Users often wonder how to turn on Bluetooth on the Xiaomi Band 8 without understanding the specifics of modern wearable devices. It is important to note at once that unlike smartphones or tablets, Xiaomi fitness bracelets do not have the function of manually turning on or off the radio module through the settings menu of the gadget itself. The device is designed so that the Bluetooth module operates in a constant command mode from the smartphone, activating automatically when the battery is discharged or a request for synchronization appears.
The connection process is all about interacting with a mobile app, in this case Mi Fitness (formerly known as Zepp Life for some models, but the Band 8 requires Mi Fitness). When you pick up the bracelet after charging or long downtime, it is already in visibility mode to pair, waiting for the app on the phone to find its unique identifier. Trying to find Bluetooth settings inside the bracelet interface will not lead to anything, since the manufacturer has simplified the menu to a minimum, leaving only the display of time, steps, pulse and basic screen settings.
The only way to turn on the phone is to initiate it from the smartphone, making sure that the phone has GPS activated and the wireless module itself, and if the bracelet is new, it will go into pairing mode as soon as it is removed from the box, and if you try to connect it to a new phone after reset, the device will automatically go into search mode as soon as you start the appropriate procedure in the application. Understanding this logic of operation saves time and eliminates the unnecessary search for non-existent buttons.
The principle of operation of the Bluetooth module in Xiaomi Band 8
The connectivity architecture of Xiaomi’s eighth fitness tracker has changed from previous generations to become more energy efficient. The Bluetooth 5.1 module installed in the device is dormant most of the time, consuming a microscopic amount of energy. Activation occurs in pulses: when you receive a notification, request time synchronization or measure your heart rate in real time, which is why you will not find an on/off switch in the system menu of the bracelet.
Many users mistakenly believe that the lack of visibility of the device in the list of available gadgets in the phone settings means that Bluetooth is turned off.In fact, the Xiaomi Band 8 does not appear in the general list of Android or iOS devices until the process of authorized pairing through the app begins.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to use third-party applications to scan Bluetooth devices for the purpose of finding a bracelet. Direct connection through the system settings of the phone without authorization in Mi Fitness is impossible and can lead to errors in the database of associated devices.
Connection stability depends on the version of the smartphone operating system and the companion application itself. For the data protocol to work correctly, it is necessary that the background processes do not block the operation of the communication module. In modern versions of Android and iOS, the system strictly controls the application access to geolocation and Bluetooth, so the correct setting of permissions is more important than finding the on button on the tracker itself.
Preparing the smartphone for the first connection
Before trying to link the Xiaomi Band 8 to a smartphone, you need to perform a series of preparatory actions on the side of the mobile device. Without the right setup of the phone, even a working bracelet will not be able to establish a stable connection. The first step is to install the current version of the Mi Fitness app from the official Google Play or App Store. APK-Files from unverified sources may cause Bluetooth drivers to malfunction.
Next, you need to make sure that the smartphone settings allow the use of geolocation, this requirement is due to the security policies of mobile operating systems: for scanning Bluetooth devices (BLE) Application requires access GPS-Without geo-location enabled, the device search process simply won't start and the phone won't see the bracelet.
- 📱 Make sure that Bluetooth on your smartphone is activated and visible to other devices.
- 📍 Turn on geolocation (GPS) Give the Mi Fitness app permission to use it in Always mode".
- 🔋 Charge the Xiaomi Band 8 minimum 20-30% before the first switch on, since at low charge the communication module can work unstablely.
- 🔄 Check for updates to your phone’s operating system.
An important aspect is to clean up the list of previously paired devices. If you have previously connected this bracelet to another phone or tried to connect it previously unsuccessfully, the phone could remain in the memory of the “junk” profile. Go to the Bluetooth settings, find the Xiaomi Band 8 list (or similar name), and click “Forget the device” or “Sever the pairing.” This ensures that the new connection will go through a clean protocol.
☑️ Checklist of preparation for connection
Step-by-step instructions for activation and pairing
The process of enabling Bluetooth communication and pairing Xiaomi Band 8 is as follows: After you have completed all the preparatory steps on your smartphone, take the bracelet in your hands. If the device is new, it will automatically go to the standby mode of connection, as evidenced by the Mi logo or the Mi logo. QR-If the bracelet has been in use, make sure it is not connected to another phone or it will not be visible to the new device.
Launch the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone and log in to your Xiaomi Account. On the home screen, click on the plus icon (+) or select the option "Add device." The app will start scanning the space. At this point, the Bluetooth bracelet module actively broadcasts the signal. Once the phone detects the device, an image of your bracelet and the "Connect" button will appear on the screen.
Press the connection button. The confirmation codes will appear on your smartphone screen and on your bracelet screen. Make sure they match, and confirm the action by clicking a tick on the tracker display. From that point on, the encryption keys are exchanged, and the devices become a couple, the whole process takes no more than 30-40 seconds with a stable signal.
What if the codes don't match?
Once paired successfully, the app will suggest updating the bracelet firmware, a critical step, as newer versions often fix radio errors and improve connection stability, so don't miss this step and wait for the download and updates to be completed by holding your phone next to the bracelet.
Setup of permissions and application background
For Xiaomi Band 8 to work properly and not lose touch with the phone, it is not enough just to perform pairing. You need to properly configure the permissions for the Mi Fitness application in the smartphone operating system. Aggressive Android energy saving algorithms can force the application to close, which will break the Bluetooth connection and stop synchronizing data.
Go to the phone settings, Apps, find Mi Fitness, and open Permissions, where you need to give full access to location, Bluetooth, notifications, and in some cases, contacts and call logs (if you want to display the names of the callers on the bracelet).
| Permit parameter | Status required | Impact on work |
|---|---|---|
| Location (GPS) | Allowed always | Be sure to find a device and track training |
| Bluetooth | Permission. | Critical for data transmission and notifications |
| Auto-start | Included. | Allows the app to work after the phone restarts |
| Working in the background | No restrictions. | Prevents communication break when screen locks |
You should pay special attention to battery setup. In the battery management menu, find Mi Fitness and select "No Limits" mode or uncheck "Economies of Charge" that will prevent the system from "sleeping" the application, which is the most common reason why notifications stop coming to the bracelet.
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On Xiaomi phones (MIUI/HyperOS), be sure to pin the Mi Fitness app to the list of recent apps (pull down the menu of running tasks and press the lock) so that the system does not unload it from memory.
Solving Visibility and Connection Problems
Even with all the instructions, there may be situations where the Xiaomi Band 8 is not paired or visible to the phone. Most often the problem lies in the cache of the phone's Bluetooth services or the conflict of profiles. If the bracelet is not searchable, try rebooting the smartphone and bracelet. To reboot the tracker, go to the Settings menu → System → Reboot or connect it to the charger.
If a simple reboot doesn’t work, you need to reset your network settings on your smartphone, which will clear all your stored Bluetooth profiles and Wi-Fi settings, but often resolves problems with the protocol stack. After the reset, turn on Bluetooth again and try to find the device through the application.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting your network settings will remove all stored Wi-Fi passwords and associated Bluetooth devices (earbuds, speakers) from your phone's memory.
Another reason could be a packed memory bracelet or an error in its firmware, in which case a complete reset of the device to factory settings helps. On the bracelet itself, go to Settings → System → Reset. After that, the device will return to the “out of the box” state and be ready for a new activation cycle of Bluetooth.
- 🔍 Make sure the distance between the phone and the bracelet is not greater than 1-2 metre-long.
- 📡 Turn it off. VPN-services at the time of connection, they can block local network interaction.
- 📱 Check if the bracelet is connected to another phone within range (such as a tablet or a family member’s phone).
Features of working with two phones
Users are often interested in the ability to connect Xiaomi Band 8 to two smartphones at once, officially supports an active connection to only one device, but there is a technique for fast switching that simulates working with two phones, although full synchronization of data between them does not occur.
To switch the bracelet to another phone, you first need to break the connection in the application on the first device or turn off Bluetooth on it. Only then the Bluetooth module of the bracelet will be released and become visible to the second smartphone.
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Xiaomi Band 8 does not support simultaneous work with two phones. To change the device, you need to manually break the connection on the current active smartphone.
When using the “one bracelet, two phones” scheme, it should be noted that training history and health data will be stored only in the application of the phone to which the bracelet was connected at the time of recording.