Fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band 3, released 2018 It is still one of the most popular trackers of the year due to its simplicity, reliability and rich functionality. 4/5/6/7), The third version continues to be actively used - it can be found on sale at an attractive price, and many users do not see the point of overpaying for updated versions with minimal improvements.
In this article, you will find a complete guide to setting up and using the Mi Band 3, from the first smartphone connection to hidden features that not everyone knows about, how to sync the bracelet with the Mi Fit app (or Zepp Life), set up notifications, monitor sleep and workouts, and give tips for increasing battery life, if you just purchased a device or want to unleash its potential 100%, this material is for you.
1.Preparation for first use: unpacking and charging
Before you start setting up, make sure the bracelet is fully charged. Complete with the Mi Band 3 comes:
- 📦 The fitness bracelet itself with a strap (black, blue or orange depending on the version).
- 🔌 Magnetic connector charging cable (USB-Type-A).
- 📄 Short instructions in several languages (Russian is usually present).
Charging the device has its nuances. Attention to the contacts: on the back of the bracelet there are two metal contacts that should fit tightly to the charging cable. If the charging indicator (red LED) does not light up, try:
- 🔄 Turn the bracelet over with the other side.
- 🧲 Press the cable more strongly (sometimes the magnet is weakened).
- 🔌 Connect the cable to another USB-port or charger (at least 5W power).
It takes about 1.5-2 hours to fully charge. When the battery is full, the indicator will go out. Mi Band 3 does not have a fast charging function - if the indicator flashes red for more than 30 minutes, check the cable for damage or try another power source. After the first turn on, the bracelet will automatically go into pairing mode (the Bluetooth icon will appear on the screen).
2. Installation of the application and synchronization with the smartphone
The Mi Band 3 requires an official app, with two options available:
- 📱 Mi Fit – a classic application from Xiaomi, supports all the functions of the bracelet, but has an outdated interface.
- 🌐 Zepp Life (formerly Amazfit) is an updated version with improved sleep and exercise analytics, but some users complain about bugs.
We recommend starting with Mi Fit, as it works more stable with Mi Band 3.
- 🤖 Google Play for Android
- 🍎 App Store for iOS
After installation, follow the following steps:
- Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required!) without an account binding, the bracelet will not sync data.
- Click "Add device» → Choose "Breasure» → Mi Smart Band 3.
- Allow the app to access Bluetooth, Notifications, and Geolocation (the latter is needed to accurately track your jogging).
- Wait until the bracelet is determined in the list of available devices, and confirm the pairing by pressing the touch button Mi Band 3.
Update the bracelet firmware|Set up a profile (gender, age, weight)|Enable notifications from the desired applications|Check the time display on the screen-->
If the bracelet is not present, try:
- 🔄 Reboot the Mi Band 3 (hold the touch button 10 seconds before vibration).
- 📱 Restart Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- 🚫 Remove the bracelet from the list of conjugate devices in the phone settings and repeat the process.
⚠️ Note: If you use an iPhone, please note that Mi Band 3 does not support displaying notifications from WhatsApp, Viber and other messengers due to iOS restrictions.
3. Set up the main parameters: time, notifications, alarm clocks
After successful synchronization, go to the "Profile" section» → «Mi Smart Band 3" in the Mi Fit app. Key settings are available here:
| Function | Where to set up | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic definition of training | Settings → Monitoring of activity | Turn on for walking and running, but turn off for the bike (frequent false positives). |
| Notifications | Settings → Notifications of calls and messages | Disable unnecessary apps (such as games) to avoid wasting charge. |
| Raising your hand to activate the screen | Settings → Display → Raising your hand | It is useful, but increases battery consumption by 10-15%. |
| Alarm clocks | Settings → Alarm clocks | You can set up to 10 alarm clocks, including “smart” (taking into account the sleep phase). |
Pay special attention to the notification settings. By default, the bracelet vibrates when incoming calls and SMS, You can add support for other applications:
- In Mi Fit, go to Settings → Notifications of calls and messages.
- Turn on the “Application Notifications” switch.
- Select the desired messengers (for example, Telegram, Gmail).
- On Android, allow Mi Fit to access notifications in your system settings.
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If the notifications are duplicated (come to the phone and the bracelet), disable them in the settings of the messenger, leaving only alerts through Mi Fit.
To save charge, turn off unnecessary functions:
- ⏰ Constant display of time (in Settings) → Display – eats up to 30% of the battery per day.
- 🌙 Sleep monitoring (if no detailed analysis is needed).
- 📶 Phone search (in Settings) → Extra) – rarely used but consumes energy.
4. Activity tracking: Steps, exercise and pulse
Mi Band 3 is equipped with sensors to track steps, distance, burned calories and heart rate (via the device). PPG-The accuracy of measurements depends on the correct setting of the profile and wearing of the bracelet:
- 👤 Specify your exact weight, height and date of birth in your Mi Fit profile.
- 🕒 Wear the bracelet on the non-dominant hand (for right-handers - left, for left-handers - right) at a distance of 2-3 fingers from the wrist.
- 🚶 Calibrate the bracelet for accurate steps: walk 50 steps, then go to Settings. → Steps. → Calibration enter the real amount.
To start the training:
- Flick the bracelet screen left to the “Workout Mode” icon (running man).
- Choose the type of activity: Running, Walking, Bicycle or Gym.
- Press the touch button to start. During exercise, the bracelet will display time, pulse and distance traveled.
- Hold the button for 2 seconds to stop.
How to reset these trainings if the bracelet is getting stuck?
To analyze the results, open the Status tab in Mi Fit. Here you will see:
- 📊 Hours of activity schedules.
- 💓 Average and maximum heart rate during exercise.
- 🏆 Achievements (e.g. 10,000 steps»).
⚠️ Note: The Mi Band 3 pulse sensor is not a medical device, and readings may differ from professional equipment by 5-15 beats per minute, especially under intense loads or low ambient temperatures.
5. Sleep monitoring and tips for improving sleep quality
Mi Band 3 automatically tracks sleep phases (deep, light and light) REM), If you wear it at night, for a precise analysis:
- 🛌 Go to bed at the same time (the bracelet takes into account the regularity of the sleep).
- 📵 Turn off the raising of your hand to activate the screen at night (in Settings) → Display).
- 🔋 Charge the bracelet to 100% before bedtime – with a low charge, monitoring may be interrupted.
In the morning, you will see in the Mi Fit app:
- ⏱ Total sleep duration.
- 📉 Sleep phase schedule with recommendations (e.g., “You’ve woken up 2 times»).
- 🌅 Time to fall asleep and wake up.
- 💤 Sleep quality score on a 100-point scale.
To improve performance:
- 🚫 Avoid caffeine 6 hours before bedtime.
- 📵 Do not use your smartphone 30 minutes before you go off (blue light interferes with melatonin production).
- 🌡 Keep the bedroom temperature at 18–22°C.
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For maximum accuracy of sleep monitoring, wear a bracelet on your hand that does not come into contact with the pillow, and do not tighten the strap too tight.
If the bracelet does not record sleep:
- Check if sleep automonitoring is enabled in the settings (Settings) → Sleep monitoring).
- Make sure the battery is at least 20% charged.
- Update the bracelet firmware (in Settings) → Firmware update).
6.Secret features and life hacks for Mi Band 3
Many users are unaware of the hidden features of the Mi Band 3 that make it even more useful:
- 🔐 Unlocking the smartphone: In Mi Fit, activate Settings → Unlock the phone. Now the bracelet will unlock the phone as it approaches (only works on Android with the help of Android). MIUI Or with installed Xiaomi Auth).
- 🎵 Music control: While playing the track, flip the bracelet screen to the left of the icon «🎧». Here you can pause, change the track or change the volume.
- 🔍 Phone search: In the bracelet menu, find the icon «📱» — Click on it and the phone will give a loud signal (even if it is silent).
- 🌦 Weather forecast: Sync weather data in Mi Fit (Settings) → Weather, and the bracelet will show temperature and weather icon when flipping the screen.
A few more useful tricks:
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings: Hold the touch button for 15 seconds until double vibration. Use if the bracelet is glitching or out of sync.
- 📶 Battery savings: Turn off Bluetooth on your phone at night – the bracelet will collect sleep and step data offline, and sync them in the morning.
- 🎨 Change dial: 5 standard dials are available in Mi Fit. Use the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app to set custom dials (requires root or ADB-Android).
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If the bracelet has stopped vibrating at notifications, check the sound settings on the phone - sometimes problems are caused by Do Not Disturb mode or energy-saving features.
For experienced users: with the help of ADB You can activate additional features, such as displaying notifications from any application (even if it is not supported by default:
adb shell am start -n com.xiaomi.hm.health/com.xiaomi.hm.health.view.DeviceActivityThen there will be hidden options in the bracelet settings, and be careful that the wrong commands can cause the device to crash.
7 Problems and their solutions: bracelet does not turn on, does not synchronize, discharges quickly
Even a reliable Mi Band 3 can fail, and let’s look at the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The bracelet is off. | Discharged battery or software failure | Put it on charge for 30 minutes. If it doesn't work, reset (hold the 15 sec button). |
| Not synchronized with the phone. | Outdated firmware or conflict with other Bluetooth devices | Update the bracelet firmware and the Mi Fit app. Disable other Bluetooth devices. |
| Fast discharge (less than 3 days) | Active use of notifications, permanent screen or old battery | Disable unnecessary functions (see section 3). If the battery is worn out, replace it (cost) ~500-800 rubles.). |
| Does not count steps or shows incorrect data | Incorrect calibration or wearing on the dominant hand | Recalibrate the steps (50 steps manually) and wear the bracelet on the other hand. |
| Doesn't measure pulse. | Dirt on the sensor or weak fit to the skin | Wipe the sensor with alcohol and tighten the strap tighter (but don't squeeze the vein). |
If the bracelet has stopped responding to touch:
- Wipe the screen with a wet wipe (sweat or dirt can block the sensor).
- Remove the bracelet and dry it for 1-2 hours (moisture under the strap can cause failures).
- Update the firmware through Mi Fit.
⚠️ Warning: If after falling or getting water, the bracelet stopped working, do not try to disassemble it yourself - the Mi Band 3 uses adhesive hull connection, and at opening you risk damaging the fee.).
To check the status of the battery:
- Open Mi Fit and go to Profile → Mi Smart Band 3 → Status of the device.
- If it drops too quickly (e.g., from 100% to 20% per hour), the battery needs to be replaced.
8 Comparison with new models: should we upgrade?
The Mi Band 3 is still a hot device, but if you’re thinking about moving to a new model, let’s compare the key differences:
| Characteristics | Mi Band 3 | Mi Band 6 | Mi Band 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen. | 0.78" OLED, monochrome | 1.56" AMOLED, coloured | 1.62 AMOLED, always on |
| Autonomy | 20 days | 14 days | 15 days |
| Sensor. SpO₂ (oxygenation) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (enhanced) |
| GPS | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ Connected support GPS |
| Price (2026) | ~1,500 rubles. | ~2,500 rubles. | ~3,500 rubles. |
Should we upgrade?
- ✅ If you need a color screen, measure SpO₂ support GPS tracker.
- ❌ No, if you're comfortable with the monochrome display and the basic features (stepmeter, pulse, notifications). Mi Band 3 still does these tasks as well as new models.
If you do decide to upgrade, your Mi Fit data will automatically be transferred to a new bracelet when you first sync it, and the old Mi Band 3 can be used as a spare or gifted to loved ones, which is great for older people because of its easy management.