How to turn off Bluetooth on the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 5: 3 proven ways

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet has become one of the most popular activity-tracking gadgets due to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face the need to temporarily or completely disable the Bluetooth module — whether to save battery power, fix connectivity problems or ensure privacy. Unlike smartphones, where disabling wireless modules is intuitive, in the Mi Band 5, this process has its own nuances.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to deactivate a Bluetooth connection, including software methods through the official Mi Fit application (now Zepp Life), hardware manipulation of the bracelet itself, as well as alternative solutions for cases where standard methods do not work, and pay special attention to security issues, the impact on the functionality of the device and the typical errors that users make when trying to turn off data transmission.

Why You Should Turn Off Bluetooth on Mi Band 5

At first glance, a wireless connection is the basis of a fitness bracelet, but there are several good reasons to deactivate it:

• 🔋 Saving battery power: Constant scanning and maintaining a connection to the phone consumes up to 20% Bluetooth shutdown can extend autonomy 1-2 day-day.
• 🛡️ In public places (fitness clubs, offices), the bracelet can be targeted for unauthorized connection through protocol vulnerabilities. BLE 5.0.
• 🔄 Failure management: If the bracelet is not synced to the phone or is “hang” on the connection screen, resetting the Bluetooth connection often helps to restore functionality.
• ⚡ Compatibility with other devices, for example, when connecting the Mi Band 5 to a laptop through a firmware adapter, you must first break communication with the smartphone.

It is important to understand that completely disabling Bluetooth deprives the bracelet of the ability to sync data with the application, receive notifications and update the firmware. However, in some scenarios (for example, using only as a pedometer without tethering to the phone), this is justified.

Method 1: Disconnect via Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit)

The safest and most recommended method is to use the official app, and the instructions are current for Zepp Life 6.0 and higher (updated in 2026):

1. Open the Zepp Life app on your smartphone and make sure the bracelet is connected (the ✓ icon next to the device name).
2. Go to the Profile section → My devices. → Mi Smart Band 5.
3. Scroll down and select Disable Device (or Delete Device in older versions).
4. Confirm action. This will tear the current pair of Bluetooth, but it won't turn off the module on the bracelet itself.

To completely disable the Bluetooth module on the bracelet through the application:

• In the same section of the device, find the bracelet settings → System → Bluetooth.
• Transfer the slider to the position Off.. In some firmware, this item may be called Visibility for other devices.

Synchronize all data with the application

Remember the current notification settings

Make sure that the bracelet has enough charge (minimum 20%)

Disconnect the bracelet from other devices (PCs, tablets)-->

⚠️ Warning: After disconnecting through the app, the bracelet will remain visible to other devices for 30 seconds.To completely hide it, restart the Mi Band 5 by holding the touch button for 10 seconds.

Method 2: Hardware shutdown on the bracelet itself

If you don't have access to your smartphone or the app doesn't work, you can turn off Bluetooth directly on the bracelet. This method works on firmware 1.0.3.54 and later:

1. Wake up the bracelet screen by touching the touch button or raising your hand (if a gesture is enabled).
2. Scroll the menu to the right to the item More (batch icon) ⋮).
3. Select Settings → Bluetooth.
4. Touch the badge. 🔄 (Update) or hold the screen at Bluetooth 3 seconds to open the hidden menu.
5. In the window that appears, select Disable (Icon) 🚫).

On some bracelets with Chinese firmware, the path may differ: Settings → System → Wireless Networks → Bluetooth → Off.

💡

If after Bluetooth shutdown, the bracelet stopped showing notifications, check the permission settings for the Zepp Life application in the system. Android/iOS. Often, after a connection breaks, the rights to display push notifications are reset.

Method 3: Resetting settings to factory (extreme case)

If standard methods don't work or the bracelet is stuck in a constant device search mode, a complete reset may be required, a radical method that will bring the Mi Band 5 back to its "out of the box" state:

1. On the bracelet, go to Settings → More → Reset settings.
2. Confirm the action by touching the tick ✓.
3. After restarting (it takes ~30 seconds), the bracelet will automatically turn on Bluetooth for a new binding.

Alternative resetting method (if the screen does not respond):

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.


2 Hold the touch button for 15-20 seconds until the Mi logo appears.




3. Release the button, it starts to reset.

⚠️ Attention: Reset deletes: - All stored activity data (except those synchronized with the application). - Settings of alarms, notifications and training profiles. - Account binding Xiaomi/Zepp. After resetting, you will need to re-configure, as in the first switching on.

How to check if Bluetooth is disabled

After you have done any of these methods, it is important to make sure that the module is deactivated.

• 📱 Using your smartphone: Open Bluetooth settings on your phone — Mi Band 5 should not be displayed in the list of available devices. If it is visible but not connected, then the module is active, but not paired.
• 🔍 Special applications: Utilities like nRF Connect (Android/iOS) scanning nearby BLE-If the bracelet is not detected, Bluetooth is off.
• 📊 Battery consumption: In the Zepp Life app, check the discharge schedule – if Bluetooth is turned off, consumption should decrease to ~5-7% day-to-day 15-20% lively).
• 🔌 Connection indicator: The icon on the bracelet screen should disappear 📶 (antenna) in the top panel.

If the bracelet continues to broadcast the signal, despite all the manipulations, the reason may be:

• Outdated firmware (update through Settings → Software Update).
• Hardware failure (such as sticking a button or damage after falling).
• Conflict with other devices (for example, if the bracelet has previously connected to a smart watch or fitness equipment)

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to turn off Bluetooth, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

One of the most insidious mistakes is the false shutdown, where the bracelet appears to be off but still broadcasts in the background, which is typical of firmware 1.0.2.xxx and below.

1. Update the firmware to the latest version.
2. Manually remove the bracelet from the list of paired devices in the Bluetooth settings of the phone.
3. Perform network reset: Settings → System → Network reset.

💡

If the bracelet starts to discharge quickly after switching off Bluetooth (more than 30% per hour), this is a sign of a hardware malfunction.

Alternative solutions to save charge without turning off Bluetooth

If your goal is to extend the bracelet’s life, but still keep the ability to synchronize, consider these methods:

• ⏳ Increase the synchronization interval: In Zepp Life, set automatic synchronization once in a while. 6-12 hours instead of constant.
• 🔔 Turn off unnecessary notifications: Leave only critical (calls, SMS), disabling notifications from social networks and messengers.
• 🌙 Activate sleep mode: In bracelet settings, turn on Do not disturb at night - this reduces the background activity of the module.
• 📶 Limit background scanning: In phone settings, turn off Zepp Life work permit in the background.

Comparison of the effectiveness of methods:

According to tests from Xiaomi’s lab (2023), the combination of these settings allows you to increase autonomy by 25-40% without completely turning off Bluetooth. For example, with standard settings, the Mi Band 5 works 12-14 days, and after optimization - up to 18-20 days.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions