How to turn on Bluetooth on Xiaomi fitness bracelet: step-by-step instructions with a photo

Xiaomi fitness bracelets are among the most popular wearables on the market due to a combination of functionality, design and affordable price. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulties with basic settings, such as turning on Bluetooth. Without the activated module, you will not be able to sync data with the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life), receive notifications from your smartphone or use the functions of a smart alarm clock.

In this article, we will discuss how to correctly enable Bluetooth on Xiaomi fitness bracelets of different generations - from Mi Band 4 to the latest models of Mi Band 8 and Xiaomi Smart Band Pro.>. We'll focus on the common bugs that might cause the module to fail, and we'll give you troubleshooting tips, and if your bracelet isn't detected by your phone or is permanently disabled, here's the solution.

What Xiaomi models support Bluetooth and what versions of the protocol use it

All Xiaomi fitness bracelets are equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy module (BLE) — It's an energy-efficient version of the standard, optimized for wearables, but the specifications may vary depending on the model:

• 🔹 Mi Band 1-3: Bluetooth 4.0 (obsolete protocol, possible problems with modern smartphones).
• 🔹 Mi Band 4: Bluetooth 5.0 (Stable Connection, Notification Support).
• 🔹 Mi Band 5/6: Bluetooth 5.0 with improved communication range (up to) 10 metre in ideal conditions).
• 🔹 Mi Band 7/8 and Smart Band Pro: Bluetooth 5.2 (Low power consumption, fast synchronization).

Important: Xiaomi bracelets do not support classic Bluetooth (for example, for file transfer or headphone connection) The module works solely for synchronization with the application and transfer health data.

⚠️ Note: If your smartphone is released before 2016 and does not support Bluetooth 5.0+, The bracelet may be intermittent. Check compatibility in the phone settings (Settings) → Bluetooth → Version of protocol).

Step-by-step: how to turn on Bluetooth on Xiaomi fitness bracelet

Unlike smartphones, Xiaomi bracelets don't have a separate Bluetooth switch on the menu, and the module activates automatically when you first connect to your phone through the app. However, if sync fails, follow these steps:

1. Install the Mi Fitness app: 📱 For Android: Download from Google Play. 🍎 For iOS: Available in the App Store.

The Zepp Life app (formerly Amazfit) is also suitable for some models, but Xiaomi officially recommends Mi Fitness.

Register a Xiaomi account:

Without an account, you can't synchronize data. Use an email or phone number. If you already have an account (for example, for a Redmi smartphone), log in.

Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone:

Go to Settings. → Bluetooth and activate the module. for Android 12+ Permission to exact location may be required (required to search for devices) BLE).

Add the bracelet in the appendix:

Open Mi Fitness, click Profile → Add the device → Fitness bracelet. Choose your model from the list. The bracelet should vibrate, this is a signal to start pairing.

Charge the bracelet to 50%+

Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version

Enable geolocation on your phone (for Android)

Reboot your smartphone if Bluetooth has previously been bugged

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If the bracelet is not detected, try resetting the device: press the touch button for 10 seconds before the vibration appears.

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On the Mi Band models 7/8 You can scan for speeding up the connection. QR-code from the bracelet screen in the Mi Fitness app. The code appears in the Settings menu → Connect the device.

What to do if Bluetooth on Xiaomi bracelet is not turned on

If the module is not activated or the bracelet is not visible in the list of devices, the reasons can be both software and hardware.

1. The bracelet does not appear in the list of available devices

• 🔋 Battery discharge: at charge level below 10%, Bluetooth shuts down to save power. Charge the device to at least 30%.
• 📱 Incompatible Smartphone: Check if your phone supports BLE. For example, some Huawei models without Google services may not see Xiaomi bracelets.
• 🔄 Conflict with other devices: disconnect from the phone other wearable gadgets (earphones, watches) and repeat the search.

2. the connection is interrupted at the connection stage

• 🛡️ Antivirus blocking: Some antiviruses (e.g. Avast, Kaspersky) block the connection BLE. Add Mi Fitness to the exceptions.
• 📶 Wi-Fi interference: If your phone and bracelet are near your router at 2.4GHz, try turning off Wi-Fi while pairing.
• 🔗 Outdated firmware: Update the bracelet through the Device Profile → Update of the Software in the annex.

3. Bluetooth is turned on but permanently shut down

• 📴 Power Saving on Phone: Turn off battery optimization for Mi Fitness in Android settings (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Battery → No restrictions).
• 🔌 Problems with charging contacts: if the bracelet is not charging well, the contacts could oxidize.
• 📲 Firmware failure: reset the bracelet to factory settings (click the button 15 seconds).

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet doesn't connect after all the manipulations, check it on another smartphone. If the problem persists, it's a hardware defect of the Bluetooth module (a common problem after falls or moisture.

Features of Bluetooth inclusion on popular Xiaomi models

While Bluetooth works on all Xiaomi bracelets, some models have unique nuances.

Mi Band 4

This model requires a firmware update when you first connect, and if you skip this step, Bluetooth will not work smoothly, the update takes 5-10 minutes and requires:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50%.
• 📶 A stable Internet connection on your phone.
• 📱 Mi Fitness apps version 4.6.0 or later.

Mi Band 5/6

These wristbands have a Quick Connect feature, and you can use it.

1. Go to the bracelet menu: swipe up the screen → Choose Connect.
2. On the phone, open Mi Fitness and confirm the pairing.
3. The bracelet vibrates twice - Bluetooth activated.

Also on the Mi Band 6, dual connectivity is added (to two smartphones simultaneously), but only for viewing the time and steps.

Mi Band 7/8 and Smart Band Pro

Latest models support Bluetooth 5.2 with function LE Audio, which improves the stability of the connection. There are two ways to include it:

1. Automatic: At the first start, the bracelet itself goes into pairing mode.
2. Manual: Press the button for 3 seconds → Choose Add the device → scan QR-code.

On the Smart Band Pro for full Bluetooth operation, you need to enable a permission for "Constant Activity in the Background" for the Mi Fitness application (Android 11)+).

Mi Band 4|Mi Band 5|Mi Band 6|Mi Band 7|Mi Band 8|Smart Band Pro|Another model-->

How to check that Bluetooth on Xiaomi bracelet works correctly

Even if the bracelet is connected to the phone, it does not guarantee stable operation of the module.

1. Data synchronization: Open Mi Fitness, swipe down to update the data. If the pace, pulse, and sleep schedules are updated, Bluetooth works.
2. Notification Test: Ask a friend to send you SMS If the bracelet vibrates and shows a notification, the communication is stable.
3. Checking through third-party apps: Install the nRF Connect utility (Android/iOS) And scan the nearest device, and the bracelet should show up as MI-BAND-XXXX.
4. Diagnostics through the engineering menu: On the Mi Band 6/7/8 You can run the Bluetooth test: go to Settings → About the device → The PO version and tap. 5 Select from the engineering menu BLE Test.

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If the bracelet is connected but the data is not synchronized, the problem most often lies in the settings of the Xiaomi account. Try logging out of the account in the application and logging in again.

Frequent errors when turning on Bluetooth and how to avoid them

Many users face the same problems due to ignorance of the nuances of the work. BLE. Here are the most common mistakes:

• 🚫 Ignoring updates: 70% of Bluetooth problems are solved by updating the bracelet firmware.
• 🚫 Multiple phone connection: Mi Band only remembers one "main" device; frequent reconnections can cause failures.
• 🚫 Disable geolocation: On Android without location permission, the app will not be able to scan BLE-device.
• 🚫 Use of unofficial firmware: Castom firmware (e.g. Notify & Fitness) can break Bluetooth.
• 🚫 Charging during pairing: Do not connect the bracelet to charging at the time of connection - this can cause a failure.

Another common mistake is using clone applications (e.g. Mi Band Master instead of the official Mi Fitness), which often do not support the latest bracelet models and can conflict with Bluetooth.

Alternative ways to control Bluetooth on Xiaomi bracelet

If the standard connection doesn't work, you can try alternative methods of activating the module, which are suitable for advanced users.

1. Through ADB-commands (for Android)

If the bracelet is determined by the phone but not connected, you can manually initialize the connection:

adb shell am start -a android.bluetooth.device.action.PAIRING_REQUEST -e android.bluetooth.device.extra.DEVICE "XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX"

Replace. XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX on MAC-The address of your bracelet (can be found in nRF Connect).

2.Using Notify & Fitness for Mi Band

This third-party software allows you to manually manage the connection:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Go to Settings. → The device → Reconnect.
3. Select Forced Connection.

Note: The application requires root rights for some functions.

3. Menu of Engineering (for Mi Band) 6/7/8)

The new models have a hidden menu for diagnosis:

1. Go to Settings → About the device → Software version.
2. Slip 5 times on the screen until the Engineer Mode menu appears.
3. Choose. BLE Test → Start.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-A command or engineering menu can cause firmware to fail. Do this only if standard methods have failed and you understand the risks.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about Bluetooth on Xiaomi fitness bracelets