How to turn Bluetooth on Xiaomi Mi Band 3: detailed instructions with photo

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet remains a popular gadget even years after its release — its reliability, long battery life and basic activity tracking functionality attract users. However, many face difficulties when connecting the device to a smartphone for the first time. The main problem is not understanding how to activate the Bluetooth module on the bracelet itself. Unlike modern models (for example, Mi Band 7 or Mi Smart Band 8), the third version does not have a separate menu item to enable wireless communication.

Actually, Bluetooth on the Mi Band. 3 It is automatically activated when synchronized with the Mi application. Fit/Zepp Life, but there are nuances: if the bracelet was previously paired with another phone or reset to factory settings, manual activation may be required. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to turn on Bluetooth, and also tell you what to do if the smartphone does not see the device. The instructions are suitable for all versions of the Mi Band firmware 3 (including Chinese and global).

Why can't you connect Mi Band 3 to Bluetooth?

Before we get into the instructions, it’s important to understand why the bracelet might not connect to a smartphone, and most often the problem isn’t with the Mi Band 3 itself, but with the phone’s settings or software.

Here are the most common reasons:

• 📱 Bluetooth is off on your smartphone – it seems obvious, but many forget to check this point.
• 🔄 The bracelet is already paired with another device - the Mi Band 3 remembers the last connection and can ignore new attempts.
• 📲 Older App Version – Mi Fit or Zepp Life Require Regular Updates for Compatibility.
• 🔋 Battery discharge – at a charge level below 10%, the bracelet can turn off the Bluetooth module to save energy.
• 🛠️ Firmware failure is rare, but happens after an incorrect update.

If you just bought a bracelet, it’s likely the problem in the first or second point.

Method 1: Automatic Bluetooth Enabling Through the Application

The easiest and most recommended method is to use the official Mi Fit app (for older versions of the bracelet) or Zepp Life app (for newer firmware), and the algorithm is the same for both applications:

1. Download and install Mi Fit (Android) or Mi Fit (iOS). For Zepp Life, links are: Android/IOS.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required!).
3. Click Profile → Add Device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 3.
4. Allow the app to access Bluetooth and Notifications.
5. Wait until the bracelet vibrates - this is a signal to turn on the Bluetooth module.

If the bracelet doesn’t vibrate for 30 seconds, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Mi Band 3 (press the touch button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 Restart Bluetooth on your phone.
• 🔋 Make sure the bracelet charge is above 20% (checked in the bracelet menu).

Install Mi Fit/Zepp Life

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone

Charge the bracelet to 30%+

Allow all requests of the application

Reload the bracelet (if necessary)-->

Method 2: Manually enable Bluetooth via bracelet menu

If the automatic sync doesn't work, you can try turning on Bluetooth manually.

1. Swipe your finger on the Mi Band 3 touch button up/down until you find the Settings (cog icon).
2. Select Connection (Bluetooth icon).
3. The bracelet should show the device search icon (Bluetooth flashing icon).
4. Return to the Mi Fit/Zepp Life app and try again.

Important: some firmware may not have the Connection option, in which case only resetting the bracelet to factory settings (instruction below) will help.

Method 3: Resetting the bracelet to factory settings

If previous methods didn't work, it's likely that the Mi Band 3 has memorized the old connection and blocks the new ones, in which case a hard reset will help.

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → More → Reset (anti-clockwise arrow icon).
2. Confirm the action by pressing the touch button.
3. Wait for the reboot (the bracelet vibrates and shows the Mi logo).
4. After reset, try connecting again through the app.

⚠️ Warning: Reset will delete all data from the bracelet (steps, pulse, alarm settings.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even after a successful connection, users face problems with communication stability, and here are the typical mistakes and ways to solve them:

• 🔌 The bracelet shuts down after a few minutes – check the power saving settings on your phone (for Xiaomi: Settings) → Battery → Energy conservation → Select the Mi Fit app → No restrictions).
• 📵 No notifications – In the application settings, enable Notifications → Allow access and add Mi Fit to the battery optimisation exemption list.
• 🔄 Permanent communication breaks – try to turn off your phone’s Wi-Fi (sometimes interfering with Bluetooth) LE).

⚠️ Note: If you use an iPhone, make sure that Bluetooth settings enable Allow Connection for Mi Band 3. On iOS, you may also need to manually confirm mating in system settings (not just in the app).

💡

If the bracelet is connected but the data is not synchronized, try using the Mi Fit app to go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Sync the data and wait for the process to be completed.

How to check if Bluetooth on Mi Band 3 is working?

To make sure that the Bluetooth module is activated and working correctly, follow the following steps:

1. Open the settings on the phone → Bluetooth.
2. Find a device called Mi Band in the list 3_XXXX (where XXXX — unique identifier).
3. If the device is displayed as Connected, then Bluetooth is working.
4. In the Mi Fit app, check the sync status (the cloud icon in the upper right corner should be green).

If the bracelet doesn’t appear in the list of devices, but vibrates when you try to connect, try:

• 🔍 Remove all previously paired devices called Mi Band.
• 📱 Reboot the phone.
• 🔋 Connect the bracelet to charge for 5 minutes (sometimes helps to “wake up” the module).

💡

If the bracelet vibrates when you press the touch button, but does not connect, the problem is more likely in the phone (Bluetooth, power saving or software), and not in the Mi Band 3 itself.

Alternative ways to connect (if nothing helps)

In rare cases, standard methods don't work, so you can try:

1. Third-party connection: Install Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (Android) or Mi Band Master (iOS) applications that are sometimes better at connecting to older bracelets.
2. Use another phone: Try temporarily connecting the Mi Band 3 to another smartphone (preferably on Android 8.0+).
3. Update firmware via PC: For power users: you can flash the bracelet through the MiFitTool utility (instructions are available on the 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums).

⚠️ Warning: Updating firmware through informal tools may result in loss of warranty and unstable bracelet performance.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions