Launching a new gadget is always exciting, especially when it comes to Xiaomi's popular smartwatch.Users often face a situation where after unpacking or prolonged storage, the device does not respond to presses and the screen remains black.This does not always mean breakdown, as manufacturers often leave the gadgets in deep sleep mode to save battery life.
Understanding how to properly activate the Mi Band or Mi Watch will save you time and nerves. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of primary activation, the features of charging to wake up the system and the methods of forced reboot if the standard methods do not work.
It is important to consider that the action algorithms may differ depending on your activity tracker model or smartwatch.Some models require a mandatory charging connection for the first turn on, while others are activated by simply touching the sensor.
Features of the first inclusion of new devices
Xiaomi's new fitness bracelets and watches often come with minimal battery life, or the battery is completely mothballed by the manufacturer. If you just pulled the device out of the box and it doesn't respond to the button, don't panic ahead of time. The first priority is to power the device.
You need to connect the gadget to the charger. In the case of the Mi Band bracelets, the capsule must be removed from the strap (if the design suggests that) and pressed tightly to the charging contacts. For the Mi Watch models, it is enough to connect the magnetic cable to the back of the case.
After connecting to the power source, the screen should light up, showing the Mi logo or charging indicator. 10-15 Just a minute, try changing. USB-port or power supply: often low current in old units is not able to "swing" the dead battery.
- 🔋 Use a power supply with a current of at least 1A to speed up the process.
- 🧼 Wipe the contacts on the device and charge with dry cloth from oxides.
- ⏳ Leave the device on charge for at least 30 minutes before trying to turn on.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use high-power car charging or fast charging units for high-voltage phones unless explicitly stated in the watch instructions.
Once the logo appears, the system will start to boot up. Initialization can take up to two minutes, at which point the integrity of the system files is checked and the sensors calibrated, and do not turn the device off from charging until the desktop is fully loaded.
How to wake up Mi Band after a long storage
The Mi Band bracelet is often left idle for months, and the lithium polymer batteries used in these devices tend to self-discharge, and if the voltage drops below a critical threshold, the controller blocks the onset for safety reasons.
To resuscitate the device, you need a "push." Connect the tracker to charge and leave it alone for a few hours. Sometimes the charge indicator may not catch fire right away. This is normal for deep-discharged batteries. The power management system must accumulate sufficient potential to start.
Why does the bracelet warm up on the first charge?
If the screen is still black after an hour of charging, try the "shaking" method. Carefully but confidently tap your finger on the screen or swing your hand abruptly as if you wanted to watch the time. In some firmware, this action serves as a trigger for the display to wake up.
It’s also worth checking whether shipping mode or factory lock is on, and while this is rare in Xiaomi consumer versions, corporate batches are limited, only connecting to Mi Fitness or Zepp Life will help.
- 📱 Install the official application on the smartphone in advance.
- 🔌 Use the original cable or certified analogue.
- 🔄 Try connecting the device to your computer instead of the charger.
It's important to understand that deep discharge reduces battery life. Try not to keep wearables completely discharged for longer than a month. The optimal charge level for storage is 50-60%.
Instructions for Mi Watch and Redmi Watch models
Full-fledged smartwatches, such as the Mi Watch, Redmi Watch or Xiaomi Watch S1, have a more complex on-board architecture than fitness bracelets, and a physical control button on the side of the case plays an important role.
To turn on, you need to pinch the side button. Depending on the model, the retention time can vary from 3 to 5 seconds. If a short press turns on the screen, but the device does not boot, then there is a problem in the software or charge.
☑️ Pre-insertion check
On some models, such as the Mi Watch Lite, the button can be touch-sensitive or have different moves. If pressing fails, check if the button is stuck due to dirt or moisture.
If the watch is on but hanging on the logo, there may have been a failure when you upgrade or shut down before, in which case a reboot will help. Press the button 10-15 seconds before the vibration or logo reappears. This is the equivalent of Hard Reset for wearable electronics.
| Model clock | Action for inclusion | Retention time | Reaction indicator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Watch | Hold the side button | 3-5 seconds | Vibration + Logo |
| Redmi Watch 2 | Hold the side button | 3 seconds | Screen lights up. |
| Mi Band 6/7 | Connecting to charging | Automatically. | Battery icon |
| Xiaomi Watch S1 | Hold the bottom button. | 5 seconds | Vibration. |
Once it's turned on successfully, it will suggest you select a language and connect to your smartphone. Follow the instructions on the screen. To work properly, Bluetooth must be activated on your phone.
What to do if the device does not respond
When Xiaomi watches completely ignore user commands, requires a systematic approach to diagnosis. Before you carry the device to the service, eliminate simple reasons. Often the problem lies not in the gadget itself, but in accessories or software conflict.
First thing you do is check the charging cable. It could have been rubbed or oxidized. Try using another one. USB-It's also worth cleaning the contacts on the device with an alcohol wipe or a wipe, removing any possible oxides.
If the hardware is good, try a forced reboot. For most models, this is a long (15-20 seconds) hold on the power button. In some cases, a combination of buttons is required, such as simultaneous clamping of the top and bottom buttons (relevant to older models with two buttons).
⚠️ Warning: If the device is in water, do not charge it or try to turn it on until it is completely dry.
In rare cases, a factory reset via a menu helps if the screen is even partially functional. The path usually looks like: Settings → System → Reset. However, if the screen is black, this method is not available.
When all methods are exhausted and the device remains a brick, the battery or power controller probably failed, and this can happen due to a power surge or a manufacturing defect, in which case only the service center will help.
Configuring and pairing after activation
Once you've turned on the watch, the setup phase begins. Without smartpho pairing, the functionality of the device is very limited. You'll need to download the official app. For modern models, this is Mi Fitness, for older models, Zepp Life or Mi Wear.
Launch the app and create a Mi Account if you don't have one. This is a requirement of the Xiaomi ecosystem. Then click "Add Device" and follow the instructions. The app will find your watch itself if it has Bluetooth enabled.
When pairing, a confirmation code may appear on the watch screen, check it against the code on the smartphone screen and confirm the action, then synchronize the time, date and install the necessary firmware updates.
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During the initial sync, keep your phone and watch close to each other. Interrupting communication can cause an error in installing updates.
Don't ignore the suggestion to update the software. Newer firmware versions often contain bug fixes that affect stability and battery consumption. Update can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.
After you have completed the setup, you should set the basic parameters: goal by step, notifications from apps, monitoring sleep and heart rate, which will make the use of the gadget as useful and personalized as possible for your needs.
Frequent problems and their solution
Even after successful switching on, users may face a number of difficulties, such as the watch can quickly discharge or lose communication with the phone, often solved by re-pairing or deleting old profiles in Bluetooth settings.
If the watch is on and off, it may indicate battery wear or software conflict. Try resetting completely through the device menu. If the problem persists, you will need to flash it through service software.
- 📉 Fast discharge: Turn off constant pulse monitoring and wrist lift.
- 📡 No Communication: Remove the device from the phone’s Bluetooth settings and add again.
- ❄️ Freeze: Lithium batteries work worse at low temperatures, warm the device.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble the watch yourself to replace the battery.This will break the water resistance and the device will lose protection from water and dust.
In some cases, the problem lies with the smartphone itself: make sure that the phone’s operating system is updated and that the access rights for the companion application are fully allowed (launch, background, geolocation access).
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The stable operation of smartwatches depends on the quality of the Bluetooth connection and the version of the application on the smartphone by 90%.