How to turn on the Xiaomi Smart Band fitness bracelet: from charging to forced reboot

Fitness bracelets Xiaomi Smart Band (Mi Band series, Smart Band 7/8 Pro, etc.) sometimes refuse to turn on after discharging, updating the firmware or long storage. If your bracelet does not respond to touch, does not vibrate and does not show time - do not rush to carry it to the service. In 90% of cases, the problem can be solved by yourself in 5-10 minutes.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to turn on Xiaomi smartwatches, from the basic procedure to forced reboot when β€œhanging”. Separately, we will focus on the typical errors that may cause the bracelet to not show signs of life, and give a checklist for the diagnosis of malfunctions. Instructions are relevant for models Mi Band 3/4/5/6, Smart Band 7/8 (Pro) and Xiaomi Band 8 Active.

Before you start, check two key points: 1) Bracelet charge level – if the battery is completely discharged, the screen will not turn on even after connecting to charging (you need to wait 10-15 minutes). 2 The state of contacts of the charger – oxidation or contamination can block the power supply.

1. Standard on: button and sensor

If the Xiaomi bracelet is turned off due to discharge or has been manually disabled, it can be turned on in the standard way.

  • πŸ”˜ Mi Band 3/4/5/6, Smart Band 7/8: Press and hold the touch button under the screen. 5–7 A few seconds before the Mi logo appears.
  • πŸ”„ Smart Band 7 Pro/8 Pro: tap the screen and swipe up ("swipe up" gesture), then hold your finger on the power icon for 3 seconds.
  • ⚑ All models: if the bracelet is discharged, first connect it to charging for 10-15 minutes - the switching on will happen automatically when the minimum charge level is reached.

In the models with AMOLED-screen (Mi Band) 6, Smart Band 7/8) When you turn on, you'll see the download animation, then the main menu, and if the screen flashes or shows artifacts, it's a sign of a failure in the plume or firmware. 5).

πŸ“Š What is the Xiaomi Smart Band?
Mi Band 5
Mi Band 6
Smart Band 7
Smart Band 8
Another model

If the bracelet does not respond to pressure, try alternative methods:

  1. Connect the bracelet to charging and wait for vibration (signal about the start of charging).
  2. Press the touch button 10 times in a row at intervals of 1 second – this sometimes β€œwakes up” the hung device.
  3. Try to turn on the bracelet through the Mi Fitness app (instructions in Section 3).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use sharp objects (toothpicks, needles) to press - this can damage the touch layer of the screen.

Initiation via charger

If the bracelet is completely discharged or "hangs" during the upgrade, it can be "resuscitated" using charging.

Use the original cable (not wireless charging)

Clean the contacts of the bracelet and charging with an alcohol napkin

Connect charging to 5V/1A power supply (not USB 3.0!)

Wait 10-15 minutes before the first attempt to turn on-->

Step-by-step:

  1. Connect the bracelet to the charger. On the Mi Band 5/6 and Smart Band 7/8 models, the red indicator should light up (on the Mi Band 3/4 - white).
  2. If the indicator is not on: πŸ”Œ Check the cable and power supply (try another charger). 🧹 Clean the bracelet contacts with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. πŸ”„ Turn the bracelet in the charging socket - sometimes the contacts do not touch due to the strain of the strap.

Wait 10-15 minutes. If the bracelet does not turn on automatically, press and hold the touch button for 10 seconds.

Model braceletCharging indicatorTime to Automatic EnablementActions in the absence of a reaction
Mi Band 3/4White LED5-10 minutesHold the button for 15 seconds
Mi Band 5/6Red LED3-5 minutesDisable/connect charging 3 times
Smart Band 7/8Battery animation on the screen2-3 minutesCheck the contacts for oxidation
Smart Band 7 ProVibration + charging icon1-2 minutesUse magnetic charging strictly in the center

Critical error: If after 30 minutes of charging the bracelet does not show signs of life (no indicator, vibration, heat), this may indicate a malfunction of the power controller, in which case repair or replacement of the battery is required.

πŸ’‘

If the bracelet is not charging, try connecting it to a power source using USB-Hub (not directly to the computer) Some Xiaomi models do not recognize USB 3.0 ports due to increased voltage.

3.Inclusion via Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app

If the bracelet does not respond to physical buttons, but is determined by the smartphone, it can be switched on software.

  1. Install the app: πŸ“± For the Mi Band. 3/4/5/6 β€” Mi Fitness (Android/iOS). πŸ“± For the Smart Band 7/8 β€” Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit).
  2. Connect the bracelet to your smartphone via Bluetooth: πŸ” Turn on Bluetooth on your phone. πŸ”— In the app, click Add Device β†’ Xiaomi Smart Band. πŸ“Ά Wait for the bracelet to appear in the list and confirm the pairing.

Device Profile β†’ Settings β†’ Reboot

Reboot.

If the bracelet is not defined by the annex:

  • πŸ”„ Reboot your smartphone.
  • πŸ“΅ Turn off Bluetooth for 30 seconds, then turn it on again.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in the phone settings and reconnect.

⚠️ Note: On Smart Band 8 Pro models, the software reboot function can be blocked if the charge level is below 10%.

What to do if the app does not see the bracelet?
1. Check compatibility: Mi Band 3/4 is not supported in Zepp Life (mi Fitness needed). 2. Update the app to the latest version (on Play Market/App Store). 3. On Android: clear the app cache in Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Mi Fitness/Zepp Life β†’ Memory β†’ Clear the cache. 4. On iPhone: turn on Bluetooth for the app in Settings β†’ Privacy β†’ Bluetooth. 5. If the bracelet was previously paired with another phone, reset it to factory settings (hold the 20 seconds button).

4. Forced reset (Hard Reset)

If the Xiaomi bracelet is stuck on the logo, does not respond to charging or buttons, a forced reboot will be required.This method resets all temporary data (steps, pulse), but saves firmware and basic settings.

Instructions for all models:

  1. Turn off the bracelet from charging (if connected).
  2. Find the touch button below the screen (or on the sidebar of the Smart Band 7 Pro).
  3. Press and hold the button for 20-30 seconds until the screen goes out and the Mi logo lights up again.
  4. Release the button and wait for the full download (can take up to 2 minutes).

On models with a physical button (Mi Band 3), the algorithm is different:

1. Press the button 1 time (short).


2. Hold it for 10 seconds immediately after that.




3. Repeat steps 1-2 three times in a row.

Signs of successful discharge:

  • πŸ”„ The bracelet vibrates three times.
  • πŸ“± The screen says Reset or Reboot.
  • ⏳ The loading takes longer than usual (up to 3 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the reset process, even if the bracelet does not show signs of life for 1-2 minutes. On Smart Band 8 models, the interruption can lead to firmware damage that requires flashing through the bandwidth. ADB.

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Forced reboot is the last way to β€œresuscitate” the bracelet before contacting the service. If the device does not turn on after reset, the problem is most likely in the hardware (battery, power charge).

5. Diagnostics of malfunctions: why the bracelet is not turned on

If none of these methods worked, it could be a hardware or software failure.

Check the charger on another bracelet (or charge your phone)

Check the contacts of the bracelet for corrosion / damage

Try to turn on the bracelet from another power supply (not the one). USB-port)

Make sure the strap is not pressing the button (relax the clasp)

Check if the bracelet is wet (try drying it for 24 hours in rice)-->

Typical causes and solutions:

Symptoms.Probable causeDecision
No reaction to the button and chargingFull battery dischargeCharge 30-60 minutes, then hold the button for 15 seconds
Charging indicator is on, but not turned onFirmware failure after updateForced reboot (Section 4) or flashing through Mi Fit
The bracelet warms up when chargingShort circuit or bloated batteryDisconnect from power immediately, contact the service
The screen flashes or shows artifactsDamage to the plume or matrixScreen replacement (not recommended by yourself)
There is a vibration, but the screen is not switched on.Display driver failureReset to factory settings via Mi Fitness

If Xiaomi's bracelet fell into the water, even if it had 5 ATM protection, the contacts could oxidize.

  1. Dry the device in a dry place for 24 hours (do not use a hair dryer!).
  2. Check if there is moisture under the screen (sign - condensation).
  3. If after drying the bracelet is not turned on, disassembly and cleaning with alcohol are required.

πŸ’‘

To check the battery, connect the bracelet to charge and touch the case in 10 minutes. If it is cold, the battery will not take charge (replacement is required). If it is hot, the power controller may fail.

6. flashing the bracelet through Mi Fit (advanced method)

If the bracelet is switched on but is stuck on the logo or is unstable, flashing will help, which is suitable for the Mi Band 5/6 and Smart Band 7 models.

Step-by-step:

  1. Install the latest version of Mi Fitness or Zepp Life.
  2. Connect the bracelet to your phone via Bluetooth.
  3. In the app, go to Device Profile β†’ Settings β†’ Firmware Update.
  4. If an update is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (the bracelet will reboot automatically).
  5. If there are no updates, but the bracelet does not work correctly, reset to factory settings in the same menu.

Smart Band 8 Pro models may require manual firmware via ADB. This method is more complex and requires:

  • πŸ–₯️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers.
  • πŸ“‚ Firmware file for your model (downloaded from the official Xiaomi website or forums, for example, 4PDA).
  • πŸ”§ MiBandTools or Gadgetbridge.

⚠️ Note: Unprofessional Firmware Through ADB If you are not sure about your skills, contact the Xiaomi service center.

7.When to contact the service: signs of serious breakdowns

If you've tried all the ways but the Xiaomi bracelet still doesn't turn on, you may need repairs.

  • πŸ”‹ The bracelet does not charge despite a serviceable charger.
  • πŸ”₯ The body heats up strongly when charging or working.
  • πŸ’§ Under the screen is visible condensation or divorces (infection of moisture).
  • πŸ”Œ On the charging contacts there is a green coating (oxidation).
  • πŸ“‰ The battery will run out in a few hours (even without use).

Cost of repairs in Xiaomi service centers (2026):

Type of repairCost (β‚½)Date(s)
Battery replacement1 200–1 8001–2
Screen replacement1 500–2 5002–3
Cleaning for moisture/oxidation800–1 5001
Flashing (if the software fails)500–1 0001
Replacement of food costs2 000–3 0003–5

Before the service visit:

  1. Back up your data via Mi Fitness (if the bracelet reacts at all).
  2. Check if the service center has original parts for your model.
  3. Check if the warranty period has expired (usually 12 months from the date of purchase).

πŸ’‘

If the bracelet is warranty, do not disassemble it yourself - this will void the warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about incorporating Xiaomi Smart Band

The bracelet vibrates, but the screen doesn't turn on.
This is a sign of a failure of the display driver or damage to the plume. Try: Forced reset the bracelet (hold the button 20 seconds), update the firmware through Mi Fitness. If it does not help, contact the service for screen diagnostics.
After the upgrade, the bracelet doesn't turn on. How do you roll back the firmware?
The firmware rollback is only possible through ADB (for power users). Alternative: Hold the button for 30 seconds to reset. If it doesn't work, wait for the official patch from Xiaomi (usually released within a week). On Smart Band 8 Pro models, rollback is impossible - only flashing to the latest version.
The bracelet turns on, but it turns off. What's the problem?
Probable causes: πŸ”‹ Critically low battery charge (at least 30 minutes charge required). πŸ”Œ Failure of the power controller (requires repair). πŸ“± If the bracelet turns off 1-2 seconds after switching on, it may indicate a short circuit - do not use it until repaired!
Can I turn on the bracelet without a charger?
No, if the battery is completely discharged. However, if the bracelet has a minimum charge, try: Bring it to wireless charging (only for Smart Band 7 Pro). Use power bank with output 5V/1A. For a short time connect to charging from another Xiaomi bracelet (if the contacts match). Do not use homemade chargers - this can damage the battery.
How to check if the battery bracelet is working?
Do the test: Connect the bracelet to charge for 1 hour. disconnect and immediately check the temperature of the case: πŸ”₯ Hot – Battery malfunctions (heats due to internal resistance). ❄️ Cold – the battery is not charged (controller problem). 🌑️ Warm, battery is good. Also note the operating time: if the bracelet is less than 2 days old, the battery is worn out.