Why Xiaomi Owners Have a Difficult Time to Connect the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini and How to Do It Right
The Amazfit GTS 2 Mini smartwatch from Huami (a subsidiary of Xiaomi) has become a popular choice thanks to a combination of stylish design, long autonomy and rich functionality at an affordable price. However, many users of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones face unexpected difficulties when connecting the device first. Problems range from the inability to detect the watch via Bluetooth to synchronization errors in the Zepp proprietary app (formerly Mi Fit).
The fact that the Xiaomi ecosystem has its own characteristics: aggressive battery optimization in the MIUI firmware, conflicts with duplicate services (for example, if the phone already has the Mi Band application for another gadget), as well as regional restrictions in some versions of the software. In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step connection algorithm, which works even in difficult cases, and also consider typical errors and their solutions - from resetting clock settings to manually configuring permissions for the Zepp application.
Itβs important to understand that the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini, despite being an Amazfit brand, uses the same platform as the Mi Band devices but with advanced features.This means that some settings (such as notifications or sleep monitoring) may require additional configuration on Xiaomi smartphones. If youβve previously used the Mi Band 5/6 fitness bracelet, the connection process will be familiar, but with nuances.
Preparing Xiaomi smartphone before connecting the clock
Before you start syncing, you need to configure the smartphone itself correctly. MIUI firmware is known for its aggressive control of background processes, which often interferes with the stable operation of Bluetooth devices.
- π± Update. MIUI Check for updates to the latest version in Settings β The phone. β System updates. Old versions. MIUI (12.5) may not work properly with Amazfit GTS 2 Mini.
- π Remove conflicting apps. If you have Mi Fit, Xiaomi Wear or other wearable apps on your phone, remove them. They can block your connection to Zepp.
- π Turn off battery optimization for the Zepp app. Go to Settings β Annexes β Application management β Zepp β Battery β No restrictions.
- π‘ Turn on Developer Mode (optional) to help debug the connection. To activate, press 7 times on Version MIUI in the section About the telephone.
Pay special attention to the permissions for the Zepp app. On Xiaomi smartphones, many resolutions are disabled by default to save energy. Go to Settings β Apps β Zepp β Permissions and turn on:
- π Geodata (for accurate tracking of activity).
- π Phone (for call notifications).
- π¬ SMS (if you want to receive notifications of messages).
- π Microphone (for voice reminders).
π‘
If the clock is permanently off after connecting, try Settings β Connections β Bluetooth to disable the option βAutomatic Bluetooth Shutdown for Energy Savingβ.
Step-by-step: how to connect the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini to Xiaomi
Now, let's move directly to the synchronization process, follow the instructions in strict order to avoid errors. If there are problems at some point, the solutions to typical errors are outlined in the next section.
- Install Zepp App Download the latest version of Zepp from Google Play or App Store. Don't use APK from third-party sources - this can lead to synchronization issues. Why can't you install Zepp from third-party sources?Apps from unofficial stores may contain modified code that conflicts with the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini communication protocol. This often leads to a "Device Not Supported" error or permanent connection breaks.
- Sign up for an account or sign in Open Zepp and create a new account (if not) or sign in via Xiaomi, Google or Apple ID. Using a Xiaomi account will make it easier to sync with other devices in the ecosystem.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone Activate Bluetooth in the notification panel or via Settings β Connections β Bluetooth. Make sure Visibility mode is on.
- Add a new device In the Zepp app, click on the profile icon (lower right) β Add device β select the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini from the list. If the model is not listed, click on Another device and select it manually.
- Synchronize the clock on the screen will appear QR-Scan it through the Zepp app (allow access to the camera). QR-code does not appear, press and hold the button on the clock for 10 seconds until the reset menu appears β select Reset and try again.
- Confirm the connection after scanning QR-You'll see a confirmation request on your phone and your watch. Click Confirm on both devices. It can take up to 2 minutes to sync.
Last update installed MIUI|Removed conflicting applications (Mi Fit, Xiaomi Wear)|All permissions for Zepp are included|Bluetooth activated and visible for other devices|The clock is at least 50 times charged%-->
If the connection is successful, the main menu will appear on the watch screen, and the Zepp app will display the status "Connected", and you can now start setting up notifications and additional features.
Solving Common Mistakes When Connecting to Xiaomi
Even with the correct instructions, Xiaomi users often encounter errors, and here is a list of the most common problems and ways to fix them, tested on the firmware MIUI 12.5-14.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "Can't find the device." | Bluetooth is disabled or blocked by MIUI optimization | 1. Reboot the phone. 2. Enable Flight Mode for 30 seconds, then turn it off. 3. In Settings β Apps β Zepp β Additionally enable AutoRun and Background Activity. |
| "Device not supported" | Installed an outdated version of Zepp or conflict with Mi Fit | 1. Remove Zepp and Mi Fit. 2. Install Zepp again from the official store. 3. Reset the clock to factory settings (hold the 15 sec button). |
| The clock is switched on, but immediately switched off. | MIUI blocks background Bluetooth connection | 1. In Settings β Battery β Battery Optimization, select All Apps and turn off optimization for Zepp. 2. In Settings β Connections β Bluetooth, turn off Automatic Shutdown. |
| QR-code doesn't appear on the clock | The watch is discharged or frozen | 1. Charge the watch to at least 30%. 2. Press and hold the 10 sec button for forced reboot. 3. If it doesn't help, reset the settings (hold the 15 sec button). |
If none of these methods worked, try an alternative method of connecting:
- Install Mi Fit (even if you have Amazfit).
- Sign up and try to connect the watch through this app.
- If the connection is over, delete Mi Fit and install Zepp β the watch should automatically transfer to the new app.
Set up notifications and branded features for Xiaomi
Once successfully connected, you need to configure notifications and special features to make the watch work as efficiently as possible with the Xiaomi smartphone. By default, many options are disabled due to MIUI limitations.
1. Notifications of calls and messages
To make the clock vibrate when incoming calls and SMS:
- In the Zepp app, go to Profile β Amazfit GTS 2 Mini β Notifications.
- Turn on the Call Notification switch.
- For SMS and messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), click Notification Management and select the desired applications.
- On your smartphone, go to Settings β Notifications β Zepp and turn on Show notifications.
2. Monitoring of sleep and pulse
For accurate sleep and heart rate tracking:
- π In Zepp, activate Sleep Monitoring (Health section).
- β€οΈ Turn on Continuous Heart rate Monitoring (Heart section).
- π B Settings β Annexes β Zepp β Permits to include physical activity.
3. Branded features for Xiaomi
The Amazfit GTS 2 Mini supports several unique features when connecting to Xiaomi smartphones:
- π Phone unlock: In Zepp, enable Device unlock (required) MIUI 12.5+).
- π· Camera Control: Select Camera from the watch menu β Click to take a picture on your smartphone.
- π΅ Music control: During music playback on the phone on the clock will appear player.
π‘
For stable notifications on Xiaomi, you need to disable battery optimization for Zepp applications and System Notifications (in the MIUI settings).
How to Update the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini Firmware Through Xiaomi
Regular firmware updates fix bugs and add new features. On Xiaomi smartphones, the update process can be blocked due to MIUI limitations. Here's how to update correctly:
- Check the current version in the Zepp app, go to Profile β Amazfit GTS 2 Mini β About the device. The current firmware version is listed in the Software version bar.
- Start checking for updates In the same section, click Software Update. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen.
- Solving Update Problems If Update is Not Installed: π Connect the watch to charge (the battery must be charged at least 50 times%). πΆ Connect your phone to Wi-Fi (update doesnβt work over mobile internet). π Reboot both the watch and the smartphone. π« Temporarily shut down. VPN Proxies (they can block update servers).
If the update is stuck in the Prepare for Update phase, donβt turn off the charging clock or interrupt the process.
What if the clock stopped working after the update?
Reset the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini settings if you canβt connect
If all attempts to connect the watch to Xiaomi have failed, the last option is a complete reset, which will return the device to a factory state and eliminate software conflicts.
Warning: Reset will delete all data from the clock (steps, sleep history, settings).
β οΈ Note: Do not reset if the watch is less than 20% discharged.This can lead to permanent damage to the firmware.
Resetting methods:
- Through the watch menu On the watch screen, swipe down β Settings β System β Reset β Confirm the choice.
- With a button (if the watch is frozen) Place the watch on charge β hold the physical button for 15 seconds until the Amazfit logo appears.
- Through the Zepp app, go to Profile β Amazfit GTS 2 Mini β Untie the device.
After reset, repeat the connection process from the beginning. If the problem persists, contact Amazfit for support - the Bluetooth module of the watch may be faulty.