How to turn on Xiaomi Smart Band: from charging to first setup

You've just purchased a Xiaomi Smart Band (or one of the Mi Band series models), but you don't know how to turn it on correctly? Maybe the bracelet doesn't respond to pressing, doesn't light up the screen, or just lies dead weight after unpacking. Don't panic - 90% of the time the problem is solved in 5 minutes, if you know the algorithm of actions.

In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios: from the basic activation of a new device to the “resuscitation” of a discharged or frozen bracelet. You will learn how to distinguish between a full discharge from a hardware failure, why the Mi Band may not turn on after an update, and what to do if the Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life) does not see the device. 1S Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro.

Preparation for the first turn on: what to do before activation

Before you press the power button (if you have one on your model), make sure that three key conditions are met:

• 🔋 Charging the bracelet. Even if the indicator is not on, the device may have run out during storage.
• 📱 Install the app for the Mi Band 1–5 Use Mi Fit for Mi Band 6/7/8 Smart Band 7/8 Pro – Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fitness).
• 🔄 Smartphone software update. Outdated version Android/iOS may cause problems with conjugation.

Pay special attention to the charger. Complete with the Xiaomi Smart Band comes a special cable with magnetic contacts (for models up to the Mi Band 5) or USB-Type-C (starting with the Mi Band 6). Using unoriginal charges can damage the battery - the bracelet will either not charge or will turn on with errors.

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If the charging indicator is not on, try to clean the contacts of the bracelet and charging cable with an alcohol wipe.

2.How to Charge Xiaomi Smart Band Before First Enablement

The charging process depends on the bracelet model, and below is a table with the features for different generations:

If nothing happens after the charger is connected:

1. Check the power supply – connect the cable to another USB-port or adapter (power at least) 5W).
2. Make sure the bracelet contacts are clean and dry. moisture or sweat can block charging.
3. For models with USB-Type-C (Mi Band 7+), try turning the bracelet over – the connector should be “clicked” by the magnet.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to turn on Xiaomi Smart Band

When the bracelet is charged (at least 10-15%), you can start switching on.

Charging the bracelet at least 10% |

Mi Fit/Zepp Life| app installed

Bluetooth enabled on your smartphone |

Bracelet removed from charger-->

For Mi Band 1-5 and Smart Band 6:

1. Press and hold the touch button (below the screen) for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
2. If the screen is not responsive, plug the bracelet into charging – some models (Mi Band 3/4) turn on automatically when power is applied.
3. When the logo appears, release the button. The bracelet vibrates and enters pairing mode.

For the Mi Band 6/7/8 and Smart Band 7/8 Pro:

1. Touch the bracelet screen – if it is unlocked, the main screen will appear.
2. If the screen is not responding, press the area under the display for 10 seconds (before vibration).
3. For the Smart Band 8 Pro with a physical button, press it once. Hold on/off the device.

If the bracelet is turned on, but the screen does not respond to touch, reset the settings:

Press and hold the button (or touch zone) for 20 seconds until the reset menu appears.

4.Phone pairing: why Mi Fit/Zepp Life doesn't see the bracelet

Once turned on, the bracelet automatically goes into Bluetooth search mode, but users often face a problem when the application does not find the device.

• 📵 Bluetooth is off on your smartphone. Turn it on and let the app use geodata (required for Android 12)+).
• 🔄 Update Mi Fit or Zepp Life on Google Play/App Store.
• 🚫 The bracelet is already paired with another device. Drop it through the menu (hold button 15 seconds).
• 🛡️ Antivirus blocks the connection. temporarily disable the protection or add the application to the exceptions.

If the bracelet is visible in the phone's Bluetooth settings but not displayed in Mi Fit:

1. Remove it from the list of conjugate devices in the smartphone settings.
2. Reboot your phone and bracelet.
3. In the app, click “Add device” and select the model manually.

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On Android 10+, be sure to turn on the “Exact Location” resolution for the Mi Fit/Zepp Life app before pairing.

5.The bracelet is on, but it does not work: typical errors and decisions

Situation: Xiaomi Smart Band vibrates, the screen lights up, but does not respond to touch or sync data.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet stops turning on after the firmware update, don't try to reset it through a button. This can lead to a "brick" (complete failure). Connect the device to charge for 1 hour - automatic recovery often helps.

For Smart Band 7 Pro and later, check the power saving settings in the Zepp Life app:

Profile → Device settings → Power saving mode → Disable

6 How to turn on Xiaomi Smart Band after a long downtime

If the bracelet was idle for several months, its battery could go into a deep discharge, in which case standard charging will not help - you need to "wake up" the power controller.

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect the bracelet to the original charger and leave it for 2-3 hours (even if the indicator does not burn).
2. After 2 hours, turn off and reconnect the charger, sometimes it works as a "pulse" to start.
3. If the screen is not responding, place the bracelet in a cold place (such as a refrigerator) for 10 minutes, then reconnect to charging.

⚠️ Note: Do not use charging from other devices with higher voltages to “resuscitate” 5V. This could knock out the Xiaomi Smart Band battery.

If the bracelet never turned on, check it on another smartphone with Mi Fit/Zepp Life installed.

7. Frequent Questions About Including Xiaomi Smart Band