Owning modern wearables opens up new horizons of health and notification control, but the first step always raises questions: Synchronizing a smartwatch with the Xiaomi ecosystem is a process that requires attention to detail, especially given the variety of Redmi models and versions of the MIUI operating system. Incorrect setup at the initial stage can lead to permanent connection breaks or the absence of important notifications on the wrist.
Modern smartphones in the Redmi Note and Redmi series are powered by the MIUI shell, which has an aggressive power saving system, which means that standard Bluetooth pairing is often not enough to keep the device running smoothly, and you'll need to not only connect the device, but also configure the application permissions correctly so that the system doesn't "kill" the background synchronization process.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the whole way from unpacking your watch to fully integrating with your smartphone, and we’ll look at the official Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit) and Mi Fitness apps, and we’ll also focus on the hidden system settings that are critical for Xiaomi owners.
Preparation for pairing: compatibility check and charge
Before you try to connect devices, you need to make sure that both gadgets are ready for operation. Most problems arise from the fact that the clock is discharged to zero or the wireless module is turned off on the phone. Charge the smartwatch to a level of at least 50-60%, since the process of initial setting up and updating the firmware consumes a significant amount of energy.
Make sure your Redmi smartphone meets minimum system requirements. Modern apps require Android version 6.0 and higher to work properly, although newer watch models are better off using Android 10+. Also check if Bluetooth and geolocation (GPS) are enabled, as without location permission, the app won't be able to find the device.
☑️ Readiness for synchronization
Special attention should be paid to the version of the app you plan to use.Older versions of the Mi Fit may not see new watch models released in 2023-2026.Download the software exclusively from the official Google Play store or GetApps to avoid installing modified versions with malicious code.
Choosing the right app: Zepp Life or Mi Fitness
One of the most confusing things for Xiaomi users is choosing a watch management app. The company's ecosystem has evolved and the Mi Band brand has gradually transformed into the Xiaomi Smart Band, which has led to a software change. Understanding which app your model needs will save you a lot of time and nerves.
Zepp Life (formerly known as Mi Fit) is a classic solution for most activity trackers released before 2021, with stability and a familiar interface, but new features are often embedded in new software. If you have an older model, such as the Mi Band 4 or 5, this application will be the best choice.
For the latest devices, such as the Mi Band 6, 7, 8 and Xiaomi Watch series, the developers recommend using the Mi Fitness app (also known as Xiaomi Wear in some regions), which has a more modern design and advanced analytics capabilities, but requires a higher level of resolutions in the MIUI system.
- 📱 Zepp Life: Perfect for Mi Band 3, 4, 5 and some Huami watches.
- ⌚ Mi Fitness: Required for Mi Band 6, 7, 8, 9 and all Xiaomi Watch watches.
- 🔄 Migration: When you switch to a new application, you can transfer data by linking your Mi Account.
Can I use both apps at the same time?
Step-by-step: the synchronization process
The connection process itself looks simple, but there are nuances to the MIUI environment: Don't try to search for a device through the standard Bluetooth menu in the phone's settings, which is a common mistake. The pairing must be initiated strictly from within the app, otherwise the watch may become a non-audio device, but will not transmit health data.
Launch the app you select and log in to your account. Click Add Device (usually a plus in the corner or a separate tab) The app will request permission to use Bluetooth and geolocation — you'll agree. Scan the space will begin.
When you see your watch or model name on your smartphone screen, click on it. The watch will ask you to pair with the confirmation code. Check the numbers and click the confirmation button on the watch. The process of establishing a secure connection can take anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds.
⚠️ Warning: If a code appears on the watch while pairing, and the phone does not pop up, do not confirm the action on the watch. Reboot Bluetooth on your phone and try to start the search again. Confirmation without a request from your phone can lead to a mistake (pairing error).
Once the connection is successful, the app will offer to update the watch firmware. Never miss this step when you first set up, as the factory version of the software often contains bugs that interfere with stable communication with specific models of Redmi smartphones.
Configuring permissions in MIUI: a critical stage
Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners face a unique problem: aggressively kills background processes to save battery. If you just plug in the clock, notifications will stop coming 10-15 minutes after the phone screen is turned off. To avoid this, you need to manually configure autostart and access rights.
Go to Settings, search the Apps section and select your watch app (Zepp Life or Mi Fitness). Go to the Permissions menu and make sure all options are allowed, especially “Start”, “Show on top of other apps” and access to “Contacts” and “SMS” (to display notifications).
Next, go to the Battery (or Energy Saving) menu inside the app card. Select No Limits mode. This will prevent MIUI from restricting the application even if the phone's charge is low. Without this step, sync will not work smoothly.
| Setup parameter | Where to find out. | Recommended value | Impact on work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Settings → Applications → Permissions | Included. | The app starts after the phone restarts |
| Working in the background | Settings → Battery | No restrictions. | Prevents communication break when screen locks |
| Notifications | Settings → Notifications | All included | Allows the clock to vibrate when incoming calls |
| Access to contacts | Settings → Applications → Permissions | Permitted. | Displaying the names of callers on the clock |
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Setting up “No Limits” in the Battery section is the most important step for Xiaomi Redmi owners, without which notifications won’t work.
Advanced synchronization: calendar, weather and alarm clocks
After basic settings, it often turns out that the clock doesn't display the weather or alarm if the phone is locked, which is because the data isn't transmitted in the background. To synchronize the weather, go to the app's settings and find "Weather settings" or "Cities." Add your city manually, even if geolocation is enabled, to ensure that you get the data.
Synchronizing alarm clocks works one-way: you have to set them through an app, not a standard phone alarm, only in this case, the clock will wake you up with a vibration, even if the smartphone is turned off or in Do Not Disturb mode. The app has a separate section called “Alarm clock”, where you can adjust up to 10 different timestamps.
To synchronize calendar and events, you need to give the app access to your Google calendar or Mi Account calendar. Under Profile → Settings → Application Notifications, make sure the slider opposite Calendar is activated, allowing you to see upcoming appointments right on your wrist.
- 🌤 Weather: Requires a separate city addition in the app for stable operation.
- ⏰ Alarm clock: Works autonomously on the clock if installed via the app.
- 📅 Calendar: Shows events for the day, requires access to phone calendar data.
⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party launcher or design theme that changes system fonts to non-standard, calendar event names can appear on the clock as squares or characters. Return the standard system font for correct display of Cyrillic.
Solving frequent problems and connection breaks
Even after you set it right, you can have a time when the clock is falling off, and it's often because you've updated your phone system or your app, and if you're not syncing, you should try rebooting both devices first, and that solves 80 percent of the software conflicts of Bluetooth drivers.
If the reboot didn’t work, try “forgetting” the device in your phone’s Bluetooth settings, and then re-pairing through the app. In rare cases, resetting the network settings on your smartphone (Settings → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth) will help, but this will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords.
Notification problems from specific apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) are addressed in the App Notifications section inside Zepp Life or Mi Fitness. Make sure the switch opposite the right messenger is green. Also check if the phone is worth it in Do Not Disturb mode, as the watch mirrors this mode.
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If the watch is permanently out of touch, try turning off the “Bluetooth Low Energy Scan” feature on your phone in the developer settings (if you have access), or simply turn off and turn on Bluetooth.
In case nothing works, do a full factory reset. On a watch, this is usually done via the Settings → System → Factory Reset menu. After the reset, remove the app from your phone, download it again and start setting up as a new device, guaranteed to eliminate cache errors and configuration files.