Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is a popular wearable that comes off to keep the battery powered during storage and transportation. After purchase, users often find that the screen doesn’t light up when you press the touch button, which is puzzling. Unlike smartphones, there’s no traditional power button that needs to be held for a few seconds to start the system.
To activate the tracker, you need to do a specific sequence of actions related to charging and pairing. Initial activation occurs automatically when you connect to a power source or when you sync with a mobile application. If you just unpack the device, just putting it on your hand will not be enough to start.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of turning on the gadget, consider possible problems with starting and suggest how to properly configure the device for full operation. Understanding the logic of the Mi Smart Band will help you avoid unnecessary worries and quickly start tracking physical activity.
Primary activation via charger
The most reliable and quickest way to wake up a new bracelet is to connect to a charger. The compact magnetic cable has a specific design where the contacts are located on the convex part of the tracker capsule. To start, remove the tracker itself from the silicone strap, since charging is carried out only by contact with the capsule itself.
Connect. USB-The cable connector to any available power source up to 1 Amp, which can be a computer port, a laptop port, or a standard smartphone adapter, and when you connect the contacts, you should feel a brief vibration, and the logo of the manufacturer will appear on the screen.
⚠️ Warning: If the screen doesn't catch fire after you're connected, try gently moving the capsule left or right at the contacts. Magnets may not hold the device perfectly smoothly, which means that the contact doesn't close the first time.
Once the logo appears, the device will automatically go to standby mode or immediately prompt you to choose an interface language, and it is important not to disconnect the bracelet from power in the first minutes so that the system has time to conduct internal self-diagnosis and update the battery status.
☑️ Primary launch verification
Configure via the Mi Fit app
The main control tool is the Mi Fit app (or Xiaomi Wear depending on the region and firmware version), without which the bracelet will not be able to transmit data about heart rate, steps and sleep, and receive notifications.
The pairing process starts automatically when you open the app after you set up and register your account, the system will ask you to turn on Bluetooth and geolocation on your phone, and the Mi Smart Band 5 should appear in the list of available devices.
When you first connect to the bracelet, you may see a request for confirmation of pairing, you need to touch the touch button on the tracker to confirm the action, and if you don't, the device will remain in standby mode.
- 📲 Download the official app from Google Play or App Store.
- 🔐 Register with your Mi Account account.
- 🔌 Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- 👆 Click "Add device" and select your bracelet.
Once synchronized successfully, the tracker interface will change to display the current time and date. The first turn on always requires time synchronization via the phone, since the device does not have its own real-time module for autonomous driving.
What to do if the screen does not light up
It's rare, but it's possible, because the problem is often oxidation of the contacts or deep battery discharge if the device has been in storage for a long time, and in these cases, the battery protection system could block charging.
Try to thoroughly wipe the contacts on the capsule and cable with dry soft cloth. Sometimes fatty fingerprints from the fingers create an insulating film that prevents current from passing, and it is also worth checking the integrity of the cable itself, since thin wires are often damaged when used carelessly.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use wet wipes or chemical solutions to clean contacts. Moisture entering the housing through micro-holes can lead to irreversible short circuit.
If visual cleaning didn't work, leave the device on charge for 30-40 minutes. In a deep discharge, the charge indicator may not light up immediately. Only after setting the minimum voltage will the battery icon appear on the screen.
In the case when after a long charge and restart (if it is possible through the menu), the device is silent, most likely, the battery or power controller has failed, in such a situation, you will need to contact the service center.
Signs of a faulty battery
Resetting and restarting the system
Sometimes a software failure can cause the bracelet to freeze and stop responding to touch.The Xiaomi Band 5 does not have a physical button to force reboot, so you need to use software methods.
Swipe your finger to the end of the screen to the right to open the More menu. Find the Settings gear icon. This menu contains either System or Reboot. Confirm the action with a touch.
If the touch screen doesn't respond, the only way out is to completely discharge the bracelet, leave it to lie down until the battery runs out completely and the device shuts down, and then charge it, and when you turn it on, the system will start again.
The radical method is to break the connection in the app. Go to the Bluetooth settings on your phone, find the device and select "Forget this device." Then in the Mi Fit app, remove the bracelet from the list and pair it again as if it were a new device.
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Software resetting via menus or battery discharge are the only ways to reset the bracelet without physical buttons.
Comparison of models: Band 5 and competitors
Understanding the power features of the Mi Band 5 becomes clearer when compared to other models, and many users are migrating from older versions or considering alternatives, and their activation methods may differ.
| Model | Type of activation | Removable capsule | Presence of NFC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Band 4 | Charging in the strap | No. | In the NFC version |
| Xiaomi Mi Band 5 | Charging separately | Yes. | In the NFC version |
| Honor Band 5 | Charging in the strap | No. | No. |
| Huawei Band 6 | Charging separately | No (magnetic) | There is. |
As you can see from the table, the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is one of the first in the lineup to remove the capsule to charge, which simplifies the switching process, since you do not need to remove the strap every time, but requires careful handling of contacts.
Unlike the Honor Band 5, where the contacts are hidden inside the strap, they are open here, making the device more vulnerable to contamination, but making it much easier to diagnose power problems.
Extended settings after inclusion
Once you have enabled the bracelet and connected it to your phone, it is recommended that you immediately set the basics up, which will ensure that the sensors work properly and prolong the battery life.
First, check firmware updates. The new version of firmware may contain bug fixes that affect stability and battery life. The upgrade process takes a few minutes and requires the bracelet to be near the smartphone.
- 🌙 Set up a schedule of “Do Not Disturb” mode so that the screen does not light up at night.
- 💓 Set target steps and pulse values for motivation.
- 📱 Select which apps to receive notifications from.
- 🖥️ Customize the dial to your liking from the gallery.
You also need to pay attention to adjusting the wrist to turn on the screen, so if the sensitivity is too high, the battery will be used faster, and if it is low, the screen may not light up at the right time.
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To save charge, turn off constant monitoring of the pulse, leaving the measurement once every 10-30 minutes. This will increase the life of the bracelet by 3-5 days.