What program is needed for a fitness bracelet Xiaomi: official and alternative applications

Xiaomi fitness bracelets are among the most popular wearables on the market due to their combination of functionality, sensor accuracy and affordable price. However, many users are faced with the question: what program to install to make the bracelet work at full capacity? Official applications from Xiaomi are regularly updated, and third-party solutions offer advanced features that are not available out of the box.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the current Xiaomi fitness bracelet programs, from the standard Mi Fit to alternative applications like Zepp Life or Notify & Fitness for Mi Band. You will learn what software is suitable for your bracelet model, how to set it up and what functions will be available after you connect. We will pay special attention to compatibility with different versions of Android and iOS, as well as the nuances of data synchronization with popular health services.

Xiaomi’s official apps: Mi Fit and Zepp Life

Xiaomi offers two major fitness management apps: Mi Fit and Zepp Life (formerly known as Mi Fitness), both designed specifically for the Mi Band ecosystem, Amazfit and other wearables of the brand, but have key differences in functionality and interface.

Mi Fit is a classic application that originally came with the first versions of the Mi Band. It supports basic features:

• 📊 Tracking steps, distance and calories burned
• 💤 Sleep monitoring (deep/light sleep, wake-ups)
• ❤️‍🩺 Measurement of heart rate (on supported models)
• 🔔 Notifications of calls and messages (SMS, messengers)

In 2022, Xiaomi began actively promoting Zepp Life as a more modern alternative.

• 📈 Advanced training analytics (more than 100 types of activities)
• 🧘‍♂️ Monitoring Stress and Energy Levels (PAI — Personal Activity Intelligence)
• 🌍 Sync with Google Fit, Apple Health and Strava
• 🎨 Customization of dials (more options than in Mi Fit)

Importantly, Zepp Life is gradually replacing Mi Fit – newer bracelet models (such as the Mi Band 8 or Xiaomi Smart Band Pro 2) are officially supported only in Zepp Life. However, older devices (such as the Mi Band 5) can still work with both apps.

⚠️ Note: If you upgraded your bracelet firmware through Zepp Life, it may not be possible to return Mi Fit support. Before switching, check your model's compatibility on Xiaomi's official website.

Mi Fit vs Zepp Life: Which is the Best?

To determine which application is right for you, compare them on key parameters:

When to choose Mi Fit:

• 📱 You have an old bracelet (Mi Band 1-5)
• 🔄 You need maximum stability (less bugs)
• 📴 You are using a device based on Android 6.0 or lower

When to choose Zepp Life:

• 🆕 You have a new model (Mi Band) 7/8, Smart Band Pro)
• 📊 You need a detailed health analysis (stress, PAI, SpO₂)
• 🎨 Want more options for dials and settings

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For owners of the Mi Band 8 and the newer Zepp Life, the only official option is the Mi Fit no longer gets updates for new devices.

Alternative applications: Notify & Fitness and others

Official Xiaomi apps don’t always meet users’ needs, such as lacking user notification support (application filtering), no ability to adjust vibrations or export raw data for analysis, and in such cases, third-party programs come to the rescue.

The most popular alternative solution is Notify & Fitness for Mi Band (formerly Mi Bandage), which is compatible with almost all Mi Band models (2 to 8) and offers:

• 🔔 Flexible notification settings (application selection, text on screen)
• 🔄 Automatic data sync with Google Fit and Apple Health
• 📱 Tasker support for automation (e.g., starting geolocation training)
• 🔋 Displaying the charge level of the bracelet in the status bar of the phone

Other appendices of note:

⚠️ Note: Third-party apps may require you to disable Bluetooth connection to official software before connecting. On some models (for example, Mi Band 7 Pro), this leads to a reset of bracelet settings.

Step-by-step: how to connect a fitness bracelet Xiaomi

Regardless of the application you choose, the process of connecting the bracelet to your phone consists of several standard steps. Consider the universal instruction with the example of Zepp Life (for Mi Fit or Notify & Fitness, the actions are similar with minor differences).

Step 1: Installation of the application

• 📱 Download Zepp Life from Google Play or App Store.
• 🔓 Provide all permissions requested (access to notifications, location, contacts).

Step 2: Registration of an account

• 📧 Register via email, phone number or account Xiaomi/Google.
• 🔐 Confirm the mail or SMS-code (without this, data synchronization will not work).

Step 3: Connecting the bracelet

Turn on Bluetooth on your phone

Charge the bracelet to at least 20%

Place the bracelet next to your phone (no further than 1 meter)

Make sure the bracelet is not connected to another device.-->

1. Open Zepp Life and click Add Device.
2. Choose your bracelet model from the list (e.g. Mi Smart Band 8).
3. Follow the instructions on the screen: confirm the pairing on the phone and bracelet (click the button on the bracelet when vibration appears).
4. Wait until the synchronization is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes).

Step 4: Set up notifications

Go to Profile. → Notifications and:

• ✅ Enable the option to Show notifications.
• 📋 Select applications, notifications from which will be duplicated on the bracelet.
• 🔕 Set up the "Do Not Disturb" mode according to the schedule.

1. Reboot the phone and bracelet.

2. Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugated devices in the Bluetooth settings.

3. Update the firmware of the bracelet through the official annex.

4. Reset the bracelet to factory settings (press the touch button for 10 seconds).-->

Compatibility with iPhone and Android: nuances and limitations

Xiaomi fitness bracelets work with both Android and iOS, but there are a number of limitations to be aware of in advance: On Android (version 6.0 and higher), all features are available in full, while on iPhone some features can be curtailed.

Limitations for iOS:

• 📵 No support for automatic back-up synchronization (you need to open the application to update data).
• 🔔 The notifications are only for incoming calls and SMS (Messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram may not be displayed).
• 🎵 No music control from the bracelet (player control is not available).

There are also nuances on Android:

• 🤖 On devices with MIUI (Xiaomi firmware can block Zepp Life background work. To fix this, add the app to AutoRun and Without battery restrictions.
• 🔄 On some phones (such as Samsung with One) UI) Manually allow access to the exact location for the correct operation of the pedometer.

To check the compatibility of your phone with the bracelet, use the following table:

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On iPhones, you’ll have to put up with manual synchronization to make the bracelet work, and alternative apps (like Notify & Fitness) on iOS are even worse than the official ones.

Update of the firmware bracelet: why and how to do it

Regularly updating Xiaomi’s fitness bracelet firmware is important for several reasons:

• 🛠️ Correcting bugs (for example, incorrect step counting or synchronization errors).
• 🆕 Adding new features (support for new types of workouts, improved sleep monitoring).
• 🔒 Closing security vulnerabilities (especially when using payment features).

How to update firmware:

1. Open Zepp Life or Mi Fit.
2. Go to Profile → Your Device → Update Firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update.
4. Wait until the process is complete (the bracelet will reboot automatically).

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the upgrade process or turn off Bluetooth. If the bracelet hovers on the Xiaomi logo after the update, reset: press the touch button for 15-20 seconds until you feel the vibration.

For experienced users, custom firmware can be installed (for example, Mi Band 7 Custom Firmware).

• 🎨 Set up informal dials.
• 🔓 Unlock hidden functions (e.g., always on screen).
• 📱 Set up display notifications from any applications.

Problem Solving: Bracelet not connected or synchronized

Connection or sync issues are some of the most common complaints of Xiaomi fitness bracelet users, and let’s look at typical scenarios and how to solve them.

Problem 1: The bracelet is not in search

• 🔋 Check the charge level of the bracelet (at a charge below 5%, Bluetooth is turned off).
• 🔄 Reset the bracelet (press the button for 10 seconds).
• 📱 Make sure your phone is Bluetooth enabled and location enabled (required for Android 12)+).
• 🚫 Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in the phone settings and try to connect again.

Problem 2: Data is not synchronized

• 📶 Check your internet connection (Zepp Life requires network access).
• ⚙️ In the phone settings, allow Zepp Life to work in the background.
• 🔄 Manually update data: open the app, pull the screen down for updates.
• 📥 If sync is suspended, delete the app cache (phone settings) → Annexes → Zepp Life → Memory. → Clear the cache).

Problem 3: Notifications don't come to the bracelet

• 🔔 In Zepp Life settings, check if notifications are enabled for the right apps.
• 📵 On Android in the application settings (Notifications) → Additionally) disable the option Do not show notifications on the locked screen.
• 🔕 On iPhone, notifications can be blocked by the system – try enabling Duplicate notifications in bracelet settings.

If none of these methods worked, do a complete reset of the bracelet:

1. Open Zepp Life. → Profile → Your device. → Untie the device.
2. On the bracelet, press the touch button for 15 seconds before vibration.
3. Reconnect the bracelet as you did when you first used it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi fitness bracelet programs