Why is Mi Band 5 still relevant in 2026?
The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet, released in 2020, remains one of the most popular gadgets for tracking activity due to the optimal combination of price and functionality. Despite the release of new models (Mi Band 6/7/8), the five continues to be in demand among those who are looking for a reliable device without unnecessary bells and whistles: 14-day autonomy, pulse oximeter (measuring blood oxygen saturation), 11 sports modes and magnetic charging – all this makes the bracelet a universal assistant for sports and everyday life.
However, many users have difficulty connecting to their first account. Unlike smartphones, where the setup is intuitive, the Mi Band 5 requires the right sequence of actions, from installing the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) to synchronizing data with a Xiaomi account. In this article, we will discuss all the steps from unpacking the bracelet to hidden functions that are not written in the official instructions.
Important: if you upgraded with Mi Band 4, note that the charging connector has changed in the “five” (now magnetic, without the “capsule”), and there is also support NFC version NFC. But the basic setup procedure remained the same.
What is included in the Mi Band 5 package?
Before installing, check the contents of the box. The standard kit includes:
- 📦 The fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 5 (with a strap installed)
- 🔋 Magnetic charging cable (USB Type-A on the Adapter Connection Side)
- 📄 Short instructions in several languages (including Russian)
Note that in some regions (e.g. Europe) there may be no charging adapter on the box, only cable, and the NFC version will have the appropriate labeling on the box.
⚠️ WARNING: If the box doesn't have a magnetic cable or the bracelet doesn't turn on after charging, it could be a sign of a fake.The original Mi Band 5 has a serial number on the back of the module (under the sensor) that can be checked in the Mi Fitness app.
| Component | Appointment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 5 bracelet | Main device with AMOLED 1.1 display" | The NFC version supports contactless payments (for Chinese firmware only) |
| Magnetic cable | Charging the bracelet (full charge time ~2 hours) | Not compatible with Mi Band 4 (different contact locations) |
| Instructions | A brief guide to connecting | Does not contain information about hidden functions (e.g. music management) |
Preparation for installation: what to do before connecting
Before you start setting up, follow a few mandatory steps:
- Charge the bracelet. Even if the box says that the device is charged, connect it to the network for 30 to 60 minutes. The discharged bracelet may not turn on or interrupt the synchronization process.
- Install the Mi Fitness app. Download it from official stores: 🤖 Google Play for Android 🍎 App Store for iOS
Note: If you already have an old Mi Fit app installed, uninstall it – it doesn’t support Mi Band 5.
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Xiaomi
An important nuance for iPhone owners: on iOS, some features of the Mi Band 5 work limited, for example, you can not set the alarm through the bracelet or use music control (this is a limitation of Apple, not Xiaomi).
☑️ Preparation for the installation of Mi Band 5
How to connect Mi Band 5 to your phone
Now, to the process of connection, follow the instructions strictly in steps to avoid synchronization errors.
Step 1: Turning on the bracelet
Click on the touch button below the Mi Band 5 screen and hold it for 3-5 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- 🔋 Check the charge level (plug in to charge for 10 minutes).
- 🔄 Try rebooting the bracelet: connect to charging and hold the button for 10 seconds.
Step 2: Adding the device to Mi Fitness
Open the Mi Fitness app and do the following:
- Click on the profile icon (in the upper right corner) → Add the device.
- Choose a bracelet. → Mi Smart Band 5.
- Click Connect and allow the app to access Bluetooth and notifications.
Step 3: Sync with your account
After connecting via Bluetooth, the application will offer:
- 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware (it is recommended to do it immediately).
- ⏱ Set up the basic parameters: sex, age, weight (this affects the accuracy of calorie measurements).
- 🔔 Select notifications that will come to the bracelet (calls, SMS, messengers).
Tip: If the bracelet does not find a phone to sync, try:
- 📱 Reboot your smartphone.
- 🔄 Turn Bluetooth on/off.
- 🚫 Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in the phone settings and reconnect.
What if Mi Band 5 is not connected?
Setup of basic functions: what can be changed after connecting
After successful synchronization, go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 in the Mi Fitness app. Here you can find key settings:
| Function | Where to set up | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Lock screen | Display → Screen locking | Turn on to avoid accidental taps during sleep/workout |
| Notifications | Notifications → Management of notifications | Turn off unnecessary messengers so as not to drain the battery |
| Automatic sleep recognition | Sleep monitoring → Auto-recognition | Include for accurate sleep phase analysis (light/deep/REM) |
| Heart rate control | Heart monitoring → Frequency of measurements | Choose 1 minute to work out or 30 minutes to save your charge |
The hidden features of Mi Band 5:
- 🎵 Music management: in the bracelet menu swipe down → Select the note icon. It only works with Android (on iOS blocked).
- 🌙 Do Not Disturb: Disables notifications for a given time (More) → Don't disturb).
💡
To extend the autonomy of the bracelet, turn off the constant monitoring of heart rate (leave only manual measurement) and reduce the brightness of the screen to 2-3 divisions.
Firmware Update: Why It Matters and How to Do It Right
The Mi Band 5 firmware is responsible for stability, sensor accuracy and the availability of new features. Xiaomi regularly releases bug fixing updates (such as incorrect step counting or screen freeze) to update the firmware:
- Open Mi Fitness → go to the profile of the bracelet.
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Firmware update.
- If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (the bracelet will reboot).
Important rules for updating:
- 🔋 The charge of the bracelet must be at least 50%.
- 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi (mobile internet updates may be interrupted).
- 🚫 Don’t turn off Bluetooth or shut down the Mi Fitness app until the end of the process.
⚠️ Attention: If the update is interrupted (for example, due to the discharge of the phone), the bracelet may stop turning on. In this case, connect it to the charger and hold the button for 20 seconds to reset. If this does not help, contact the service center - self-repairing the firmware can break down.
💡
Update your firmware only through the official Mi Fitness app. Using third-party firmware (such as from sites like amazfitwatchfaces.com) is warranty-free and can lead to sensor errors.
Common mistakes and their solutions
Even after installation is done properly, users face typical problems, including the most common ones and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone. | Bluetooth crash or outdated version of Mi Fitness | Restart both devices and update the app |
| No notifications coming. | Mi Fitness Permits Disabled | Check notification settings on your phone (Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Notifications) |
| Battery discharges fast | Constant monitoring of the heart or high screen brightness | Turn off automatic pulse measurement and reduce brightness |
| Incorrect step counting | Incorrect calibration or wearing on the wrong hand | Reconfigure the step length in Profile → Step settings and wear a bracelet on a non-dominant hand |
A special case for iPhone: if after the iOS update, notifications stopped coming, follow the following steps:
- Remove the bracelet from Mi Fitness.
- Forget the device in your phone's Bluetooth settings.
- Reboot the iPhone.
- Reconnect Mi Band 5 via the app.