How to turn on Bluetooth on the Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelet: instructions for all models

The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long been indispensable to millions of users around the world, tracking steps, pulse, sleep quality, and even notifying incoming calls, but all of these functions work only on one condition: if the bracelet is properly connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. It would seem that it could be easier than turning on wireless communication? However, many face difficulties: the button does not respond, the phone does not see the device, the connection is constantly broken.

In this article, we will discuss how to turn on Bluetooth on the Xiaomi Mi Band bracelet (relevant to Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8), what nuances are in different versions, and what to do if the connection does not work. You will learn not only the basic steps, but also hidden settings that are not written in the official instructions, and we will answer frequent questions: why the bracelet turns off on its own, how to reset the communication settings, and whether it can be connected to two phones at the same time.

What Xiaomi Mi Band models support Bluetooth and what protocol versions are used

All Mi Band bracelets, starting with the third version, are equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module, an energy-efficient version of standard Bluetooth optimized for wearable devices.

• 🔹 Mi Band 3/4 — Bluetooth 4.2. Support basic synchronization features, but there may be problems connecting to new Android smartphones 12+.
• 🔹 Mi Band 5/6 — upgraded to Bluetooth 5.0. More stable connection, less power consumption, support for simultaneous connection to multiple devices (for example, to a phone and tablet).
• 🔹 Mi Band 7/8 — They work on Bluetooth. 5.2 It's got better data rates. LE Audio for clearer notifications.

Important: If your smartphone Released before 2018, it may not support Bluetooth 5.0+. In this case, the bracelet will connect, but you may lag when synchronizing data. You can check the Bluetooth version on your phone in the settings: About phone → Software Information → Bluetooth version.

Preparing the bracelet for connection: charging, resetting and compatibility check

Before you turn on Bluetooth, make sure the bracelet is ready to go. Often users skip this step and then wonder why the device is not detected by the phone.

1. Charge the bracelet to at least 20%. At a low charge level (<10%), the Bluetooth module can shut down to save energy. Connect the bracelet to the charger and wait for the charging indicator to appear on the screen.
2. Update your firmware through the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit). Outdated versions of the software often contain communication errors. Go to Profile → My Devices → Update firmware for updates.
3. Check the phone’s compatibility. Mi Band bracelets officially support Android 6.0+ and iOS 10.0+. Older versions of the OS may have connection issues.

If the bracelet has already been connected to another device, it needs to be reset.

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → Reset (on Mi Band 3/4 this is done through the application).
2. Confirm the reset by clicking on the screen (or the button on Mi Band 3).
3. After the reset, the bracelet will be ready for a new connection.

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

Now, the key thing is, you activate Bluetooth and you connect the bracelet to your phone, and it's a little bit different from model to model, but the overall pattern is the same.

For Mi Band 3 and Mi Band 4

On these models, Bluetooth turns on automatically when you first connect to your phone.

1. Install the Mi Fitness app (links: Android/IOS).
2. Sign up or log in to Xiaomi account (required! without an account, the bracelet is not synced).
3. In the application, click Add device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 3/4.
4. The bracelet will have a connection request – confirm it by pressing the screen (or the button on the Mi Band 3).

For Mi Band 5, 6, 7 and 8

On the new models, the process is simplified, but there are nuances:

1. Open Mi Fitness and select Add Device.
2. The app will automatically start searching for the bracelet, and if it doesn't, check that the phone is Bluetooth enabled and geolocated (you need to find BLE devices).
3. It'll be on the bracelet. QR-code – scan it through the app (on Mi Band 8 it is a must-do step).
4. Confirm the pairing on the phone and bracelet.

Important: on Mi Band 6 and later, when you first connect, you need to allow access to notifications and contacts, and if you refuse, the bracelet will not show incoming calls and messages.

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If the bracelet doesn't connect, try turning off Bluetooth on your phone, then turning it back on and re-pairing it, sometimes rebooting both devices helps.

What to do if Bluetooth on Xiaomi Mi Band is not turned on or does not work

Even with the right actions, there can be failures, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

• 🔋 The bracelet is not responding to the connection, check the battery power. If the indicator is not on, maybe the cable or contacts are damaged. Try charging from another source.
• 📱 Phone doesn't see bracelet - make sure your smartphone has Bluetooth enabled and geolocation permission for the Mi Fitness app. On Android, also check that Bluetooth settings have Visibility on all devices.
• 🔄 Interrupted – remove the bracelet from the list of connected devices on the phone (Settings) → Bluetooth → Forget the device, then reconnect.
• 🚫 Error "Device not supported" - upgrade to the latest version of the Mi Fitness app or try connecting via another app, such as Notify & Fitness for Mi Band.

If nothing helps, do a hard reset of the bracelet:

1. On Mi Band 3/4/5: Press the touch button for 10-15 seconds until vibrations appear.
2. On Mi Band 6/7/8: go to Settings → About Device → Reset.

⚠️ Warning: After a hard reset, all data from the bracelet (steps, sleep history, settings) will be deleted.

How to check that Bluetooth on Xiaomi bracelet is turned on and working

Sometimes users think Bluetooth isn't working, when the problem is actually something else. Here's how to make sure the connection is active:

• 📲 In the Mi Fitness app – next to the bracelet name, a green tick or the inscription Connected should be lit.
• 🔵 On the bracelet, on the Mi Band. 5/6/7/8 In the top menu will appear the Bluetooth icon (🔵), If the connection is active, on the Mi Band. 3/4 There is no icon, but when the data is synchronized, the bracelet vibrates.
• 📊 In the phone settings - go to Settings → Bluetooth and check that the Mi Band is displayed in the list of connected devices.

If the bracelet is connected but does not show notifications, check:

• Have you allowed Mi Fitness notifications in your phone settings?
• Whether the Notification option is enabled in the app itself (Profile → Device → Notifications).
• Shouldn’t the bracelet be in Do Not Disturb mode (on the Mi Band 6/7/8, you can check it in quick settings by swiping down the screen).

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If the bracelet is connected but the data is not updated, try manually running sync: open the Mi Fitness app, pull the screen down (update gesture) and wait for the process to complete.

Can you connect Xiaomi Mi Band to multiple phones at the same time?

Yes, but with reservations, since the Mi Band 5, the bracelets have multi-connection capabilities, but there are limitations:

• 📱 Mi Band 5/6 — can be connected 2 devices (e.g., phone and tablet), but only one connection is active at a time.
• 📱 Mi Band 7/8 — support 3 devices, but for this you need to:

Important: When connected to multiple devices, data will be duplicated on all gadgets, but notifications will only come to the device that is currently active (i.e. next to the bracelet).

⚠️ Note: If you connect the bracelet to two phones with different Xiaomi accounts, your steps, sleep, and workout data will not sync between accounts.

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

In most cases, Bluetooth on the wristband does not need to be turned off — it automatically goes to sleep when there is no active connection, and consumes minimal energy.

• ✈️ In an airplane – although Mi Band bracelets do not emit a strong signal, some airlines require that all wireless devices be turned off.
• 🔋 To save charge – if the bracelet is discharged too quickly (for example, due to an old battery), turning off Bluetooth can extend its work by 1-2 days.
• 🛡️ For safety, if you suspect that the bracelet may have been compromised (for example, after connecting to a public charge).

To turn on the connection again, just hold the bracelet to the phone - it will automatically reconnect if Bluetooth is enabled in the phone settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Bluetooth on Xiaomi Mi Band