Connecting Xiaomi fitness bracelet to a smartphone: full instruction 2026

Xiaomi fitness bracelets (Mi Band, Redmi Band, Smart Band series) remain among the most popular wearable gadgets due to the combination of functionality and affordable price. However, many users face difficulties when connecting a device to a smartphone for the first time - especially if we are talking about new models like the Mi Band 8 or Redmi Band 2. In this article, we will analyze all the steps of synchronization, from installing an official application to setting up notifications, and also consider typical errors and how to fix them.

It is important to understand that the connection process can vary depending on the firmware version of the bracelet, the smartphone model and even the region of purchase (for example, the European and Chinese versions of the Mi Band sometimes require different applications). We took these nuances into account and prepared a universal guide that will suit most scenarios. If you just unpacked the bracelet or want to reconfigure it after reset, read on.

Before you start, make sure your bracelet is at least 20% charged (the charging indicator lights up when you connect to the charger). Also check compatibility: all modern Xiaomi models work with Android 6.0+ and iOS 10.0+, but full synchronization may require a smartphone software update.

1.What application do you need to connect Xiaomi bracelet?

Xiaomi’s official fitness bracelet management app is called Mi Fitness (formerly Mi Fit), but alternative software may be needed depending on the device model and region:

• 📱 Mi Fitness is the main application for all Mi Band bracelets (including Mi Band 8), Redmi Band and Xiaomi Smart Band. Supports synchronization with Google Fit and Apple Health.
• 🌍 Xiaomi Wear – an alternative application for Chinese versions of bracelets (for example, if you bought a device on AliExpress without global firmware).
• 🔄 Zepp Life – used for Amazfit bracelets (which Xiaomi also makes), but sometimes suitable for some Mi Band models.
• ⚠️ App side (e.g. Notify & Fitness) – may offer advanced features, but often run unstable and require root rights.

For most users, Mi Fitness is the best choice, available on Google Play and the App Store, but it is important to download it only from official sources - fake versions may contain malicious code or not support the latest models of bracelets.

⚠️ Note: If you bought the bracelet in China (for example, on Taobao or 1688), chances are it runs on Chinese firmware. In this case, Mi Fitness may not see the device - you will need Xiaomi Wear or hand firmware.

After installing the application, do not rush to immediately connect the bracelet.

1. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (via Google, Facebook or phone number).
2. Allow all requests for access to geolocation, notifications and fitness data (this is critical for proper operation).
3. Update the app to the latest version – older versions may not support new bracelets.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect the bracelet to the phone

Once the app is installed and configured, you can start syncing, and let’s look at the Mi Band 8, but it’s relevant for other models (like the Redmi Band 2 or the Mi Band 7).

Step 1: Turning on the bracelet

If the bracelet is new, it should automatically turn on after charging. If not, press and hold the touch button (on the Mi Band 8 this is the area under the screen) for 5-10 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears (📶) — This means that the device is ready to connect.

Step 2: Find the device in the application

Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Add Device. The app will suggest you select a gadget type — select “Brecelet.” Then you will start scanning the nearest devices. Your bracelet should appear in the list called Mi Band XXXX (where XXXX is the last digits of the serial number).

If the device is not located:

• 🔋 Check the bracelet charge (less than 15% can block the connection).
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone and turn Bluetooth on/off.
• 🔄 Make sure the bracelet is not connected to another phone (if so, reset it via Settings). → Reset).
• 🛠️ Try connecting elsewhere – sometimes interference from other devices interferes with your search.

Step 3: Synchronization and adjustment

After selecting the bracelet in the list, click "Connect." The application can request confirmation on the bracelet itself - tap its screen or button for confirmation.

1. Update the bracelet firmware (if an update is available, don’t miss this step, otherwise some features may not work).
2. Set up the main parameters: time zone, units of measurement (meters/feet, kg/pound), goals by steps.
3. Allow notifications to be accessed (otherwise, the bracelet will not vibrate when calling and texting).

Bracelet charge > 20% |Bluetooth on phone enabled | Mi Fitness app updated | Bracelet not connected to other device | Allowed access requests in app-->

If you have a “failed to connect” error at the synchronization stage, try:

⚠️ Note: Some Samsung and Huawei smartphones have a Bluetooth Power Saving feature that can break the connection.

3. Set up notifications and calls

One of the key functions of a fitness bracelet is to alert you to calls and messages, and to make them work properly, you need to:

For Android:

1. In Mi Fitness, go to Device Profile → Notifications.
2. Turn on the "Show notifications" switch.
3. In the phone settings, open the Applications → Mi Fitness → Notifications and allow “Access to Notifications”.
4. For individual instant messengers (such as WhatsApp, Telegram) enable the option “Show content”, otherwise the bracelet will vibrate without text.

For iOS:

On the iPhone, setting up is more difficult due to Apple's limitations:

1. In Mi Fitness, turn on notifications for the bracelet.
2. In iOS settings, go to Bluetooth and find your bracelet - "Connected" should be nearby.
3. Open Settings → Notifications → Mi Fitness and enable “Allow Notifications”.
4. To display text messages in Mi Fitness, activate “Show Preview”.

On Mi Band 8 and later, you can configure quick responses to messages (up to 5 templates), as well as reject calls directly from the bracelet.

1. In the application, select Call Management → Setup.
2. Activate the option to “Discard Calls”.
3. Add response templates to Messages → Quick answers.

💡

If notifications come with a delay, try turning off the “Battery Savings” function in the bracelet settings – it reduces the synchronization frequency.

4. Solving common connection problems

Even with the right setup, users often encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of the methods helped, try to reset the bracelet to the factory settings:

1. Open in Mi Fitness section Device Profile → Settings → Reset.
2. Confirm the action on the bracelet (touch the screen or buttons).
3. After reset, reconnect the bracelet as when you first switch on.

⚠️ Warning: On Mi Band 6 and older, the reset via the app may not work due to a firmware bug.In this case, unplug the bracelet from the phone, then press and hold the button for 10-15 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.

5. Features of connection for different models of bracelets

While the general principle of connectivity is the same, some Xiaomi models have unique nuances.

Mi Band 8 and Mi Band 7

These bracelets support NFC (for payment and transponders, but the feature is only available in the Chinese version of the firmware. NFC:

1. Make sure you have a global version of the bracelet (the Global Version should be on the box).
2. In Mi Fitness, go to Device Profile → NFC and follow the instructions.
3. To link the card, use supported banks (for example, SberBank or Tinkoff).

Redmi Band 2

This model has built-in GPS, but requires:

• 📍 Enable geolocation on the phone.
• 🔋 The charge of the bracelet must be at least 30%.
• 📱 In Mi Fitness, activate the option “Exact Location».

Without these conditions, GPS will not work even if the bracelet is connected.

Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro

This model has AMOLED-screen and supports independent Wi-Fi connection (without phone) to configure Wi-Fi:

1. In Mi Fitness, select Device Profile → Wi-Fi.
2. Enter your network data (2.4 GHz only, 5 GHz is not supported).
3. Once connected, the bracelet will be able to update and synchronize data without the phone.

The rule is that the newer the bracelet, the stricter the application and firmware version requirements, for example, Mi Band 8 will not work correctly with Mi Fitness version older than 5.6.0.

💡

Before buying a bracelet, check if your smartphone supports Bluetooth 5.0+ – this ensures a stable connection with new Xiaomi models.

6.How to transfer data when changing the phone?

If you have changed your smartphone but want to keep your activity history, sleep, and other data, follow this instruction:

1. Export data from your old phone: Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → Settings → Export data. Select period (e.g., “Last year”) and format (CSV or JSON). Save the file to the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud) or send it to your email.

Imports to the new phone:

• Install Mi Fitness on your new smartphone and sign in to the same Xiaomi account.
• Reconnect the bracelet (the data is synchronized automatically).
• To import activity history, use Profile → Settings → Data Import (not available in all regions).

Notify & Fitness (for Android)

This third-party application allows:

• 📊 Custom notifications (e.g., only display messages from certain contacts).
• 🔋 Display detailed battery statistics of the bracelet.
• 🎨 Change dials without restrictions (unlike Mi Fitness, where many dials are paid for).

However, Notify & Fitness requires that:

• 🔓 Ruth-Right (on some firmware).
• 📱 Android 8.0+.
• 🛠️ Disabling Battery Optimization for the Application.