Xiaomi Mi Band 1S: How to turn on the bracelet - full instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi Mi Band 1S — One of the most popular fitness bracelets of the early 2010s, which is still used today because of its simplicity and reliability, but many users have difficulty turning on the device first, especially if it has been idle for a long time or has been reset to factory settings. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to activate the Mi Band. 1S, including forced reset, application connection and solution of typical problems.

It is important to understand that the Mi Band 1S — It's not a smartwatch, it's a fitness tracker with minimalist functionality, and it doesn't have a screen interface like the current models, so all the settings are made through the conjugated Mi Fit mobile app (or its counterparts). If the bracelet does not respond to pressing or does not sync with the smartphone, this does not mean that it is broken – often the problem lies in the wrong sequence of actions.

We will look at this in detail:

• 🔋 Standard way to enable via button
• 📱 Synchronization with Mi Fit and alternative programs
• 🔄 Forced resetting of settings (hard reset)
• ⚡ Frequent errors and their solutions (indicator does not burn, Bluetooth is not detected, etc.)
• 🔋 Charging problems and their impact on inclusion

If you have a Mi Band 1S It does not give signs of life, do not rush to throw it away - in 90% of cases, the device can be "resuscitated" without repair.

1. Standard inclusion of Xiaomi Mi Band 1S

The easiest way to activate the bracelet is to use a physical button on the body, but there are nuances that many people don't know about.

On the Mi Band. 1S The button is located under the touchpad (where the clock is displayed when pressed:

1. Place the bracelet on the charger and wait 5-10 seconds (even if the battery is discharged, a brief contact with charging can wake the device).
2. Press and hold the button for 3-5 seconds until you feel a slight vibration.
3. Release the button – the indicator should flash blue or green (depending on the firmware version).

If the indicator does not catch fire, try:

• 🔌 Connect the bracelet to charging for 15-20 minutes (sometimes a discharged battery blocks the switch on).
• 🔄 Repeat pressing the button 3-4 times in a row with an interval of 1 second.
• 📱 Make sure there are no sources of interference (microwaves, other Bluetooth devices).

💡

If the bracelet does not respond to the button, try to slightly press the touch panel with your finger - sometimes the contacts are oxidized and require mechanical action.

After successful inclusion, the bracelet should:

• 🔄 Vibrate once (signal of readiness to pair).
• 📶 Start flashing the indicator every 2-3 seconds (Bluetooth search mode).

If this does not happen, move to the next section – you may need to reset your settings.

2. Synchronization with the Mi Fit app

Without connecting to the Mi Band smartphone 1S It only works as a pedometer -- all the other functions (notifications, sleep monitoring, alarm clock) require you to pair with an app:

Download the official Mi Fit app:

• 📱 Android (Google Play)
• 🍎 iOS (App Store)

Follow the instructions:

1. Open Mi Fit and sign up (or sign in to your Xiaomi account).
2. Click Profile. → Add the device → Bracelet → Mi Band 1S.
3. Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and allow the application to access geodata (required!).
4. Wait until the app finds the bracelet (it can take up to 1-2 minutes).
5. Confirm the pairing on the phone and wait for synchronization.

If Mi Fit doesn't find the bracelet:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and bracelet (hold the button for 10 seconds until it vibrates 2 times).
• 📵 Make sure your phone is Bluetooth 4.0 enabled.+ (Older Android may not work).
• 🔌 Try alternative apps: Notify & Fitness or Mi Band Master (supports legacy models).

Important! After pairing, update the bracelet firmware through the Device Profile → Software Update: Outdated versions can cause malfunctions.

3. Forced discharge (Hard Reset)

If the bracelet isn't switched on or not synced, a full reset to factory settings may be required.For the Mi Band 1S There are two ways:

Method 1: Through a button

1. Remove the bracelet from your hand and place it on the charger.
2. Press and hold the button for 15-20 seconds until you feel a double vibration.
3. Release the button and the bracelet will reset (the indicator will flash red).

Method 2: Through the Mi Fit application

If the bracelet is connected to the phone but is not working correctly:

1. Open Mi Fit and go to Device Profile → Settings → Untie the device.
2. Confirm the decoupling and wait for the connection to break.
3. Hold the button on the bracelet for 5 seconds to reset the settings.
4. Reconnect the bracelet as if it were first activated.

After resetting all data (steps, sleep, alarm clocks) will be deleted from the bracelet! synchronized data in Mi Fit will be saved.

4. Charging problems and their impact on the onset

One of the most common reasons why Mi Band 1S It doesn't turn on, it's charging problems, and the bracelet has a small battery (45 mAh) that eventually loses capacity or fails.

How to check if the bracelet is charged:

• 🔌 Connect it to the charger (original or compatible).
• 🔴 The indicator should burn red during charging and green when fully charged.
• ⏱ If the indicator does not burn, wait 5-10 minutes - sometimes the reaction is delayed.

Typical problems and solutions:

If the bracelet is not charging at all, try:

• 🔌 Use another charger (e.g. from Mi Band) 2/3 — contact is compatible).
• 🔍 Check the integrity of the cable (often the wires at the base are rubbed).
• 🔋 Leave the bracelet on charging for 12+ Time (sometimes helps with deep discharge).

💡

If the bracelet is not charged or turned on, 80% of the time the problem is in the contacts or cable, not the device itself.

5. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even after successful activation, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

📵 The bracelet is not defined by Bluetooth.

• 📱 Reboot your smartphone and bracelet.
• 🔄 In Bluetooth settings, remove all saved Mi Band devices.
• 🛠 Update the bracelet firmware through Mi Fit.

❌ Data is not synchronized

• 📶 Check your internet connection (data synced via cloud).
• 🔄 In Mi Fit, click Sync Manually.
• 📱 Reinstall the app (sometimes the cache interferes with the work).

🔋 Fast battery discharge

• 📴 Turn off unnecessary notifications in Mi Fit.
• 🔄 Reset the bracelet to factory settings.
• 🔋 Replace the battery (cost) ~500-800 rubles in the service).

If none of these methods worked, there may be a hardware problem, in which case we recommend contacting Xiaomi service center or private repairmen of wearable electronics.

Check charging and contacts|Reset the bracelet to factory settings|Update the firmware through Mi Fit|Check the compatibility of the smartphone (Bluetooth 4.0)+)|Try an alternative app (Notify & Fitness)

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6. Alternative ways to use Mi Band 1S

If you have a Mi Band 1S It works partially, but does not connect to Mi Fit, it can be used in “offline” mode or with other applications.

Opportunities without connecting to the phone:

• 🚶‍♂️ Step counter (data is stored in the memory of the bracelet for 7 days).
• ⏰ Alarm clock (sets via Mi Fit, but operates autonomously).
• 💤 Sleep tracking (only if the bracelet has been synchronized before).

Alternative annexes:

• 📱 Notify & Fitness for Mi Band – Supports older models, more notification settings.
• 📱 Mi Band Master – advanced features for firmware and customization.
• 📱 Tools & Mi Band – allows you to change icons and vibration settings.

To connect to alternative applications:

1. Untie the bracelet from Mi Fit (if it was connected).
2. Install a new app and follow the pairing instructions.
3. If necessary, update the firmware through new software.

Please note: some features (such as call notifications) may not work smoothly on unofficial firmware.

7.When to Consider Replacing a Bracelet

Xiaomi Mi Band 1S — It's a reliable device, but even it has a lifespan limit, and here are the signs that it's time to consider replacing it:

• 🔋 The battery holds a charge of less than 6-8 hours (at the initial 20-30 days).
• 📵 Constant problems with Bluetooth connection.
• 💦 Moisture got inside the case (condensation appears under the screen).
• 🔄 The bracelet spontaneously resets or turns off.
• 🛠 It costs more to repair than buying a new model (e.g. Mi Band 6 or Mi Band 7).

If you decide to upgrade, pay attention to:

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi Band 7 – the best price/quality ratio for 2026.
• 📱 Huawei Band 8 – an alternative to the AMOLED-screen.
• 📱 Amazfit GTS 4 Minis for those who want more features (GPS, SpO₂).

Old Mi Band. 1S possible:

• 🔄 Reflash under custom firmware (for example, Amazfit Mod).
• 🎁 Giving to relatives for basic activity tracking.
• ♻️ To be recycled (in some cities there are electronics reception points).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Mi Band 1S