How to turn on and configure the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 5: instructions for beginners

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is one of the most popular fitness bracelets on the market, combining affordable price, wide functionality and stylish design. However, many users have difficulty with the first turn on the device. Unlike smartphones, where everything is intuitive, bracelets require a special approach: they must not only be physically activated, but also correctly synchronized with the smartphone through the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app (formerly known as Amazfit).

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can turn on the Mi Band 5, from the standard procedure to solving typical problems: why the bracelet doesn’t respond to charging, how to wake it up after a long time of downtime, and what to do if the screen stays black. You’ll also learn how to avoid common errors in the first setup that can cause your device to malfunction, and if you just unpacked the bracelet or found it difficult after updating the firmware, this guide is for you.

Preparing for the first turn on: what to do before activation

Before you turn on the Xiaomi Mi Band 5, make sure you follow all the preliminary steps.Neglecting them can cause the bracelet to fail or not work properly.

• 🔋 Charging the bracelet. Even if the indicator shows the level of charge, connect the device to the charger for 10-15 minutes. New bracelets are often discharged after long storage in stock.
• 📱 Install the application. Download Mi Fit (for Android/iOS) or Zepp Life from official stores. Using third-party apps can cause synchronization problems.
• 🔄 Smartphone software update: An outdated version of Android or iOS may conflict with the app. Check for updates in your phone settings.
• 📶 Bluetooth powering. Without active Bluetooth, synchronization is impossible. It is also recommended to turn off the power saving mode for the Mi Fit application.

Pay special attention to the charger. The Mi Band 5 uses a proprietary connector (not USB-C!), so the original cable is a must. If you lose charging, buy a certified replacement: cheap analogs can damage the battery or not provide the necessary voltage to turn on.

⚠️ Note: Do not use chargers from other Mi Band models (e.g. Mi Band 4 or 6) and, despite their similarity, they may have different current strengths, which will cause slow charging or even failure of the bracelet.

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If the bracelet doesn't respond to charging, try cleaning the contacts on the back of the device with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.Oxidation or contamination often blocks the power supply.

Standard way of inclusion: step-by-step instructions

If the bracelet is charged and connected to the smartphone via an app, you can turn it on in two ways: through a physical button or automatically when synchronized.

Method 1: Including the button

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger and wait for the charging indicator (red or green LED) to appear.
2. Unplug the bracelet from charging.
3. Press and hold the touch button (the area under the screen) for 3-5 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
4. Release the button. The bracelet vibrates and triggers the initialization process.

Method 2: Automatic Enablement via Application

1. Open the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app on your smartphone.
2. Go to the Profile section → Add the device.
3. Select the Mi Smart Band 5 from the list.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. The app automatically activates the bracelet if it's charged and nearby.

If the bracelet is not turned on by any means, check:

• 🔌 Is the charging cable tightly connected (should be clicked when attached).
• 🔋 Charge level (if the indicator does not burn, the bracelet is completely discharged).
• 📱 Smartphone compatibility (minimum requirements: Android 5.0)+ or iOS 10.0+).

Bracelet charging ≥ 20%|

Official app (Mi Fit/Zepp Life) |

Bluetooth is on and the device is within a radius of 1 meter |

The original charging cable is connected correctly-->

What to do if the bracelet is not turned on: diagnosis of problems

If the Mi Band 5 doesn't respond to taps or charging, the reasons could be both software and hardware.

Problem 1: The bracelet is not charged

Symptoms: when connected to charging, the indicator does not light up, the bracelet does not vibrate.

• 🔌 Check the cable and the power supply. Try another charger (like a smartphone) with the same cable.
• 🧹 Clean the contacts. Use a soft brush or alcohol to remove dust and oxidation.
• ⚡ Try "forced" charging. Connect the bracelet to charging and leave it for 30 to 60 minutes, even if the indicator is not on. Sometimes the battery is discharged to a level where the controller does not signal.

Problem 2: The bracelet is charged but not turned on

Symptoms: The charging indicator is lit, but after turning off the screen remains black.

• 🔄 Reset the bracelet. Connect to charging, then press and hold the button for 10-15 seconds until you feel a double vibration.
• 📱 Update your firmware through the app. Connect the bracelet to your smartphone and check for updates in your Device Profile → Firmware update.
• 🔋 If the bracelet only turns on on charging, but turns off immediately after switching off, battery degradation is likely (typical for devices older than 2 years).

Problem 3: The bracelet is switched on but not synchronized

Symptoms: The bracelet screen is active, but the app does not find the device.

• 📶 Reboot Bluetooth. Turn off and turn on Bluetooth again on your smartphone.
• 🔄 Remove the bracelet from the list of devices in Bluetooth settings, then add again via Mi Fit.
• 📱 Check the app's permissions. Make sure Mi Fit has access to location, contacts and notifications.

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet was previously linked to another Xiaomi account, it must first be untie via Settings → Untie the device in the application. Otherwise, new synchronization will not be possible.

No charge |

Not activated after charging |

Not synchronized with a smartphone |

It's working fine.|

Another problem.-->

How to “Wake up” a bracelet after a long downtime

If the Mi Band 5 was left unused for several months, its battery could run to a critical level, making it impossible to turn on standardly, in which case the "resuscitation" procedure will help:

1. Connect the bracelet to charging and leave for 1-2 hours, even if the indicator is not on.
2. In an hour, try pressing the button. If the bracelet doesn't respond, leave it to charge for another 30 minutes.
3. After the charging indicator (green or red LED) appears, turn off the bracelet and Attempt turn on the button.
4. If the screen remains black, reset: connect to the charger and hold the button for 15 seconds until you feel the vibration.

If the bracelet is not turned on, there are two possible reasons:

• 🔋 Battery degradation: Lithium polymer batteries lose capacity when stored in a discharged state for a long time, and only replacing the battery in the service center will help.
• 🔌 Power controller damage, often with non-original chargers, requires diagnosis.

Synchronization with the application: a step-by-step guide

Turn on the bracelet is half the battle, and to use all the features (sleep tracking, notifications, pulse), it should be linked to your Xiaomi account via Mi Fit or Zepp Life.

1. Open the app and log in (or create a new account).
2. Click on the Profile icon (in the lower right corner) → Add the device.
3. Select the Mi Smart Band 5 from the list.
4. Allow the app to access notifications, contacts, and location (required!).
5. Wait for the app to find the bracelet, and the verification code will appear on the bracelet screen, and compare it to the code in the app.
6. Click Confirm in the app. Bracelet vibrates - sync complete.

Once anchored, it is recommended that:

• 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware (Device profile) → Firmware update).
• ⚙️ Set up notifications (Notifications) → Select applications).
• 🏃‍♂️ Activate activity tracking (Steps) → Step-by-step).

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For stable operation of Mi Band 5, turn off the power saving mode for the Mi Fit application in the smartphone settings. Otherwise, synchronization will be interrupted and notifications will come with a delay.

Firmware Update: Why It Matters and How to Do It

Mi Band 5 firmware is responsible for stability, sensor accuracy and compatibility with new features of the application.

• 🔄 Spontaneous reboot of the bracelet.
• 📉 Inaccurate readings of pulse or steps.
• 🚫 Lack of support for new features (such as tracking stress or SpO₂).

To update the firmware:

1. Open the Mi Fit and go to the bracelet profile.
2. Please update your firmware (if available).
3. Confirm the boot and wait until the end (the bracelet will reboot automatically).

⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the upgrade process! If the bracelet disconnects from the smartphone during firmware, it may stop turning on. ≥ 50% and the smartphone is connected to the network.

After updating the firmware to version 1.0.3.14 and higher, Mi Band 5 has support for tracking oxygen in the blood (SpO₂), But activation requires manual configuration in the Zepp Life app (in Mi Fit, this feature can be hidden).

Resetting to factory settings: when it is needed

Resetting the Mi Band 5 to factory settings helps in cases of:

• 🔄 The bracelet is glitching or spontaneously reloading.
• 📱 Cannot tie the device to a new smartphone.
• 🔋 After the firmware update, errors appeared.

To perform the discharge:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Hold the touch button for 15-20 seconds until you feel a double vibration.
3. Release the button. The bracelet will reset and return to factory settings.

After discharge:

• 📱 Re-attach the bracelet via Mi Fit or Zepp Life.
• ⚙️ Set up notifications and tracking options.
• 🔄 Update the firmware (reset does not update the software!).

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If the bracelet doesn't turn on after reset, wait 5-10 minutes and repeat the procedure. Sometimes the controller needs time to initialize.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the inclusion and configuration of Xiaomi Mi Band 5