How to turn on Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness watch: from charging to first synchronization

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular activity-tracking gadgets, despite the release of new models. Its simplicity, long battery life and rich functionality have been attracting users for several years. However, even with such a proven device, you can have questions — especially for beginners. The most common problem is: "I bought the bracelet, and it doesn't turn on! What do you do?"

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to enable Mi Band 5 – from basic activation after purchase to solving emergency situations (battery discharge, failures). Firmware, button problems. You will also learn how to charge the device correctly, which indicators signal a malfunction, and what to do if the bracelet does not respond to charging or Instructions are suitable for all versions of the Mi Band 5 (including: NFC and the international version).

1.Preparation for the first turn on: what to check before activation

Before you try to turn on the bracelet, make sure that the minimum conditions for its operation are met, and users often miss this stage and waste time on useless manipulations.

Here's what must be:

• 🔋 Charge at least 20 percent. Even if the bracelet is new, it could have run out during storage, plug it into charging for 15 to 30 minutes before first turning on.
• 📱 Smartphone with Android 6.0+ or iOS 10.0+. To sync, you will need the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit).
• 🔌 Original charging cable. Using uncertified adapters can cause battery damage.
• 📶 A stable Internet connection on your phone for firmware downloads and updates.

If the bracelet does not respond to the connection to charging, check:

• 🔌 Cleanliness of contacts on the bracelet and charger (dust or oxidation may block charging).
• 🔄 The USB- performance of the phone/computer port (try another port or power supply).
• 🔋 Charging indicator: When connected, the red LED on the screen should light up.

2. Standard inclusion of Xiaomi Mi Band 5: step-by-step instructions

If the bracelet is charged and connected to a smartphone, it will take no more than 2-3 minutes to turn it on.

1. Connect the bracelet to charge for 10-15 minutes (even if it's new) and wait for the red light to appear on the screen.
2. Disconnect the charger. The bracelet screen should display a Chinese/English greeting (if the firmware has not been updated).
3. Touch the touch button under the screen once. The bracelet vibrates and goes to the language selection menu.
4. Scroll the menu with swipes up/down, select Russian (or other language you need) and confirm the choice with a touch.
5. Download the Mi Fitness app (Android/iOS) and sign up (or sign in to your Xiaomi account).
6. In the app, click Add Device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 5 and follow the instructions on the screen.

Charge the bracelet at least 20% |

Install the application Mi Fitness|

Register a Xiaomi | account

Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone |

Bring the bracelet to the phone at a distance < 10cm-->

If after these actions the bracelet does not turn on, go to the next section - there are disassembled abnormal situations.

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If the bracelet screen does not respond to touch, try to press the touch button hard (sometimes the sensor requires more confident pressing than it seems).

3. Bracelet not included: reasons and solutions

If the Mi Band 5 is not showing signs of life, the problem may lie in one of four components: battery, firmware, button or charging contacts.

Dilapidated battery (most common cause)

Symptoms: bracelet does not respond to charging, indicator does not burn, screen is black.

Decision:

• 🔌 Connect the bracelet to charging and leave for 1-2 hours (even if the indicator does not light up).
• 🔄 Try another USB- port or power supply (5V/1A).
• 🧹 Clean the contacts of the bracelet and charger with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.

Firmware failure (after updating or reset)

Symptoms: The bracelet vibrates but does not turn on, the screen flashes or shows an error.

Decision:

• 🔄 Reset: Connect the bracelet to charge, hold the touch button for 15-20 seconds until you feel a double vibration.
• 📱 Reinstall the Mi Fitness app and re-sync.
• 🔧 If the reset does not help, you need to flash through the Mi Band 5 Tools (instructions in the spoiler below).

Failure of the touch button

Symptoms: The bracelet is charged but does not respond to touch.

Decision:

• 🔧 Check sensitivity in settings: Mi Fitness → Device profile → Screen sensitivity.
• 🔄 Reset settings (see 3.2).
• 🛠️ If the button is physically damaged, contact the service center (replacing the sensor costs ~1 500 ₽).

Problems with charging contacts

Symptoms: the bracelet does not charge, the indicator flashes red and goes out.

Decision:

• 🔍 Inspect the contacts on the bracelet and charge for corrosion or contamination.
• 🧲 Gently bend the contacts on the charger (sometimes they bend away from frequent use).
• 🔌 Try charging the bracelet from another source (e.g. power bank).

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If the bracelet is not charged and is not turned on for more than a day, the battery is likely to fail, in which case it needs to be replaced (cost ~1000-1500 ₽ at the service center).

4.How to reset Xiaomi Mi Band 5 to factory settings

Factory reset helps 80 percent of the time when the bracelet is buggy, not synchronized, or not turned on after an upgrade.

Program reset (via menu)

If the bracelet is switched on but is not working properly:

1. Scroll the bracelet menu to the Settings item (cog icon).
2. Select Resetting Settings → Confirm.
3. Wait for the reboot (the bracelet vibrates and will show the Mi logo).

Hardware reset (if the bracelet does not respond)

If the screen is not turned on or freezes:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Hold the touch button for 15-20 seconds until you feel a double vibration.
3. Release the button – the bracelet will reboot and show the menu of language selection.

After reset, you will need to re-synchronize with the Mi Fitness app.

⚠️ Warning: Reset removes all data from the bracelet (steps, pulse, alarm settings). If you have synced to the cloud, the data will recover after reconnecting.

Table: Mi Band 5 status indicators and their value

The bracelet reports its state with vibrations, LEDs and icons on the screen.

6. Frequent errors when switched on and how to avoid them

Many users make the same mistakes that lead to power problems, and here are the most common ones:

• ❌ Uses non-original charging. Cheap Chinese adapters can produce unstable voltages, leading to battery failures.
• ❌ Interrupting firmware updates. If you disconnect the bracelet from your phone during the upgrade, it can turn into a brick.
• ❌ Ignoring app updates. The older version of Mi Fitness may not support the new bracelet firmware.
• ❌ Storing the bracelet in the cold or in direct sunlight, which shortens battery life.

To avoid problems:

• 🔋 Charge the bracelet every 2-3 weeks, even if it is not in use (lithium batteries deteriorate from full discharge).
• 📱 Regularly update the Mi Fitness app and bracelet firmware.
• 🛡️ Use a cover or film to protect the screen from scratches (a damaged display may block the sensor).

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet is wet (for example, after a pool) and stopped turning on, do not dry it with a hair dryer or battery. Put it in rice or silica gel for 12-24 hours - this will safely draw moisture.

7. Video instruction: how to turn on Xiaomi Mi Band 5 from scratch

For clarity, we recommend watching the official video from Xiaomi (in Russian) with a step-by-step demonstration of the inclusion and synchronization:

Video: Xiaomi Mi Band 5 - the first on and setup (channel Xiaomi Russia)

The video shows:

• 🔌 Charging connection and indication.
• 📱 Sync with the Mi Fitness app.
• ⚙️ Basic settings (language, time, notifications)

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions