How to turn on Xiaomi Smart Band 8: Full Instruction from Charging to First Launch

First introduction to Xiaomi Smart Band 8

Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is not just a fitness bracelet, but a full-fledged assistant for monitoring health, sports and everyday tasks. However, even such a simple device can raise questions for a beginner: how to turn it on correctly, what to do if the screen does not respond, and how to avoid typical errors when you first start.

Many users mistakenly think that the wristband is switched on with a button, but the Smart Band 8 simply does not have one. Instead, it uses a touch screen and gestures. If you are holding a Xiaomi device for the first time, it is important to understand that it does not require complex manipulations, but there are several key points that will ensure the correct operation from day one.

Before you go to the instructions, make sure you have:

✅ Charged bracelet (minimum 20% battery)

✅ Compatible smartphone (Android 6.0)+ or iOS 12.0+)

✅ Installed Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit)

✅ Charging cable (comprised)

Step 1: Charging the bracelet before first switching on

Xiaomi Smart Band 8 comes with a minimum battery charge, which is only enough for the initial activation. To avoid problems, be sure to charge the device before first use.

• 🔌 Connect the magnetic charging cable to the bracelet. The connector should magnetize to the back panel -- you hear a click.
• 📱 Connect the other end of the cable to the power adapter (5V/1A) or USB-port.
• ⚡ The charge indicator (battery icon) will appear on the bracelet screen. If the screen does not light up, check the density of the cable.

The full charge time is about 1.5-2 hours. The first turn on is 20-30 minutes. Note: if the bracelet is discharged to zero, it may take 5-10 minutes before the indicator appears on the screen.

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If the bracelet is not charging, try to clean the contacts on the back with a dry cotton swab.Dust or fat may interfere with the connection.

⚠️ Note: Do not use chargers with higher voltage 5V (This can damage the Smart Band 8 battery.

Step 2: Physically activate the bracelet

Unlike smartphones, the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 doesn’t have a power button. It turns on automatically when you plug in a charger or tap on the touch screen.

1. Make sure the bracelet is charged (at least 5-10%).
2. Press the screen and hold for 3-5 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. If the screen does not respond, connect the bracelet to charging - it will turn on automatically.

Once turned on, you will see a welcome screen asking you to connect to the Mi Fitness app. If the bracelet doesn't turn on despite charging, check:

• 🔋 Contact state (possibly oxidation).
• 🔌 Correction of the cable (try another one) USB-port).
• 📱 Smartphone compatibility (update Mi Fitness to the latest version).

Step 3: Install and configure the Mi Fitness app

Without the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit), the bracelet will only work like a pedometer clock. To unlock all the features, follow the following steps:

1. Download Mi Fitness from Google Play or App Store.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required!).
3. Click Profile → Add Device → Bracelet → Smart Band 8.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to hide the bracelet over Bluetooth.

During synchronization, the bracelet can reboot — that's normal. Once successfully connected, the app will have data on battery, steps and heart rate (HR).

Step 4: Initial bracelet setup

Once synchronized with Mi Fitness, you need to adjust the basic parameters, which you can do both through the app and directly on the wristband.

Through the Mi Fitness app:

• 👤 Profile → Smart Band 8 → Settings of the device:
• 🔔 Turn on Hand Raise to activate the screen (convenient to check the time).
• 🔒 Install. PIN-code for unlocking the bracelet (optional).

Through the bracelet menu:

To open the menu on the device itself, swipe up the screen from the bottom edge.

• 📊 Statistics (steps, calories, sleep).
• 🏃 Training regimes (running, cycling, swimming, etc.).
• ⚙️ Settings (brightness, vibration, reset).

Install Mi Fitness | Charge bracelet to 50% | Hide Bluetooth | Select dial | Set up notifications | Activate sleep monitoring-->

⚠️ Note: If you do not activate heart rate monitoring in the first 24 hours, the bracelet can automatically turn off this feature to save battery. → Heart rate → Turn it on.

Step 5: Update the firmware (if required)

Xiaomi regularly releases updates for the Smart Band 8, which improve stability and add new features.

1. Open Mi Fitness.
2. Go to Profile → Smart Band 8 → Update firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update.

The update process takes 5-10 minutes, during which time:

• 📵 Do not disconnect the bracelet from the smartphone.
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is charged >30%.
• 📶 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi.

If the update is interrupted, the bracelet may stop turning on, in which case, reset through the application: Profile → Smart Band 8 → Reset settings.

Step 6: Troubleshooting when enabled

Even after setting up the Smart Band 8 correctly, let’s look at the most common problems and solutions.

The bracelet shall not be switched on:

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (plug in to charge for 30 minutes).
• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port.
• 🔄 Reset: Hold the screen for 20 seconds.

The bracelet is switched on but not synchronized:

• 📱 Reboot Mi Fitness and Bluetooth on your smartphone.
• 🔄 Forget the device in Bluetooth settings and repeat pairing.
• 📋 Check permissions for Mi Fitness (access to notifications, contacts).

The screen does not respond to touch:

• 🧼 Wipe the screen with a dry wipe (possibly contamination).
• ⚙️ In the bracelet menu, select Settings → Reset.
• 🔋 Charge the bracelet to 100% – sometimes a low charge blocks the sensor.

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If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch after a fall or impact, this may indicate damage to the display.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Smart Band 8