Apple Watch with Xiaomi: how to make Apple smart watches work with Xiaomi phone (Redmi, POCO)

The Apple Watch and Xiaomi smartphones are products of two competing ecosystems that are not designed to work together. However, many users are faced with the need to use the Apple Watch with a Xiaomi phone — whether due to a change in the smartphone brand, gifted watches or a desire to save money on the Apple ecosystem. In this article, we will take a detailed look at how much is possible, which features will be available and which are not, and consider workarounds and alternative solutions.

Apple Watch integration with Xiaomi (including Redmi models, POCO, Mi is not officially supported, but that doesn't mean that the watch is a useless accessory. 60-70% They're functional, from notifications to health monitoring, and the key is to understand the limitations and to set the link up properly.

In the material you will find:

• 🔹 Official restrictions and why Apple is blocking Android;
• 🔹 Step-by-step instructions for connecting through bypass methods;
• 🔹 Comparative table of available and inaccessible functions;
• 🔹 Alternative solutions for Xiaomi owners who want smart watches;
• 🔹 Answers to Frequent Questions on Compatibility and Security.

Why Apple Watch doesn’t work with Xiaomi?

The main reason is Apple's closed ecosystem, which develops the Apple Watch exclusively for the iPhone, using proprietary communication protocols and restricting access to the iPhone. API These are the key technical barriers:

• 📱 No Apple Watch for Android App, Official Watch Customization Software Only Available in App Store;

But these limitations are not absolute, and the enthusiastic community has found ways to get around some of the locks, even if they're not functionally functional, for example, a watch can be used as a stand-alone device. SIM-card (Cellular models), but without being tied to Xiaomi, you will lose notifications and data synchronization.

⚠️ Warning: Any methods to circumvent official restrictions can lead to the loss of warranty on the Apple Watch, as well as unstable operation of the device.

What Apple Watch features will work with Xiaomi?

Even without full integration, the Apple Watch retains some of the features, and here's a table that divides the features into three categories: full, partial, and non-functional.

As you can see from the table, basic health and fitness features remain available, but the whole smart part of notifications, apps and sync is lost. For owners of the Apple Watch Series 3 and the newer Cellular module, the situation is better — you can insert it. SIM-card and use the watch autonomously (calls, SMS, mobile).

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Without binding to the iPhone Apple Watch lose up to 40% of the functionality, but retain the capabilities of a fitness tracker and a standalone gadget (for models with a mobile phone). SIM-card).

Step-by-step: how to connect the Apple Watch to Xiaomi

If you're ready to experiment, follow this instruction.The method is suitable for all Apple Watch models (SE, Series 3–9, Ultra and Xiaomi smartphones based on Android 8.0+.

Reset the Apple Watch to factory settings (Settings) → Mainstream → Reset)

Make sure that Xiaomi has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled

Download Aerlink: Wear Connect for iOS from Google Play

Prepare a backup of your data from the clock (if it was tied to your iPhone)-->

Step 1: Resetting the Apple Watch

If the watch was previously tied to the iPhone, you need to untie it:

1. On the clock, go to Settings. → Mainstream → Reset;
2. Select to erase all content and settings;
3. Confirm the action (Apple password will be required) ID, If you have found my find).

Step 2: Install Aerlink on Xiaomi

Aerlink app (formerly Wear) OS Connect) emulates the iPhone to connect the Apple Watch:

1. Download Aerlink from Google Play;
2. Open the application and allow all permissions (access to notifications, contacts, SMS);
3. Enable the Developer Mode on the Watch: Settings → Mainstream → Assembly number (shackle 7 times).

Step 3: Connecting via Bluetooth

Now connect the devices:

1. On Xiaomi, start Aerlink and select Connect a new watch.
2. On the Apple Watch, turn on Bluetooth (Settings) → Bluetooth);
3. Wait for the watch to appear in the list of available devices in Aerlink and confirm the pairing.

After successful connection, you will be able to:

• 📳 See notifications of calls and SMS (restrictively);
• 🏃‍♂️ Track activity (steps, pulse, exercise);
• 🎵 Manage music on your phone (via Spotify or YouTube Music).

⚠️ Note: Aerlink may cause delays in notifications (up to 5-10 minutes) and does not support responses to messages. For stable operation, disable battery optimization for the application in Xiaomi settings (Settings) → Annexes → Aerlink → Battery → No restrictions).

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If notifications don’t come, try restarting the Bluetooth service on Xiaomi: go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth, turn it off and turn it on again.

Recovery: How to Recover Lost Functions

Even with Aerlink, some of the features of the Apple Watch remain unavailable, so let's look at how to restore the most popular features.

1. Notifications from messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

By default, Aerlink only transmits SMS And calls. To get notifications from apps:

1. Install the Notify & Fitness for Mi Band app on Xiaomi
2. In the application settings, select the Apple Watch as your device.
3. Activate the forwarding of notifications for the desired messengers.

The disadvantage of the method: notifications will be duplicated (come to the phone and the clock), and responses to messages are impossible.

2. Synchronization of health data

To export data from the Apple Watch to Google Fit or Mi Fitness:

• 📲 Use the Health Sync app (available on Google Play);
• 🔄 Set up automatic data export from Apple Health (if the watch was previously tied to the iPhone) or manually enter metrics;
• 📊 To visualize data, install Google Fit or Samsung Health.

3. Music and podcasts

Without Apple Music, there are two options:

• 🎧 Offline Playback: Download tracks to the clock via iTunes (temporary iPhone access required);
• 📱 Phone control: Use Spotify or YouTube Music on Xiaomi and control playback from the clock through the widget.

Alternatives to Apple Watch for Xiaomi owners

If fighting the restrictions seems too difficult, consider the smartwatch that officially supports Android:

Advantages of alternatives:

• 🔄 Full sync with Xiaomi (notifications, calls, apps);
• 📊 Integration with Mi Fitness and other fitness services;
• 💰 Lower price (2-3 times cheaper than Apple Watch);
• 🔋 Longer autonomy (up to 14 days vs. 1-2 for Apple).

If you are interested in the Apple ecosystem, but Xiaomi smartphone is the only option, consider buying a used iPhone (for example, iPhone). SE 2022 or iPhone 11) for watches, cheaper than the constant fight against restrictions.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When using the Apple Watch with Xiaomi, users encounter common mistakes.

1.The watch does not connect to the phone

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Bluetooth is not stable: Reboot both devices and re-pair;
• 📱 Old Android Version: Update Xiaomi to the latest firmware (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system);
• 🔒 Lockdown MIUI: Add Aerlink to battery optimization exceptions (Settings) → Annexes → Aerlink → Battery → No restrictions).

2. no notifications are coming.

Check it out.

• 🔔 Are Aerlink notifications enabled in Xiaomi settings (Settings) → Notifications → Aerlink);
• 📵 Does not block them from the "Do not disturb" mode on the clock;
• 🔄 Restart Bluetooth service on your phone.

3.The clock is discharged quickly

When used with Android, Apple Watch can run out in 6-8 hours.

• ⚡ Turn off background app updates on the clock;
• 🔋 Enable the Power Saving Mode (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime);
• 📴 Reduce the brightness of the screen and turn off "Lift for activation".

⚠️ Note: If after connecting to Xiaomi Apple Watch stopped charging or turned off when disconnected from charging, this may indicate a hardware malfunction. Don’t try to repair yourself – contact the service center (but note that Apple’s warranty does not apply to such cases).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions