The 2016 Xiaomi Mi Band 2 fitness bracelet is still popular with users due to its simplicity, reliability and budget price, but even such a simple device can have situations where it needs to be turned off completely β whether to save charge, reboot after a crash or prepare for sale. Unlike todayβs touchscreen models, the Mi Band 2 is controlled by a single mechanical button, which causes confusion among many owners.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn off the bracelet, including official and alternative methods, and explain why sometimes the device refuses to shut down. You will learn how to avoid common errors that can lead to freezing or even loss of data (for example, resetting the step statistics).
Why you should turn off Mi Band 2
At first glance, a fitness bracelet doesnβt need to be shut down regularly β it consumes minimal energy and can run for months without recharging.
- π Savings in charge over long periods of storage (e.g. if you donβt plan to use the bracelet for several months) Even in standby mode, the battery is slowly discharged.
- π Reboot after crash: if the bracelet stops syncing, doesnβt show notifications or βgluesβ the screen.
- π¦ Preparing to sell or transfer to another user β to reset all data and untie the account.
- π οΈ Battery repair or replacement: Some workshops require the device to be switched off before disassembling.
It's important to understand that turning off and resetting are different procedures: the first one just turns off the power, and the second one erases all data (including activity statistics) and returns the bracelet to the factory settings. In most cases, it's enough to turn off, but if you're preparing a device for sale, you'll need a complete reset.
Method 1: Turn off via Mi Fit (official method)
The safest and most recommended way is to use the Mi Fit app (or its Zepp Life counterpart for newer versions), which ensures that you shut down correctly without risking data corruption.
- Open the Mi Fit app on your smartphone and make sure the bracelet is connected to your phone via Bluetooth.
- Go to the Profile section β Mi Smart Band 2 (or find your device in the list of connected gadgets).
- Scroll down to Disable the device or Turn off (depending on the version of the application).
- Confirm the action on the smartphone screen. The bracelet vibrates and goes out in 2-3 seconds.
If your Mi Fit version doesnβt have a direct shutdown option, try an alternative path:
- In the main menu of the application, tap on the icon of the bracelet.
- Select Device Settings β Additionally.
- Find the item Turn off or Reboot.
Sync the latest data |Close all background apps on your phone |Make sure Bluetooth is on |Plug the bracelet to charge (if the charge is below 10%)
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An important nuance: if the bracelet is discharged to 0%, the application will not be able to turn it off, in which case you will have to use a physical button (see the next method). Also note that after switching off via Mi Fit, the device can automatically turn on when connecting to charging - this is normal behavior.
Method 2: Turn off using a physical button
If you don't have access to the app (e.g., lost smartphone or bracelet is not synced), you can turn off Mi Band 2 manually.
- Make sure the bracelet is not connected to the charger.
- Press the button for 5-7 seconds until the screen starts to vibrate and goes out.
- Release the button and the bracelet will turn off.
If the screen does not respond to prolonged pressing, try the following:
- π Connect the bracelet to charge for 10-15 seconds, then turn off and try again.
- π Press the button 10-12 times in a row (with short presses), then press it again.
What to do if the button does not work?
Warning: Do not try to turn off the bracelet by repeatedly pressing the button at a fast pace - this can cause the firmware to freeze.If the device does not respond to holding the button, use the reset method (described below) or contact the service center.
β οΈ Warning: After manually switching off the button, the bracelet may not turn on when connecting to charging. In this case, press the button for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
Method 3: Forced reset (if the bracelet is getting stuck)
If the Mi Band 2 doesn't respond to either the app or the button, there may be a software failure, and in this case, a forced reset that also shuts down the device will help, which erases all the data on the bracelet, so use it only as a last resort.
Resetting instructions:
- Connect the bracelet to the charger.
- Press the button for 20-30 seconds until the screen blinks and the Reset (or the Mi logo with a progress bar) appears.
- Release the button and wait for the reboot. The bracelet will turn off, and the next time you turn on, you will need to re-attach to the account.
After a forced reset, all data (steps, pulse, sleep history) will be deleted without recovery, and if the bracelet synced with the Mi Fit before the crash, some of the statistics can be recovered from the cloud.
| Method of shutdown | Is the data preserved? | Does charging need to be done? | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Mi Fit. | Yes. | No. | 5-10 seconds |
| Button (5-7 seconds) | Yes. | No. | 10 seconds. |
| Forced discharge | No. | Yes. | 30-40 seconds |
| Battery discharge | Partially (recent data) | No. | A few days. |
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many users experience problems when trying to turn off Mi Band 2, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:
- π« The bracelet doesn't turn off via Mi Fit: check Bluetooth connectivity, restart the app or reinstall it. Sometimes undocking and re-binding the device helps.
- π When you turn off the button, the bracelet immediately turns on, which is normal if it's connected to the charger.
- β‘ The screen doesn't respond to pressing: it's probably completely discharged. Connect it to charging for 15 to 20 minutes, then try again.
- π± App doesnβt see bracelet: Make sure your phone is enabled with Bluetooth and geolocation (some versions of Mi Fit require location access to search for devices).
If neither method works, try an alternative app like Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (available on Google Play) that supports more features for older bracelet models, including forced shutdown.
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Before turning off the bracelet, always sync your data with Mi Fit β this will keep your statistics in the cloud even if the device resets or discharges.
What to do if Mi Band 2 doesnβt turn on after shutting down
The fact that the bracelet doesn't show signs of life after a shutdown is frightening to many users, and the causes can range from a simple battery discharge to serious hardware malfunctions.
- Check charging: Connect the bracelet to the original cable and adapter. make sure the contacts on the bracelet and charger are clean (wipe them with alcohol). Wait 30 to 60 minutes - sometimes a discharged battery takes time to "wake up."
- Try forced activation: Connect the bracelet to charge. Press the button for 15-20 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- Check the cable and power supply: Use another USB-cable or adapter (preferably from Xiaomi) Connect the bracelet to a computer or power bank - sometimes the socket may be faulty.
If the bracelet still doesn't turn on after these manipulations, there may have been a firmware failure or battery failure, in which case only flashing through special software (for example, Mi Band 2 Tools) or contacting a service center will help.
β οΈ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the bracelet yourself unless you have experience with microelectronics.Mi Band 2 battery is soldered to the board, and careless actions can lead to short circuits.
Alternative ways to disconnect (for experienced users)
If standard methods don't work, you can try more advanced options, which require some technical skills, but sometimes help in desperate situations.
- π Up to 0%: Leave the bracelet on without charging for 2-3 days. Once fully discharged, it will turn off automatically. Then recharge it for 10-15 minutes and switch on with a button.
- π± Shutdown through ADB (For Android: If the bracelet is connected to the phone but does not respond to commands, you can try sending a disconnect command via the phone. ADB (Android Debug Bridge for this: adb shell am start -a android.bluetooth.device.action.DISCONNECT This method does not work on all firmware and requires debugging enabled. USB.
- π§ Flashing: If the bracelet hangs on the logo or does not respond to the button, reinstalling the firmware through software like Mi Band 2 Tools can help. Instructions and firmware files can be found on thematic forums (for example, you can find them on the Internet, 4PDA).
These methods should be used only if you are confident in your actions. Incorrect manipulation of the firmware or disassembly of the device can lead to complete loss of performance.
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If the bracelet doesnβt respond to standard shutdown methods, try recharging it first β often the problem lies in a discharged battery, not a hardware malfunction.