How to turn on Xiaomi 5 smart watches: from charging to resetting settings

Smart watch Xiaomi 5 is a whole line of devices, which includes both fitness bracelets Mi Band 5 and full-fledged smart watch Mi Watch 5 (or Watch). S1 Active in some regions. Despite the differences in functionality, the principles of their inclusion and fault diagnosis are similar in many ways. If your device does not respond to pressing, does not show charging or is completely dead after an update, do not rush to bring it to the service. In 90% of cases, the problem is solved independently in 5-10 minutes.

But before you start resuscitation, it’s important to understand which model you’re dealing with, because the Mi Band 5 turns on differently than the Mi Watch 5, and charging or resetting errors can lead to a complete loss of functionality. For example, trying to turn on a discharged Mi Band 5 through a forced reboot often ends up with a firmware failure if the battery is under 3%. In this article, we’ll look at all possible scenarios, from basic activation to recovery from the brick.

1. How to determine the model of your Xiaomi 5 smart watch

Before you try to turn on the device, make sure you work with the correct instruction: Xiaomi branded two fundamentally different lines in 2020-2021:

• 📌 Mi Band 5 – fitness bracelet with monochrome or color AMOLED-It's a screen, a touch button, and magnetic charging: XMSH10HM (standard), XMSH11HM (NFC-version).
• ⌚ Mi Watch 5 / Watch S1 Active is a full-fledged smartwatch with a round display, physical buttons and wireless charging: M2029W1, M2129W1.

If you are not sure about the model, take a look at:

• 🔍 Box – it has the exact name (for example, Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5 or Xiaomi Mi Watch 5).
• 📱 Application Mi Fitness/Zepp Life – the model is displayed in the profile of the device.

⚠️ If your device is called Amazfit GTS 5 or Amazfit GTR 5, it's not a Xiaomi smartwatch, it's a subsidiary brand!

Not only does the model depend on how you turn on, but also the type of charger, the location of the buttons, and the reset methods. For example, the Mi Band 5 does not have physical buttons - it is activated through the touch screen, while the Mi Watch 5 is activated by a long press on the side button.

Preparation for inclusion: charging and diagnosis

If your Xiaomi 5 smartwatch isn’t on, the first reason is a dead battery. Even if you’re sure you’ve recently charged it, check:

1. Charger condition: cable and adapter (if used) must be in good working order. Mi Band 5 requires original magnetic cable, Mi Watch 5 requires wireless charging station.
2. Contacts - on the back of the bracelet/watch and the charger should not be dirt or oxidizing.
3. Power supply – connect the charger to USB-port of the computer or adapter with output 5V/1A (for the Mi Band 5) or 5V/2A (for the Mi Watch 5).

Minimum charging time for first activation:

If you don't have any signs of life after 30 minutes of charging, try another cable or adapter, and 30 percent of the time, the problem is with the faulty charger, not the watch itself.

⚠️ Note: Do not use wireless charging from smartphones to charge the Mi Watch 5 (for example, from Xiaomi) 11T Pro) The power and location of the coils may not coincide, which will lead to overheating!

Check the device model|Clear charging contacts|Use the original cable|Wait at least 15 minutes on the charge|Try another food source-->

3. How to turn on Mi Band 5: step-by-step instructions

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet does not have a physical power button – it is activated via a touch screen or automatic charging. If the bracelet is discharged, follow this algorithm:

1. Connect to charging and wait for the red indicator (or the battery animation on the screen) to appear.
2. Touch the touch button below the screen – if the bracelet is at least 5% charged, it should vibrate and turn on.
3. If you don't react, press the touch button 10 to 15 seconds before you vibrate. This is a forced reset.
4. After turning on, watch the welcome screen - if it flashes and goes out, then the battery is critically discharged, and you need to continue charging.

If the bracelet is switched on but not synchronized with the phone:

• 📱 Make sure your phone has Bluetooth enabled and permissions for the Mi Fitness app.
• 🔄 Reset the bracelet: Settings → Reboot (in the bracelet menu).
• 🔗 Untie and reconnect the device in the app.

A common problem: after updating the firmware, the Mi Band 5 can “hang” on the Xiaomi logo.

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Press the touch button for 20 seconds until it vibrates.
3. Turn off the charger and wait for the reboot (can take up to 2 minutes).

4 How to turn on Mi Watch 5 or Watch S1 Active

Xiaomi’s full-fledged smartwatches have a physical button, which makes it easier to turn on, but there are some nuances to it – especially if the watch is dead or hanging after the upgrade.

Standard inclusions:

1. Connect the watch to the charging station and wait for the battery animation (usually appears in 5-10 minutes).
2. Press and hold the side button for 5 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. If the clock is turned off correctly, it will boot in normal mode.

Forced reset (if the clock is getting stuck):

1. Press the side button for 15-20 seconds until the double vibration.
2. Release the button and wait for the reboot (can take up to 3 minutes).
3. If the screen flashes but the clock doesn’t turn on, plug it into charging and try again.

Recovery after a firmware failure:

If the watch hangs on the logo or is cyclically rebooted, try resetting:

1. Connect the watch to charge.
2. Press the side button 30 seconds before the recovery menu appears (if supported by your model).
3. Select Wipe data (reset) using a touch screen or button.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting on Mi Watch 5 deletes all data including steps, training and settings! pre-try syncing data with Zepp Life app.

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If the watch doesn’t respond to a button but vibrates when connected to a charge, try leaving it on charge for 2-3 hours. Sometimes a deep discharge blocks the onset until the charge is fully restored.

5. Frequent problems and solutions

Even after successful switching on, the Xiaomi 5 smartwatch may not work properly, and here are the most common symptoms and ways to treat them:

If the clock overheats during charging:

• 🔥 Turn them off the power immediately.
• 🕒 Let it cool for 10-15 minutes.
• 🔌 Try another cable or adapter.
• 🚨 If the heat is repeated, do not use the clock – it may be a battery failure!

If the clock is not determined by the computer when connected:

• 🖥️ Install Mi Band drivers from Xiaomi’s official website.
• 🔄 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 📋 In Device Manager, check if there is an exclamation mark next to the device.

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If your Xiaomi 5 smartwatch doesn’t turn on after falling or getting moisture, DO NOT try to charge it! this can lead to a short circuit.

6. Update firmware and reset settings

If the watch is on but not running smoothly (e.g., it is spontaneously turned off or not showing notifications), the cause may be outdated firmware, which can be updated in two ways:

Method 1: Appendix (Recommended)

1. Open Mi Fitness or Zepp Life.
2. Go to the profile of the device.
3. Click Firmware Update (if available).
4. Confirm the installation and wait until the end (the clock will restart automatically).

Method 2: Manual (for experienced users)

If the automatic update does not work, you can flash the clock through ADB It's a risky thing, but if you make a mistake, it can turn into a brick».

Reset to factory settings:

If the clock is glitching after the update, try resetting:

• For Mi Band 5: Settings → Data reset (in the bracelet menu).
• For the Mi Watch 5: Settings → System system → Reset.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting the Mi Watch 5, you may need to re-assign to your Xiaomi account!

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Before updating the firmware, make sure that the watch is charged at least 50%. interruption of the process can lead to loss of functionality!

7. When to contact the service center

Not all problems can be solved by yourself. Contact the service if:

• 🔋 The watch does not hold the charge (discharge in a few hours).
• 💧 Moisture is visible on the screen or under the body.
• 🔥 The clock overheats even without charging.
• 📵 The screen is broken or does not respond to touch.
• 🔄 The clock is cyclically reset after resetting.

Cost of repair (example):

How to choose a service center:

• 🛡️ Official Xiaomi Partners (list on site) mi.com/ru/support).
• ⭐ Check reviews on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS.
• 💰 Compare prices – too low cost can mean using unoriginal parts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi smart watches 5