the capsule directly at the screen.You risk damaging the display or tightness of the body, which will deprive the device of moisture protection.
If your bracelet has recently been exposed to water or sweat, be sure to wipe it dry.Slippery hands and wet silicone can cause the tracker to pop out of your hands and fall.Dry surfaces provide better control over the process.
☑️ Preparation for the stripping
How to remove the strap on Mi Band 2 and 3
The second and third generation models have a unique design that is different from today's, where the tracker capsule is completely removable and is held at the base by two hidden locks, which are small plastic pins located on the inside of the strap.
To pull the device out, you have to flip the bracelet down, and you have to find two small indentations or protrusions on the inside of the silicone base, or protrusions, on the sides of the tracker, and you have to push both sides at the same time, and you have to push the force inward, not upward, to the center of the capsule.
Once you feel the locks have snapped, gently pull the tracker upwards. Don't put too much effort if the mechanism doesn't respond immediately. You may not have pressed the latches hard enough or wrong. In some cases, you need to sway side-to-side.
What to do if the buttons are jammed?
Replacement algorithm for Mi Band 4, 5, 6
Since the fourth version, the manufacturer has abandoned complex latches in favor of a simpler system, where the activity tracker is inserted into a through hole in a silicone frame, and fastening is done by tightly adjoining the edges of the hole to the device body.
To remove the strap, hold the bracelet in your hands so that the thumb rests on the lower part of the capsule (from the pulse sensor side), and the other fingers hold the silicone. You need to push the tracker with a thumb movement from the bottom up, while pulling one side of the silicone frame with the other hand.
The key is to step up, first release one side (like the top side), then hold it back and pull the opposite side, and then pull it out, and then you can get a lot of force out of the tracker, and the plastic body is sensitive to impacts on hard surfaces.
There is a common mistake when users try to squeeze the tracker with their nails directly through the screen or sensor, you need to press strictly on the end faces of the plastic case or on a special notch, if it is provided by the design of a specific modification.
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If the capsule is very tight, try stretching the silicone base slightly with your fingers before starting the procedure, which will warm the material and make it more malleable.
Specifics of disassembly Xiaomi Mi Band 7 and 8
The seventh and eighth versions of the fitness bracelets received an updated design, but the principle remained similar to the previous models. However, in the Mi Band 8, the design was changed even more radically: it is now not just a tracker in a rubber band, but a device with its own ears for mounting, reminiscent of a classic watch.
For the 7 Series, the process is similar to the 6: pushing the capsule out of the silicone clip. It is important to monitor the position of your fingers so that you do not close the light sensor or microphone if you plan to check the device immediately after replacing.
In the case of the Mi Band 8, the strap is removed completely differently, using standard quick-removal mechanisms or locks that are characteristic of smartwatches, you need to find a lever or button on the inside of the mount and, holding it, pull the strap to the side.
| Model of the device | Type of attachment | The necessary tool | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 2 / 3 | Hidden latches | Fingers (press) | Medium |
| Mi Band 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 | Tight landing (traction) | Fingers/Plastic card | Low. |
| Mi Band 8 | Quick-release mechanism | Fingers (lever) | Low. |
| Third-party frameworks | Variatively. | Depends on the design. | Tall. |
When working with new models, pay attention to the location of microphones and speakers. In the Mi Band 7 Pro and later, there may be several of them, and they are protected by grids. If you do not carefully extract, there is a risk of damaging these elements or filling them with silicone chips.
Problems in removal and methods of their solution
Often users are faced with a situation where the tracker is stuck in the base, which can be caused by the aging of silicone, which "stick" to the plastic, or getting dirt into the gaps, in such cases, the standard effort of the fingers may not be enough.
One effective method is to use a thin plastic card (like an old discount card) to carefully insert the edge of the card between the tracker body and the silicone, move the card around the perimeter, gradually clearing the gaps, which will evenly distribute the pressure and reduce the risk of breakage.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid using glue, solvents or alcohol to facilitate slipping.Aggressive chemicals can eat up the plastic of the case, make the screen cloudy or damage the oleophobic coating.
If the tracker is not removed, check whether the protective glass or the cover patch installed earlier interferes with it. Sometimes users forget to remove the external accessories that block the capsule from the base, and it is also worth checking whether the silicone frame itself has deformed.
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The main difficulty in removing old straps is the loss of elasticity of silicone, and heating the material with warm hands or warm water (not hot!) for a few seconds makes the process much easier.
Caring for the strap and frequent questions
After successful replacement or cleaning, it is important to ensure the right care of the accessory. Silicone and thermopolyurethane easily absorb the smells and dyes from clothing. Regular washing with warm water with mild soap will help to maintain a neat appearance.
Don't dry the strap in direct sunlight or on a hot battery. High temperatures accelerate the degradation of the material, making it brittle. It's best to leave the base to dry at room temperature in the straightened form.
Many users are interested in intergenerational compatibility, and unfortunately, the size of the capsules changes with each new version, and the Mi Band 5 base will not be suitable for the Mi Band 6 because of the differences in size and location of the sensors.