The first inclusion of wearable electronics from Xiaomi often raises questions among beginners, especially given the minimalist design of the package and the lack of paper instructions in Russian. The process of activating the device does not require complex technical skills, but adherence to the correct sequence of actions is critical to successfully pair with a smartphone. The wrong order of actions can lead to the fact that the gadget will not be visible in the Bluetooth system or refuse to transmit health data.
Modern activity trackers, such as the Mi Band 6, Mi Band 7 or the newer Smart Band 8, work closely with the mobile application, acting only as a display and sensor. It is the software that takes over all the analytics, setting up dials and managing notifications. Without pre-prepared phone and installing the necessary components, you will not be able to launch the bracelet in full operation.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the steps from removing the device from the box to first synchronizing steps, learn about the nuances of working with Android and iOS operating systems, as well as how to avoid the typical mistakes that most users encounter when initializing a gadget.
Preparation of the device for first activation
Before trying to find the device in the phone's Bluetooth menu, make sure it has enough power.Although Xiaomi gadgets often come with a partial charge, prolonged storage in stock could have caused the battery to self-discharge.Plug the tracker to the charger using a complete cable or docking station, and leave it for 15-20 minutes.
Visual monitoring of the battery is carried out through the screen of the device, if the display does not light up immediately after connecting to the device. USB-The deep discharge of lithium polymer batteries takes some time to "swing"; in some models, the screen only activates after the charge level reaches a certain threshold, usually it is a small amount of time. 3-5%.
Note the contact pads at the back of the capsule. They should be clean and dry. Oxidation or the presence of a protective film (which is sometimes forgotten to remove even in new devices) can interfere with normal energy flow.
⚠️ Note: Do not use powerful fast charging units from smartphones (for example, 65W or 120W) A current greater than 1A can damage the power controller. USB-computer port or power supply with current 0.5A - 1A.
Once the Mi logo or battery image appears on the screen, the device is ready for further manipulation. If the screen catches fire and shows the time or logo, then the hardware is good and ready for software configuration.
Installation and configuration of the Mi Fitness application
The centerpiece of Xiaomi’s wearable ecosystem is the companion app, which used to be used for different models: Mi Fit for older versions and Xiaomi Wear for newer ones. Now the main and versatile solution has become the Mi Fitness app (also known as Zepp Life for some older models, but Mi Fitness is preferred for newer ones).
The installation process depends on your smartphone's operating system. It's important for Android users to download the installation file from the official Google Play store or Huawei AppGallery. APK-files from third-party resources may lead to the installation of a modified version with malicious code or broken synchronization functions.
- 📱 Open an app store on your smartphone (Play Market or App Store).
- 🔍 Search for “Mi Fitness” and search for the app from developer Anhui Huami Information Technology».
- ⬇️ Click the “Install” button and wait for the download to complete.
- 🔐 When you first start, provide all the permissions you request: Bluetooth access, geolocation, notifications, and background work.
Once installed, you need to create an account or log in to an existing one, which is a requirement to keep your activity history in the cloud, you can use a phone number, email or social media accounts (Google, Facebook, Apple ID), and it is recommended to link the device to the account you plan to use permanently, as transferring data between Xiaomi accounts can sometimes be difficult.
Inside the app, you'll be asked to add a device, click on the plus in the top right corner, or select Add Device from the profile menu, and the system will automatically start scanning the space for available gadgets.
⚠️ Note: If the app can't find the bracelet, make sure you don't try to plug it in through the phone's standard Bluetooth settings menu.
The process of pairing the bracelet with a smartphone
The most important step is to establish a secure connection between the tracker and the phone. To successfully complete the procedure, you need to have communication modules on the smartphone. Unlike connecting headphones, it requires active operation of the geolocation service (GPS), since the Android and iOS operating systems use it to accurately determine the proximity of devices.
Go to the bracelet with your phone at a distance of 1-2 meters. Open the Mi Fitness app and press the search button. The bracelet should display a vibration signal or a flashing logo indicating the pairing mode. If the device is new, it automatically switches to this mode when it is first turned on.
When the name of your bracelet appears on the list of devices you found (e.g., Mi Smart Band 7), click on it. A confirmation code will appear on your smartphone screen and on your bracelet screen. The codes must match. This is a security measure to prevent you from connecting to other people's devices in public places.
☑️ Checklist of successful pairing
Once the codes are confirmed, the process of synchronizing time and basic settings will begin, at which point do not move far from the phone and lock the screen of the smartphone. The process can take from 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the speed of the Internet and the firmware version.
If the pairing is successful, you will see a welcome screen with a suggestion to adjust the dial. From now on, the bracelet is considered running and ready to work, all data about the time, date and initial profile of the user will be transmitted from the phone.
Update of firmware and calibration
Immediately after the first connection, the app will almost always prompt an update to the bracelet software. Ignoring this step is not recommended, since factory firmware often contains errors or unoptimized algorithms for sensors. Updates improve the accuracy of the pulsemeter, add new dials and fix problems with autonomy.
The Firmware Update (OTA) is downloaded to the phone and then transmitted to the bracelet via Bluetooth, and it is important that the tracker’s battery is at least 20-30% and the phone is nearby.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Critical significance |
|---|---|---|
| Battery charge | More than 50% | Less than 20% (the update will not start) |
| Distance to the phone | Up to 1 metre | More than 5 meters (risk of cliff) |
| Network stability | Wi-Fi or 4G/5G | Lack of Internet |
| Phone screen | Included | Blocked (may interrupt transmission) |
During the upgrade, the screen of the bracelet will be turned off or it will display a progress bar. It is strictly forbidden to press buttons or try to interact with the bracelet during the firmware update, this can lead to a software failure and the need for service recovery.
Once the update is complete, the device will restart. It is now recommended to calibrate the pedometer. Walk Known distance (e.g., 100 meters) at a normal pace and check how many steps the bracelet counts. In the application settings, you can enter your step length manually to improve the accuracy of distance and calories calculations.
What to do if the update is suspended?
Set up a personal profile and goals
For the health analysis algorithms to work properly, you need to fill out a personal profile, and the bracelet uses that data to calculate baseline metabolism and activity targets, and without that information, the statistics will be averaged and less accurate.
In the app, go to Profile and specify your gender, date of birth, height and weight, which directly affect the calculation of heart rate zones, for example, the maximum heart rate is calculated using a formula that depends on age, and there should be no errors.
- 🏃♂️ Steps: The standard value is 10,000 steps, but you can set 6,000 steps to start with so you don’t have to demotivate yourself.
- 💤 Sleeping Aim: Recommended Norm for an Adult — 7-8 hours.
- 💧 Reminders: Set up intervals for warm-up and drinking water reminders if you lead a sedentary lifestyle.
You can also set up the display of data on the screen in this section, and choose which metrics you want to see when lifting your wrist: weather, pulse, footsteps, or pressure (if the model supports), the fewer widgets you have, the faster the interface works.
Pay special attention to setting up notifications. You can choose which apps will broadcast messages on your wrist. Telegram, WhatsApp, calls and SMS - choose only what is really important, so as not to be distracted by trifles and save battery.
Solving and diagnosing problems
Even if all instructions are followed, there can be technical difficulties, the most common problem is that the bracelet is not visible to the phone or constantly loses connection, often due to aggressive energy savings in Android, which kills the background process of the Mi Fitness application.
To fix this, you need to go to the phone battery settings, find the Mi Fitness app, and set the "No Limits" or "No Power Saving" mode, and lock the app in memory so that the system doesn't unload it when you clean up RAM.
Another common situation is that the bracelet shows the wrong time, which happens when the time synchronization with the phone is disabled. In the app, look for "Time settings" and turn on automatic synchronization. Manual time on Xiaomi bracelets is usually not set.
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch and is not activated by charging, try "resuscitating" it. Leave it on charge for a few hours, even if the screen is black.
In case of software failures, when the interface has stalled or the settings have gone wrong, you can reset to the factory settings, this is done through the bracelet menu (System → Reset) or through the application (Remove the device), after reset, you will have to go through the start-up procedure again.
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To improve the quality of pulse measurement during exercise, press the bracelet tightly against the wrist, but do not pull the strap.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Xiaomi bracelet without a phone?
Why doesn't the bracelet count the steps when I push the stroller?
How often should I charge a fitness bracelet?
Is Xiaomi’s waterproof bracelet?
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The main secret of long-term service of the bracelet is regular, but not too frequent charging (do not keep charging for days after 100%) and timely update of the firmware through the official application.