Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long been synonymous with an affordable and functional activity tracker. However, even with such popular gadgets, the first launch can raise questions - especially if you have never used wearable electronics before. Turning on the Mi Band seems simple, but in practice users face nuances from the non-obvious location of the power button to problems with connecting to a smartphone.
In this article, we will look at the process of turning on the bracelet Step-by-step, from unpacking the bracelet to the first synchronization with the Mi Fitness application (formerly Mi Fit), focusing on the typical errors that prevent the device from activating, and give recommendations for different models, from Mi Band 3 to Mi Band 8. If your bracelet does not respond to presses or does not connect to the phone, here you will find a solution.
Preparing for the first turn on: what to do before activation
Before you press the power button, make sure all the preconditions are met.This will save you most of the problems during the setup phase.
1. Check battery power. New Xiaomi bracelets often come with minimal charge — just enough for the first synchronization. If the indicator on the screen shows 0% or the bracelet does not respond to touch, plug it into charging for 15-20 minutes before turning on. Use the original cable (included) — the non-original may not provide the desired current.
2. Install the official app. Mi Band requires Mi Fitness (for Android/iOS) download it from the App Store or Google Play. Alternative apps (for example, Notify & Fitness) support limited functionality.
3. Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on your smartphone. Without this, synchronization is impossible. Android may also require permission to the exact location (in the application settings).
- 🔋 Charging: Connect the bracelet to USB-port 5V/1A. Avoid fast charging – it can damage the battery.
- 📱 App: When installing Mi Fitness, select the region of Russia (or Global for the international version).
- 🔄 Compatibility: Check if your smartphone supports Bluetooth 4.0+ (It is also a must for Mi Band 5 and newer).
Where is the power button on Xiaomi Mi Band?
One of the most common problems is that users can't find the physical button on the wristband, and it depends on the model.
| Model | Type of button | Location. | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Band 1–4 | Physical button | Under the screen, at the bottom of the case | Pressed with effort, tactile response |
| Mi Band 5–8 | Touch button | Under the screen, indicated by a dot or strip | Reacts to touch, without pressing |
| Mi Band 7 Pro / 8 Pro | No button. | — | Enable only by touching the screen |
On the Mi Band 5-8, the touch button may not work if:
- 🧴 On the screen applied cream or sweat – wipe the bracelet with a dry napkin.
- 🔋 Charge level below 5% – recharge the device.
- 📵 The bracelet is in energy saving mode (activated after prolonged inactivity).
Important: There is no physical button on the Mi Band 7 Pro and Mi Band 8 Pro – the switch is enabled by a long touch of the screen (3-5 seconds) before the Mi logo appears.
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If the bracelet doesn’t respond to touch, try resetting it to factory settings: plug it into charging and hold the button (or screen) for 10-15 seconds until vibration appears.
Step-by-step: how to turn on Xiaomi Mi Band for the first time
Follow this algorithm to activate the bracelet without errors:
- Step 1: Charge (if necessary) Connect the bracelet to the charger. The charge indicator (battery icon) should appear on the screen. Wait at least 10%.
- Step 2. Turn on. - For Mi Band 1-4: press the physical button once and hold for 2-3 seconds. - For Mi Band 5-8: tap the touch button and hold for 3 seconds. - For Mi Band 7 Pro/8 Pro: long-term touch screen (5 seconds).
- Step 3: Language selection: When you turn on, you will see a greeting on the screen, swipe up/down (swipe) and select a language (e.g. Russian or English).
- Step 4. Connect to the application. Open Mi Fitness, click Profile → Add device → Bracelet and follow the instructions on the screen.
Bracelet charge >10%|
Bluetooth on your smartphone enabled |
Mi Fitness app installed and updated |
The bracelet is located next to the smartphone (within a radius of 1 m)|
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If after activation the bracelet does not appear in the list of devices in the application:
- 🔄 Reset the bracelet (hold the button for 10 seconds).
- 📱 Restart Mi Fitness and turn Bluetooth on/off on your phone.
- 🚫 Make sure the bracelet is not connected to another device (e.g., a tablet).
Phone Sync: Why is the Mi Band not connected?
About 30% of the problems with the Xiaomi Mi Band are due to synchronization errors.
1.The bracelet is not visible in the annex
Reasons:
- 🔕 Bluetooth is disabled or running in energy saving mode.
- 📵 Bracelet discharged (even if the screen is turned on, you need a charge to synchronize). >15%).
- 🔄 The device is already linked to another Xiaomi account.
Decision:
- Open Bluetooth settings on your phone and remove all devices called MI Band*.
- In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → My Devices and remove the bracelet (if there is one there).
- Reset the bracelet and try to reconnect.
2. "Unable to connect" error
This error often occurs on Android 12+ due to background activity limitations.
- 📱 Go to the phone settings. → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Permits and turn on:
- 🔄 Reconnect the bracelet by pre-resetting Bluetooth.
What if the bracelet is connected, but the data is not synchronized?
Configuring after turning on: what to do first
After successful connection, we recommend to perform basic settings for comfortable use:
- Firmware update. In Mi Fitness, go to Profile → My Device → Firmware update. Important: don't interrupt the process and keep the bracelet next to your phone.
- Setting up notifications: In the bracelet menu (More → Notifications), select the apps you want to see on the screen (e.g. WhatsApp, VK).
- Activate health functions: Turn on Heart Rate Monitoring and Blood Oxygen Level (if supported by the model) and wear a wristband 2-3 cm above your wrist for accuracy.
- Personalization of the dial. Mi Fitness has over 100 free dials available. To install a new one, go to Profile → My device → Dials.
Tips for Mi Band 6/7/8: Activate the Raise Your Hand to turn on the screen (Settings → Display) to make it easier to interact with the bracelet.
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After the first switch on, give the bracelet 1-2 hours to calibrate the sensors, while avoiding intense loads - this will improve the accuracy of the pedometer and pulsemeter.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even after successful activation, users face typical problems, and we have collected TOP-5 errors and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet vibrates, but does not turn on | Battery discharged or software failure | Connect to charging for 30 minutes. If it doesn't work, reset (hold the 15 sec button). |
| The screen doesn't respond to touch. | Screen contamination or calibration failure | Wipe the screen with an alcohol napkin. If it doesn't work, update the firmware. |
| No notifications coming. | Lack of permissions or synchronization failure | Check the permissions for Mi Fitness and reconnect the bracelet. |
| Bracelet discharges quickly | Constant monitoring of heart rhythm is active | Turn off Continuous Monitoring in the bracelet settings. |
| Incorrect time/date | Failure to sync with the phone | Manually update the time in Settings → Time and date. |
Warning for Mi Band 5/6 owners: If the bracelet has stopped responding to touches after updating the firmware, try rolling back the software to the previous version via Mi Fitness (Profile → My device → Update → Reverse).
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If the bracelet is slow to respond to commands, try clearing its memory: in Mi Fitness go to Profile → My device → Memory and delete unnecessary data (for example, old workouts).
How to turn off Xiaomi Mi Band (and should I?)
Unlike smartphones, Xiaomi fitness bracelets are not designed to shut down completely.However, in some cases, this may be required:
- ✈️ Before the flight (to avoid activation of the aircraft mode).
- 🔧 To reset settings when selling or transferring the bracelet.
- 🔋 With long-term storage (more than 1 month).
How to turn it off:
- For Mi Band 1-4: Hold the physical button for 10-15 seconds before the screen is vibrating and turned off.
- For Mi Band 5-8: go to Settings → Turn off (on some models the option is hidden – you need to quickly touch the screen 5 times).
How to turn on after turning off: connect the bracelet to charging - it will automatically turn on.
⚠️ Warning: Frequently turning off/on the bracelet may cause battery wear.If you do not use the device temporarily (for example, overnight), just activate Sleep Mode or Do not disturb.