Why Turn Off Your Fitness Bracelet and When You Really Need It
The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet is designed to run around the clock, but even such a device sometimes requires a forced shutdown. The main reasons are: preparing for long-term storage (for example, during a vacation without recharging), eliminating software failures or completely discharging the battery to calibrate the battery. Unlike smartphones, there is no classic power button - the process requires knowledge of hidden combinations or the use of an application.
It's important to understand the difference between shutting down and rebooting. The first completely shuts down the device, resetting all temporary data (steps for the current day, pulse in real time), but saves the settings in memory. The second is a soft reset, which often solves problems with synchronizing or freezing the screen. If the bracelet stopped responding to touch, try rebooting first - it's safer for data.
Another nuance: the Mi Band 5 automatically goes into deep sleep at a critical charge level (below 5%), but this does not amount to a complete shutdown. In this state, the device continues to expend energy on maintaining memory, albeit minimally.
Method 1: Standard shutdown through the bracelet menu
The most obvious method is to use a built-in menu, which works if the bracelet screen responds to touch, and the battery is at least 10-15%.
- Wake up the bracelet screen by touching it or pressing the physical button under the display.
- Scroll the menu to the right until you find the icon. ⚙ Settings (cogs).
- In the settings list, select the "Off" item (icon with a circle and a vertical line).
- Confirm the action by touching the tick ✓ on the screen.
The device will start the shutdown process, which will take about 5–7 The screen will go out and the charging indicator (if the bracelet is connected to the cable) will stop flashing. Fit/Zepp Life, but resets unsaved data for the current day.
Charge level (minimum 10% for correct shutdown)
Synchronize data with the application (so as not to lose steps / pulse)
Turning off alarm clocks (they will work even on the device turned off)
Removal of the bracelet from the hand (prolonged wear without nutrition can cause skin irritation)
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If the "Stop" option is not on the menu, it's likely that the bracelet has outdated firmware installed. Update it through the Zepp Life app (Profile → Mi Band 5 → Firmware Update). In rare cases, the problem is due to regional restrictions - for example, on the bracelets for the Chinese market (Mi Band 5 NFC), the menu may differ.
Method 2: Forced button shutdown (emergency method)
When the screen is not responding to touch or the bracelet is frozen, hardware rebooting with a physical button will help, which does not store temporary data (steps, pulse for the current day), but does not affect the basic settings.
- Remove the bracelet from your hand and place it on a flat surface.
- Find the physical button below the screen (which is also used to return to the menu).
- Press the button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out and the Mi logo appears.
- Release the button and the bracelet will start rebooting.
If the device doesn’t respond even to a long press, try connecting it to the charging cable for 1-2 minutes, and then repeat the procedure. Sometimes the discharged battery blocks hardware commands.
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After a forced reboot, sync the bracelet with the application to restore communication with the sensors. Otherwise, the data for the current day may not be displayed correctly.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use this method more than 1 time per week.Frequent forced reboots can cause wear of the button or failures in the touch screen.
Method 3: Shutting down via Zepp Life (remote)
If the bracelet is synchronized with the smartphone, it can be turned off remotely, which is convenient when the device is out of access (for example, forgot to remove in front of the shower) or the screen is damaged.
- Open the Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit) on your smartphone.
- Go to the Profile section → Mi Band 5.
- Select option Additional settings → Turn off the device.
- Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
Remote shutdown only works when the Bluetooth connection is active and the bracelet charge level is above 5%.
- 📱 Application permissions: in the smartphone settings should be enabled Bluetooth access and notifications.
- 🔄 Synchronization: The last data synchronization should have been successful (check in the application history).
- 🌍 Bracelet region: on Chinese versions (Mi Band 5) NFC) This function can be disabled.
Once turned off via the app, the bracelet will not respond to touch, but retains the ability to turn on via the charging cable, a method safer for the battery than forced shutdown with a button.
Method 4: Full battery discharge (extreme)
If the bracelet doesn't respond to any commands and the charge is kept at 1-2%, you have to wait for the full discharge, which takes from a few hours to a day, depending on the current charge level.
- ⚡ Discharge time: at 1% charge, the device can work another 2-4 hours in standby mode.
- 📊 Data loss: all unsynchronized data (steps, pulse, sleep) will be lost.
- 🔋 Recovery: After discharge, the bracelet will only turn on from the charger.
To speed up the process, activate energy-intensive functions:
- Turn on the Constant pulse in the bracelet settings.
- Activate the Smart Alarm with maximum sensitivity.
- Use a bracelet to measure blood oxygen levels (SpO₂) every 5-10 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: Regular discharge to 0% reduces the life of the lithium polymer battery. Use this method no more than 1 time in 3-6 months.
What happens to the bracelet when it is completely discharged?
Method 5: Reset to factory settings (alternative to shutdown)
If the goal is not just to turn off the bracelet, but to completely reset it (for example, before selling), use the factory reset. This process erases all data, including the binding to the Xiaomi account.
- Go to the bracelet menu: Settings → Reset (circular arrow icon).
- Confirm the action by touching ✓.
- Wait for the reboot (the bracelet will flash the Mi logo 2-3 times).
Once reset, the device will automatically turn off. Reuse will require:
- 🔌 Connect to charging (bracelet will turn on automatically).
- 📲 Link to Xiaomi account via Zepp Life app.
- ⚙ Set up parameters (language, units of measurement, notifications).
| Method | Data retention | Implementation time | Charge level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard shutdown | Save settings, reset temporary data | 5-10 seconds | Minimum 10% |
| Forced reset | Resets unsaved data | 15-20 seconds | Any (except 0%) |
| Remote shutdown | Save settings, requires Bluetooth | 3-5 seconds | Minimum 5% |
| Full discharge. | Loss of all unsynchronized data | 1 hour to day | 1–2% |
| Reset to factory | Deletes all data and anchorages | 20–30 seconds | Minimum 20% |
Once a week to reboot
Only before long-term storage
Never turned it off.
Only when he's hanging.
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What to do if the bracelet does not turn on after switching off
If the Mi Band 5 does not respond to a charge or button after turning it off, follow these steps:
- Check the cable and power supply: Use the original Xiaomi (5V/1A) cable. Non-original cables may not provide enough current to initialize charging.
- Clean the contacts: wipe the charging contacts on the bracelet and cable with an alcohol wipe. Oxidation or dirt can block power.
- Keep 30+ minutes on charge: even if the indicator doesn't burn, leave the bracelet plugged in. Sometimes the power controller only wakes up after the minimum charge has been accumulated.
- Try another power source: connect the cable to the USB-port of a computer or other adapter (e.g. from a smartphone).
If the bracelet is still not turned on, the problem may be:
- 🔋 Battery: Bloating or deep discharge (below 2.8V) requires battery replacement.
- 💻 Firmware: a failure in the update can block the bootloader. The solution is firmware through the Mi Fit Tool (requires a PC).
- 🔌 Power Controller: Physical damage after falling or getting moisture.
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet doesn't turn on after falling into water, don't plug it into a charger - it can cause a short circuit. Place the device in rice or silica gel for 24 to 48 hours, then try turning it on.
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If the bracelet does not respond to charging for more than a day and the indicator does not flash, this is a sign of hardware malfunction, 80% of cases are the fault of the battery or power controller, which requires replacement at the service center.