Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is one of the most popular fitness trackers of 2023-2026, combining stylish design, advanced health monitoring features and an affordable price. However, even with such a simple device, the first launch can raise questions: how to charge the bracelet correctly, what buttons to press, and why the screen does not respond? In this article, we will examine all the nuances of turning on the Smart Band 8 – from preparation to work to synchronization with a smartphone.
It’s important to understand that the activation process is different from previous models (like Smart Band 7), as the eighth version has changed touch gestures, settings menus and even the way you connect to the application.
If you’ve just unpacked your wristband or encountered a problem after updating your firmware, this article is for you.We’ll also look at what to do if the Smart Band 8 doesn’t turn on, respond to touches, or connect to your phone.
Preparing for the first turn on: what to do before launch
Before you press the power button, make sure all the preliminary steps are followed, and neglecting them can cause malfunctions or even damage to the device.
First, check the trim. In the box with Xiaomi Smart Band 8 should be:
- 📦 The fitness bracelet with the strap itself
- 🔌 Magnetic charging cable (USB-Type C)
- 📄 Short instructions in several languages (including Russian)
- 🔋 The battery is already built into the case - it does not need to be installed separately
Second, prepare your smartphone:
- 📱 Make sure that the phone has one of the supported OS: Android 6.0+ or iOS 12.0+.
- 🔄 Turn on Bluetooth and Geolocation – they will be required for synchronization.
- 📲 Download the official Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life) from the App Store or Google Play.
⚠️ Note: Do not use chargers from other Xiaomi models (such as Smart Band 7 or Mi Band 6).The magnetic connector in the Smart Band 8 has a different configuration of contacts, and an improper cable can damage the battery.
If you are upgrading from a previous version of the bracelet, we recommend untie the old device in the Mi Fitness app to avoid conflicts when connecting.
Charging the bracelet before first switching on
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 comes with a partially charged battery, but for stable operation, it is recommended to fully charge the device before first use.
1. Connect the magnetic cable to the bracelet - it should be attracted to the back panel automatically. Make sure the contacts match (the cable has a TOP tag that should look up).
2. Connect the other end of the cable to USB-port of the computer, charger (5V/1A) power bank.
3. The charge indicator will appear on the bracelet screen, a battery icon with lightning animation. If the indicator does not appear, check the density of the cable.
The full charge time is about 1-1.5 hours, and the end of the process is signaled by 100% on the screen and the disappearance of the animation lightning.
| Parameter | The value of Smart Band 8 |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 190 mAh |
| Charging time (0–100%) | ~1 hour 10 minutes |
| Autonomy (with typical use) | 16 days |
| Type of connector | Magnetic (USB-Type C) |
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is not charging, try to clean the contacts on the back with dry soft cloth. avoid using alcohol or liquids - this can damage the sealing rubber pads (protection class) IP68).
After charging, take your time to turn off the cable – wait 1-2 minutes until the bracelet completes the internal battery calibration, which will help avoid future charge level mapping errors.
How to turn on Xiaomi Smart Band 8: step-by-step instructions
When the bracelet is charged, you can start turning on. There is no physical power button in the Smart Band 8 - control is carried out through the touch screen and gestures.
Connect the bracelet to charge for 5-10 seconds (if it is discharged) |Tap the screen and hold your finger for 3-5 seconds |Take a look at the Mi|Select the language in the settings menu |Connect to the Mi Fitness--> app
1. Screen Activation: Touch the bracelet display with one finger and hold it for 3-5 seconds until the Mi logo appears. If the screen does not respond, check the charge level or try to connect the bracelet to charge for 10-15 seconds - sometimes this helps to "wake up" the device.
Language selection: Once downloaded, you will see a menu with country flags. Swipe the list up/down and select Russian (or other language you want) and confirm the selection by clicking on the screen.
3. Synchronization with the smartphone:
Open the Mi Fitness app on your phone.
Click Profile → Add Device → Bracelet → Smart Band 8.
Follow the instructions on the screen, allowing access to Bluetooth, Notifications and Geolocation.
Finishing the setup: Once connected, the bracelet will automatically update the firmware (if a new version is available) and synchronize the time.
If there is an error at some point (for example, the bracelet does not find the phone or hangs on the logo), try rebooting the device: plug it into charging and hold the screen for 10 seconds until it turns off, then re-energize.
What if the bracelet does not turn on after charging?
Configure the main parameters after inclusion
After successful switching on and syncing with the phone, it is recommended to adjust the key bracelet settings for comfortable use.Most options are available both through the Mi Fitness app and directly on the bracelet screen.
What can be configured immediately:
- ⏰ Time format: 12- or 24-hour (c Settings) → Display. → Time format).
- 🔔 Notifications: Select which apps will send alerts to the bracelet (in Device Profile) → Notifications).
- 🏃 Activity goals: Set daily norms for steps, calories, and sleep time.
- 🔒 Screen lock: Activate protection against accidental pressing (in Settings) → Screen. → Lockdown).
Pay special attention to the setting of gestures:
- 👆 Raising your hand: Turns on the screen when moving (saves battery power).
- 🔄 Bracelet flip: You can assign a screen shutdown or go to "Do Not Disturb" mode".
If you use a sleep monitoring bracelet, activate the Smart Alarm function in the app, which will analyze the sleep phases and wake you up at the optimal time in a given interval (for example, from 6:30 to 7:00).
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To quickly open the menu on the bracelet, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Swipe right to left to go back.
Frequent inclusion errors and their solutions
Even if the instructions are followed, users often face problems when first turning on the Smart Band. 8. We've got a top.-5 errors and ways of eliminating them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet is off. | Full battery discharge | Charge the device for 30+ minutes, then re-energize |
| The screen doesn't respond to touch. | Sensor contamination or lockdown | Wipe the screen with a dry cloth; check the lock settings |
| Not connecting to the phone. | Mi Fitness or Bluetooth conflict | Update the app; reboot your phone and bracelet |
| Hanging on the Mi logo | Firmware failure | Reset the bracelet to factory settings (see section below) |
| The wrong time. | Lack of synchronization with the phone | Reconnect the bracelet to Mi Fitness |
If the bracelet is stuck when you update the firmware, don't turn it off from charging or manually restart it. Wait 10-15 minutes, the system usually recovers automatically. If the problem persists, reset to factory settings:
- Go to Settings → System → Reset on the bracelet.
- Confirm the action by selecting Yes.
- After the reboot, repeat the setup process from scratch.
⚠️ Warning: Reset will delete all data from the bracelet (steps, sleep history, settings).If you have synced with Mi Fitness enabled, the information will be stored in the cloud and restored after reconnecting.
How to turn off or restart Xiaomi Smart Band 8
Unlike smartphones, fitness bracelets don't require regular shutdowns, but sometimes it may be needed - for example, to save charge during long-term storage or fix crashes.There's no separate shutdown button in the Smart Band 8, but there are two ways:
Method 1: Through the settings menu
- Swipe up the main menu of the bracelet.
- Select Settings → System → Turn off.
- Confirm the action by touching Yes.
Method 2: Forced reset (if the bracelet is getting stuck)
- Connect the bracelet to the charger.
- Hold the screen with your finger for 10-15 seconds until the device is turned off.
- Turn off charging and turn on again (holding the screen for 3 seconds).
Important: Forced reboot is not recommended more than 1 time per month – it can damage the file system of the bracelet.
If you plan not to use the bracelet for a long time (for example, during a vacation), it is better to turn it off, pre-charge it to 50-70%. Store a device with a fully discharged battery is undesirable - this reduces the battery life.
Tips for extending the life of the bracelet
Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is designed for long work, but there are several rules that will help to avoid premature breakdowns and maintain functionality:
- 🚿 Waterproof: The bracelet has protection IP68, But it is not recommended to swim with him in a pool with chlorinated water or under a hot shower - this can damage the seals.
- 🔋 Charging: Use only the original cable. Charge the bracelet at a temperature of 10-35°C – Extreme conditions reduce battery capacity.
- 🧴 Strap care: Rub the silicone strap with a damp cloth without aggressive detergents. Use special creams for the skin (1-2 times a month).
- 📱 Updates: Check for firmware updates in Mi Fitness regularly – they improve stability and add new features.
If you notice that the bracelet has become discharged faster, check the following settings:
- 🔦 Turn off the screen’s constant lighting (in Settings) → Display).
- 📶 Reduce the frequency of data synchronization (in Mi Fitness) → Bracelet settings → Synchronization).
- 🚫 Deactivate Unnecessary Notifications from Applications.
The average life of the Smart Band 8, when properly operated, is 2-3 years, and after that, you may need to change the battery (at the service center) or buy a new device.
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Regular cleaning of charging contacts and firmware updates are two key factors that prolong the life of the bracelet by 30-40%.