How to install and connect Xiaomi bracelet to your smartphone: full instruction 2026

Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets remain among the most popular activity tracking gadgets due to the combination of functionality, sensor accuracy and affordable price. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulties connecting a device to a phone for the first time. This article will help you understand everything from choosing the right application to solving typical synchronization errors.

We will consider not only the basic installation through official software, but also alternative methods for older models of bracelets, and also give recommendations for optimizing the work of the gadget after pairing.

1. What Xiaomi bracelets support phone connection

Xiaomi’s fitness bracelet lineup includes more than a dozen models, but not all of them are compatible with modern smartphones. Here’s the current list of supported devices (as of 2026):

• 🔹 Mi Band 8 (including Pro and Active versions)
• 🔹 Mi Band 7 / 7 Pro / 7 NFC
• 🔹 Mi Band 6 / 6 NFC
• 🔹 Mi Band 5 / 5 NFC
• 🔹 Mi Smart Band 4 (with limited functionality)

Bracelets older than Mi Band 4 (such as Mi Band 3) can connect to the phone, but require outdated versions of applications and do not support modern features like the one in the phone. SpO₂ It is also worth considering that the Chinese versions of the devices (marked) CN in the title) often have regional reference restrictions.

To check the compatibility of your model with the phone, use the official Xiaomi website or the table below:

⚠️ Note: Chinese firmware bracelets (e.g. Mi Band 8) CN) They may require binding to a Chinese Xiaomi account, and their use outside China will require flashing through Mi Band Tools or similar utilities.

2. What application is needed to connect

Xiaomi’s official bracelet management app, Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit), is available for download on Google Play and the App Store, but there are a few important nuances:

• 📱 Android requires a version not lower than 5.0 (for new bracelets – 6.0)+)
• 🍎 For iPhone, the minimum version of iOS is 10.0 (for Mi Band 8 – 12.0)+)
• 🌐 In some regions (e.g. the EU), the app may be called Xiaomi Wear due to legal restrictions.
• 🔄 Older Mi Fit versions (until 2023) do not support new bracelets since Mi Band 7

Alternative apps like Notify & Fitness or Mi Band Master offer more functionality, but may require root rights to Android or jailbreak on iOS, and are discouraged for beginners because of the risk of disrupting the bracelet’s stability.

💡

If your bracelet is not identified in Mi Fitness, try temporarily disabling the VPN or changing region in the Xiaomi account settings.

To download the official application, use direct links:

• 🤖 Mi Fitness for Android
• 🍏 Mi Fitness for iOS

3. Step-by-step instructions for connecting the bracelet

The process of pairing the bracelet with the phone takes no more than 5-7 minutes with proper preparation.

1. Activation of the bracelet If the bracelet is new, remove it from the package and charge it to at least 50%. To activate, press the touch button (Mi Band 8 has the touch area under the screen) and wait for vibrations. QR-plug-in.
2. Launch Mi Fitness Open the app and log in through your Xiaomi account (or create a new one). In the main menu, click Profile → Add device → Bracelet. Select your model from the list.
3. Bluetooth Pair: Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and allow Mi Fitness to access geodata (required for Android 10+). Bring the bracelet to your phone 10-15 cm away and wait for automatic detection. If the device is not located, click Update.
4. After a successful connection, the app will offer you to adjust the basic parameters: gender, age, weight, goals by steps, and will also be prompted to update the firmware of the bracelet - refuse to update at this stage if the charge level is below 80%.

If at some stage there is an error "Can not connect", reset the bracelet (hold the touch button for 10 seconds) and try again.

4. Set up notifications and basic functions

Once successfully connected, you need to configure key bracelet features for comfortable use. Basic settings are available in Profile → Your device in Mi Fitness.

Notifications from the phone

To make the bracelet vibrate when incoming calls and messages:

1. Go to Notifications. → Management of notifications
2. Turn on the switch Show notifications
3. Select the apps you want to receive notifications from (such as WhatsApp, Telegram)
4. Configure the display style: vibration only or with text (not available on all models)

For the iPhone, additionally required:

• 📱 Allow Mi Fitness to send notifications in iOS settings
• 🔄 Reset the bracelet after setting up

Health monitoring

In the Monitoring section, set up:

• 🩺 Heart rate (recommended every 10 minutes for balance of accuracy and autonomy)
• 😴 Sleep tracking (include the option of Deep Analysis for detailed statistics)
• 💧 Water reminder (set an interval, for example, every 2 hours)

💡

To accurately measure the pulse, the bracelet should fit tightly to the wrist (gap no more than 1 cm).Wear it 2-3 fingers above the wrist bone.

5. Solving common problems

Even with the right connection, users are faced with common errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch or is not activated:

1. Place it on charge for 30 minutes (even if the indicator doesn't burn)
2. Press and hold the touch button for 15-20 seconds for forced reboot.
3. If the screen remains black, reset via Mi Fitness (Device Settings → Reset)

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, the bracelet will return to factory settings and all data (except those stored in your Xiaomi account) will be deleted.

6. Optimization of the bracelet after connection

To ensure that the bracelet works stably and economically consumes charge, follow these recommendations:

• 🔋 Turn off unnecessary sensors: if not used SpO₂ or stress monitoring, deactivate them in settings
• 📶 Update your firmware only through a stable Wi-Fi connection (not via mobile internet)
• 🛡️ Set up energy saving on your phone: add Mi Fitness to the list of exceptions for background work
• 🔄 Synchronize data manually 1-2 Once a day to avoid losing statistics

To extend the battery life:

• Avoid full discharge of the bracelet (charge at 20-30%)
• Use the original charging cable (nameless analogues can damage contacts)
• Keep the bracelet in a dry place at a temperature of 10-35 ° C

If you use a workout bracelet, set up activity autodetection in Settings → Training.This will allow the device to automatically recognize running, walking or cycling without manually starting.

7. Alternative ways of connecting

In some cases, standard Mi Fitness connectivity is not possible.

Connection via Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit)

The Zepp Life app supports some Xiaomi bracelet models (such as the Mi Band 5/6) and offers advanced sleep analytics.

1. Download Zepp Life from Google Play or App Store
2. Create an account or sign in via Xiaomi
3. In the add-on menu, select Other devices → Mi Band
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (similar to Mi Fitness)

Connect to PC via Mi Band Tools

For advanced users who want to customize the bracelet (set custom dials, change the vibration), the Mi Band Tools utility is suitable:

• 🖥️ Install the program on PC from the official website
• 🔌 Connect the bracelet to your phone via Mi Fitness, then activate Developer Mode in the bracelet settings
• 📱 Turn on Bluetooth debugging in Mi Band Tools on your phone
• 🔄 Connect your phone to your PC and sync data through the utility

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial tools like Mi Band Tools can lead to loss of warranty and unstable bracelet performance.

8 Frequently Asked Questions