How to install and configure Xiaomi Mi Band 3: from unpacking to the first workouts

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables thanks to its combination of affordable price, compact design and wide functionality. Even years after its release, it does not lose its relevance — especially among those who value reliability and simplicity. However, beginners often have questions about how to properly connect the bracelet to the phone, configure notifications or synchronize data with the Mi Fit application.

In this article, we’ll take the Mi Band 3 installation process from scratch, from unpacking to the first steps in training, learn how to avoid typical pairing errors, what settings to change immediately after you connect, and how to make the most of the bracelet’s capabilities. And if you’ve already had experience with other versions of the Mi Band, you’ll find a comparison of the key differences between the Mi Band 3 and the newer models.

Preparation for installation: what will be needed

Before you start setting up the Xiaomi Mi Band 3, make sure you have everything you need. Unlike modern NFC or GPS bracelets, the Mi Band 3 requires a minimum set of accessories, but some points are still worth checking in advance.

First, check the compatibility of your smartphone. The bracelet works with devices on Android 4.4+ or iOS 9.0+, but for full synchronization of data (for example, notifications from messengers) you may need a more recent version of the OS. Also make sure that the phone is enabled Bluetooth 4.0 and geolocation – without them, connection will be impossible.

📱 Smartphone with Android 4.4+ or iOS 9.0+ Free space for the Mi Fit application.
🔋 Bracelet Charger (Comprised) – Use only the original cable to avoid damaging contacts.
🌐 Stable Internet connection (for downloading the application and updating the bracelet firmware).
📌 Xiaomi or Mi Account (can be created during installation).

If you bought a used bracelet, make sure to reset it to factory settings before setting up. To do this, press the touch button on the Mi Band 3 screen for 10-15 seconds until the vibration and the Reset label appear, which will delete all previous data and allow you to connect the bracelet to your account.

📊 What kind of Xiaomi fitness bracelet you already had?

Mi Band 2

Mi Band 4

Mi Band 5/6

Other

This is my first bracelet.

Installation of the Mi Fit application and account registration

The main tool for managing Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is the official Mi Fit application. It can be downloaded for free from Google Play or the App Store. Please note: in some regions (for example, in Europe), instead of Mi Fit, the Zepp Life application can be used - the functionality is identical, but the interface is slightly different.

Once you install the app, you will need to register or log in to your Mi Account, which is a must, as all the data from the bracelet (steps, sleep, pulse) is stored in the cloud and linked to your profile. If you already have a Xiaomi account (for example, for a smartphone), you can use it.

Download the Mi Fit (or Zepp Life) app

Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on your smartphone

Charge the bracelet to at least 50%

Make sure the bracelet is not linked to another account (if used)

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When you first run Mi Fit, you'll have to give you personal data like sex, age, weight and height, which are the parameters you need to do calorie counting and sleep analysis, and if you don't want to put in real data, you can skip that step, but then some functions (like calorie counting) will be less accurate.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Band 3 from your iPhone, some features (such as displaying notifications from third-party messengers) may not work smoothly.

How to connect Mi Band 3 to your phone

Now, the most important step is to pair the bracelet with the smartphone, which takes no more than 5 minutes if you follow the instructions, and the main thing is not to interrupt the connection in the middle, otherwise the bracelet may freeze and need to reset.

Algorithm of action:

Turn on the bracelet. To do this, connect it to the charger for 2-3 seconds, the screen will light up. If the bracelet has already been used, wait for full charging (about 2 hours).
Activate Bluetooth on your phone. Go to Settings → Bluetooth and make sure the feature is enabled.
Open Mi Fit and click "Add Device." From the list, select Mi Smart Band 3.
Put the bracelet to your phone. The Mi Band 3 screen will show a confirmation code -- compare it to what's displayed in the app. If the codes match, click "Confirm."

If there is an error during the connection stage (for example, the bracelet is not located or the code does not match), try:

🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone.
📱 Delete the Mi Band 3 from the list of associated devices in the settings Android/iOS try again.
🔋 Reset the bracelet (click the button for 10 seconds).

What if Mi Band 3 is not connected?

If the bracelet is not determined by the application, check: 1. Mi Fit version — update it in the App Store/Google Play. 2. App permissions — give access to geolocation, notifications and contacts. 3. Phone compatibility — some models (for example, Huawei with EMUI) need to manually allow the autorun of the Mi Fit. 4. Hardware problems — try to connect the bracelet to another phone. If the error is repeated, the Bluetooth module of the bracelet may be defective.

Set up the main parameters: time, notifications, alarm clocks

Once connected successfully, you can start personalizing the bracelet. Most of the settings are available in Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 in the Mi Fit app. Let's look at the key settings that you should set up right away.

1. Synchronization of time and date

By default, the Mi Band 3 takes time from the phone, but sometimes there are discrepancies (for example, when changing time zones).

Open the Mi Fit and select your bracelet.
Go to Device Settings → Further → Synchronize the time.
Wait for the vibration of the bracelet - this is a confirmation of successful synchronization.

2. Set up notifications

Mi Band 3 can vibrate and show incoming calls, SMS and notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, etc.) to activate this feature:

In Mi Fit, go to Call Notifications and Notifications from apps.
Turn on the switch next to the desired messengers.
On Android, additionally give Mi Fit access to notifications in the system settings (Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Notifications).

Note: On iPhone, notifications from third-party apps (except calls and SMS) may not come due to iOS restrictions, in which case only changing your phone to Android will help.

3. Alarm clocks and reminders

The bracelet supports up to 10 alarm clocks that can be set directly in Mi Fit:

Go to the alarm clocks.
Click Add an alarm clock and specify the time, days of the week and the type of vibration (single or repeated).
Activate the Smart Alarm – the bracelet will wake you up in the light sleep phase 30 minutes before the set time.

Function	How to set up	Notes
Automatic sleep detection	Settings → Sleep → Autodetermination	It only works when you wear a bracelet, and for accuracy, turn off Do Not Disturb mode overnight.
Weather display	Settings → Weather → Include	Data is taken from the phone. It requires geolocation access.
Screen locking	Settings → Screen locking	Prevents accidental tapping during sleep or exercise.
Lighting when raising your hand	Settings → Display → Raising your hand	Reduces battery consumption, but can be triggered with a delay.

💡

If notifications come with a delay, try turning off the power saving mode for the Mi Fit app in your phone's settings.

Update firmware and reset to factory settings

Regular firmware updates to Mi Band 3 improve stability, add new features and fix bugs, and check for updates manually or set up an automatic installation.

To update the firmware:

Open the Mi Fit and select your bracelet.
Go to the device settings → Update the firmware.
If a new version is available, click "Update" and wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet will reboot automatically).

⚠️ Note: Do not disable Bluetooth or remove the bracelet from your hand during the upgrade. Interrupting the process may result in loss of functionality (for example, the screen will no longer respond to touch). Connect the bracelet to charging, press the button for 20 seconds until the Mi logo appears.

If the bracelet starts to glitches (does not sync data, does not show notifications or quickly discharges), resetting to factory settings will help.

📱 Through the application: Device settings → Untie the device.
🔧 Press the button on the bracelet for 10-15 seconds until you feel the vibration and see the inscription Reset.

💡

Resetting the bracelet deletes all local data (steps, sleep in recent days), but information in Mi Fit is saved if the device was tied to the account.

How to use Mi Band 3: basic gestures and functions

Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is controlled with a touch button and gestures. Despite the small screen, the interface is intuitive. Here are the basic steps that will come in handy from day one:

👆 Scroll up/down: swipe across the screen to switch between menus (steps, pulse, weather, etc.).
👆➡️ Selecting Item: tap the button below the screen to open the selected section.
🔙 Backup: Press and hold the 2 seconds button to return to the home screen.
🚫 Cancel action: Swipe your finger to the left on the main screen.

Among the useful features that are not always obvious to beginners:

🔍 Phone search: in the menu bracelet select More → Find the phone – the smartphone will begin to vibrate (works even in silent mode).
💤 Do Not Disturb: Disables all notifications and vibrations for a specified period of time (Settings) → Don't disturb).
🏃 Training: The bracelet automatically recognizes walking, running and cycling, but for accurate calorie counting it is better to start the regimen manually (More → Training).

If the bracelet screen does not respond to touch, check:

Clean display (dust or sweat may interfere with the sensor).
Strap attachment density – if the bracelet sits too loose, gestures may not work.
Charge level (at a discharge below 5%, the sensor is turned off).

Mi Band 3 compared to new models: should you upgrade?

Xiaomi Mi Band 3 was released in 2018, and since then the company has released several more modern models: Mi Band 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Characteristics	Mi Band 3	Mi Band 4/5	Mi Band 6/7
Screen.	OLED, monochrome, 0.78”	AMOLED, coloured, 0.95”	AMOLED, 1.1"-1.62", always on
NFC	Only in the Chinese version	Yes (in some versions)	Yeah (Mi Pay support)
SpO₂ (oxygenation)	No.	Yes (starting with Mi Band 5)	Yeah, with low-level notices.
Autonomy	Up to 20 days.	Up to 14 days.	Up to 15 days (with AMOLED)
Voice assistant	No.	No.	Yes (starting with Mi Band 7)

If you need the basic features of a fitness tracker (stepmeter, pulse, notifications, alarm clock), the Mi Band 3 is still a great choice - especially considering its price in the secondary market.

🎨 Color screen and customization of dials,
💳 NFC contactless,
🩺 measurement SpO₂ stress,

You should consider the Mi Band 6 or later.

💡

The Mi Band 3 remains relevant for those who value simplicity and battery life, and the new models offer more features, but also cost more.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 3

🔋 How long does the battery of the Mi Band 3 and how to charge correctly?

In standard use (notifications, pedometer, pulse measurement 1 time per hour), the bracelet works for 15-20 days. If you actively use backlighting and training, the autonomy is reduced to 10-12 days. How to charge: Use only the original cable (voltage 5V, current 50mA). Connect the bracelet to charge dry - moisture on the contacts can cause corrosion. Do not leave on charging more than 2-3 hours - this reduces the battery life. If the bracelet discharges in 1-2 days, check: the frequency of measuring the battery (if the battery is more than 3 minutes).

📱 Can you connect Mi Band 3 to two phones at the same time?

Officially, no. The bracelet is tied to one Mi Account, and you'll need to reset it when you try to connect it to another phone. However, there's a workaround: Connect the bracelet to the first phone and adjust all the settings. In Mi Fit on the first phone, turn off automatic sync (Settings → Data Sync → Manual). On the second phone, log in to the same Mi Account and plug the bracelet manually (without reset).

🏊 Can I swim with Mi Band 3?

Yes, the bracelet has a protection degree of 5. ATM, Which means you can't get up to 50 meters of water resistance, you can swim in the pool or in the rain, but there's a nuance: 🚿 Do not press the button under water – it can break the tightness. 🧼 After swimming in salt or chlorinated water, wash the bracelet with fresh water and dry it. 🔋 Don't charge the bracelet right after swimming, wait for the contacts to dry out completely. To track swimming, select Pool mode from the workout menu. The bracelet will count the pool paths you've walked (but it won't recognize your swimming style).

🔄 How to transfer data from Mi Band 3 to a new bracelet?

If you choose to upgrade to a new model (e.g. Mi Band 7), the data from Mi Fit is automatically synced to the new device provided that: You use the same Mi Account. The new bracelet is tied to the same phone. To move the settings: Connect the new bracelet to the Mi Fit. In the new device section, select Import settings (if available). Manually set alarms, notifications and dials (they are not automatically transferred). Statistics (steps, sleep, training) are stored in the cloud and will be available for both bracelets.

🛠️ What to do if Mi Band 3 doesn't vibrate when notified?

There may be several reasons: Vibration is turned off in bracelet settings: check Settings → Vibration in Mi Fit. Bracelet is not synchronized: open Mi Fit and wait for the data update (cloud icon at the top of the screen). Android/iOS: On Android, check if Mi Fit is allowed to show notifications (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fit → Notifications. On iPhone, go to Settings → Notifications → Mi Fit and turn on the "Allow Notifications" option. Hardware malfunction: if the vibration doesn't work even at the alarm clock, the motor may have failed, in which case only repairs will help. Also check if the "Do Not Disturb" mode is on.