Xiaomi Mi Band 1: how to turn on the bracelet from scratch – instructions for beginners

Xiaomi Mi Band 1

2014

activation

Mi Band 1

Many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to click on the touch button to turn on — but this only works if the bracelet is already charged and is not in deep sleep mode. If you take the device out of the box or it has been lying for a long time without using it, you will need a full initialization cycle, including charging, resetting and binding to the application. Especially true for wristbands bought from hand or after prolonged storage — their batteries often discharge to zero, which blocks any attempts to turn on.

Preparation for the first inclusion: what to check

Before you try to activate the Xiaomi Mi Band 1, make sure that the basic conditions are met, and neglecting these points is the main reason why the bracelet "does not show signs of life":

• 🔋 Battery charge minimum level to be activated — 10-15%. If the bracelet was idle for more than a month, the battery could run to zero. 20-30 minutes before the first attempt.
• 📱 Compatible smartphone. Mi Band 1 only works with Android 4.4+ or iOS 7.0+. On new versions of iOS (15)+) You may have problems with synchronization – additional adjustments will be required.
• 🔄 The original cable, the bracelet is charged through a special cable. USB-Adapter (included) Use of unoriginal cables or power banks often causes failures.
• 🌐 Sustainable Internet connection: downloading the Mi Fit app and first synchronization will require network access.

If the bracelet has already been used, it is recommended to reset to factory settings before turning on, this will eliminate possible errors of the previous owner.

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Press and hold the touch button for 10-15 seconds until you feel the vibration.
3. Release the button – the bracelet will reboot and return to the default settings.

⚠️ Attention: If the bracelet doesn't turn on after reset, the problem may be a bloated battery (a typical disease of the old Mi Band 1), in which case the body swells slightly and the button stops responding.

Method 1: Standard Enablement via Touch Button

If the bracelet is charged and has no hardware damage, you can turn it on in 3 simple steps:

1. Charging, plug in the Mi Band. 1 ce USB-computer port or power adapter (5V/1A). The charging indicator (red LED) should catch fire. If not, check the cable or try another port.
2. Activation. Once the charge indicator appears, press the touch button below the screen once. The bracelet should vibrate and show 00:00 (default time).
3. Synchronization: Install the Mi Fit app (links below) and follow the device-binding instructions.

If nothing happens after pressing the button, check:

• 🔌 Is the bracelet connected to charging (even if the indicator does not burn).
• 🕒 Have the button been held long enough (it may be necessary to turn on the button for the first time) 5-7 seconds).
• 📵 Is the bracelet in energy saving mode (relevant after deep discharge).

Check the charging indicator (red LED)

Use the original cable

Hold the button for at least 5 seconds.

Update the Mi Fit app to the latest version-->

Important: There is no traditional “off” on the Mi Band 1 – the device is always in standby mode. If the screen does not respond, it does not mean that the bracelet is “off.” Try a forced reboot (see next section).

Method 2: Forced reset (if the bracelet does not respond)

If standard on-line doesn't work, try a hardware reset, which helps in 80% of cases when the bracelet:

• 🔴 It does not vibrate when you press a button.
• 🔋 Does not show the charging indicator.
• 📱 Not defined by the Mi Fit app.

Instructions for forced reset:

1. Connect the bracelet to the charger.
2. Press and hold the touch button for 20-25 seconds (until double vibration).
3. Release the button and the bracelet will reboot and show the Mi logo.
4. If the screen is empty, repeat the procedure, but hold the button for 30 seconds.

If this doesn’t work, the problem may be:

⚠️ Note: Do not use the Mi Band to charge 1 higher voltage adapters 5V (This can cause the battery to overheat and the bracelet to fail — USB-port of computer or charger for smartphones (5V/1A).

Method 3: Enable via the Mi Fit application (for synchronization)

If the bracelet is switched on but not connected to the phone, the problem may be in the wrong link.

1. Install the Mi Fit app: 🤖 Download for Android 🍎 Download for iOS

Xiaomi

Profile → Add the device → Mi Band

Mi Band 1

If the application does not find the bracelet, follow:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and bracelet.
• 📱 Enable Bluetooth and geolocation (necessary for device search).
• 🚫 Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in the Bluetooth settings of the phone.
• 🔗 Try connecting from another smartphone (to rule out a problem in your phone).

💡

If Mi Fit gives an error “I couldn’t connect”, try to disable the VPN or antivirus – they can block the connection to Xiaomi servers.

A critical feature of the Mi Band 1: bracelet does not support multithreaded connectivity. If you are trying to tie it to a new phone, first delete it from your Xiaomi account on the old device (in the Mi Fit settings).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after successful activation, users face typical problems.

1.The bracelet is switched on but does not show the time

Reason: no synchronization with the application.

• Open Mi Fit → Profile → Mi Band 1 → Synchronize data.
• Check that the smartphone has an automatic time (in the settings of the date and time).

2.The charging indicator flashes, but the bracelet does not turn on

Cause: battery or power controller malfunction.

• Try charging the bracelet from another source (e.g., power bank with 5V/1A output).
• If the indicator flashes red for more than 30 seconds, it indicates a short circuit – repair is required.

3 Mi Fit app doesn't see bracelet

Causes and solutions:

How to extend the life of Xiaomi Mi Band 1: tips for operation

Despite its age, the Mi Band 1 can last for several more years with proper care.

• 🔋 Charging: Charge the bracelet once in a while 2-3 A full discharge reduces the battery life. Don't leave it on charge more than a week. 2 hours, which leads to overheating.
• 💦 Water protection: The bracelet has a protection class IP67 — It can be wet but not swim (water pressure above 1 meter damages seals). After contact with water, wipe the charging contacts with a dry wipe.
• 📱 Synchronization: Update Mi Fit once a month - new versions fix connection errors. If the bracelet is not synchronized for a long time, restart it (hold the button 10 seconds).

If the screen of the bracelet became dull or there were “dead” pixels, this is a sign of wear and tear. OLED-Unfortunately, you can't replace it, you just have to buy a new bracelet, but you still have the functionality (stepper, vibration, notifications) that you can't replace.

💡

The Mi Band 1 doesn't have built-in GPS and only works in tandem with your smartphone. For accurate tracking of jogging or cycling, carry your phone with you.

Alternative firmware and custom functions

For enthusiasts who want to unlock the hidden potential of Mi Band 1, there are unofficial firmware.

• 🎨 New dials (the original firmware only 3 of them).
• 🔔 Advanced notifications (show text messages, not just vibration).
• 📊 Detailed sleep statistics (instead of a basic schedule).

However, there are risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• ⚠️ Possible “brick” (turning the bracelet into a brick) with firmware error.
• ⚠️ Incompatibility with new Mi Fit versions.

If you are ready to experiment, follow the instructions:

1. Download Mi Band 1 Tools (available on XDA Developers)
2. Connect the bracelet to your PC via a Bluetooth adapter (Windows 7+ is required).
3. Follow the instructions for installing custom firmware (usually a.fw file that is downloaded through the utility).

⚠️ Warning: Third-party firmware will cancel the possibility of rollback to the original version. Before starting, back up the bracelet data via Mi Fit.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions