The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets are some of the most popular wearables in the world, thanks to the combination of affordable prices and wide functionality. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulty turning on the gadget first, especially when it comes to new models like the Mi Band 8 or Mi Smart Band 7 Pro, where the activation process is different from the usual schemes.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to turn on the bracelet, from basic launch to solving typical problems when the device does not respond to presses. You’ll learn how to properly charge the Mi Band before first use, which buttons are responsible for what in different versions, and what to do if the bracelet does not turn on after a firmware update. And we’ll also detail synchronization with the Mi Fitness application (formerly Mi Fit) – without this step, many functions will remain unavailable.
Whether you’ve just unpacked the box with the new Xiaomi Mi Band or are trying to reanimate an old bracelet after a long downtime, this guide will help you avoid common mistakes and save time.
Preparing for the first turn on: what to do before activation
Before you press the bracelet button, make sure you follow all the preliminary steps, and neglecting them often leads to the Mi Band not turning on or behaving unstablely.
First, check the battery level. Even if the bracelet was new, it could have been in storage for months, and the charge could have dropped to a critical level. 6/7/8 lower-grade 5% The device automatically shuts down and does not respond to the power button.
Second, get your smartphone installed. From 2023, Xiaomi's official bracelet software is called Mi Fitness (previously Mi Fit), download it from Google Play or the App Store, and make sure that Bluetooth and Geolocation are on, without which synchronization is impossible.
- 🔋 Bracelet Charging: Connect the cable to USB-port 5V/1A. In the Mi Band models 5 And the newer one is a magnetic connector -- just attach the bracelet to the charger before you click.
- 📱 Install Mi Fitness: The app must be at least 5.12.0 (for Android) or 5.10.0 (for iOS.
- 🔄 Phone firmware update: Android smartphones with an outdated OS (below Android 8.0) may have connection problems.
- 📡 Stable Internet: For the first synchronization, you will need access to the network - the bracelet downloads current data about time zones and weather.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use chargers with an output current greater than 1A (such as from smartphones).This can cause the Mi Band battery to overheat and shorten its lifespan.
Basic way of inclusion: button and touch screen
The switching process depends on the bracelet model. The older versions (Mi Band 1-4) used a physical button, and the newer versions (Mi Band 5 and later) used a touch screen.
For models with a button (Mi Band 1-4):
- Press and hold the physical button under the screen for 3-5 seconds.
- Wait for the vibration and the appearance of the Mi logo on the display.
- Release the button and the bracelet will turn on and go into standby mode.
For models with touch screen (Mi Band 5-8):
- Touch the bracelet screen once – if the charge is sufficient, a welcome message will appear.
- If the screen is unresponsive, press the area under the display (where the button used to be) for 5-7 seconds.
- After vibration, swipe your finger on the screen in either direction to unlock the bracelet.
| Model bracelet | Including | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 1–4 | Hold the physical button 3-5 seconds | On Mi Band 4, the button is also used to return to the menu. |
| Mi Band 5/6 | Touching the screen or holding the area under the display | If the sensor is below 10%, it may not work. |
| Mi Band 7/7 Pro/8 | Touching the screen + swipe | Mi Band 8 has added download animation |
If the bracelet does not turn on after these manipulations, check:
- 🔌 Is the charging cable connected correctly (magnetic connector should fit tightly).
- 🔋 Does the charging indicator burn (on new models it is hidden under the case, but is visible on close examination).
- 📵 Is the bracelet in deep discharge mode (it takes 10-15 minutes to charge before turning on).
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If you have a Mi Band bracelet 7/8 does not respond to touch, try resetting: press the area under the screen on 20 It's a second before it's double-vibrating, and then it'll reboot.
Synchronization with the Mi Fitness app: without this, the bracelet will not work
Turn on the Xiaomi Mi Band is only half the battle, and without linking to your Mi Account and syncing through Mi Fitness, you can't:
- 📊 Receive notifications from your smartphone.
- 🏃♂️ Tracking footsteps, pulse and sleep.
- ⏰ Set alarms and reminders.
- 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware.
Instructions for binding:
- Open the Mi Fitness app and log in (or create a new Xiaomi account).
- Click Profile → Add the device.
- Choose your Mi Band model from the list.
- Follow the instructions on the screen: Allow access to notifications, geolocation, and contacts.
- Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 2 minutes).
If the app does not find the bracelet:
- 🔄 Reboot the Mi Band (hold the button/sensor for 10 seconds).
- 📱 Restart Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- 🔌 Make sure that the bracelet has enough charge (at least 20%).
- 📲 Check if the antivirus or power saving mode is blocking Mi Fitness.
⚠️ Attention: On iPhone with iOS 16+ You may need additional permission to track activity. → Confidentiality → Track and enable the option for Mi Fitness.
☑️ Preparation for synchronization
What to do if Mi Band is not turned on: diagnosis of problems
If the bracelet is not pressed and not charged, the reasons can be both software and hardware. Let's look at the most common scenarios and their solutions.
Problem 1: The bracelet is not charged
- 🔌 Check the cable and the power supply. Use the original cable or certified analogue.
- 🧲 Make sure the magnetic connector fits tightly to the bracelet contacts (on the Mi Band). 6/7/8 They are located on the back of the body).
- 🔋 Try connecting to another. USB-port or charger (e.g. from a smartphone with Quick Charge 3.0 support).
- 🕒 Leave the bracelet on charging for 30-60 minutes - sometimes the charging indicator does not immediately light up.
Problem 2: The bracelet vibrates, but the screen doesn't turn on
- 🔄 Reset: Hold the button/sensor for 15-20 seconds until double vibration.
- 📱 Check the compatibility of the smartphone: on some devices with custom firmware (for example, MIUI Global on unofficial versions may cause conflicts.
- 🔧 Update the bracelet firmware through Mi Fitness (if it reacts to the connection in any way).
Problem 3: The bracelet turns on but immediately turns off
- 🔋 Connect the bracelet to charge and wait at least 2 hours, even if the indicator is not on.
- 🔋 If the problem remains after charging, the battery may be faulty (typical for bracelets older than 2-3 years).
In the Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8 models, at critically low charge (below 3%), the bracelet may not show signs of life even when connected to a charge. Solution: leave it on charge for 12-24 hours - sometimes the power controller "wakes up" only after a long recharge.
What to do if the bracelet falls into the water?
Features of inclusion after updating the firmware
The Mi Band firmware update usually goes through Mi Fitness automatically, but sometimes the process may not go according to plan.If the bracelet doesn't turn on or doesn't work properly after the upgrade, follow these steps:
Symptom 1: The bracelet got stuck on the Mi logo after the update
- Hold the button/sensor for 15 seconds to force reboot.
- If it doesn’t work, connect the bracelet to the charger and try again.
- In extreme cases, reset through Mi Fitness: Profile → Your device. → Untie, then tie again.
Symptom 2: After the update, functions (pulse, notifications) are lost
- 📱 Reinstall the Mi Fitness app.
- 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware again (sometimes re-installation is required).
- 📵 Check the notification settings on your smartphone – after the update, they may reset.
Symptom 3: Bracelet discharges a few hours after update
This is a typical problem for the Mi Band. 6/7 after updating to the latest firmware versions:
- 🔋 Perform a full discharge/charging cycle (discharge to 0%, then charge to 100%).
- 📵 Disable unnecessary features in Mi Fitness: Profile → Your device. → Display settings → Lighting time (set a minimum value).
- 🔄 Roll back the firmware (if available) or wait for the next update.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware update process! If the bracelet disconnects from the smartphone during the installation of the update, this can lead to "bricking" (complete inoperability). ADB or contacting a service center.
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If the bracelet starts to discharge faster after the upgrade, try turning off the automatic pulse measurement in the background.
How to turn on Mi Band after a long downtime
If the bracelet has been lying without use for several months, follow the following steps before turning on:
- Check the charge: The Mi Band battery can self-discharge to 0% in 3-6 months of downtime. Connect the bracelet to charge for 1-2 hours, even if the indicator is not on.
- Update the firmware of the smartphone and Mi Fitness: During the downtime, new versions of the software could come out, incompatible with the old firmware of the bracelet.
- Reset settings: Hold the button/sensor for 20 seconds until it doubles. This will clear the cache and temp data.
- Re-tether the device: In Mi Fitness, remove the old bracelet and add it again.
If the bracelet is activated but is not working smoothly (for example, it does not sync data or shows the wrong time), do:
- 🔄 Time synchronization: Mi Fitness → Profile → Your device. → Settings → Synchronize time.
- 📊 Resetting statistics: Mi Fitness → Profile → Your device. → Data reset (delete activity history).
- 🔋 Battery calibration: Completely discharge the bracelet, then charge to 100% without interruptions.
For Mi Band 5 and older models, after a long downtime, gestures and notifications may need to be re-tuned. → Profile → Your device. → Screen settings and configure parameters again.
Hidden Enablement Features: What the Mi Band Can Do Beyond the Button
Few people know, but Xiaomi Mi Band bracelets support alternative ways of inclusion and control, which can come in handy in non-standard situations.
1. Initiation by gesture (Mi Band 5–8)
In the newer models, you can activate the bracelet by simply raising your hand (the function to raise to wake up).
- Open Mi Fitness and go to bracelet settings.
- Select Screen Settings → Lift up to wake up.
- Activate the switch and adjust the sensitivity.
After that, the bracelet will turn on when you move your hand, even if the screen is turned off.
2. Voice control (Mi Band 7 Pro and later)
The embroidered models Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8 have support for voice assistant Xiao AI (It's only for the Chinese version of the firmware, so you can activate it:
- Twice tap the screen.
- Say a command in Chinese (e.g., “turn on the lights” for a smart home).
For Russian users, this feature is not useful, but it can be used to turn on the bracelet with voice if the sensor does not respond.
3. Enable via smartphone
If the bracelet does not respond to pressing, but is charged and connected to Mi Fitness, try to wake it up through the application:
- Open your Mi Fitness and select your bracelet.
- Press Find the device (the bracelet must vibrate).
- If there is a vibration, but the screen does not turn on - the problem is in the display or firmware.
4. Hidden menu of engineering settings
In the Mi Band models 6/7/8 There's a hidden diagnostic menu to get into:
- Go to Bracelet Settings → About the device.
- Tap 5 times in a row on the inscription "Firmware Version".
- Enter the code 1234 (for some firmware versions).
The engineering menu can:
- 📊 View detailed information about the battery.
- 🔧 Test sensors (pulse, accelerometer).
- 🔄 Forced firmware updates.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose! Incorrect settings can lead to unstable operation of the bracelet.