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

The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have become an integral part of the daily lives of millions of users. These compact devices not only track physical activity and sleep, but also sync with a smartphone via Bluetooth for data transfer. However, many owners have difficulty connecting with the first one — especially if you have not previously had to work with wearable electronics.

Turning on Bluetooth on Xiaomi’s bracelet is a process that seems obvious at first glance, but has nuances depending on the device model and firmware version. In this article, we will analyze step-by-step instructions for all current versions of the Mi Band (from the 3rd to the 8th), consider typical connection errors and give recommendations for troubleshooting. Particular attention will be paid to the differences between old and new models – for example, in the Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8, the Bluetooth activation algorithm differs from the classic versions.

If your wristband is not detected by your phone or is constantly losing connection, you will find proven solutions here, and for those who have just purchased a device, we have prepared a checklist for preparing for the first connection, which will save time and nerves.

Preparation of Xiaomi bracelet for Bluetooth connection

Before you turn on Bluetooth on the bracelet, make sure the device is ready to sync. Many users miss this step, which causes connection errors.

• 🔋 Charge the bracelet to a level of at least 20%. Low charge can interrupt the pairing process. 6/7/8 lower-charge 15% Bluetooth automatically shuts down to save energy.
• 📱 Install the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life) or Xiaomi Wear, depending on the region and the bracelet model. Only download the software from Google Play or the App Store to avoid fake versions.
• 🔄 Update the bracelet firmware if a new version is available.Outdated software often causes unstable Bluetooth connections.You can check the firmware's relevance in the Device Profile section. → Update of the PO.
• 📵 Disable other Bluetooth devices on your smartphone (earphones, speakers, smartwatches). Connecting multiple devices at the same time can cause conflicts.

Important: If you are switching from one Xiaomi bracelet to another (e.g. Mi Band 5 to Mi Band 8), remove the old device from the app beforehand, otherwise the new device may not be identified due to an ID conflict.

How to turn Bluetooth on Mi Band 3, 4, 5 and 6: the classic way

The Mi Band 3-6 models use the same Bluetooth activation algorithm, as they are built on a similar hardware platform. In these devices, the wireless module turns on automatically when you first connect to the phone, but sometimes you need manual activation.

1. Activate the bracelet by pressing the touch button (Mi Band 3/4) or swiping your finger up the screen (Mi Band 5/6).
2. Swipe left or right until you find the Still section (on Mi Band 3/4) or Settings (on Mi Band 5/6).
3. In the settings menu, select Bluetooth (antenna icon) and if this is not available, the module is already active.
4. The screen will say Search... which means that the bracelet is ready to pair. Now move on to the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone.

On the Mi Band 5/6, there's an alternative way to turn Bluetooth on via the quick menu: swipe down from the top of the screen and find the Bluetooth icon. Tap it to activate the module. If the icon is illuminated in blue, Bluetooth is already on.

Note for Mi Band 4: This model sometimes has a bug when Bluetooth is disabled after a firmware update.If the bracelet is not detected, reboot it by holding the touch button for 10 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.

Bluetooth on the Mi Band 7, 7 Pro and 8

The new Mi Band 7, 7 Pro and Mi Band 8 models have an updated interface and an improved Bluetooth module (version 5.2 instead of 4.2 in previous generations).

1. Swipe your finger up the screen to unlock the bracelet. The Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8 use a swipe up + hold gesture to call the main menu.
2. Tap the Settings icon (cogs) or swipe left to the System section.
3. Select Bluetooth. The new models show the current status of the connection and the protocol version.
4. If Bluetooth is disabled, tap the switch to activate it. The device search animation will appear on the screen.

An important detail for the Mi Band 8: this model implements the function of automatically turning off Bluetooth during prolonged inactivity (more than 6 hours). To avoid this, activate the Permanent Connection mode in the bracelet settings (Bluetooth → Additional).

The Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8 also have dual connectivity support, which allows the bracelet to connect to Xiaomi’s phone and headphones at the same time (e.g. Buds 4). To activate this feature, go to Settings → Bluetooth → Multiple devices.

Matching Xiaomi bracelet with phone: step-by-step process

Turning Bluetooth on the wristband is only half the battle. Now you need to pair it with your smartphone properly. Let's take Android for example (for iOS, the steps are similar, but with the features of Mi Fitness in the App Store).

1. Open Bluetooth settings on your phone: Settings → Connections → Bluetooth (on Xiaomi/Redmi) or Settings → Devices → Bluetooth (on other Androids).
2. Activate Bluetooth and wait for a device called MIBAND-XXXX to appear on the list (where XXXX is your unique ID).
3. Tap the name of the bracelet in the list. The pairing request will appear on the phone screen, and the vibration and connection icon will appear on the bracelet.
4. Confirm the connection on both devices. Mi Band 5-8 bracelets may require input PIN-code (usually 0000 or 1234).
5. Launch the Mi Fitness app and follow the instructions for linking the bracelet to your Xiaomi account.

Important for iPhone: Apple devices must manually allow access to health notifications and data before pairing. Go to Settings → Bluetooth → I icon next to Mi Band → Allow notifications.

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If the bracelet is not detected, try rebooting the phone's Bluetooth module: turn it off and turn it back on in the settings, and check if the smartphone is power-saving mode is on - it can block the background Bluetooth operation.

Typical errors when turning on Bluetooth and their solutions

Even if you follow instructions correctly, users often face problems, and let's look at the most common mistakes and how to fix them:

• 🔴 The bracelet is not visible in the list of devices Reasons: dead battery, outdated firmware, conflict with other Bluetooth devices Solution: charge the bracelet to 50%, update the firmware through Mi Fitness, disconnect other gadgets from the phone.
• 🔴 The connection is interrupted at the connection stage Causes: incompatibility of Bluetooth versions (for example, a phone with Bluetooth 4.0 and a Mi Band 8 bracelet with 5.2), interference from other devices. Solution: check compatibility in the official documentation of Xiaomi. If the problem is interference, try connecting elsewhere.
• 🔴 The bracelet is connected, but immediately turns off Reasons: activated power saving mode on the phone or bracelet, enabled automatic Bluetooth shutdown. Solution: turn off power saving in the phone settings and activate Permanent connection on the bracelet (for Mi Band) 7/8).
• 🔴 Mi Fitness app doesn't see bracelet Reasons: app cache, outdated software version, no access rights. Solution: clear Mi Fitness cache in phone settings, update app, provide all permissions requested.

If none of these methods worked, reset the bracelet to factory settings. Go to Settings → System → Reset (on Mi Band 5-8), or press the touch button for 15 seconds (on Mi Band 3/4).

How to check the quality of Bluetooth connection

An unstable connection between the wristband and the phone leads to data loss and frequent communication breaks. To diagnose the problem, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app and go to Profile → Device → Connection status, which shows the current connection status and signal level.
2. Check the signal level: 🟢 3-4 divisions are a good connection. 🟡 1-2 divisions – weak signal, possible breaks. 🔴 No divisions – bracelet is disabled or out of range.
3. Test connection stability: Get 5-10 meters away from your phone (no obstruction). If communication is interrupted, check for interference (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, other Bluetooth devices).

To improve the connection:

• 📶 Keep your phone and bracelet on one side of your body (for example, both on your left hand).
• 🔋 Turn off the power saving mode on your phone for Mi Fitness.
• 🔄 Reconnect the bracelet in your phone’s Bluetooth settings (forget the device and pair it again).

Tips for Mi Band 8: This model features Bluetooth LE Audio technology, which provides a more stable connection. To activate it, upgrade the bracelet firmware to version 1.15.0.0 or higher.

Additional Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi bracelets

In addition to the basic on/off switch, Xiaomi bracelets have advanced Bluetooth settings that will help optimize the device:

• 🔗 Auto Connection – the bracelet will automatically connect to the phone when Bluetooth is turned on. → Bluetooth → Auto-connection.
• 📴 Bluetooth Notifications – Selecting Alert Types (Calls, SMS, Messengers that will be duplicated on the bracelet. Configured in the Mi Fitness app in the Notifications section.
• 🔋 Bluetooth Energy Saving – Limiting the module’s background activity to save charge. → Battery → Bluetooth Optimization (Available on Mi Band) 7/8).
• 🎵 Music transfer – in Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8 models, you can control the music playback on your phone via a bracelet.

The Mi Band 8 also features a Bluetooth relay feature that allows the bracelet to relay the signal from the phone to other Xiaomi devices (e.g., the Yeelight lamp) to adjust it:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth → Relay.
2. Choose devices that can be controlled through the bracelet.
3. Confirm the pairing on the phone.

Note: the relay function only works with devices that support the Mi Mesh protocol (for example, Xiaomi Smart Home gadgets). The full list of compatible devices is available on the official website.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Bluetooth on Xiaomi bracelets