Users of popular fitness trackers often face a situation when it is necessary to completely clean the device of accumulated data. For owners of Xiaomi Mi Band 3, this becomes relevant when selling a gadget, transferring it to another family member or trying to eliminate software failures that do not lend themselves to a conventional reboot. Because the screen of this model is monochrome and does not have a touch interface in the usual sense, many owners believe that it is physically impossible to perform a reset without a smartphone.
However, the Mi Band 3 architecture has several ways to force a factory-back, both through touch-button hardware manipulation and through software methods that simulate a connection break. In this article, we will detail how to untie the tracker from your Mi Cloud account, break the connection through Bluetooth settings, and perform a full reset without having to enter passwords from a lost account.
It’s important to understand that the reset process doesn’t delete data from Xiaomi servers if they’ve already been synchronized, but it completely clears the bracelet’s internal memory. This means that all the steps, sleep and pulse statistics accumulated since the last phone connection will be irretrievably lost.
Hardware reset via touch button
The fastest way to resuscitate a device or prepare it for resale is to use a built-in touch button. On the front of the Mi Band 3 is the only control area that responds to touch. To perform a reset, you need to find this sensor, which is usually located at the bottom of the screen or below it, depending on the firmware version.
The procedure is done by long-term retention, you need to touch the touch zone with your finger and hold it for 10-15 seconds, the screen will go out, and then the Mi logo will light up again. In some versions of the firmware, prolonged retention (more than 20 seconds) can trigger a pairing mode, which is effectively equivalent to resetting the connection settings.
⚠️ Warning: Do not hold the button for too long (more than 30 seconds) in the hope of a miracle.This can lead to a deep discharge of the battery or, in rare cases, to a freeze of the controller, requiring a complete discharge of the device to reset.
If a standard long press doesn't work, you can try the "reconnect" method. Tap the button to wake up the screen, and quickly press 5-7 times in a row. This action often triggers the settings menu or force the bracelet to search for a new smartphone, which breaks the connection with the old phone.
It is worth noting that the hardware method does not always guarantee a complete cleanup of all user data if the tracker has been blocked at the account level; it rather reboots the system and resets the communication settings than performs memory formatting.
Breaking the communication through Bluetooth settings
If you don't have access to the app, but you have the smartphone (even someone else's) on hand, you can use the operating system settings. Bluetooth is the main communication channel, and reconfiguring it allows you to untie the device. Go to the Bluetooth settings on any Android or iOS device.
In the list of available devices, find Mi Band 3. Click on the gear icon or information icon next to the name. Select the option "Forget device" or "Unpair pairing." This action removes the encryption keys that link the phone and bracelet.
- 📱 Open Bluetooth settings on your smartphone.
- 🔍 Find it in the Mi Band 3 list.
- 🗑️ Click on "Forget this device" (Forget Device).
- 🔄 Reload the bracelet through the touch button.
The tracker then goes into standby mode, and if you try to connect it to a new phone, it won't require confirmation from the old device, because the previous connection was broken at the protocol level, and it's an effective way to get around the problem of the "busy" device.
In the Mi Fit app, the device can still be listed as tied to your account, but for a new user who wants to connect the bracelet to their phone, the old account will not be an obstacle if you reset through Bluetooth settings.
Use of third-party applications for decoupling
The official Mi Fit app (now Zepp Life) requires authorization to control the device, but there are alternative utilities developed by enthusiasts who can interact with the Mi Band 3 at a lower level, one of the most famous is the Notify for Mi Band app.
This program allows you to connect to the tracker even if it is formally occupied by another phone (although this may require a temporary Bluetooth shutdown on the main device). Inside the application, there is a device management section where the Unlink or Factory Reset function is available.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party applications carries risks; you provide access to your activity and health data to third parties. Use only proven open source or reputable utilities.
To perform a reset through Notify for Mi Band:
- Install the application and provide all the permissions requested.
- Turn on Bluetooth and find your bracelet.
- Go to the menu "Device Management".
- Find the item "Reset" or "Sever connection".
The advantage of this method is that it often allows you to perform a deeper reset than standard system tools, you can reset not only the connection, but also the settings of notifications, alarms and display information on the screen.
Why does the app ask for additional permissions?
Table: Comparison of discharge methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have systematized information about the methods available, each with its own characteristics, depth of cleaning and the necessary conditions.
| Method | I need a phone. | We need the Internet. | Depth of cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long press. | No. | No. | Low (reset) |
| Bluetooth settings | Yeah, any. | No. | Medium (communication gap) |
| Third-party annexes | Yeah (Android) | Preferably. | High (full discharge) |
| Official annex | Yes (yours) | Yes. | Full (with a chord) |
As you can see from the table, if you don't have access to your phone, the only option is to physically push the button. However, this method does not guarantee uncoupling from your account in the cloud.
The depth of the cleanup is important if you want to delete personal data. A simple break in a Bluetooth connection leaves some profile settings on the bracelet that can be read when you reconnect to the same account.
☑️ Pre-reset check
Re-registration and synchronization
After successfully performing the reset, the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 goes into pairing mode. QR-It's a signal that the device is ready for a new life, and to be fully functional, you need to re-register it.
You'll need a Zepp Life app (formerly Mi Fit) or Mi Fitness. Download it from the official Google Play store or App Store. Create a new account or log in to an existing one when you first start. Importantly, if you reset the bracelet to untie it from someone else's account, you'll need a new Xiaomi account.
The registration process is as follows:
- 📲 Launch the application and log in to the profile.
- ➕ Click "Add device" in your profile.
- ⌚ Select Mi Band 3 from the list.
- ✅ Confirm the pairing with vibration on the bracelet.
Once the connection is successful, the timing and settings will start to synchronize, the bracelet will update its internal clock and load the current dials, and if the reset is successful, the device will work steadily, without connection errors that may have been observed before.
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If the bracelet is not visible in the search for the application, try rebooting the smartphone and turning on the geolocation. In Android 10+, Bluetooth scanning is impossible without GPS enabled.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users may encounter various difficulties in resetting and reconfiguring, such as the bracelet may not respond to touch or refuse to pair, often due to a critically low battery charge.
Put the tracker on charge for 15-20 minutes, even if it doesn't respond to the button. Sometimes the power controller will block the device's functions at low voltage. After a small charge, try resetting the button again.
Another common problem is the hanging status of the device in the app, where if you sold the bracelet but didn't untie it in the app, the new owner might be confronted with a message saying "Device is occupied," in which case you, as the previous owner, need to log into your account, find the device in your profile and click "Unlink."
⚠️ Note: If you can’t log in to your old account (forgot your password, lost phone number), it will be extremely difficult to restore access to the device’s undock. Xiaomi tech support rarely meets in such cases without a check to buy.
Also worth mentioning is the firmware problem: If the bracelet behaves strangely after reset (wrong time, screen glitches), the firmware may be damaged, in which case only flashing through the official application will help, which will itself suggest updating the software when you connect.
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The main problem with a reset without a phone is the inability to untie the device from the cloud account, which can create difficulties for the new owner.