Xiaomi fitness bracelets are among the most popular wearables due to their combination of functionality, sensor accuracy and affordable price. However, even experienced users sometimes have difficulty with the first switch on: the bracelet does not respond to pressing, does not charge or connect to the phone. In this article, we will analyze all possible activation scenarios, from basic charging to solving typical connection problems.
It is important to understand that the on-play process may vary depending on the model. For example, the Mi Band 7 Pro has a touch screen with gestures, and the Mi Band 6 has only a button under the display. We will look at the universal methods that work for most Mi Band devices (including the Mi Smart Band 8), and also point out the key differences for specific versions.
If your bracelet has been in use but stopped turning on after upgrading or discharging, you will find a section at the end of this article with solutions for such cases, and we will also answer frequent questions: what to do if the charging indicator does not burn, how to reset the bracelet to factory settings, and why the Mi Fitness app (formerly Mi Fit) does not see the device.
Preparation of the bracelet for the first inclusion
Before you try to turn on a Xiaomi fitness bracelet, make sure it's fully charged. Even if the device is new, it could have run out in storage.
- 🔋 Check the charge level: connect the bracelet to the charger. Most models will display a red indicator when the charge is low, and when it is fully charged, a green indicator will appear on the low charge.
- 📱 Install the application: download Mi Fitness (for the first time). Android/iOS) — It's necessary for activation and customization. Older versions of the app (Mi Fit) may not support newer wristbands.
- 🔄 Update your phone firmware: if you have Xiaomi/Redmi-smartphone, check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system, which will help avoid connection problems.
Pay special attention to the charger. Xiaomi often changes the bracelet connectors: for example, the Mi Band 7 and newer use a magnetic connector with two contacts, and the Mi Band 5 with four. If charging is not going, check:
- ⚡ Correct connection (magnets should be clearly fixed).
- 🔌 Correction of the cable (try another one) USB-port).
- 💡 Clean contacts (dust or oxidation can block charging).
⚠️ Note: Do not use chargers from other bracelets (e.g. Huawei or Honor). Even if the connector is suitable, the voltage may vary, which will damage the battery.
2. How to turn on the bracelet: step-by-step instructions
When the bracelet is charged (the indicator is green or the display is the level of charge), you can start to turn on.
For button bracelets (Mi Band 3/4/5/6):
- Press and hold the touch button under the screen for 3-5 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the button – the bracelet vibrates and starts the initialization process.
- Wait for the home screen to appear (usually a time or greeting is displayed).
For touch screen bracelets (Mi Band 7/8, Mi Smart Band 8):
- Tap the screen and swipe your finger up (to unlock).
- If the screen is unresponsive, press it for 5-7 seconds until the logo appears.
- Follow the instructions on the screen (you may need to select a language).
If the bracelet does not turn on despite charging, try a hard reset:
- Connect the bracelet to the charger.
- Press the button (or touch zone) for 10-15 seconds.
- Release when the screen blinks or the device vibrates.
☑️ Preparation for first inclusion
3.Sync with the phone via Mi Fitness
Without a smartphone connection, Xiaomi’s fitness bracelet will only work like a pedometer clock, and to unlock all the features (notifications, sleep monitoring, pulsemeter), you need to sync it with the app. Here’s how to do it:
- Open Mi Fitness and sign up (or sign in to Xiaomi account).
- Click Profile → Add the device.
- Choose your bracelet model from the list (e.g. Mi Smart Band 8).
- Allow the app to access Bluetooth, Notifications and Geodani (required!).
- Wait until the bracelet appears in the list of available devices, and click Connect.
If the bracelet is not present:
- 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (turn off/on in settings).
- 📱 Make sure that the phone is enabled Developer Mode (for some Xiaomi models, this is a must).
- 🔋 Check that the bracelet is charged at least 20% – at low charge it may not appear in the list of devices.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Bracelet not seen in Mi Fitness | Bluetooth is disabled or incompatible | Update the app and turn on Bluetooth |
| Connection is cut off | Weak signal or interference | Reboot your phone and bracelet, re-sync. |
| The app is making an error | Outdated bracelet firmware | Update the software through the Device Profile → Update the firmware |
| The bracelet is connected but does not show notifications | No permissions are given for Mi Fitness | Check the notification settings in the system |
⚠️ Warning: On Huawei or Honor phones, you may need to turn off Mi Fitness Energy Saving in the battery settings, otherwise the app will close in the background and communication with the bracelet will be interrupted.
4. Set up the bracelet after switching on
After successful synchronization, you can configure the basic parameters. Go to the device profile in Mi Fitness and note the following points:
- ⏰ Time and Date: automatically synced to the phone, but can be updated manually if crashed.
- 🔔 Notifications: Select which apps will display alerts (calls, SMS, messengers).
- 💤 Sleep monitoring: enable automatic sleep phase tracking (recommended for data accuracy).
- 🏃 Activity goals: set a daily step rate (default: 8,000).
For models with NFC (Mi Band 7 Pro, Mi Smart Band 8 Pro) contactless payments are available:
- Move to the NFC → Add a map.
- Follow the instructions of the bank for linking the card.
- Set a PIN code to confirm payments (required!).
Advice for advanced users: Mi Fitness has hidden settings that can be activated through the Lab (the section appears after several synchronizations).
- 📊 Expanded training statistics.
- 🔋 Optimizing battery consumption.
- 🎯 Sensitivity adjustments.
💡
If the bracelet discharges quickly after setting up, turn off constant monitoring of heart rhythm in the settings, which will save up to 30% of the charge per day.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after successful activation, users face common errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
The bracelet does not turn on after charging
If the charging indicator is on, but the bracelet does not respond to the button:
- 🔌 Check if the contacts of the charger have oxidized (clean with alcohol).
- ⏳ Wait 10-15 minutes after you disconnect from charging – sometimes the device needs time to initialize.
- 🔧 Try resetting: plug in to charge and press the button for 20 seconds.
Mi Fitness doesn't see the bracelet
Causes and solutions:
- 📱 Older version of the app: Update Mi Fitness in Google Play or App Store.
- 🔄 Conflict with other devices: disable other wearable gadgets (earphones, smart watches) from Bluetooth.
- 🚫 Regional restrictions: If you are in another country, try changing your Xiaomi account.
The bracelet shuts down on its own.
This may be due to:
- 🔋 Battery weakness (charge up to 50% or higher).
- 📵 Interference from other devices (such as wireless headphones).
- 🛠️ Software failure (update the bracelet firmware).
What to do if the bracelet is frozen during the upgrade?
6.How to Reset Xiaomi Bracelet to Factory Settings
If the bracelet is unstable (for example, does not sync data or constantly restarts), resetting to factory settings will help.
Resetting methods:
Through the bracelet menu (for models with a screen):
- Go to Settings → About the device → Reset.
- Confirm the action (you may need to press and hold the screen).
- Wait for the reset (the bracelet vibrates).
Through Mi Fitness:
- Open the bracelet profile in the application.
- Select Untie the device.
- Confirm the uncoupling and repeat the synchronization.
Hardware reset (if the bracelet does not respond):
- Connect the bracelet to the charger.
- Press the button (or touch zone) for 15-20 seconds until you feel the vibration.
- Release - the bracelet will reboot in factory condition.
⚠️ Warning: After resetting, the bracelet may require re-association with your Xiaomi account. Make sure to remember your username and password, or you will lose access to statistics in the cloud.
7.Tips to extend the life of the bracelet
To make Xiaomi fitness bracelet last longer, follow these recommendations:
- 🔋 Charging: Use only the original cable. Charge to 100%, but do not keep connected for more than 2 hours after full charging.
- 💦 Resistance to water: Despite protection 5 ATM, Avoid hot water (shower, bath) – this can damage leakage.
- 🧼 Clean: Wash the bracelet and strap with a wet wipe once a week. Use a soapy solution for a silicone strap.
- 📱 Updates: Regularly update your firmware through Mi Fitness – this fixes bugs and adds new features.
For models with AMOLED-screen (Mi Band) 7/8):
- 🖥️ Reduce screen brightness to 50-70% to save battery life.
- ⏱️ Set the backlight time to 5 seconds (instead of 10 by default).
💡
Not only does regular synchronization with Mi Fitness keep the data in the cloud, but it also helps to avoid malfunctioning the wristband. Try to sync the device at least once a day.