How to turn on Bluetooth on the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 bracelet: instructions with photos and tips for error elimination

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables due to its price-performance balance. However, many users face difficulties when connecting to a smartphone for the first time — especially when it comes to turning on Bluetooth. Unlike smartphones, where the wireless module is activated in two clicks, in the Mi Band 5, this process has nuances that are not always written about in the official instructions.

In this article, we will not only show you how to turn on Bluetooth on your wristband, but also break down common errors (such as when a device is not detected by your phone), explain why the Mi Band 5 can spontaneously disable the connection, and give tips on how to optimize the wireless module. If you just unpacked the bracelet or encountered problems after updating the firmware, here you will find the answers.

Preparing the bracelet for connection: what to do before turning on Bluetooth

Before you activate Bluetooth on the Mi Band 5, make sure the device is ready to pair. Many people miss this step, causing errors like "Device not found" or "Disabled to connect."

• 🔋 Battery charge: The bracelet must be at least 20% charged. At low charge, the Mi Band 5 automatically shuts down power-intensive functions, including Bluetooth.
• 📱 Smartphone compatibility. Make sure your phone is running Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+. Older versions of the OS may require manual installation APK-Mi Fit application file.
• 🔄 Firmware update. If the bracelet has been in use for a long time, update its firmware through the app. Outdated versions of the software often conflict with modern smartphones.
• 🚫 No other connections. Mi Band 5 doesn't support multithreaded connectivity. If the bracelet is already paired with another device (like a tablet), break the connection in the Bluetooth settings on that gadget.

Pay special attention to the permissions of the Mi Fit application. On Android, you must provide access to:

• 📍 Geodana (for the correct operation of the pedometer and GPS).
• 📁 Storage (for backup of data).
• 🔗 Bluetooth and location (required for pairing!).

⚠️ Note: On iPhone after installing Mi Fit go to Settings → Confidentiality → Geolocation services and select "When in use" mode for the application. Without this, the bracelet will not be able to connect.

Step-by-step: how to turn Bluetooth on Mi Band 5

Unlike smartphones where Bluetooth is manually enabled, the Mi Band 5 module is activated automatically when you first connect to the application. However, if the bracelet has been used before or reset to factory settings, you may need to force it to turn on.

1. Step 1: Install Mi Fit App Download the official app from Google Play or the App Store. Alternatively, Zepp Life (a new name for some regions) Don't use third-party APKs - they may contain malicious code.
2. Step 2. Sign up for Xiaomi account If you don’t have a Xiaomi account, create it directly in the app. To do this, click Log in → Sign up and follow the prompts. Without an account binding, the bracelet will not be able to sync data with the cloud, and some features (such as alerts) will not be available.
3. Step 3. Activate Bluetooth on the bracelet Here, many people make the mistake of trying to turn on Bluetooth through the bracelet settings. In fact, the Mi Band 5 does not have a separate switch for the wireless module. Instead: Open the Mi Fit app and click "Add device." Select from the list of Mi Smart Band 5. Click on the bracelet screen to unlock it (if it is locked). Hold the bracelet to the phone at a distance of less than 10 cm.
4. Step 4: Confirmation of pairing The bracelet screen will have a 4-digit code. Compare it to the code in the Mi Fit app and confirm the connection. If the codes don't match, reboot the bracelet (press the touch button for 10 seconds).

Official application Mi Fit/Zepp Life| is installed

Bracelet charged at least 20% |

Bluetooth and geolocation enabled on the phone |

Mi Band 5 unlocked (click on screen)|

The bracelet is not connected to another device-->

If after these actions the bracelet still does not connect, go to the next section - there we will analyze the typical errors and their solutions.

Typical errors when turning on Bluetooth and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, the Mi Band 5 may not connect to the phone, and below is a table of the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative method of connecting:

1. Remove the bracelet from the list of devices in Mi Fit.
2. Go to your phone’s Bluetooth settings and manually find the Mi Band 5 (may appear as MI5 or XMSH08HM).
3. Connect to it, then return to Mi Fit and repeat pairing.

⚠️ Note: Some Android 12 firmwares+ A bug occurs when the system blocks the background work of Mi Fit. To fix this, go to Settings. → Annexes → Mi Fit → Battery and turn off optimization.

How to check that Bluetooth on Mi Band 5 is working correctly

Once the connection is successful, it is important to make sure that the wireless bracelet module is functioning without malfunctioning.

• 📶 Connection indicator: The main screen of the bracelet should display a Bluetooth icon (two waves or a stylized letter "B"). If it is not, the connection is severed.
• 🔄 Synchronize data. In the Mi Fit app, check if your steps, pulse and charge levels are updated in real time. Delays of more than 5 minutes indicate problems.
• 🔔 Alerts. Ask someone to send you a message or call you. If the bracelet vibrates and shows a notification, Bluetooth is stable.
• 🎵 Music control. Run the player on your phone and try to switch the track from the bracelet (swipe right on the main screen). If the feature is not available, check the settings in Mi Fit.

For a deep diagnosis, go to Bracelet Settings → About the bracelet in the Mi Fit app. Here it shows:

• The firmware version (current for 2026 - 1.0.3.54 or higher).
• Bluetooth signal strength (if below 70%, bring your phone closer).
• Synchronization status (should be “Last synchronization: just now”).

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If the bracelet often turns off, try turning off the Auto Switch to Wi-Fi feature on your phone (on Android it is in Bluetooth settings), an option that may conflict with connecting to the Mi Band 5.

Hidden Bluetooth settings in Mi Band 5: what you can configure

Few people know, but there are hidden parameters in the Mi Band 5 that affect how Bluetooth works, and they're not documented in the official manual, but they can significantly improve connection stability.

• 🔗 Connection priority. By default, the bracelet tries to connect to the last phone you've used. If you have multiple devices, you can prioritize Mi Fit: Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Priority device.
• 🔋 Bluetooth Power Saving Mode. In bracelet settings (Settings) → Display and brightness → Energy saving is an option called Optimize Bluetooth, and turn it off if you notice frequent connection breaks.
• 📡 Maximum range: Mi Band 5 supports up to 10 meters of connectivity by default. To increase the radius, upgrade to the latest version of the firmware and enable the Extended Radius option in Mi Fit (not available in all regions).
• 🔄 Automatic reconnect. If the bracelet often loses communication, enable Auto Connection in the application settings (Settings) → Notifications → Automatic connection).

For power users, there's another trick: resetting the Bluetooth cache, which helps if the bracelet forgets the phone or connects with delays, to make a reset:

1. Open Mi Fit and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Disable the device.
2. On your phone, go to Settings → Applications → Mi Fit → Storage → Clear the cache.
3. Reboot your phone and bracelet (press the button for 10 seconds).
4. Repeat the pairing procedure again.

How to turn off Bluetooth on Mi Band 5 (and why you might need it)

In most cases, you don't need to turn off Bluetooth on the wristband, it automatically goes to sleep when you don't have a connection, but there are situations where a forced shutdown can be helpful:

• ✈️ While the Mi Band 5 doesn't emit a strong signal, some airlines require that all wireless devices be turned off.
• 🔋 If the bracelet discharges too quickly, turning off Bluetooth overnight can extend autonomy by 1-2 days.
• 🔒 Privacy: In public places (fitness clubs, offices), attackers could theoretically intercept the bracelet data via Bluetooth.
• 🔄 Resetting: Before selling or transferring the bracelet to another person, it is recommended to disconnect it from the account.

To turn off Bluetooth:

1. Open the Mi Fit app.
2. Go to Profile. → Mi Smart Band 5.
3. Click "Disable the device."
4. Confirm the action. The bracelet vibrates, and the Bluetooth icon on its screen disappears.

To turn on Bluetooth again, it is enough to reconnect the bracelet to the phone via Mi Fit (see the instructions in section 2).

⚠️ Warning: If you have disabled the bracelet through your phone's Bluetooth settings (rather than Mi Fit), this may cause sync failure.Always use the official connection management app.

Frequent questions about Bluetooth in Mi Band 5

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If the bracelet doesn't connect to the phone, 90 percent of the time the problem isn't with the Mi Band 5 itself, but with the smartphone settings (resolutions, power saving, application conflict). Always start your diagnosis by checking your phone, not your bracelet.