How to turn off the fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 3: all ways

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness bracelet has become a hit with healthier fans because of its functionality and affordable price, but even such a simple device has situations where it needs to be turned off completely — whether it’s preparing for long-term storage, fixing software failures or simply saving battery life. Unlike smartphones, where the power button is always at hand, with fitness trackers, it’s not so obvious.

Many users have difficulty deactivating the Mi Band 3 because the manufacturer has not provided a traditional way to turn off the wristband with a single tap, and incorrect actions can lead to data loss or even temporary device failure. In this article, we will discuss in detail all official and alternative methods of disabling the wristband, as well as in which cases it is really necessary and when it is better to do without completely turning off.

Why you should turn off Mi Band 3

Before we get into the instructions, it's important to understand in which situations a complete shutdown of the bracelet is justified, because the Mi Band 3 is designed for around-the-clock operation, and frequent reboots can negatively affect battery life.

• 🔋 Long-term storage (more than 2-3 months) – if you don’t plan to use the bracelet, it’s best to turn it off to avoid deep battery discharge.
• 🔄 Software failures – when the device stops syncing, fails to respond to touch, or gives out incorrect data (such as steps or pulse).
• ⚡ Firmware Preparation – Some unofficial firmware requires a complete shutdown before installation.
• 🛠️ Repair or replacement of components – for example, when changing a strap or cleaning contacts.

At the same time, there are cases when turning off Mi Band 3 is not only unnecessary, but also harmful:

• ❌ To save charge for 1-2 days – in standby mode, the bracelet consumes a minimum amount of energy.
• ❌ With normal screen freezes – often helps a simple reboot through the Mi Fit app.
• ❌ Before swimming or showering, the device has 5 ATM, and it doesn't need to be turned off.

Method 1: Turn off through the bracelet menu

The most obvious and safe way to do this is to use the built-in Mi Band 3 menu, but not everyone knows where the option is hidden.

1. Wake up the bracelet screen by touching the touch button below the display or raising your hand (if the Raise Your Hand to Wake Up feature is enabled).
2. Scroll the menu to the right until you find the item “More” (denoted by three dots or a gear).
3. In the submenu that opens, select “Switch off” (last paragraph).
4. Confirm the action by clicking the tick or swiping to the right (depending on the firmware version).

After that, the bracelet will start the shutdown process, which takes about 5-10 seconds, the screen will go out, and the charge indicator (if connected to charging) will stop flashing.

Disconnect the bracelet from the charger

Make sure your battery is at least 10%.

Sync data with the Mi Fit app

Remember current settings (alarm clocks, notifications)-->

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet does not respond to touch or the menu does not open, do not try to turn it off forcibly through a long pressing of the button - this can damage the firmware.

Method 2: Forced button shutdown (emergency method)

If the bracelet is stuck and does not respond to touch, you can try forced shutdown using a touch button, which should be used only in extreme cases, since it is equivalent to “hard reset” and can lead to the loss of unsynchronized data.

Instructions:

1. Place the bracelet on a flat surface or fasten it on your arm.
2. Press the touch button under the screen and hold it for 15-20 seconds.
3. The screen should go out and then turn on again with the Mi logo – this means that the device is rebooted.
4. If the screen doesn’t respond even after 20 seconds, release the button and try again after 30 seconds.

Importantly, this method doesn't always work the first time, and if the bracelet is completely discharged or has hardware damage, it may not respond to prolonged pressing.

Method 3: Turning off via Mi Fit

The official Mi Fit app (or its Zepp Life alternative for newer versions) allows you to control the bracelet remotely, including rebooting it. Although there is no direct “Switch Off” feature in the app, you can use the “Reboot” option, which actually performs the same actions.

How to do this:

1. Open the Mi Fit app and connect to the bracelet via Bluetooth.
2. Go to the Profile section → Mi Smart Band 3.
3. Scroll down and find the item “Reboot device” (or Reboot in English version).
4. Confirm the action - the bracelet will begin the process of rebooting.

After restarting, the device will automatically turn on, but if you need to turn it off, do so via the bracelet menu (see Method 1).

Method 4: Full battery discharge (extreme)

If the bracelet is completely out of order and does not respond to any commands, the only way to turn it off is to wait for the battery to run out completely, a method that takes a long time and has several drawbacks:

• ⚡ Total loss of unsynchronized data (steps, sleep, pulse).
• 🔋 The risk of a deep discharge that could damage the battery.
• ⏳ It takes from a few hours to a day, depending on the current level of charge.

If you do decide to do this, follow the process:

1. Disconnect the bracelet from the charger.
2. Leave it on until the screen goes out (usually at a charge level below 5%).
3. After full discharge, connect to charging - the device should automatically turn on.

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet does not turn on after discharge, do not try to charge it for more than 30 minutes in a row.This may indicate a malfunction of the battery or power controller.

💡

If the bracelet is dead and doesn't turn on, try holding it for 10-15 minutes and then pressing the touch button, which sometimes helps wake the device up.

What to do after turning off the bracelet

After successfully shutting down the Mi Band 3, it is important to turn it on and configure it correctly to avoid loss of functionality.

1. Charge before activation: If the bracelet has been turned off due to discharge, connect it to the charger for 10-15 minutes before turning on.
2. Turn on. To start the device, press the touch button once, the Mi logo will appear on the screen, and then the main interface.
3. Sync data. Open the Mi Fit app and wait for automatic sync. If the data doesn't update, go to the bracelet section and press Sync.
4. Check settings. Make sure all important settings (alarm clocks, notifications, sleep monitoring) are on.

If the bracelet is unstable after turning on (for example, it does not display notifications or incorrectly counts steps), reset the settings:

1. In the bracelet menu, find Reset (or Reset).
2. Confirm the action - the device will return to the factory settings.
3. Connect the bracelet to the Mi Fit app again and configure it from scratch.

💡

After long storage (more than 3 months), it is recommended to completely discharge and charge the bracelet 1-2 times to restore the battery capacity.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off the Xiaomi Mi Band 3, users often make mistakes that can lead to problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔌 Shutting down during synchronization. If you interrupt the data transfer process to the Mi Fit application, the information may be lost.
• 💦 Turn off in the water.
• 🔋 Storage in a discharged state. If you leave the bracelet off with zero charge for a long time, the battery can fail. Periodically (every 2-3 months) charge it to 50-60%.
• 🔄 Frequent reboots: Regularly turning off/on the bracelet shortens battery life.

Another common problem is that the bracelet doesn't turn on after you turn off the menu, and this can be because of:

• Firmware failure (solved by flashing through Mi Fit).
• Full discharge (plug in to charge for 15-20 minutes).
• Mechanical damage (for example, after a fall).

If the bracelet does not respond to charging, check:

• Integrity of cable and adapter.
• Clean contacts (wipe them with a soft cloth).
• The capacity of the socket or USB-port.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions