Fitness bracelet owners often face the need to install new versions of software to improve the stability of the device. Xiaomi Mi Band 2, despite its age, is still popular thanks to its reliable heart rate sensor and waterproof. The firmware update process can solve battery discharge problems, improve step count accuracy and add new dials.
Many users delay the procedure for fear of losing data or turning the gadget into a brick, but the developers have provided secure installation mechanisms. Proper preparation of the smartphone and adherence to the sequence of actions avoid most errors. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to perform the update and what to do if the process went wrong.
It is worth noting that the relevance of the software directly affects the compatibility of the tracker with new versions of the Android and iOS operating systems. If your phone has recently updated and the bracelet remains on the old version, there may be synchronization failures, so checking for new versions regularly is a useful habit for any wearable electronics owner.
Preparation for software updates
Before you start any manipulation of the system files of the device, you need to make sure that all the components of the system are ready. The battery level of the tracker and smartphone is critical. If the bracelet is discharged during the recording process, restoring its performance may require complex engineering manipulations or even become impossible.
Make sure your mobile device has the latest version of the Mi Fit app (or its modern Zepp Life counterpart).Older versions of the software shells may not see the update server or contain errors in data protocols. It is also recommended to close background applications that actively use Bluetooth to ensure a stable connection.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to update the firmware if the bracelet charge is less than 50.
Check the stability of the Internet connection on your smartphone. Since the setup files are downloaded from remote servers, a communication interruption can lead to a download of a damaged archive. It is better to use a Wi-Fi network, as it provides higher speed and stability of data transfer compared to a mobile 3G/4G.
☑️ Check before updating
Methods of installing a new version of firmware
There are two main methods of software updates for Xiaomi trackers: automatic and manual. Automated is the preferred method for most users, as it minimizes the risk of human error, the system finds the appropriate version, downloads it and installs it on the device.
Manual is used when automatic updates are not started or a specific regional version of software is required, which requires downloading the firmware file separately and forcing it to be transmitted to the device via the application interface, a more complex path that requires care.
Automatic updates usually occur in the background when the Mi Fit app is active and connected to the Internet. You can receive a push notification about the availability of the new version, in which case, just click the Update button and wait for the process to be completed without turning off the smartphone screen.
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If the automatic update doesn’t come for a long time, try uninstalling the Mi Fit app and installing it again, after untieing the bracelet.
The table below compares the upgrade methods so you can choose the most suitable for your situation:
| Parameter | Automatic method | Manual method |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium. |
| Speed. | Depends on the server. | Depends on the user. |
| Choice of version | No (last one) | There (any available) |
Step-by-step instructions through the Mi Fit application
The main tool for controlling the bracelet is the Mi Fit app, which is the entire communication process between the smartphone and the tracker. First, make sure that the bracelet is on your hand or lying next to the phone, since it is often necessary to click on the touch button of the device to confirm the installation.
Open the app and navigate to your device profile. This is usually done through the Profile tab in the bottom menu, where you need to select an image of your Xiaomi Mi Band 2. In the settings menu that opens, look for “Version Update” or “Firmware version.”
If the new version is available, you will see a notification and a button to start downloading, and then you click on the process, the progress of which will be displayed as a percentage, at which point the smartphone screen should be on and the application should remain active.
During installation, the bracelet may vibrate or show the current percentage of execution on the display. Do not press any buttons on the tracker and do not attempt to break the Bluetooth connection.
What to do if the update is suspended or interrupted
Situations where the installation process stops at a certain percentage (often 99% or 45%) are rare, but require calm. First of all, do not panic and do not try to restart the phone immediately. Often the system simply waits for the confirmation or completion of background processes.
If progress is not moving for more than 10-15 minutes, you can try restarting the Mi Fit app. Close it completely through Task Manager and open again. In most cases, the app will find that the update is not complete and prompt you to continue or try again.
⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet stopped responding to the presses and the charging indicator is on, the device may have gone into recovery mode. 30-60 minute.
If you lose all communication, when the phone stops seeing the bracelet, try rebooting the tracker. For the Mi Band 2, you can do this by putting the device on the charger (the contacts must match), and then quickly reposition it to another position or press a button if it reacts. Sometimes just waiting helps: the device can reboot itself in an hour.
The Secret Reboot Method
Verification of the installed version and functionality
Once the procedure is completed successfully and the bracelet is restarted, you need to make sure everything went right. Go to the device menu in the app and look at the firmware version number. It should correspond to the current release, information about which can be found on official resources or forums.
Check the basic functions: step count, pulse measurement, and notification display. The new firmware can change the algorithms of the sensors, so it's recommended that you do some test measurements, such as comparing your resting heart rate with what you know or distance traveled.
Notice the new faces. Often, with software updates, new design themes are added to the servers that are only available for current firmware versions. Go to the in-app dial store and check for new ones.
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The successful update is confirmed not only by the version number, but also by the stable operation of all sensors during the first day of use.