Since the release of the Mi Band 3 has been several years, but this tracker is still very popular due to its autonomy and reliability. However, new owners often face confusion when searching for software, as the Xiaomi ecosystem has undergone a number of major changes in recent years.
Making matters worse, old app names are a thing of the past and new brands need to get used to. Mi Fit, now renamed Zepp Life, was the main app, and is the most sustainable third-generation bracelet solution from the Chinese giant. In this article, we will go over the details of the installation, settings and possible alternatives for your wearable device.
It is worth noting that using third-party software can limit the functionality of the gadget, so it is important to choose the right tool for synchronization. We will consider not only official options, but also specialized utilities for advanced users. The right choice of software is the key to stable notifications and pedometer accuracy, so this issue should be approached responsibly.
The Evolution from Mi Fit to Zepp Life
For a long time, the de facto standard for all Xiaomi wearables was the Mi Fit app. However, in 2021, Huami (the manufacturer of trackers for Xiaomi) rebranded the app and got a new name — Zepp Life. It is not just a change of signage, but an update of the architecture that improved the stability of the connection and added new analytical functions. For owners of Mi Band 3, this means that you need to download Zepp Life, since the old Mi Fit name is no longer used in app stores.
The main purpose of this software is to bridge the Bluetooth bracelet module with the operating system of your smartphone, and through the application, you first log in, you link the device, you set up all activity profiles, and without installing this program, the bracelet is just a watch with basic functionality, without the ability to save training history or receive notifications from messengers.
It’s important to understand that Zepp Life is a versatile platform that supports not only trackers, but also smart scales and other electronics. The app’s interface has been redesigned to become more modern and easy to navigate. Users note that the data synchronization speed in the new version is higher, and the battery consumption of the smartphone is optimized.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to find and download APK-Files called "Mi Fit" from third-party sites, officially available only under the name Zepp Life, installation of modified versions may lead to the leakage of your personal data.
When you first run, it will ask permission to access geolocation, contacts, and notifications. This is a standard procedure for Android systems, necessary for Bluetooth scanning and displaying Caller ID to work correctly. If you miss any step in setting access rights, the bracelet may not be detected by the phone or vibrate when incoming calls.
Alternative apps: Notify for Mi Band and Gadgetbridge
While the official software provides better compatibility, many enthusiasts prefer to use third-party solutions to expand functionality, the most popular tool in this niche is the Notify for Mi Band application, which allows you to adjust the vibration to every word in the notification, change the dials to custom and even respond templates to messages on WhatsApp or Telegram, which is impossible in a standard application.
Another powerful tool is Gadgetbridge. It's an open source project that is valued for its complete data privacy. Gadgetbridge doesn't send information to the manufacturer's servers, all data is stored exclusively on your device. It's the perfect choice for paranoids and those who want to completely disable the tracker from Xiaomi's cloud services.
However, the use of alternative software has its risks and limitations: often such programs require root rights or a complex setup procedure through ADB. In addition, when updating the firmware of the bracelet itself, third-party applications may stop working before the patch is released.
For most users who want to just use the device out of the box, the best choice will be a bundle of the official application and, if necessary, install Notify as an add-on.--Integrity and enhanced customization capabilities.
Step-by-step instructions: how to download and install the program
The process of installing the necessary software is simple, but requires care, especially when choosing a download source. For Android users, it is recommended to use the Google Play store, and for iPhone owners – the App Store. APK-Files are only justified if the app is officially unavailable in your region or the Android version is too old.
First, you need to create a Xiaomi account or log in through an existing Google/Facebook profile. This is a prerequisite for cloud synchronization of your training history. After registering in the store search box, type "Zepp Life" and click the installation button. Make sure that the developer is identified by Anhui Huami Information Technology Co., Ltd. or Xiaomi.
Once installed, launch the app and provide all the permissions you request. Pay special attention to the background permit, otherwise the system can kill the synchronization process to save energy. Next, click the add device button and follow the instructions on the screen.
☑️ Checklist before connection
If it takes too long to find a device, try rebooting your smartphone and the bracelet itself. Sometimes it helps to clear the Bluetooth cache in the phone settings. In rare cases, you need to reset the bracelet to factory settings through the menu of the tracker itself.
Setup of notifications and data synchronization
Once you pair successfully, you'll be tasked with fine-tuning notifications. In Profile → Mi Band 3 → Notification settings, you can select apps that duplicate signals on your wrist. It's important not to overdo it with the number of sources, otherwise the constant vibration will quickly discharge the device and start to irritate.
The synchronization happens automatically when you open an app, but you can manually run it by pulling down the list, and it shows you steps, pulse, sleep, and calories, and for a deeper analysis, you can link Zepp Life to Google Fit or Apple Health, so you can aggregate all your gadgets in one place.
Special attention should be paid to adjusting the wrist lift to turn on the screen. In Mi Band 3, this function does not work perfectly, and its sensitivity can only be adjusted through third-party applications or by experimenting with positions in settings, and the time format (12/24 hours) and the interface language are configured here.
| Function | Where to set up | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Profile -> Notifications | Leave only calls and SMS. |
| Target by step | Status -> Purpose | 10,000 steps (standard) |
| Wrist lifting | Profile -> Settings | Turn it on if it doesn't interfere with sleep. |
| Synchronization of time | Automatically. | Always keep it on. |
Don’t forget to check the About section periodically for firmware updates. Xiaomi periodically releases patches that fix heart rate errors and improve the stability of the Bluetooth connection.
Connection problems and their solution
The most common problem for Mi Band 3 owners is the inability to find the device or permanent communication breaks. Often the reason is that the bracelet “hangs” in pairing mode, in which case you need to pinch the touch button on the bracelet before the vibration and the phone icon appear, and then repeat the search in the application.
Another common cause of failures is aggressive power saving settings in Xiaomi, Huawei and Samsung smartphones.The system can force the background process to close Zepp Life. To avoid this, you need to find the application in the list of running processes, click on the lock or select the option “No restrictions” in the battery menu.
What if the bracelet says “Conjugated but not connected”?
If nothing works, reset completely. In the bracelet menu, find More -> Unbind. Then remove the device from the application and re-enter the procedure(s), in extreme cases, removing and re-installing the application itself helps.
Firmware update: whether and how to do
Owners often ask if they should update the firmware on an existing device. If you're happy with the current version, there's no rush. However, if you notice a decrease in autonomy or inaccuracy in the step count, updating firmware can fix these problems, which takes about 5-10 minutes and requires a stable Internet connection.
It is important that the bracelet is at least 50% charged while the upgrade is being upgraded and the phone is nearby. Interrupting the boot process can cause the tracker to stop turning on and it will be extremely difficult to restore without special equipment.
Newer firmware versions sometimes change the algorithms of the screen to make it more responsive, or add support for new languages, but it is worth considering that on the old Mi Band 3 hardware, the new heavy firmware may work slightly slower than the original ones.
Comparison of features: Zepp Life vs Notify
To make a final decision on the choice of software, let’s compare the capabilities of a native app with a popular alternative. Zepp Life offers a basic but sufficient set of features for 90% of users. Notify is aimed at geeks who lack standard features.
In Zepp Life, you get stability, a formal interface and guaranteed performance of all tracking features. In Notify, you get the ability to put any pictures on the screen, customize complex vibration scenarios and completely ignore the manufacturer's limitations.
💡
For everyday use and sports, Zepp Life is enough. Notify is only needed if you critically lack customization and automation features.
Many users use a hybrid scheme: the main wear and collection of statistics goes through Zepp Life, and Notify is installed periodically to change dials or fine-tune notifications, after which it can be deleted or disabled.