How to properly set up Xiaomi smart watches on a smartphone: from pairing to fine settings

Xiaomi’s smartwatch is not just an accessory, but a full-fledged assistant for health tracking, managing notifications, and even paying for purchases. However, many users face difficulties already at the first setup stage: the device does not find the phone, notifications do not come, or step data is synchronized with errors. This article will help you understand everything from basic pairing to hidden functions that are not written in the standard instructions.

We will look at the current models of 2023-2026 (Mi Band 8 Pro, Watch 2 Pro, Watch, Watch). S3 We will focus on common mistakes: why the watch is not connected to the iPhone, how to fix the sync failure on Android 14, and what to do if the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life) does not see the device. Hyde is suitable for both beginners and experienced users who want to squeeze the most out of their gadget.

Before you start, make sure your smartphone meets the minimum requirements: Android 6.0+ or iOS 12.0+, Bluetooth 5.0 is also enabled (for models with NFC If you use Xiaomi on your iPhone, some features (such as quick notification responses) will be limited – this is a feature of the Apple ecosystem.

1.Preparation for pairing: what to do before connecting the clock

Before you connect your watch to your phone, follow a few steps that will save you 90% of your connection and sync problems.

First, update the firmware on your watch and smartphone. Outdated software is the main cause of failure. On Xiaomi, check the relevance of the version in Settings → The phone. → System Update. For watches, update the firmware through the Mi Fitness app (Section Profile) → My devices. → Update of the PO).

Second, allow all the necessary permissions for the Mi Fitness app:

• 📱 Access to location (required for accurate jogging tracking)
• 📳 Notifications (to let the clock show incoming calls and messages)
• 🔋 Auto-start (for stable operation of background processes)
• 📶 Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (for data synchronization)

On Android, these settings are in Settings → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Permissions. On iPhone, go to Settings → Confidentiality → Geolocation and Notification services.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi Watch S3 or Watch 2 Pro with iPhone, contactless payment feature via Mi Pay will not be available.This is Apple's restriction for third-party devices.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect Xiaomi watches to the phone

The pairing process differs depending on the watch model and the phone’s operating system, and we’ll break down the universal algorithm that works for most Xiaomi devices (except the Mi Band, which has a separate section below).

Step 1: Installation of the application

• 📲 Download Mi Fitness for iOS or Android.
• 🔓 Sign up or sign in through your Xiaomi account (if not, create in-app).
• 🔄 Update the application to the latest version (in Settings) → About the annex).

Step 2: Activation of the clock

1. Charge the watch to at least 50% (for the first setup).
2. Press and hold the power button (or touch area on the Mi Band) for 10 seconds until it appears. QR-pair.
3. On the phone in the Mi Fitness app tap Add the device → The clock → Your model.

Step 3: Synchronization

• 📱 The phone will be asked to connect via Bluetooth – confirm.
• 🔄 Wait for the synchronization to be completed (may take up to 5 minutes).
• ✅ After successful connection, the clock vibrates, and their status will appear in the application Connected.

If the clock is not connected, try:

1. Reboot both the watch and the phone.
2. Remove the device from the Bluetooth list in the phone settings and repeat pairing.
3. Reset the clock to factory settings (in Clock Settings) → System system → Reset).

⚠️ Attention: On iPhone with iOS 17+ You may need to manually allow Bluetooth access in the Mi Fitness app settings, even if you have already given permission on your first run. → Mi Fitness → Bluetooth and switch on the switch.

3.Setting up notifications: how to receive messages and calls on the clock

By default, Xiaomi watches only show basic notifications (calls, SMS). To configure the display of messages from messengers, social networks and other applications, follow the following steps:

On Android:

1. Open Mi Fitness and go to Profile → My device. → Notifications.
2. Turn on the Message Notification switch.
3. Tap Notification Management and select the apps you want to see notifications from on your watch.
4. WhatsApp, Telegram and other messengers may need to separately allow notifications in Android settings (Settings) → Annexes → [Name of messenger] → Notifications).

On the iPhone:

• 📱 Go to the iPhone Settings → Notifications → Mi Fitness.
• 🔄 Enable Allow Notifications and select the Alert Style (Banners or Lists).
• ⚠️ On iOS, Xiaomi watches can only show incoming calls and SMS — notifications from third-party applications (for example, VK And Instagram, they won't be displayed. That's Apple's restriction.

For models with Android Wear OS (For example, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, the notifications are set up via the Wear app. OS by Google:

1. Install Wear. OS (if he's not).
2. In the app, select your watch and go to Settings. → Notifications.
3. Turn on Show notifications on the watch and select the desired applications.

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If notifications come with a delay, turn off battery optimization for the Mi Fitness app in your Android settings. → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Mi Fitness → Shut down.

4.Tune fitness functions: pedometer, pulse, sleep and workouts

One of the key benefits of Xiaomi's smartwatches is that it tracks activity accurately, but by default, many of the features are disabled or not working properly, and let's figure out how to set the basic parameters.

Stepmer and calories

• 👟 In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile → My device. → Steps.
• 📏 Specify height, weight and step length (the default is the average value, which reduces accuracy).
• 🔄 Turn on Walk/Run Auto Detection if you want the watch to automatically recognize activity.

Monitoring of the heart and sleep

For accurate measurement of heart rate and sleep phases:

1. In Mi Fitness, select a Profile. → My device. → Heart monitoring.
2. Set the measurement interval: 1 minute (for accuracy) or 10 minutes (for battery savings).
3. Enable High Pulse Alerts (threshold is manually adjusted).
4. For sleep, activate Automatic Monitoring and specify the approximate time of going to bed.

Training and sports

Xiaomi Watch supports more than 150 sports, but not all of them are enabled by default.

1. In the app, go to Training. → All sports.
2. Tap Edit and select the disciplines you want to see in the watch menu.
3. For running or cycling, adjust Voice prompts (tempo, distance, pulse) to your workout settings.

⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi Watch S3 Watch 2 Pro shows unrealistically high heart rate (e.g. 200)+ If you're at rest per minute, reset the sensor settings. → Sensors. → Reset the data. Then reset the clock.

Additional functions: NFC, voice-assistant

Modern Xiaomi watches support features that many users do not even know.

NFC and Contactless Payment

Mi Pay is available only on models with NFC (Xiaomi Watch S3, Watch 2 Pro, Mi Band 8 Pro in China version:

1. In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile → My device. → Mi Pay.
2. Attach a bank card (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB and others are supported).
3. Hold the button on the clock. NFC (Or swipe down the screen and select Mi Pay).

Important: To pay the hours must be unlocked (enter PIN-code on the clock screen before being brought to the terminal).

Voice assistant

On a Wear watch. OS (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro is now available for Google Assistant:

• 🎙️ Hold the button on your watch or say OK, Google.
• 🔊 You need to be linked to a Google account to work (configure in the Wear app). OS).
• ⚠️ On the iPhone, the voice assistant will not work.

Gestures and quick action

In the settings of the clock (Settings) → Gestures) can be activated:

• 🙌 Raising your hand to turn on the screen (saves battery).
• 🔄 Wrist rotation to scroll (in menus or notifications).
• 🔇 Hand cover to turn off sound (when incoming call).

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Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Watch S3 You can set up a double-click button to quickly launch an application (such as a workout or pulsemeter). → Buttons → Double-push.

6 Problem Solving: The watch does not connect, does not sync or discharges quickly

Even when you're fine-tuned, you can have failures, and we've put together solutions for the most common problems.

Problem 1: The watch does not connect to the phone

• 🔋 Check the battery power of the watch (less than 20% can block pairing).
• 📱 Restart your phone and watch.
• 🔄 Remove the device from the Bluetooth list in the phone settings and repeat pairing.
• 🛠️ If you are using an iPhone, upgrade Mi Fitness to the latest version (older versions do not support iOS 17).+).

Problem 2: Data is not synchronized

If steps, pulse, or sleep are not updated in the app:

1. Check your phone’s internet connection (synchronization is done through the cloud).
2. In Mi Fitness go to Profile → My device. → Synchronize data and tap sync now.
3. If it doesn’t work, turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your phone again.
4. For models on Wear OS (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro may need to reinstall the Wear app OS by Google.

Problem 3: Fast battery discharge

If the clock is discharged per day instead of the declared 7-14 days:

• ⚡ Turn off the constant pulse (in Settings) → Heart monitoring → Interval: 10 minutes).
• 🌙 Reduce the brightness of the screen (Settings) → Display. → Brightness: 30-50%).
• 📵 Disable notifications from unnecessary applications.
• 🔄 Update the firmware of the watch (older versions had errors with power consumption).

7. Hidden functions and life hacks for power users

If you have already mastered the basic settings, it’s time to get acquainted with the hidden features of Xiaomi watches, which are not written in the official instructions.

1.Do Not Disturb Scheduled Mode

To automatically turn off notifications at night:

1. In Mi Fitness go to Profile → My device. → Don't disturb.
2. Enable the schedule and specify the time (for example, 23:00-7:00).
3. Additionally, you can activate the sleep mode, which will turn off the screen at this time.

2. setting up screensavers (Watch Faces)

On models of Xiaomi Watch S3 Watch 2 Pro can be installed custom dials:

• 🎨 Download the Facer app (for Wear) OS).
• 🖼️ Select your favorite dial and click Install.
• 🔄 Sync through Wear OS (On the iPhone, this function does not work).

3. Music management from the clock

Xiaomi watches can control the player on the phone:

• 🎵 Turn on music on your phone (for example, in Spotify or Yandex Music).
• 🔄 On the clock, swipe up the screen and select Music Management.
• ⏯️ Now you can pause, switch tracks and adjust the volume.

4. Quick responses to messages (Android only)

On a Wear watch. OS You can customize the response templates:

1. In the appendix Wear OS Go to Settings. → Notifications → Quick answers.
2. Add frequently used phrases (e.g. I'll call you back later or OK, thank you).
3. Now, when you receive a message on the clock, you can choose a template instead of manual input.

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On Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, you can activate the developer mode, which opens access to additional settings. → System system → About the watch and tap 7 times the build number, and then the menu will appear item for developers, where you can enable debugging by ADB or change the interface animation.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions