How to turn on the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 8: full instructions with photos and tips

Fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 8 It has become one of the most popular gadgets 2023-2026 But even such a simple device can raise questions for new users, especially when it comes to first inclusion. This article will help you understand all the nuances of bracelet activation, from the basic procedure to solving possible problems.

The Mi Band 8 has been redesigned from previous generations, with a removable magnetically mounted display that affects the on-boarding process, and we’ll take a closer look at everything from unpacking to synchronizing with the Mi Fitness app, and give tips for fixing the typical problems that may occur when you first start up.

Preparation for the first inclusion of the Mi Band 8

Before you start activating the bracelet, you need to follow several preparatory steps, which will help avoid common errors and ensure that the device works correctly.

First, check the delivery kit. In the box with Xiaomi Mi Band 8 should be: • The fitness bracelet itself with a removable display • Strap (usually black in standard) • Charging cable with a magnetic connector • Instructions for a quick start (may be in several languages, including Russian) • Warranty card

Pay special attention to charging cable – the Mi Band 8 uses a new type of magnetic connector that is incompatible with previous models. If you used the Mi Band 7 or older versions before, your old cable will not work.

• 🔋 Check the bracelet's charge -- even if it's new, it could have run out during storage. 10-15 minutes before first activation.
• 📱 Install the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) on your smartphone, available for Android (version 6.0 and higher) and iOS (version 12.0 and higher).
• 🔄 Make sure your phone has Bluetooth and geolocation enabled – they’re essential to finding and connecting the bracelet.
• 📋 Prepare the data to register a Xiaomi account if you do not already have one.

⚠️ Note: If you have purchased the Mi Band 8 NFC, Please note that contactless payment requires additional customization through the Mi Pay app and credit card binding.

Basic way to turn on the bracelet

The process of first switching on Xiaomi Mi Band 8 is as simple as possible by the manufacturer.

1. Remove the bracelet from the package and remove the protective film from the screen (if any).In the Mi Band 8, the display is protected by a factory transport film that must be removed.
2. In this model, you can put the display in the strap, and you can removable the screen, you can insert it into the slots of the strap before you click it, and you can make sure that the contacts on the back of the bracelet are clean.
3. Connect to the charger on 5-10 minutes, even if the indicator shows some charge, this ensures that the device does not turn off during the setup.
4. Press and hold the touch button (the area under the screen) for a period of time. 3-5 It's a second until the Mi logo appears, and it signals the start of the download.
5. Wait until the download is complete. The screen will show sequential animations of the download, then the main interface with time (if the bracelet has already been activated) or an invitation to connect to the phone (if it is the first on).

Remove the protective film from the screen|

Install the display in the strap before clicking|

Connect to charging on 5-10 minute|

Hold the touch button. 3-5 seconds|

Wait for the Mi logo to appear-->

If nothing happens after holding the button, check the charge level - it is possible that the bracelet is completely discharged. 15-20 minutes, then try again.

Synchronization with the Mi Fitness app

Once the bracelet is successfully turned on, you need to connect it to your smartphone through an official application, a process called pairing, and it requires several steps:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone and log in to your Xiaomi account (or create a new one if you don't have one).

2. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner, then select Add Device.In the list of available gadgets, find the Mi Smart Band 8 and click on it.

3. Follow the instructions on the screen. The app will prompt you to turn on Bluetooth and geolocation, and ask permissions to access notifications and physical activity - provide all the necessary permissions.

4 When the bracelet is discovered, a 4-digit confirmation code will appear on its screen, check it against the code in the application and confirm pairing.

• 🔗 If the bracelet is not located, make sure it is on and near the smartphone (no more than 1 meter away).
• 📶 Connection problems can occur in areas with a large number of Bluetooth devices (offices, shopping centers.
• 🔄 If the process is stuck in the Connection stage, restart the Mi Fitness app and try again.
• 📱 iPhone may require additional Bluetooth resolution in system settings (Settings) → Confidentiality → Bluetooth).

Mi Band 8|

Mi Band 7|

Mi Band 6|

Older model|

Another model-->

After successful connection, the application will offer to update the firmware of the bracelet (if a new version is available) and configure the main parameters: display time, units of measurement, goals for steps, etc. We recommend updating immediately - this will fix possible bugs and add new functions.

⚠️ Note: When you first connect the Mi Band 8, you may need to reset to factory settings if the bracelet has already been activated by the previous owner. → Reset in Mi Fitness app. All data will be deleted, so use this feature only when necessary.

Alternative ways of inclusion

In some situations, the standard on-line method may not work, and consider alternatives that can help activate the bracelet in unusual cases.

Initiation via charger

If the bracelet is completely discharged and does not respond to the press of the button, try the following method:

1. Connect the Mi Band 8 to the charger (preferably using the original cable).
2. Leave him on charge. 20-30 Charging animations (lightning battery) should appear on the screen).
3. After the charging indicator appears, press and hold the touch button for 10 seconds.
4. If the bracelet is not turned on, disconnect it from charging, then plug it back in again and repeat holding the button.

Important: In the Mi Band 8 It uses a new power management system that can block the power on at a critical charge level. 30 Bracelet shows no signs of life, try using another one USB-port or charger with higher power (5V/2And).

Forced reset

If the bracelet is stuck on the logo or does not respond to pressing, perform a forced reboot:

1. Place the bracelet on the charger.
2. Hold the touch button for a while. 15-20 seconds until the screen goes out.
3. Release the button and wait for the automatic reboot (usually takes a lot of time). 30-60 seconds).

This method helps in 90% of freezes. If the bracelet still doesn't turn on, it may indicate a hardware malfunction - in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center.

Setup of the bracelet after switching on

After successful activation and synchronization with the Mi Fitness application, you need to perform a basic setup of the bracelet, which will allow you to personalize it to your needs and ensure that all functions work correctly.

Main settings in the application

Open the bracelet section in Mi Fitness and set the following settings:

• ⏰ Time format: 12- or 24-hour
• 📏 Units of measurement: metric or imperial system
• 🎯 Steps target – recommended value 8000-10000 step-by-step
• 🔔 Notifications – the choice of applications from which alerts will come
• 🔋 Power saving mode - on at low battery charge
• 🌙 Do Not Disturb – setting the time when the bracelet will not vibrate

Pay special attention to setting up notifications. Mi Band 8 supports displaying messages from most popular messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), as well as incoming calls. You can choose which apps to show notifications from to avoid unnecessary vibrations.

Setting up the screen and dials

Xiaomi Mi Band 8 offers wide options for customization of appearance:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, go to the Display section → Dials.
2. Choose one of the pre-installed dials or download additional ones from the store (more than 200 options are available).
3. Adjust the brightness of the screen and the backlight time (recommended value — 5-8 second-time).
4. Activate the "Raise your hand to turn on" function if you want the screen to turn on when you move your hand.

The Mi Band 8 features a new Always-On Display feature that shows time and basic information even in sleep mode. However, this feature significantly reduces battery life, so use it only when necessary.

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For maximum battery life, turn off Always-On Display and reduce backlight time to 5 seconds, and it is also recommended to turn off vibration when you reach your goals in steps - this saves up to 15% of charge per day.

Addressing common problems

Even after successful inclusion, users may face various problems in the work of Xiaomi Mi Band 8.

The bracelet is not synchronized with the phone.

If the data from the bracelet is not transmitted to the Mi Fitness application, follow the following steps:

1. Restart the Mi Fitness app and turn Bluetooth on/off on your phone.
2. Make sure that the phone is geolocated – it is necessary for the correct operation of some functions.
3. Check if the phone is power saving mode is on – it can limit the background operation of applications.
4. In the phone settings, find the Application section → Mi Fitness → Permits and make sure all permissions are included.
5. If nothing helps, remove the bracelet from the app (Device Profile) → Remove) and re-pair.

Bracelet discharges quickly

The Mi Band 8 can last up to 16 days on a single charge in standard use. If the battery goes down faster, check the following points:

• 🔋 Turn off Always-On Display if it is enabled.
• 📶 Reduce the frequency of data synchronization in the application settings.
• 🔔 Disable unnecessary notifications from apps.
• 🌡️ Check if continuous monitoring is included SpO₂ (oxygenation of the blood – this function significantly increases battery consumption.
• 📱 Update the bracelet firmware to the latest version – newer versions often optimize power consumption.

If the problem persists, try resetting the bracelet to factory settings through the Mi Fitness app, which will help to eliminate possible software errors that affect battery consumption.

The bracelet does not count steps or shows incorrect data

Problems with step counting are usually associated with the wrong position of the bracelet on the arm or incorrect settings:

• 👋 Wear the bracelet on a non-dominant hand (left hand if you are right-handed) – this reduces the number of false positives.
• 📏 Make sure the strap is fastened tightly enough – one finger should pass between the bracelet and wrist.
• 👟 Enter the correct personal data in the Mi Fitness profile – height, weight and age affect activity counting algorithms.
• 🔄 Calibrate the pedometer: walk exactly 50 steps, then select Pedometer Calibration in the bracelet settings.

⚠️ Note: Mi Band 8 has a new activity recognition system that can overestimate driving or cycling. To avoid this, turn off the auto activity option in the bracelet settings and manually start training sessions.

Update firmware and reset settings

Regular firmware updates Mi Band 8 allows you to correct errors, add new features and improve stability. Let's consider how to properly update the bracelet and perform a factory reset.

Firmware update

To update the firmware, follow the following steps:

1. Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged.
2. Open the Mi Fitness app and connect to the bracelet.
3. Go to the Device Profile → Update the firmware.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete.
5. Do not disconnect the bracelet from your phone and do not interrupt the update process!

The update process usually takes 5-10 When completed, the bracelet will automatically restart, and we recommend that you update over Wi-Fi to avoid the consumption of mobile traffic (the firmware can reach the size of the firmware). 10-15 MB).

Reset to factory settings

If the bracelet is unstable or you plan to transfer it to another user, perform a complete reset:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, go to the Device Profile → Reset.
2. Confirm the action – all data from the bracelet will be deleted.
3. After resetting, the bracelet will reset and be ready for a new setup.

Alternative reset method (if the bracelet is not synchronized with the phone):

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Hold the touch button for 20 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the button and wait for the reset process to be completed.

After resetting, all settings will return to factory settings, and the bracelet will be untied from the Xiaomi account. You will need to re-do the pairing procedure, as when you first turned on.

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Regular firmware updates improve sensor accuracy and increase battery life. factory reset helps eliminate software glitches, but removes all user data from the wristband.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions