How to turn on Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active: full instruction from unpacking to synchronization

Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active is one of the most popular fitness trackers of 2026, combining compact design, advanced functionality and affordable price. However, even with such a simple device, the first launch can raise questions: how to turn it on, what to do if the screen does not respond, and how to sync with the phone. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances from unpacking to basic settings, and also consider the typical errors and ways to fix them.

The Smart Band 8 Active feature is the lack of physical buttons — the controls are completely touch-sensitive, which sometimes confuses new users. In addition, the bracelet requires a mandatory binding to the Mi Fitness application (or Zepp Life in some regions), without which many functions will not be available. If you just purchased a device or encountered problems with activation, this guide will help you understand all the details.

Preparing for the first turn on: what to do before activation

Before you turn on the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active, make sure you have everything you need to make the device work properly.

• 📱 Compatible smartphone: bracelet works with Android 6.0+ or iOS 12.0+ (Check the version of the OS in the phone settings).
• 🔋 Charging at least 20%: if the battery is discharged, the screen may not turn on even after connecting to charging.
• 🌐 Stable Internet: for downloading the Mi Fitness application and updating the bracelet firmware.
• 📲 Free space on the phone: the app weighs ~100MB, plus you'll need cache space.

Also note regional restrictions: in some countries (e.g. Europe), the Smart Band 8 Active is sold under the Xiaomi brand, and in China as the Mi Band 8 Active. The functionality is identical, but the name of the synchronization application may differ (Zepp Life instead of Mi Fitness).

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If you bought the bracelet in China, before the first switch on, set the region in the phone on China - this will help to avoid synchronization problems.

Another important thing is the factory film, and the Smart Band 8 Active screen often has a protective film that is easily confused with the display, so if the screen doesn't respond to touch, first check if the film is disturbing the sensor.

How to turn on Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active

The process of turning on the bracelet consists of several steps. Follow the instructions strictly in order to avoid errors:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charging cable (included) and wait for the charging indicator to appear on the screen. The minimum charging time before the first turn on is 15-20 minutes. If the screen does not light up, try to turn the bracelet in the charging dock - the contacts should fit tightly.
2. After charging, tap the touch button below the screen (marked by a dot) or hold the bracelet to your face (Raise to activate is enabled by default).
3. Select the language, swipe up/down to select the language. For Smart Band 8 Active, Russian, English, Chinese and other languages are available. Confirm the choice by clicking on the touch button.
4. Install the Mi Fitness (or Zepp Life) app, sign up (or log in to Xiaomi account) and follow the instructions for adding the device. The bracelet should appear in the list of available gadgets.

Make sure that Bluetooth on your phone is turned on

Allow Mi Fitness app to access notifications and geodata

Disable the power saving mode for the application

Reboot your phone if the bracelet is not in place

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If you have a “failed to connect” error during the synchronization step, try the following:

• 🔄 Reset the bracelet: Press the touch button for 10 seconds until the screen goes out and turns on again.
• 📱 Remove the bracelet from the device list in your phone’s Bluetooth settings and reconnect.
• 🔧 Update the Mi Fitness app to the latest version via Google Play or App Store.

Common Incorporation Problems and Their Solutions

Even with proper follow-up, users often encounter common errors, and consider the most common ones and how to fix them:

Critical error: if after the reboot the bracelet shows the inscription "Error 5" - this means damage to the firmware, in this case, you need to contact the service center or use the Mi Band Tool utility for manual recovery.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to disassemble the bracelet yourself to reset the settings - this will lead to loss of warranty.

Configure the main functions after inclusion

After successful activation of Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active, you need to adjust the basic settings for comfortable use. Most options are available through the Mi Fitness app, but some settings can be changed on the bracelet.

Here are the key parameters that are recommended to be configured immediately:

• ⏰ Time and Date: synced automatically when connected to the phone, but if you crash you can manually update to Settings → System system → Date and time.
• 🔔 Notifications: Select which apps will display alerts on the bracelet (SMS, Calls, messengers).
• 🏃 Activity tracking: Set goals for steps, calories, and sleep time in Profile → Goals.
• 🔒 Screen lock: turn on PIN-Fingerprint code or unlock (if supported by your model).

Pay special attention to setting up automatic sleep tracking. By default, the bracelet captures sleep from 22:00 to 8:00, but you can change the interval in Settings → Sleep → Sleep Mode. It is also useful to activate the Smart Alarm function, which will wake you up in the light sleep phase.

Tracking steps

Sleep monitoring

Notifications of calls and messages

Heart rate control

Managing music

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For advanced users, hidden settings are available that are not displayed in the main menu. For example, you can turn on the display. SpO₂ (Blood oxygen levels) in real time or customize gestures to control music, these options are available through the Laboratory in the Mi Fitness app (a section may be called Experimental Features in some software versions).

How to Update Your Firmware on Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active

Regular firmware updates add new features, improve stability, and fix bugs. Check for updates at least once a month. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app and go to Profile → Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active → Firmware Update.
2. If a new version is available, click Download (requires a stable Wi-Fi connection).
3. After downloading, connect the bracelet to charging and wait for the installation to be completed (don’t turn off the cable!).
4. Reboot the bracelet after the update (press the touch button for 10 seconds).

The update can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on the file size and Internet speed.During the process, the progress bar will be displayed on the bracelet screen.Do not interrupt the update - this can damage system files.

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After updating the firmware, reset the bracelet to factory settings (in Settings → System → Reset) if you notice lag or sensor errors, which helps avoid conflicts between old and new data.

If the update is not available, check:

• 🌍 Region in Xiaomi profile (should match the region of the bracelet sales).
• 📶 Internet connection stability (switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Mi Fitness version (update to the latest in the app store).

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet starts to discharge quickly after the upgrade, turn off background heart rate tracking in the settings (Profile) → Heart monitoring → Mode: Manual. This will reduce battery load.

Reset to factory settings: when and how to do

Resetting Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active to factory settings may be required in several cases:

• 🔄 Bracelet is unstable (hangs, synchronization errors).
• 📱 You sell or transfer the device to another user.
• 🔧 After the firmware update, there were failures in the work of sensors.

There are two ways to perform the reset:

1. Through the bracelet menu: Settings → System system → Reset → Confirmation will be required to enter PIN-code (if installed).
2. Through the Mi Fitness app: Profile → Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active → Settings → Untie the device After untie the bracelet will automatically reset.

After resetting, all data (steps, sleep, settings) will be deleted from the bracelet, but stored in the Mi Fitness app if it has been synchronized. To completely erase the information from your account, go to Profile → Devices → Delete data.

Important: Once reset, the bracelet will return to the factory settings of the language and region, and if you are using the Chinese version of the device, you may need to re-select Russian from the menu.

Tips for extending battery life

The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active has up to 14 days of autonomy when used as standard, but this can be significantly reduced by using sensors.

• 🔋 Turn off constant heart rate monitoring: Put it in Manual mode in the app settings.
• 🌙 Reduce the brightness of the screen: in Settings → Display. → Brightness select value 2-3 (from 5 possible).
• 🔔 Limit notifications: leave only the most important (calls, SMS), shutting down the alerts from social media.
• 🏃 Turn it off. GPS When training: If you do not need an accurate route map, use only the data from the accelerometer.

You should also pay attention to background processes, for example, if you're not using the Inactivity Reminder, turn it off in Settings → Reminders. Each extra process reduces autonomy by 5-10%.

If the bracelet discharges faster than 5 days, check it for software errors: update the firmware and reset settings. In rare cases, the cause may be a defect in the battery - in this case, contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Active