Major update of the most affordable device in its category
One of the main sensations on the fitness bracelet market is the Xiaomi Mi Band. A simple device from a Chinese manufacturer did not have any unique features, but at the same time it coped well with its tasks, and most importantly, it cost only $ 13. Of course, buying it for this money was very problematic, since sales were only within China, and resellers sold at a higher price, but it still came out significantly cheaper than any analogues of some well-known companies.
Seeing the success of Mi Band, Xiaomi promptly released the "successor" of the model - Mi Band 1S Pulse (as the name implies, its feature is a heart rate sensor), and then a larger update arrived - Mi Band 2. Here is not just an additional sensor, but a new design of the case and a mini-screen that displays time, heart rate, steps and calories. They began to sell it for $ 23, but, as in the case of the first model, it is now problematic to buy a bracelet for this money. So, on Gearbest, from where they sent us a copy for testing, you can pre-order at a price of $ 43.98. Almost twice as much, but still much less than, for example, a Sony bracelet with a heart rate sensor.
We decided to test the new product and figure out how high-quality it is and whether it inherited the competitiveness of the line's founder.
First, let's take a look at the specifications of the new item.
Specifications Xiaomi Mi Band 2
- Screen: OLED, monochrome, 0.4 ″ (approximately 10 × 6 mm), non-touch
- Protection against water and dust: yes (IP67 standard)
- Strap: detachable, silicone, black
- Compatibility: devices on Android base 4.4 / iOS 7.0 and newer
- Connection: Bluetooth 4.0 LE
- Sensors: accelerometer, pedometer, heart rate sensor
- Cameras, internet: no
- Microphone, speaker: no
- Indication: screen, vibration
- Battery: 70 mAh
- Weight 14 g
For clarity, let's take out the characteristics of the bracelet in the table and compare it with the first model and competitors.
| Xiaomi Mi Band 2 | Xiaomi Mi Band | Sony SmartBand 2 SWR12 | Jawbone up3 | |
| Indication | vibration signal, screen | vibration signal, 3 LED indicators | vibration signal, 3 LED indicators | |
| Protection | yes (IP67) | yes (IP67) | yes (IP68) | splash water proof, standard not reported |
| Strap | removable silicone | removable silicone | removable silicone | non-removable, thermopolyurethane |
| Camera | No | No | No | No |
| Sensors | accelerometer | accelerometer, heart rate sensor | accelerometer, bioimpedance sensor, body temperature sensor, ambient temperature sensor | |
| Microphone, speaker | No | No | No | No |
| Compatibility | IOS 7.0 / Android 4.4 and newer devices | IOS 8.2 / Android 4.4 and newer devices | IOS 7 / Android 4.3 and newer devices | |
| Third party application support | there is data transfer to Apple Health | there are extensions that allow you to control various smartphone applications from the bracelet (only in Android), as well as transfer data to third-party applications | there is data transfer to Apple Health | |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | 70 | 41 | not reported | 38 |
| Weight (g) * | 14 | 13 | 25 | 21 |
| average price | T-13909442 | T-11158556 | T-12901384 | T-11899196 |
| Retail offers | L-13909442-10 | |||
* according to the manufacturer's information
As we can see, the characteristics of the new product are very close to Sony SmartBand 2. However, their heart rate sensors work in different ways, and the Xiaomi bracelet has no additional extensions. At the same time, the price of the Xiaomi bracelet is more than four times lower (if you count at the official price) or about half if you compare prices from local retailers.
Equipment
The packaging of the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is the same as that of the first model. It is a square cardboard box, very compact and easy to transport and store.
Inside we will find the bracelet body itself, a strap, a very short USB charging cable and an instruction leaflet (in Chinese, but with descriptive pictures).
The first model had the same equipment. One can complain that the cable is so short, but, apparently, the manufacturer is trying to save on everything.
Design
The design of the bracelet as a whole remains the same. The device consists of two parts: a block with electronics (it has an elongated oval shape) and a silicone strap into which this block must be inserted. Note that it is not inserted without effort.
At the same time, as we have already noted, the design of the block itself has undergone quite serious changes compared to the first version. Instead of an aluminum surface with LEDs, we see glass, on which a miniature screen and a circle of the touch zone are located. By touching it with our finger, we can move from one information on the screen to another.
The back of the main unit, in contact with the hand, is made of plastic, as are the rounded edges (they are completely covered by the strap when the bracelet is worn).
The heart rate sensor is located on the back of the unit. It is smaller than on devices such as the Garmin vivosmart HR, Apple Watch or Mio Fuse, and it does not always work.
Two contacts are visible on the side of the device - with their help Mi Band 2 is charged. To recharge it, insert it into the cradle on the supplied cable with these contacts in front.
The bracelet is standard, made of rather elastic black silicone. There are a lot of round holes, so you can adjust the length of the bracelet to suit any hand.
In general, summarizing our impressions of the Xiaomi Mi Band 2, we would say that the bracelet did not look better - rather, on the contrary. The bracelet has lost its individuality: this is what half of the faceless Chinese bracelets look like. Whereas Xiaomi Mi Band with its aluminum body looked just very recognizable. Is the deterioration in appearance worth the possibilities that the screen brings? We will talk about this in the next section of the article.
Software and functionality
As we remember, the first version of Mi Band did not work with the iPhone, and there were many flaws in the Android version of the Mi Fit app. But pretty quickly Xiaomi sorted out the "childhood diseases" of the software, and now Mi Fit is well localized and compatible with both Android and iOS.
To use the bracelet, we need to create a Mi account, and this requires a number mobile phone(he will receive an SMS in Chinese).
After you have created an account, you will be asked to enter basic information about yourself (gender, age, weight) and set goals for the number of steps or calories.
Then the bracelet firmware update will automatically start, and here you are, at last, on the main screen. It's called Status. Here, in a large circle, we see the number of steps taken (and below it is shallow - the distance and calories lost), below - information about sleep, weight (of course, the bracelet itself does not measure it, you need the Mi Scale), the last heart rate measurement and achievements.
The next screen - Play - contains settings for notifications and alarms. So, you can turn on the vibration of the bracelet for incoming calls, set an alarm (only a fixed time, there is no smart alarm), set a reminder in case of long inactivity (moreover, specifying the period in which you cannot be disturbed). In addition, you can allow the bracelet to notify you about new SMS and letters, as well as about achieving goals.
There are also settings for notifications from third-party applications. These are Mi Talk, WeChat, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Snapchat. If you move the levers opposite them to the active position, then when you receive notifications from them, the bracelet will also vibrate.
Unfortunately, the set of applications itself is very far from Russian realities (in fact, no one has optimized the bracelet for Russia). There are no most popular Russian applications, and of the set that is, only Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp are relatively relevant. Moreover, in the case of Facebook, only notifications from the FB itself are supported (that is, posts in the groups where you are a member, marks you by other users, etc.), but FB Messenger is not supported.
The third screen (of the three main ones) is called Profile. Here you can really edit your profile (weight, goals), change units of measurement, etc., but the main thing is two interesting settings: Heart rate sleep assistant (use a heart rate sensor for more accurate measurement sleep phases) and Mi Band Display Settings. Last setting is needed in order to choose what information will be displayed on the display. In addition to the default time, number of steps and heart rate, you can display the distance traveled, the number of calories dropped and the remaining time. autonomous work... Moreover, the time will be displayed in any case, and the rest of the options remain at the user's choice.
Also, in the bracelet settings, you can change the hand on which you wear the bracelet, set the display of information on the screen when you raise your hand (very useful!) And find the bracelet (by clicking on this line, it will vibrate three times).
Screen and heart rate measurement
Separately, it is worth dwelling on two options that distinguish the new product from the first version: the presence of a screen and heart rate measurement. The screen is tiny and its only function is to display numbers and icons. That is, there can be no full-fledged image here.
While the numbers look greenish in the photo above, they are actually white with noticeable graininess. The screen turns on only when you either touch the touch area or raise your hand (in case you have activated this option in the settings). Therefore, here the bracelet is inferior to those devices that show the time constantly (for example, Garmin vivoactive HR). The numbers are well visible in different conditions, but in the bright sun you will have to strain to see them and look for the optimal angle.
As for measuring the heart rate, the situation here is rather strange. By default, the bracelet does not make automatic measurements (like Sony Smartband 2, Apple Watch or Garmin vivoactive HR). But we have already mentioned the setting above that allows you to use heart rate data during sleep. Apparently, when this option is enabled, the bracelet starts making automatic measurements. But their results are not saved. And we did not find any settings that would allow you to fine-tune this function. In addition, the bracelet does not have the ability to dynamically measure the heart rate, that is, for example, during sports, you cannot see the change in heart rate during training. If you want to see your heart rate, you need to select the corresponding icon on the bracelet screen or start the measurement through the application. The result will be available in both Mi Fit and Apple Health (if you use an iPhone and have allowed Mi Fit to write data to Apple Health).
Battery life and user experience
The manufacturer claims 20 days of battery life. Apparently, this forecast is quite realistic (we could not verify this for sure, since the testing period for the device is much shorter), but two nuances should be taken into account here. Firstly, if you enable the Heart rate sleep assistant option, then 20 days will no longer work. Secondly, parameters such as the number of synchronizations with a smartphone and how often you look at information on the screen can affect the duration of work without recharging. Finally, if you turn on notifications for all notifications in supported services, and at the same time you are very active in these services (that is, notifications come often), then this will also most likely affect the life of a single charge. Turning everything on to the maximum (notifications, Heart rate sleep assistant) and quite actively using the bracelet as a watch, we noticed that the battery is discharged by about 10% per day. That is, in total, it will work on one charge for about 10 days.
One way or another, Xiaomi Mi Band 2 remains one of the longest-lived bracelets anyway. But there are no miracles here. It has a fairly capacious battery and there is nothing that could discharge it quickly. The pulse is rarely checked, the screen is tiny and consumes almost nothing (and even turned off almost all the time). In general, if you are tired of having to recharge your wrist gadget every few days, Mi Band 2 will delight you.
But what can be upsetting is the periodic failures when trying to synchronize, as well as not always successful heart rate measurements. However, these are perhaps the only drawbacks of such a plan, which we noticed in the process of using. As for the functionality, you can complain about the lack of a smart alarm clock - the bracelet can only wake up at a specified time. However, the sleep tracking itself is very well implemented. First, you don't have to manually indicate that you went to bed. The bracelet itself determines this. Secondly, it seems that heart rate measurements during sleep help him quite accurately determine when you are really sleeping and when you are not. For example, in the screenshot below you can see that at about 8 am the author woke up, then stayed awake for a while and then fell asleep again for about an hour.
If, nevertheless, the bracelet is mistaken, you can press the Edit button and edit the data. In addition, you can view statistics for a longer period of time by clicking on History.
conclusions
By releasing the sensational Xiaomi Mi Band for $ 13, the manufacturer took a logical path: to gradually increase functionality and increase the price just as delicately. But is it a lot or a little - $ 10 for a heart rate sensor and a mini screen? In our opinion, this is normal - after all, the presence of a screen allows you to use the device as a clock (although with smart watch The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 certainly does not compare in functionality). But we would not pay more for it (and it is unrealistic to buy a bracelet for the price of $ 23 now). In the end, there is nothing unique in the price above $ 40, such devices with similar parameters can be found from other manufacturers.
The problem with Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is that appearance, the manufacturer has added almost nothing in terms of real value in everyday use. The heart rate sensor is of little use here, because automatic measurements are too rare, and there is no dynamic measurement mode; the screen can be useful in terms of displaying times and types of notifications (for example, it can show a Facebook badge when something arrives there - but not a message), but if you really want smartwatch functionality, you might be better off looking for something more advanced.
In general, we see no point in chasing Xiaomi Mi Band 2 right now, overpaying for it twice. If you really need just such a set of features and want to get it at the lowest price, it is better to wait a little while the excitement subsides. But right now you can buy the first Xiaomi Mi Band at a very favorable price - the same Gearbest sells it for only $ 13, and for this money we can safely recommend it.
Buying smart devices, be sure to read the instructions for them. The same applies to working with a seemingly simple gadget like the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 bracelet. It is a smart sports tracker that, using a special Mi Fit program, establishes a connection with a smartphone. And on the smartphone, in turn, all the physical indicators of the person wearing the bracelet are visible. But for all this to work, you need to correctly install the application and make the correct settings, and without the help of instructions, not everyone is capable of this.
But the company sends instructions in Chinese, so it's too difficult even to figure out what is written in the dictionary. But I am glad that craftsmen have translated the manual to Xiaomi gadgets, making it much more convenient to use the Mi Fit application. At least, now you don't have to do all the settings, trying to guess which of them will allow you to calculate the athlete's heart rate, and which is suitable for tracking his steps.
Charging is the first thing they pay attention to in the instructions, so as not to break the gadget just by buying it. Immediately after purchasing a fitness bracelet, you should perform the following manipulations:
- Unpack the device and carefully pull the tracker out of the strap (it happens that the tracker comes in a separate package, then this procedure is irrelevant).
- Take Charger and install Mi Band 2 into it, but so that it is in contact with the inside. Don't overdo it when installing the tracker. It is important that it fits neatly but adheres tightly.
- Further, the bracelet needs to be charged, and this can be done if it is connected to a computer port or to an outlet. But the option with a computer is preferable. The fact is that the gadget is very sensitive to voltage surges that often occur in the network, therefore it can break.
- Leave the gadget for about two hours and the charge will be full. To check at what level, just look at the charge level indicator. When the bracelet is able to work at full capacity, the three LEDs on the fixture will shine with a uniform light.
Interestingly, two hours is the time for the first charge. The use of subsequent charges will take much less time if everything is done right now.
Give gifts
Installing the Mi Fit program and registering an account
After the device is fully charged, the gadget should be connected to the smartphone. This is a mandatory stage that allows you to take full advantage of it, since without this it is only a decoration that does not bring practically any benefit, except for decorative.
That is why it is so important to download and install the Mi Fit program on your smartphone. Here are some features of working with this application:
- To download the application to your Android smartphone, you need to go to Play Market and find among the applications Mi Fit;
- For Apple smartphone owners, the application should be searched on the App Store;
- After the application has been downloaded, further settings should be carried out through the browser or on the smartphone itself, depending on who is more convenient.
You can go to the activation of your account right in the program itself, so as not to search for a site on the network. The setup is pretty straightforward, even if the user first encounters such a gadget. On Mi Band 2, the instructions of which are now being considered, it is very easy to both configure the program and register in it.
But there are some restrictions both when registering from smartphones on Android, and from Apple products. In the first case, for the smartphone to have at least an operating Android system 4.3 and working bluetooth 4.0 module. But in the case of Apple, the situation is that the smartphone must run on an operating system not lower than iOS 7.0, that is, not younger than iPhone 4S.
Program setting
In order to ensure the normal operation of the program, it is necessary to synchronize the tracker and the smartphone. And this can be done using the instruction manual, which indicates initial settings and when to do them.
So, if the program has started, the person who plans to use it should specify the following data. In this case, it is advisable not to cheat and indicate the most reliable information:
- The first step is authorization. Since you have already, when you downloaded the application and completed the first settings, you will cope with this task.
- The second step is to enter your name.
- Further customization requires specifying the gender of the bracelet owner, since men and women have different heart rates, and other processes in the body take place in different ways.
- Date of birth is also important, because thanks to it, the program finds out the age of the owner of the bracelet, adjusting its indicators to age parameters.
- The fifth step is to indicate growth. This is important for counting steps and distance traveled.
- And of course, the true weight should be indicated. It is in your best interest, otherwise there will be no point in using the tracker.
- Be sure to include your daily purpose for using the gadget. For example, the exact number of steps to be taken throughout the day. If the desired number of steps has already been taken, the wearer will feel the vibration.
- After entering personal information, from the list of proposed devices, click on "Bracelet".
It works as follows - the program calculates the distance traveled and calories burned, taking into account the approximate stride width. And if the goal is achieved, then the gadget vibrates.
If the settings were made successfully, then with Bluetooth assistance the smartphone will update the firmware of Mi Band 2. After that, the tracker display will begin to display system time, steps will be counted and other parameters will be monitored.
Features of the Xiaomi Mi Fit program
The application is a very important part of the successful operation of the bracelet, therefore, you need to study its interface well. For example, when to click on main screen, then three tabs will appear:
- Activity;
- Notifications;
- Profile.
Each of these tabs has several functional sections. For example, click on "Activity" and you will see subsections: "Sleep", "Statistics", "Weight" etc.
There is also a tab with notifications, where you can synchronize incoming messages on the bracelet. So, when a notification arrives on the smartphone, the bracelet will show it.
But the menu with a profile allows you to view personal information that was entered at the time of setting up the program. Also, with the help of this program, the removed bracelet is easy to find, as it starts to flash and feed sound signals, which greatly helps in the search.
Although it should be borne in mind that the instruction in Russian to Mi Fit is rare (unless you specifically looked for one). There are many more options on the web for English language... So if you don't know him, stock up on a dictionary.
The fitness tracker Xiaomi Mi Band 2 has become very popular in the world, as it received an OLED display with data display and did not lose autonomy compared to the previous Mi Band 1S Pulse. In this article, we offer 12 setup tips and everything you need to know about the Mi Band 2.
How to turn Mi Band 2 on or off
The first question that arises immediately after unpacking the tracker is how to enable it? The answer is very simple: Mi Band 2 just needs to be charged from the bundled charger via USB port and it activates itself. On its body there are no on / off switches, as well as a Bluetooth power key. If the bracelet is charged, it means that it is turned on and it automatically has Bluetooth.
The story is exactly the same with turning off the Mi Band 2 fitness bracelet: while it has a charge, it will not be possible to turn it off. I hope we figured it out: while the tracker is charged, it is turned on and ready to use. As soon as its charge runs out, it automatically turns off. The full charging time is approximately 1.5 hours.
Mi Band 2 app for Android and iOS
This tip will be useful for those who first purchased Mi Band 2. Experienced users who already know that there is a Mi Band from the very first generation. branded application MiFit for smartphones based on Android and iOS, which allows you to accumulate statistics and watch more detailed dynamics of your progress on the phone screen.
Now in the AppStore and Google play there are several programs for Mi Band 2, which application is better is everyone's personal business. Personally, I liked the standard native MiFi from Xiaomi developers better.
Download app for Mi Band 2:
To connect the bracelet to the application, you just need to activate Bluetooth on your smartphone and go to MiFit. In the application, among the list of available gadgets, select Mi Band and wait while the tracker syncs with MiFit. The pairing process is the same for Android and iPhone.
What if the phone does not see Mi Band 2? First and foremost: make sure that your smartphone has Blutooth version 4.0 and higher, the tracker will not work with Bluetooth 3.0. Second: download the official MiFit software and the AppStore or Google Play and repeat the process. Third: reset the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone and try to connect to the bracelet again.
Display setting
Mi Band 2 has a small OLED screen that can display a lot useful information so as not to constantly sync the tracker with your smartphone. To configure what exactly will be displayed on the screen, you need to go to the MiFit application> Profile> Mi Band 2> Display Settings (Mi Band Display Settings) and in this menu select what you want your bracelet to show on your wrist ... Among the available display functions of the Mi Band 2 are the following:
- exact time (and date)
- perfect steps
- distance traveled
- calories burned
- current pulse
- battery charge
Many users ask us how to set the time on Mi Band 2. The answer to this question is simple: the bracelet is synchronized with the MiFit application on your smartphone and sets exactly the same time as on the phone. Thus, you just need to have the correct time on your smartphone, and the bracelet will pick it up by itself.
Xiaomi has several revisions of the Mi Band 2 with different display calibration: in the first batches, the display shines in green, and in the rest in blue (turquoise). So do not be alarmed if your bracelets and your friend have different colors of what is happening on the screen. Also, some Mi Band 2 may have brighter displays, while others may be dim.
Alas, you cannot increase the brightness of the Mi Band 2 screen. Nothing can be done about this, it all depends on the party. P.S. If possible, buy old versions with a bright green display in beige cardboard boxes, rather than new models in white boxes.
We increase the working time
The second generation of bracelets lasts a long time, compared to competitors - about 20 days. But you can further increase the autonomy of the tracker by disabling some functions. First, turn off the permanent sync via Bluetooth, the bracelet can be synced every few days, not all the time.
Secondly, turn off the Heart Rate Sleep Assistant function in the settings, it is designed to more accurately measure the quality of sleep by activating the heart rate sensor, but this leads to a rapid discharge of the bracelet's battery. Disconnect it and get a plus 3-5 days to autonomy.
Setting up long sitting notifications
Another cool feature of the bracelet is the ability to activate a reminder that it's time for you to get up and walk. This is especially true for people with a sedentary lifestyle. The function is turned on in the central tab - a red icon with a sofa (Idle alert). Here you can select the exact time when the function will be active and when it will not disturb you, for example, during sleep. The notification comes in the form of a vibration and an icon on the screen.
How to change the quality of sleep
In addition to steps, Mi Band 2 also analyzes the quality of your sleep. You do not need to set up sleep, the function works automatically out of the box. Statistics are displayed in the very first tab (Status) and show what time you fell asleep yesterday, how many were in deep sleep and light sleep, as well as the exact time of awakening.
Activate and switch the display with a gesture
Usually, to turn on the screen of Mi Band 2, just press the touch key, but there is another way. Activated in the settings Profile> Mi Band> Raise your hand to display data. Now, when you gesture to "see the time", the Mi Band 2 display will light up and show the time.
You can also flip through desktops on the bracelet screen by rotating your wrist, this is configured in the same place as the first function. This is useful, for example, when you are wearing seals and cannot turn on the screen with a touch button.
Date and time display
Initially, the tracker only showed the time. But the developers heard their users and added the date display on Mi Band 2. To activate this function, go to MiFit> Profile> Time format and select the right item time + date from the menu. Now, on the main screen of the bracelet, not only the time will be shown, but also today's date. Really useful feature.
Reward for a completed plan
If you have fulfilled today's plan for the distance traveled (steps), reward yourself with congratulations from Mi Band 2 on your goal. To do this, go to the central tab MiFit> More and activate Goal Notifications. Now, when you go through your steps, the tracker will notify you with a vibration and a congratulatory icon on the screen.
How to set up smart unlock Mi Band 2
This Bluetooth verification feature has been around since the very first generation of fitness bracelets. To enable smart unlocking of your smartphone, go to the central tab and select Screen Unlock. Now, when your hand with the bracelet approaches the phone, it will identify you and unlock the display without a pin code / pattern / scanner.
Another secret of Mi Band 2 is the ability to determine the distance to the phone at which the smart unlock function will work. To do this, go to the settings of the fitness bracelet, then to the "Unlock with a bracelet" tab and 10 times tap on the smartphone image in your hand in the center of the screen. Will open hidden menu, in which you can select the distance to the phone: less than a meter, about 1 meter and 3 meters. Cool, isn't it? Did you know about this possibility?
Motivation to do sports
If you did a good workout today, you can cheer yourself up at the end of the day by going to the first MiFit menu and clicking on the shortcut in the upper right corner. The window that opens will show how many percent of the people in the world you have overtaken in activity today, it really motivates.
Running in the right heart rate zone
If you want to lose weight, then of course not. better way(other than diet) do it than by running. Being active in the needed heart rate zone helps burn calories and Mi Band 2 can help you with this.
To do this, go to the "Running" tab and select running in an open area or on a treadmill. Immediately in the settings, you can set the permissible heart rate level after which the bracelet will notify you with vibration. You can also adjust your running rhythm, the tracker will notify you if you slow down.
Change the strap of the Mi Band 2 to a colored one
The Mi Band 2 comes with a graphite black strap out of the box. In addition to it, Xiaomi also produces green, blue and orange straps, you can choose your own one to suit your style or mood. The cost of such an accessory in China is $ 3-5.
We hope our selection of tips for using the Mi Band 2 was useful to you, if you have any life hacks of your own, how do you use the tracker - tell us in the comments!
Today mobile technologies entered the life of almost every person and occupy a leading position in it, if we talk about the frequency of use of certain devices. A modern smartphone has not been positioned as a toy for a long time, since its functionality has turned the device into a full-fledged working complex. The developers realized in time what they could make money on, and therefore began to create various accessories (bracelets, watches) and gadgets that expand the functionality of already smart mobile phones. Below is a detailed instruction for Xiaomi Mi Band 2 with all the nuances of using the bracelet and the Mi Fit application, due to which the device connects and synchronizes with the smartphone.
In fact, further instructions are presented for Xiaomi Mi Band in Russian, but it is naturally worth starting with the very unpacking of the product. If you bought the original bracelet and the appearance of the packaging, then you need to start by charging the device in order to finally confirm its authenticity and prepare it for the first use.
The package must contain the following items:
- the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 bracelet itself, which is divided into a strap and a tracker inserted into it;
- USB charging cable.
Charger and Tracker Terms of Use
For Mi Band, setting up is an important step, but you still need to learn how to properly charge the bracelet. After unpacking the brand new Band, you need to pull the tracker out of the strap, and then insert it into the charger with the contacts inside (as deep as possible, but without effort). The charger must then be plugged into a free USB port on your computer (recommended) or a USB adapter to a standard power outlet. The bracelet charging time does not exceed two hours.
The battery level of the tracker is indicated by three LEDs that flash during charging and glow evenly when the device is fully charged. The typical time for the first charge cycle is about 2 hours. All subsequent charges will take much less time. The tracker must be fully charged, and non-standard charging methods should also be avoided, since improper supply of current will cause the device to burn out.
Installing Mi Fit and registering an account
The next step after unpacking the bracelet is to connect it to a smartphone, but it cannot be done without and.
More detailed instructions can be obtained in the already written article devoted to this issue, but in an abbreviated form, the algorithm for the actions of the owner of the Mi Band bracelet is quite simple:
- The Mi Fit app is installed from the Play Market or App Store.
- Registration of Mi account is carried out through the browser via the link or through the application itself.
After registration, the Mi Band 2 can be configured, but for this you have to make the initial settings in the Mi Fit application, due to which the bracelet is tied to the smartphone and the data is constantly synchronized.
Mi Fit Initial Settings
Now you need to configure the application itself for correct work with him:
- Naturally, at first, authorization is performed with an existing or only registered username and password.
- Then it is necessary for the user to enter his personal data into the application: name (nickname), gender, date of birth, height, weight, the minimum number of steps that are planned to be overcome daily.
- Immediately after entering the specified data, the bracelet binding menu will open, where you will need to select the connected device.
- After successful synchronization, Mi Fit will offer to update the bracelet firmware to current version... During this process, you do not need to disconnect the phone or remove the Mi Band from it. Immediately after the firmware, the application interface will open, which you can start using.
Using Mi Fit and Mi Band
After successfully connecting Mi Band, you can start studying the application interface, which became available to us. The home screen has three tabs: Activity, Notifications, and Profile.
Activity Tab
From the screen of this tab, you can go to several functional sections: "Statistics", "Sleep", "Weight", "Achievement bar", etc.
In the English version, this tab is called "Status". From this section, you can go to the statics of various actions by clicking on the circle with steps or other sections in the event bar.
"Statistics"
This section can be accessed by clicking on the circle with the number of steps, which is located on the "Activity" tab.
Features of working with this section:
- Swipe to the left will open the statistics section for the past days;
- Clicking on the "Statistics" button will open a general summary that can be sorted by days, weeks and months.
"Dream"
Going to the "Sleep" section, the user can get the following information:
- Statistics of the sleep session for the previous night, indicating the duration of all phases and moments of awakening;
- Swipe to the right will allow you to view statistics for earlier sleep sessions;
- If you click the "Statistics" button in the "Sleep" section, you can group the data by days, weeks, months, etc.
"The weight"
Getting into this section, the user observes the following functional elements:
- Graph of changes in weight indicators;
- Above the chart is a list of users, which can be adjusted directly from this section (just click on the desired name to go);
- A specific weight indicator is memorized by pressing a special button "Weight record";
- You can always control the indicators of body mass index, its weight, dynamics, and also evaluate the physique.
"Achievement streak"
This section is a good incentive for Mi Band 2 owners, as it displays all the goals that they managed to achieve when using the bracelet.
The main indicators are the following:
"Run"
When starting the "Running" section, the user must activate GPS navigation in advance for the device to find active satellites. As soon as Mi Fit displays the optimal number of satellites (lights up green), you can press start and go a distance. During the run, basic information about the runner's state will be displayed, and if you switch to the "Map" view, you can follow the trajectory of the movement. You can stop reading information, for example, when going to a step, by holding down the "Pause" button.
Notifications tab and how it works
On this tab, you can configure the configuration of triggering notifications for the main events, as well as configure the function of their duplication on the bracelet.
The list of monitored notifications includes:
- Challenges. The bracelet will respond to each call after a certain period of time. Also, the included blocking function will get rid of calls from unknown numbers.
- Alarm. After setting, the bracelet will wake up the owner even when the phone is discharged, or it will duplicate the signal of the phone itself, which may not be enough to wake the owner out of sleep.
- Messages. Works by analogy with a call.
- Applications. Customization is done for each app installed on your phone, and message-based notifications work.
Screen Unlock function
By entering this settings menu, the user can:
- Set up the screen unlocking process in such a way that you only have to hold the bracelet on the phone and not make unnecessary movements on the screen or fingerprint sensor;
- Configure visibility settings for Mi Band for other devices.
Profile tab
The last tab, in fact, does not require explanation, because it is already clear that the profile contains all the information about the user of the bracelet and the configuration of this device.
Still, it should be said that in this menu you can:
- View personal information entered at the stage of setting up and connecting the bracelet to a smartphone;
- Examine the list of devices connected to the smartphone and their configuration. In the case of the Mi Band, we are talking about the ability to search for the bracelet using the phone (makes it sound and blink), change the colors of the LEDs, determine the location of the device, activate / block notifications;
- You can also view the data on the firmware of the bracelet and untie it from a specific phone;
- Even below are the settings for the bracelet owner's goals, notifications about the collected statistics, and other settings and services.
Other features of the bracelet
The list of useful features of the Mi Band does not end there.
It is worth highlighting the following features:
- Visual control of the achieved goals for the first version of the bracelet. Everything is quite simple: the three indicators that were described above are used in the working condition of the bracelet (not on charging) to measure the level of achievement of goals. To activate this function, you need to make a certain gesture, raise your hand and turn the bracelet towards you, as if looking at a watch.
- Search for a bracelet. We have already talked about this function above, but it is still worth giving specific instructions on how to use it. After going along the path "Profile - Devices - Mi Band", click the corresponding search button.
- Friends service. Your friends and family members who own similar bracelets can become members of the same Mi Band network. Everyone will be able to follow each other's achievements, as well as send welcome notifications to someone else's bracelet.
Operational features of the bracelet
What you should know about features that are not included in the description, but play an important role:
- The device is "waterproof", but that doesn't mean you can swim in it. The bracelet can be left in the shower, in the rain or when washing dishes. The device will most likely withstand a short-term dive to a depth of 1 meter, but it is better not to risk it. Be especially wary of salt water in resorts.
- Automatic restoration of contact with a smartphone. Rare cases of desync may be caused by interference from other devices using this technology. wireless connection Bluetooth. When disconnected, the tracker continues to try to restore the connection on its own until the next synchronization.
- Long life without recharging. The average Mi Band 2 user can do without recharging the bracelet for about a month. This time decreases if the device is constantly synchronizing with the smartphone.
- Convenient attachment of the case to the strap. There is only a slight risk that the tracker will be squeezed out of the compartment on the elastic and resilient strap. However, this situation is possible only with excessive mechanical pressure on the device.
- The real usefulness of the bracelet for the body. Naturally, the device will not remind the owner how much to walk / run, sleep, eat, etc. It's just aid that simplifies the process of achieving optimal body and mind condition.
- It is worth mentioning the translation curve, as a result of which you can see the parameter "temperature", in fact, this is how the burned calories were translated.
Alternative bracelet models
As an alternative version for the considered Mi Band 2, we have written a user manual for Mi Band 1s with an indication of the main differences of this device.
What you need to know about this bracelet:
- He still connects to the phone via wireless technology Bluetooth.
- When using for the first time, it asks to charge it, and in the future it requires this procedure after about a month of operation.
- For correct operation, you will need to enter your data into Mi Fit, and then using detailed manual presented above, make the connection and configuration.
There are not so many differences with the newer (second) version. When considering the Mi Band 1s Pulse, the instructions for it make it clear that this model with the Pulse attachment is aimed specifically at measuring the heart rate of the owner.
Naturally, Mi Band 2 also knows how to do this, but in this modification, the pulse is analyzed from different angles:
- measurements are made by means of a photoplethysmogram;
- data is displayed in 15 seconds;
- the bracelet works in active (with manual activation) and passive (daily) mode (2 times per minute).
The disadvantage is that the Xiaomi Mi Band 1s Pulse fitness bracelet will not measure the heart rate when the charge drops below 10%.
Outcome
From the foregoing, it is important to understand only that in order to achieve optimal physical condition and a high level of health, it is not enough to buy a bracelet, enter your parameters and correct setting... Regular sports, walking and a consistently active lifestyle are what remains with the owner of the bracelet.
Before customizing your Xiaomi Mi Band 2, you need to link it to your Mi account via the Mi Fit app. We have detailed articles on how to do this:
If your bracelet is already tied, let's start setting up. In principle, this is not necessary, but this is the only way you can use all the functions of your Mi Band 2.
So, open the Mi Fit app. We are interested in the three buttons below: Status, Notifications and Profile:
Let's consider each of them in more detail.
Status- opens the start screen, on it you can see your activity for the current day, it is possible to view data for previous days (as well as weeks and months) - steps, heart rate and sleep information.
Notifications- opens the notification settings. Here you can set up alarms, notifications about incoming calls, messages from instant messengers and other programs, as well as notifications about inactivity (the bracelet will inform you if you have not moved for an hour):
Also, here you can link Mi Account to the standard Google Fit application);
Profile- here you can see general statistics on your activity, change the daily goal and settings of the linked device:
Also, here you can add friends and view their activity.
The most necessary section in the "Profile" - "Devices", select your device and you will be taken to the settings of your Mi Band. Here's what's in there:
- Search for Mi Band - when the function is activated, the bracelet will vibrate several times, it can be useful when searching for a lost Mi Band at home;
- Mounting location - you can wear your Mi Band 2 on any hand, but for accurate measurements, it is recommended to select one hand and specify it in the settings;
- Displayed information - select the data that the bracelet will scroll through by pressing the touch button;
- Time format - you can select a clock or a clock with a date;
- Raise your wrist to view information - a very convenient function, it automatically turns on the screen when you try to view the time;
- Rotate your wrist to view information - but this, on the contrary, is a dubious function, I recommend using it only if your touch button suddenly stops working, such as;
- Sleep Heart Rate Assistant - Turn it on if the accuracy of your monitored sleep is important to you. Significantly increases battery consumption;
- More about Mi Band 2 - here you will find quick guides on how to use the bracelet;
- Firmware version and MAC address - everything is clear here.
If you need comments, you still have questions - write in the comments, we will be happy to help you!
