How to turn on Xiaomi Mi Band 5 for the first time

The first inclusion of a new gadget is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to the popular fitness tracker. Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is one of the most popular devices in its class, offering users a great balance between functionality and an affordable price. However, after taking the device out of the box, many owners are faced with the question: how to activate it, because there is no usual power button here?

The Mi Band 5 launch process is very different from turning on smartphones or smartwatches with a full operating system, using a specific algorithm to maximize battery life in storage mode, activation occurs automatically when you first connect to a compatible smartphone through an official application, which means that you do not need to look for hidden buttons or pinch touch zones on the device that is turned off.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the preparation steps from unpacking to the first steps in the Mi Fit or Zepp Life app. You will learn about the nuances of charging, the features of pairing and what to do if the tracker does not respond to your actions. Following proven recommendations, you can start your gadget in minutes without unnecessary difficulties.

Design and absence of the switching button

The main feature of the Mi Band lineup, including the fifth model, is the minimalist design of the body. Xiaomi engineers deliberately abandoned the physical on-button on the tracker itself, a decision dictated by the need to ensure the tightness of the case for protection against water and dust according to the IP68 standard, as well as to increase autonomy.

When you take the capsule out of the package, the screen is likely to be black. This is normal. The device is in deep sleep mode to keep the battery factory charged during prolonged storage and transportation. Trying to find the touch button or pinch the display area will not work, because the software blocks the response to touch until authorization.

The only way to wake up a fitness bracelet is to apply electric current to the charging contacts or Bluetooth signal of the smartphone, which is why the first step is always to either connect the charger or try to sync through the mobile application. Without this step, the display will remain off, regardless of your actions with the tracker itself.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble the case or impact the contacts with sharp objects in the hope of finding a hidden switch, which will result in loss of warranty and possible damage to the water protection.

Preparations for first launch

Before you start activating, you need to make sure you have all the necessary components. The Mi Band 5 standard comes with the tracker itself (capsule), silicone strap and charging cable. It is important to note that the power supply (adapter) is not included in the kit, so you will need any USB-5V port.

First, remove the capsule from the strap, and then carefully bend the silicone bracelet's latching tongue and squeeze the tracker with your finger, because it's only through the contacts on the module, not through the strap, and look at the golden contacts on the back of the capsule, which should be clean.

It is also critical to prepare your smartphone. Make sure that your device is enabled with Bluetooth and geolocation (GPS). Apps and location permissions are often required to work properly and initially configure the permissions that are requested when you first run the software. Without geolocation enabled, the phone may simply not see the tracker.

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Use the original cable or certified analogue. Cheap Chinese cables can have a non-standard location of contacts, which will lead to poor connection and inability to charge.

Check your phone’s operating system version. The Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit) requires Android 5.0 and higher or iOS 10.0 and higher to run smoothly, and on older versions of the OS, the app may not install or work properly, blocking the initial setup process.

Charging before first use

Although the device may have a residual factory charge, experts recommend that you put the tracker on charge before the first turn on, which ensures that during the firmware update or initial synchronization, the battery does not run out at the most inopportune time. USB any available computer port or adapter.

You attach the capsule to the charger. The magnets have to pull the tracker in the right position. If you do it right, you'll see a lightning battery icon and your current percentage of charge. If the screen catches fire, that's the first sign of your gadget's life.

• 🔋 Full Charging: Leave the device on 1-2 hour 100% This will provide a long-term service in the first few weeks.
• 🧹 Clean contacts: Wipe the contacts with dry cloth if they show signs of oxidation or dust that interferes with the connection.
• ⚡ Current power: Do not use fast charging adapters above 1A to avoid damaging the bracelet power controller.

When charging, the device can heat up — which is normal for low-capacity lithium polymer batteries — but if the heat seems excessive, it's best to turn off the tracker and check the connection. Once you've set up enough charge, you can go to the software part of the setup.

Installation and configuration of the application

A key element of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the mobile app. For the Mi Band 5, the main application remains Zepp Life (formerly known as Mi Fit), downloadable from official Google Play stores or the App Store. Use of third-party apps for initial activation is not recommended, as they may not have the necessary permissions to update the firmware.

Once installed, launch the app and create a Mi Account or log in through an existing one, a mandatory requirement to synchronize health and activity data, and without authorization, the app won't go to the home screen and allow you to add a new device.

From the app's main menu, go to your profile and select "Add device." From the list, find Mi Smart Band 5. The app will ask for permission to use Bluetooth and geolocation - be sure to agree with these requests. Now the search for the device will begin.

When your bracelet and pairing request appear on your smartphone screen, confirm the action. Vibration confirmation or communication icon may also appear on the tracker screen. After a successful connection, the Mi Band 5 will automatically update the time and date by taking them from the phone.

The interface and update process

Once the app is successfully connected, it will suggest updating the tracker firmware, which is a critical step. The factory version of the software often contains bugs or unoptimized sensor algorithms. The firmware update corrects errors, improves the accuracy of the pulsemeter, and adds new dials.

The upgrade process can take from 5 to 15 minutes.At this time, the progress bar will be displayed on the bracelet screen.It is strongly recommended not to move far from the phone or close the application in the background.Abortion of the process can cause the device to stop turning on.

⚠️ Warning: If the battery dies or communication is interrupted during the upgrade, the tracker may turn into a brick.

After the upgrade, no reboot is required, but it is advisable to remove the bracelet from your hand and let it lie down for 1-2 minutes to calibrate the sensors. Now your Xiaomi Mi Band 5 is fully ready to go: it tracks steps, pulse, sleep and notifications.

Core functions and personalization

Now that the device is on and configured, you should pay attention to the basic features. The main screen (Watch Face) can be changed. There are many dials available in the application, from classic analog to sports and minimalist.

Set up notifications. All types of messages can be enabled by default, resulting in a constant vibration. Go to the device profile settings in the app and select which apps can wake your wrist: calls, SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram or other messengers.

• 🏃 Sport: Choose a workout mode to accurately count calories and heart rate during activity.
• 💧 Water: Set up water reminders to keep water balance throughout the day.
• 🌙 Sleep: Turn on sleep phase monitoring to analyze rest quality (deep, light, REM).

Don't forget to set goals by steps. A standard 10,000-step goal can be too high or too low for you. Personalizing goals motivates you to move more and makes using the gadget more meaningful.

Frequent problems with first inclusion

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes face difficulties. The most common problem is that the bracelet does not turn on or respond to charging. 90% of the time it is due to oxidized film on the contacts or a weak press of the magnets. Try to force the tracker to charge or wipe the contacts with an alcohol napkin.

The second problem is that the phone can't see the device, and it's worth checking if the bracelet is connected to another phone. The Mi Band 5 can only pair with one device at a time, and if you've previously connected it to a friend's or relative's phone to check, you need to remove the device from their Bluetooth list.

There are also cases where the app says "Device not found" even though Bluetooth is on. Try turning off and re-enable Bluetooth on your phone, and also rebooting the smartphone itself. Sometimes it helps "Forget the device" in the phone's Bluetooth settings and repeat the search again.

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If nothing works, put the bracelet on charge for 30-40 minutes, even if the indicator does not light up.

In rare cases, you may need to reset completely, and in the Zepp Life app, you select a device and press Unbind, and then the bracelet will return to the factory settings and you can plug it in as a new device.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)