Xiaomi Mi Band 5: how to turn on the bracelet - full instructions with photos and tips

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet remains one of the most popular wearables due to its combination of functionality and affordable price. However, even such a simple gadget can have trouble turning on — especially if you just unpacked it or encountered battery discharge. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios from the first launch of a new bracelet to recovery after a deep discharge or failure.

It is important to understand that the process of turning on the Mi Band 5 depends on the current state of the device. For example, the new bracelet requires binding to the Mi Fitness application (formerly Mi Fit), while an already configured device can simply be in power saving mode. We will also look at typical user errors that lead to the apparent “fault” of the bracelet, and give clear recommendations for their elimination.

If your Mi Band 5 doesn't respond to the press or shows signs of life, don't rush it to the service center. 90% of the time, the problem is solved by yourself in a few minutes - you just need to know the right sequence of actions. Let's start with the simplest: how to turn on the bracelet for the first time.

First Including the New Xiaomi Mi Band 5

If you just bought the Mi Band 5 and took it out of the box, the activation process will take no more than 5 minutes.

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+ with Mi Fitness installed (you can download it from Google Play or App Store)
• 🔋 Charger (Combined with bracelet)
• 📶 Stable Internet connection (for data synchronization)

Before the first turn on, be sure to charge the bracelet - even if the indicator shows a partial charge. The manufacturer recommends connecting the Mi Band 5 to charge for 30-60 minutes so that the battery gains enough energy to fully adjust. Connect the bracelet to the charger (magnetic contacts should match) and wait for the battery icon to appear on the screen.

Charging the bracelet for at least 30 minutes |

Installation of the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone |

Registration of Xiaomi account (if not already)|

Turning Bluetooth on on your phone-->

After charging:

1. Press and hold the touch button on the bracelet screen for 3-5 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
2. Release the button and the bracelet will begin the initialization process.
3. It'll appear on screen. QR-code or six-digit code for attachment.

Now go to the Mi Fitness app, click Profile → Add Device → Bracelet → Mi Smart Band 5 and follow the instructions on the screen. If the bracelet is not detected, check:

• 🔄 Is Bluetooth enabled on your smartphone?
• 📱 Have you allowed the app to access the location (required to search for devices)
• 🔋 Whether the bracelet is sufficiently charged (less than 10% may interfere with synchronization)

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If QR-The code on the bracelet screen is not scanned, try to enter the six-digit code manually in the app. QR-code XXXXXX

How to turn on Mi Band 5 after battery discharge

One of the most common problems is that the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 bracelet is completely discharged and does not turn on even after connecting to charging.

1. Deep discharge: If the battery is discharged to 0% and the bracelet has been lying without charging for several days, the power controller can block the onset. The solution is to keep the bracelet on charging for at least 1 hour, even if the indicator is not on.
2. Faulty charger: check the integrity of the cable and contacts. try charging the bracelet from another USB-port.
3. Contaminated contacts: If there is dust or oxidation on the magnetic contacts of the bracelet or charger, clean them with a soft napkin soaked in alcohol.

After connection to charging:

• 🔌 Wait for the battery icon to appear on the screen (it can take up to 10 minutes).
• ⏳ If the indicator does not appear, try to slightly move the bracelet on charging - sometimes the contacts do not fit tightly.
• 🔄 After 30 minutes of charging, press and hold the touch button for 10-15 seconds to force on.

I'll try to charge longer |

Resetting the bracelet with a button |

Clearing contacts.|

I'm going to the service.|Other-->

If the bracelet does not turn on, try resetting the settings:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Press and hold the touch button for 20 to 30 seconds until you feel the vibration and see the Mi logo.
3. After resetting, the bracelet will return to the factory settings, and it will need to be re-tied to the application.

⚠️ Note: Resetting will remove all data from the bracelet (steps, pulse, alarm settings). However, if the bracelet was synchronized with the Mi Fitness application, the data can be restored after re-attachment.

Forced reset of the bracelet

Sometimes the Mi Band 5 can freeze, the screen doesn't respond to touch, or the bracelet doesn't sync with the smartphone, and in this case, a forced reboot will help. Here's how to do it:

Method 1: Through the touch button

1. Connect the bracelet to charging (optional, but recommended).
2. Press and hold the touch button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
3. Release the button and wait for the automatic reboot (the Mi logo will appear).

Method 2: Through the Mi Fitness app

1. Open the app and go to the section of your bracelet.
2. Select Settings → Reboot the device.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (the bracelet vibrates when the reboot is successful).

If the bracelet does not respond to either the button or the command from the app, try the following:

• 🔌 Connect the bracelet to charging and leave for 1 hour.
• 📱 Remove the bracelet from the Mi Fitness app and add it again.
• 🔄 Reinstall the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone.

Checking the performance of the charger

Often users think that the bracelet is broken, although the problem lies in the charger.

To check if the charging is working, connect it to another device (such as a power bank) or try charging the bracelet from another charger. The original Mi Band 5 charging should provide a stable current of 5V/0.5A. If you do not have a multimeter to check, note the following signs:

• ⚡ Normal charging: on the screen of the bracelet appears battery animation, after 1-2 hours the charge reaches 100%.
• ⚠️ Problem charging: indicator flashes, charging is interrupted, the bracelet does not turn on even after a long connection.

⚠️ Note: Never use more current adapters to charge the Mi Band 5. 1A (This can cause the battery to overheat and the bracelet to fail. USB-port.

Update firmware to fix inclusion issues

If your Mi Band 5 periodically refuses to turn on or is unstable, the reason may lie in outdated firmware. Xiaomi regularly releases updates that fix power errors and increase stability.

1. Make sure the bracelet is at least 50% charged.
2. Connect the bracelet to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
3. Open the Mi Fitness app and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 5 → Firmware Update.
4. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (the bracelet will reboot automatically).

During the update:

• 📵 Don’t turn off Bluetooth on your smartphone.
• 🔋 Do not remove the bracelet from charging (if the charge level is less than 50%).
• 📶 Make sure your smartphone is connected to the Internet (update downloaded via the app).

If the bracelet is frozen during the upgrade (the Mi logo is on for more than 10 minutes), don't panic. unplug it from charging, press and hold the touch button for 20 seconds to force the reboot, then repeat the update process.

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Updating your firmware through the Mi Fitness app is the safest way to fix software failures, including power issues. Never install firmware from third-party sources (the risk of “bricking” the bracelet).

Frequent User Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many of the problems with the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 are caused by the wrong actions of users, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

• 🔋 Ignoring battery discharge: If the bracelet is 0% depleted, it must be charged for at least 1 hour, even if the indicator is not on. Many users plug in a charge for 5-10 minutes and decide that the bracelet is broken.
• 📱 Bluetooth Disabled During Setup: If you interrupt the process of linking the bracelet to the application, it may stop responding to the on button. Always wait for the sync to be completed.
• 💦 Moisture in the contacts: Mi Band 5 has protection 5 ATM, Charging contacts are not sealed. After swimming or shower, dry the bracelet before charging.
• 🔌 Use of non-original chargers: cheap analogues may not provide the desired voltage, which leads to malfunctions in the power controller.

Another typical situation is that the user tries to turn on the bracelet by pressing the screen, not the touch button (it is located below the screen and indicated by a dot). In the Mi Band 5 there is no mechanical button - the actuation and control is only through the sensor. If the bracelet does not respond to touch, try:

• Clean the screen with a soft cloth (fat or sweat can interfere with the sensor’s operation).
• Press the button with a little more effort (but no fanaticism!).
• Reset the bracelet as described in the relevant section.

When to contact the service center

If you’ve tried all the ways, but the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 still doesn’t turn on, it may be a hardware problem.

• 🔥 The bracelet is heated when charging or in normal mode.
• 💥 Artifacts appear on the screen (stripes, flickering, broken pixels).
• 🔋 The battery is discharged in a few hours without active use.
• 📵 The bracelet is not defined by any smartphone (the problem with the Bluetooth module).
• 💧 Corrosion traces can be seen on the contacts or inside the body.

Before visiting the service center:

1. Make sure you have a check or a warranty card (the warranty on the Mi Band 5 is usually 12 months).
2. Back up your data in the Mi Fitness app (if the bracelet has ever been synchronized).
3. Clean the bracelet from dirt and sweat - this will speed up the diagnosis.

The cost of repairing the Mi Band 5 depends on the fault:

⚠️ Note: If the bracelet has been in water for more than 30 minutes or has been subjected to mechanical shocks, this may be considered a non-warranty case.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions