Changing the strap on a smartwatch or fitness bracelet is the easiest way to personalize the device and extend its life when the standard band is worn out. Xiaomi ecosystem owners often face the need to replace the complete element due to loss of silicone elasticity or the desire to match the accessory to a particular style of clothing. The replacement process varies depending on the model of the wearable gadget, whether it is the popular Mi Band series or the more advanced Mi Watch.
Installation of a new element incorrectly can damage the activity tracker itself or the mounting mechanism, so it is important to clearly understand the design features of your device. In this article, we will examine in detail the algorithms of actions for different generations of devices, consider the types of mounts and give recommendations for choosing quality analogues. You will learn how to safely remove the capsule and fix the new strap, avoiding common mistakes of beginners.
Design features and types of fastenings
Before you start a physical replacement, you need to determine the type of mount used in your watch model. Xiaomi devices and the Amazfit sub-brand use several fixation standards, and trying to apply force where a specific grip is needed can break the plastic ears of the capsule.
The most common variant for the Mi Band series (especially the 4, 5, 6 and 7 generations) is the “capsule-in-rimming” system. Here the tracker itself is removed from the silicone frame, and the new strap is a single frame with already built-in silicone. Older models such as the Mi Band 1 or 1S used a system to remove the tracker itself from the strip, where it was required to forcefully push the module. Modern Mi Watches often feature standard Quick Release mounts or proprietary movements with buttons.
It's important to look carefully before you start, and if you have small cracks on the plastic, you can make it more difficult to be careful, and if you change the strap on a metal model, you're at a much higher risk of scratching the coating.
⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp metal objects (knives, screwdrivers) to pull the strap near the screen or pulse sensors, as this is guaranteed to cause scratches or damage to the water protection.
Understanding your mount type is a key factor in successful replacement, and a mistake in identifying the mechanism can lead you to look for non-existent buttons or try to bend fixed parts of the body.
Instructions for the Mi Band series (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Replacing the bracelet in the Mi Band lineup has its own specifics that have changed from generation to generation. For models since the fifth, the process has become much easier thanks to the change in the shape of the capsule. Owners of the fourth version and the newer version usually do not need to remove the tracker itself from the silicone, unless you buy specific designer frames.
In most cases, for Mi Band 5/6/7 models, the replacement is by removing the oval capsule from the standard frame and inserting it into a new one. To do this, flip the bracelet with the screen down and press the thumb on the convex part of the tracker on the back side, pushing it out of the socket. The new strap frame is purchased whole, and the capsule is simply pressed into it until a characteristic click.
☑️ Pre-installing check
The situation with the Mi Band 8 and newer has changed dramatically: it uses a quick removable system, where the strap is attached to the body through special eyelets, rather than covering the capsule entirely. This allows you to change only the tapes without touching the tracker body itself, which is much more convenient and safer for electronics. The mechanism is similar to a classic watch: you need to press the lock and pull the tail.
When you install it, you need to be careful about the orientation of the sensors, and if you put the capsule upside down, the heart rate sensor will not fit the wrist, and the reading will be incorrect, and make sure that the bulging part of the sensor looks at the skin and the screen looks out.
⚠️ Note: When inserting the capsule into a new frame, do not press the screen with your fingers or nails so as not to damage the matrix or oleophobic coating; pressure should only be applied to the plastic ends of the tracker.
The quality of the capsule fitting into the new strap is a guarantee of moisture protection. If you feel that the tracker is dangling or sitting too tight, you may have purchased a poor-quality accessory that may fall out during training or getting into the water.
Replacement of the band with Mi Watch and Amazfit
The Mi Watch, Mi Watch Lite and Amazfit smartwatches (GTS, GTR series) often use more traditional mounting methods in the watch industry, and it is important to distinguish between standard 20-mm mounts and proprietary systems specifically designed for a particular model.
If your watch supports Quick Release, it takes seconds to do the process, and just with a finger or a blunt nail, pull the spring-loaded pin at the place where the strap is attached to the body and pull the tape on itself, and you can install the new one in the same way, you can pair the pin with the hole, pull it slightly back, and then you can insert it into the groove before you click.
In models with screw mounts or hidden buttons, the situation is more complicated. For example, some versions of the Amazfit Bip require careful tweaking of the mechanism. For the Mi Watch Color, special adapters are often used that are already embedded in the strap, in which case the entire mount assembly is removed along with a part of the silicone.
You should pay special attention to the direction of installation. On the inside of the straps, there are often arrows ↓ indicating the direction of movement when wearing. If you confuse the upper and lower parts, the buckle may be awkwardly located or the strap will turn out.
Choosing the right size for a watch strap is critical for comfort: too long a strap will get in the way, and a short one may not fasten. For models with adjustable holes, this is less relevant, but for whole leather cuffs, size matters.
Replacement tools and precautions
While most modern Xiaomi fitness bracelets don’t require special tools, having certain devices can make it easier and secure. In some cases, especially when working with tight silicone frames of older models, fingers can be difficult to do.
To work safely, it is recommended to prepare a soft surface, such as microfiber fabric or silicone mat, which will prevent falling and scratching if the tracker slips out of your hands, and you should also have a plastic spatula (spooder) on hand, which is used to repair smartphones.
Under no circumstances should you use stationery knives or blades to slap your straps. In addition to the risk of injury, you could accidentally slip and punch the tracker battery or damage the screen. Plastic tools do not conduct current or scratch the plastic.
| Tool. | Appointment | Risk of use |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic spatula | Fakening the tight framework | Minimum |
| Dry napkin. | Fixing and cleaning | Absent. |
| metal needle | Cleaning holes | Tall (scratches) |
| Tweezers | Extracting fine detail | Medium (splinters) |
Cleanliness of the workplace is a fundamental requirement: fine dust caught between the screen and the new strap can put pressure on the matrix when worn, which over time will lead to the appearance of broken pixels.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting a replacement, be sure to wipe the device body with an alcohol wipe to remove skin fat and dirt that may make it difficult to install a new strap or cause skin irritation.
Material choice: silicone, leather or metal
The accessories market for Xiaomi offers a huge variety of materials, and the choice depends on the scenarios of using the gadget.Standard silicone is good for sports, but can cause irritation when worn for long periods or in hot weather due to the greenhouse effect.
Fluoroelastomer straps (like Apple’s original belts or their high-quality Xiaomi counterparts) are more expensive, but they are much more tactile, do not stick to dust and are easier to wash. For office and business meetings, leather straps or wicker nylon options that provide better wrist ventilation will be a great choice.
Secrets of the durability of straps
Metal bracelets (Milanian weaving or chains) add weight and solidity to the device, but can be cold in winter and heavy to sleep.In addition, the metal can scratch the watch body if it does not have quality plastic inserts in the attachment areas.
When choosing, consider the quality of the fittings. Cheap metal fasteners quickly lose coating and oxidize from sweat. Hypoallergenicity of the material is an important parameter for people with sensitive skin prone to contact dermatitis.
The universal solution is the presence of several straps: one sporty (bright, easy to wash) and one classic. This allows you to adapt the gadget to any situation without buying a second watch.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Even with careful follow-up, users may encounter difficulties, and one of the common problems is that the strap does not hold and falls out, which usually indicates that the accessory is defective or that it is intended for another modification of the device (for example, the band from Mi Band 4 will not fit with the Mi Band 5 due to the different shape of the capsule).
Another common situation is that there is a gap between the body and the strap, and in cheap copies, the geometry of the casting is often broken, and if the gap is large, dirt and moisture will get stuffed in, which can lead to corrosion of the charging contacts.
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If the new strap sits too tight and you are afraid to break the body, try to warm it up slightly with a hair dryer (not hot air, but warm) for 10-15 seconds. Silicone will become more elastic and installation will be easier.
Sometimes users notice that after the replacement of the strap, the pulse sensor stopped working, check whether the new material blocked the area of the sensor, or if the tracker is too weakly pressed against the skin due to the thickness of the new frame.
If you are faced with a break in the ears of the mount on the watch body itself, self-repair is almost impossible without soldering or replacing the case. In such cases, it is better to use special overhead straps that wrap around the body entirely, or contact the service.
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The compatibility of the straps is strictly tied to the geometry of the case: even the same diagonally screens in different generations of Xiaomi can have different mounting systems.