How to turn on Xiaomi fitness bracelet: from Mi Band 3 to the latest models

Xiaomi fitness bracelets are some of the most popular wearables on the market due to their combination of functionality and affordable price. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulties with the first activation of the device. In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step activation process for all current models, from Mi Band 3 to Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro and Watch 2 Pro, and also consider typical errors and ways to fix them.

It is important to understand that the process of inclusion may vary depending on the firmware version, the bracelet model, and even the region of purchase (Chinese versions often require additional manipulation). We have compiled universal instructions that will fit 90% of devices, and also highlighted the key differences for bracelets with a high-performance design. NFC and displayless models.

If your bracelet doesn’t respond to taps or sync with your smartphone, don’t rush to bring it to the service center. 80% of the time, the problem is solved by rebooting, resetting settings or updating the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit), all of which we will describe in detail below.

Preparation of the bracelet for the first inclusion

Before you turn on the Xiaomi bracelet, make sure you follow all the preliminary steps, which will save you most of the problems during the activation phase.

What you need:

• 📱 Android smartphone 6.0+ iOS 12.0+ (for the Mi Band 7/8 Android required 8.0+)
• 🔋 Charger (original cable or compatible voltage adapter) 5V/1A)
• 🌐 Stable Internet connection (for downloading the application and synchronization)
• 📲 Mi Fitness app (you can download it from Google Play or App Store)

Pay special attention to charging the bracelet. Many users try to turn on the device with a discharged battery, which leads to malfunctions. 5/6/7 have a charging indicator (red LED), and in the Smart Band 8 Pro and Watch 2 Pro shows the percentage of charge on the screen. Minimum charge level for the first turn on — 20%.

⚠️ Note: Do not use chargers with higher voltage 5V higher-current 1A. This can cause the battery to overheat and the bracelet to fail. Xiaomi's original charging cables have built-in voltage surge protection.

2. Including process: step-by-step instruction for all models

The algorithm for turning on the bracelet depends on the physical button and the type of screen, and below we have provided a universal instruction, as well as highlighting the features for specific models.

2.1. Bracelets with a touch button (Mi Band) 3/4/5/6)

These models have a physical button under the screen that is used to turn on and navigate:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger for 10-15 minutes, even if it is new.
2. Press and hold the touch button under the screen for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the button – the bracelet will start loading (an animation will appear on the screen).
4. After downloading, you will see the main screen with a time or a welcome message.

2.2. Fully-fledged touch screen bracelets (Mi Band) 7/8, Smart Band 7/8 Pro, Watch 2 Pro)

In these models, there is no physical button, and the switch is enabled via the sensor:

1. Connect the bracelet to charging and wait for the indicator to appear (red LED or battery icon on the screen).
2. Touch the screen and hold your finger for 8-10 seconds until the logo appears.
3. If the screen is not responding, try tapping the area under the display (there is a hidden touch zone).
4. After downloading, swipe up or down to unlock.

If the bracelet does not turn on after a long hold of the button (or sensor), try a forced reboot:

• Connect the device to the charger.
• Hold the button (or sensor) for 15-20 seconds until the screen goes out and reboots.
• If that doesn’t work, leave the bracelet on charge for 1-2 hours – the battery may be completely discharged.

3. Synchronize the bracelet with the smartphone through Mi Fitness

Turning on the bracelet is only half the battle, and to use all the functions (notifications, sleep monitoring, pulse monitor), you need to sync it with your smartphone through the official Mi Fitness app.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app and sign up (or sign in to your Xiaomi account).
2. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Add the device.
3. Choose your bracelet model from the list (e.g. Mi Smart Band 7).
4. Allow the app to access Bluetooth, notifications, and geolocation (required to work correctly!).
5. Wait for the app to find the bracelet and confirm pairing on both devices.

After successful synchronization, the app will offer to update the firmware of the bracelet. We recommend you to agree, as new versions of the software fix errors and add features. The update takes 3-5 minutes and requires an Internet connection.

⚠️ Note: If you have a “failed to connect” error during synchronization, try it: 🔄 Reboot the bracelet and smartphone. 📱 Remove the bracelet from the Bluetooth device list in your phone settings and repeat pairing. 🔗 Turn on the plane mode on your phone for 10 seconds, then turn off and reconnect. If the problem persists, check if the antivirus or power saving mode is blocking the connection.

💡

If you have a Chinese version of the bracelet (e.g. Mi Band 7) NFC For the Chinese market, change the region in the Mi Fitness app to China before synchronizing. → Settings → Region.

Features of inclusion for specific models

Despite the general similarity, each Xiaomi bracelet model has its own nuances of inclusion, and in the table below we have collected the key differences:

For models with NFC (Mi Band 5 NFC, Mi Band 6 NFC, Smart Band 7 Pro will require additional contactless payment settings after the first activation, which is only available in regions where Xiaomi officially supports Mi Pay (China, Russia, some European countries).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when switched on correctly, Xiaomi's bracelet may not work properly. TOP-5 problems and ways of eliminating them:

The bracelet shall not be switched on after charging

Possible causes:

• 🔋 Fully discharged battery (requires charging for at least 30 minutes).
• 🔌 Faulty cable or adapter (try another charger with specifications) 5V/1A).
• 🛠️ Software failure (forced reboot required).

Solution: Connect the bracelet to the original charger and leave it for 1-2 hours. If the charging indicator does not burn, try to clean the contacts of the bracelet and charging cable with an alcohol napkin.

5.2 The bracelet is switched on but not synchronized with the phone

Possible causes:

• 📱 Outdated version of the Mi Fitness app (update in the app store).
• 🔄 Conflict with other Bluetooth devices (disable other gadgets).
• 🌍 Disparity of region in the application and bracelet (for example, Chinese firmware) + European).

Solution: Remove the bracelet from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone, restart both devices and re-pair.If the problem persists, reset the bracelet to factory settings (in the Settings menu). → Reset).

The bracelet screen does not respond to touch.

This problem is typical for models with a touch screen (Mi Band). 7/8, Smart Band Pro: What to do:

• 🧼 Wipe the screen with a dry wipe (mud or moisture may block the sensor).
• 🔄 Reset the bracelet (hold the screen for 15 seconds).
• 🛠️ Update the firmware through the Mi Fitness app.

💡

If the Xiaomi bracelet does not turn on after all the manipulations, check it on another smartphone. If the problem persists, it may be a hardware malfunction (contact the service center).

6.How to turn off or restart Xiaomi bracelet

Unlike smartphones, Xiaomi fitness bracelets do not have a standard shutdown function, but they can be forcibly rebooted or reset to factory settings.

Reset (soft reset)

This method helps with hangings and minor failures:

1. Connect the bracelet to charging (optional, but recommended).
2. Hold the touch button (or screen) for 15-20 seconds until the device vibrates and reboots.
3. After restarting, sync the bracelet to your phone via Mi Fitness.

6.2 Reset to factory settings (hard reset)

This procedure removes all data from the bracelet (steps, settings, activity profiles) and only use it as a last resort.

For models with a screen (Mi Band) 5/6/7/8, Smart Band Pro):

1. Go to the bracelet menu by swiping up or down.
2. Find the Settings section (cog icon).
3. Select Reset or Reset and confirm the action.

For models without screen (Mi Band) 3/4):

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Hold the touch button for 30 seconds until you feel the vibration.
3. Release the button and the bracelet will reset and reset.

⚠️ Note: Once reset, Xiaomi will return to factory settings, and it will have to be re-synchronized with the phone. If you used the unlock function of your smartphone through the bracelet, it will also need to be reconfigured.

7. Firmware Update: Why It Matters

Many users neglect firmware updates, but this can lead to malfunctions, fast battery drain or incorrect data display.

• 🛡️ Fixing security vulnerabilities.
• ⚡ Optimize energy consumption (increase the operating time to 20-25 days for the Mi Band 7).
• 📊 Add new features (such as stress monitoring or new exercise regimens).

How to update firmware:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app and connect to the bracelet.
2. Go to the Profile section → My devices. → [Your bracelet].
3. Click Firmware Update (if available).
4. Confirm the boot and wait until the end (the bracelet will reboot automatically).

The update takes 3-7 minutes depending on the speed of the Internet. Do not turn off Bluetooth or interrupt the process, otherwise the bracelet may fail!

8. Useful tips for new owners

To make your Xiaomi bracelet last longer and work consistently, follow these guidelines:

• 🔋 Charge the bracelet once in a while. 10–14 Days (without waiting for full discharge) for the Mi Band 7/8 charge-level — 20–80%.
• 🚿 Remove the bracelet before showering or swimming if it has no protection 5 ATM (Like the Mi Band. 3/4 not intended for swimming).
• 📵 Once a month, reload the bracelet to clean the cache.
• 🔒 Set up. PIN-code to unlock the screen (in the Settings menu) → Security).
• 📲 Turn off unnecessary notifications in the Mi Fitness app to save charge.

If you plan to use the bracelet for contactless payments, register the card in advance. In Russia, SberBank, Tinkoff, VTB and Alfa-Bank cards are supported (for models with a high-end bank). NFC).

💡

To extend the life of the bracelet battery, turn off the permanent pulsemeter (in the Mi Fitness settings). → Heart monitoring → Manual mode. This will increase the operating time by 30-40%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the inclusion of Xiaomi bracelets