How to turn on Bluetooth on the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 3: instructions with pictures and tips

Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is still one of the most popular fitness trackers due to its reliability and availability. However, many users face the problem: the bracelet does not connect to the phone, and there is no explicit Bluetooth switch in the settings. In this article, we will discuss how to properly activate the wireless connection, what nuances are important to consider when you first set up, and what to do if the Mi Band 3 is not visible in the list of devices.

Unlike current models (such as the Mi Band 7 or Smart Band 8), the third version does not have a separate menu item for turning on Bluetooth - the connection is automatically established when synchronized with the Mi Fitness application (formerly Mi Fit). But there are several hidden points that can prevent successful connection: from outdated firmware to conflicts with other gadgets. We have collected all the working methods, including solutions for bracelets with firmware 1.1.0.44 and later, where the connection algorithm has changed.

Why Bluetooth on Mi Band 3 doesn’t work like it does on other devices

The main difference between the Mi Band 3 and the newer models is the lack of manual Bluetooth control. The bracelet does not have a separate button to turn on / off the module, such as in the Amazfit GTS 2 or Huawei Band 6.

• 🔹 First tether to the phone through the Mi Fitness app.
• 🔹 Re-sync after communication is broken (for example, if you are out of Bluetooth range).
• 🔹 Update the firmware bracelet (requires a temporary connection to the smartphone).

This approach makes it easier for most users to use, but creates difficulties if:

• 📱 Bluetooth is turned off or flight mode is turned on.
• 🔄 Mi Fitness app not updated to latest version.
• 🔋 Bracelet discharged below 10% (minimum threshold for connection installation).
• 🛠️ The bracelet has an unofficial firmware (for example, Mi Band 3 Custom Firmware).

It’s important to understand that the Mi Band 3 uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 4.2), an energy-efficient protocol that can conflict with other devices running at the same frequency (such as wireless headphones or smart lamps).If the bracelet doesn’t connect, first check if your smartphone’s Bluetooth channel is overloaded.

Preparing for Connection: What to Check Before Turning On Bluetooth

Before you try to connect the bracelet to your phone, make a preliminary diagnosis, which will save time and help avoid typical errors:

Download the latest version of the Mi Fitness app (App Store/Google Play)

Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and make sure it sees other devices

Charge the bracelet to at least 20% (optimally 50% and above)

Make sure the distance between the phone and the bracelet is less than 10 meters.

Turn it off. VPN Proxies on your phone (they can block synchronization)-->

Pay special attention to the permissions of the application. On Android, Mi Fitness should have access to:

• 📍 Geodane (for the correct operation of the pedometer).
• 📱 Contacts (for call notifications).
• 📂 Storage (for backup copies of settings).
• 🔄 Auto-start (to restore the connection after restarting the phone).

On the iPhone, check out:

• 🔒 Allows you to send notifications to Mi Fitness (Settings) → Notifications → Mi Fitness).
• 🔄 Function "Background update applications" (Settings) → Mainstream → Background update).

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Band 3 with iPhone 15 Pro or later, you may need to disable the “Blind Bluetooth Compatibility” feature in iOS settings.This option limits connection to legacy devices (including some fitness bracelets).

Step-by-step: how to turn Bluetooth on Mi Band 3

The process of activating the connection depends on whether you plug the bracelet in for the first time or reconnect after a failure. Let's consider both scenarios.

Scenario 1: First phone connection

1. Install the Mi Fitness app (links: Android/IOS).
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required! without an account, data synchronization is not possible).
3. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and start Mi Fitness.
4. Click Profile → Add Device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 3.
5. Hold the bracelet to the phone at a distance of less than 5 cm and wait for the vibration. The bracelet will appear on the screen 4-digit code — confirm it in the application.

If the bracelet does not vibrate and does not show the code:

• 🔋 Check the charge (minimum 15%).
• 🔄 Reset the bracelet: Press the touch button for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
• 📱 Restart Bluetooth on your phone.

Scenario 2: Reconnect after communication break

If the bracelet has been tied before, but the connection is lost:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to the Profile section → Mi Smart Band 3.
2. Click Device Settings → Sync data.
3. If sync doesn't start, go to Settings → Bluetooth, find Mi Band 3 in the list, and click "Forget the device." Then repeat the binding again.

⚠️ Note: Some Mi Band 3 firmware (e.g. 1.1.0.44) may reset the account binding after updating via Mi Fitness, requiring a full reset of the bracelet (click 20 seconds) and re-sync.

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If the bracelet is not detected on your iPhone, try turning off the “Low Bluetooth Power Consumption” feature in the iOS settings (Settings → Bluetooth → i (information) → Low Power Consumption).

Table: Frequent errors and their solutions

How to Update Mi Band 3 for a Stable Bluetooth Connection

If the bracelet is intermittent, the reason may be in outdated firmware, the manufacturer regularly releases updates that correct errors in the Bluetooth module, to update the software:

1. Connect the bracelet to charging and wait for the charge to be at least 50%.
2. Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Firmware Update.
3. If the update is available, click Download and wait until it is completed (the bracelet will reboot automatically).

Important nuances:

• 🔌 Do not turn off the bracelet from charging during the upgrade.
• 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to stable Wi-Fi (update weighs) ~10–15 MB).
• ⏱️ The process can take up to 10 minutes – don’t interrupt it!

After a successful update, check the firmware version in Bracelet Settings → About Device. Current version at 2026 is 1.1.0.58 or later. If your version is older but no updates, it may be that your bracelet uses regional firmware (for example, for China). In this case, Mi Band 3 Tools utility (available on 4PDA) will be required for manual updates.

Alternative ways to connect if Bluetooth is not working

If standard synchronization through Mi Fitness fails, try one of these methods:

Method 1: Use Notify & Fitness (for Android)

This third-party app supports Mi Band 3 and can establish a connection even if the official software refuses to work.

1. Remove Mi Fitness (Temporary Measure)
2. Install Notify & Fitness from Google Play.
3. Launch the application and follow the instructions for binding the bracelet.

Method 2: Reset the bracelet to factory settings

If the bracelet was previously linked to another account or the firmware is damaged, a complete reset will help:

1. Charge the bracelet to 100%.
2. Press the touch button for 20 seconds until the "Reset OK" message appears.
3. Connect again through Mi Fitness.

Method 3: Connect via Mi Band Master (for iOS)

For iPhone users who don’t have an official app, Mi Band Master (available on the App Store) supports manual Bluetooth connectivity and allows you to manually initialize your bracelet search.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications (such as Notify & Fitness or Mi Band Master), turn off automatic sync in Mi Fitness to avoid conflicts.

How to check that Bluetooth on Mi Band 3 is working correctly

To make sure that the connection is stable, follow the following steps:

Make sure that the current bracelet charge level is displayed in Mi Fitness.

Check if the notifications of calls/messages are coming on the bracelet

Synchronize the steps data – if the schedule is updated, the connection is stable

Try changing the dial through the app (requires active Bluetooth)-->

Additional tests:

• 📞 Call your phone from another device – the bracelet should vibrate.
• 🔔 Send a test notification (e.g. via Telegram) – it should appear on the Mi Band 3 screen.
• 🔄 Restart your phone and check if the connection will automatically reset.

If at least one of the tests fails, the problem may lie in:

• 📵 Hardware malfunction of the Bluetooth bracelet module (solved by replacement in the service center).
• 🛠️ Software firmware failure (helps flashing through Mi Band 3 Tools).
• 📱 Restrictions of the OS (for example, on iOS 17)+ background synchronization may be blocked).

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If the bracelet is connected but the data (steps, pulse) is not synchronized, the problem is 90% of the time due to the permissions of the Mi Fitness app or conflict with other fitness trackers (eg, Google Fit).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions