Xiaomi fitness watches: how to use from scratch – from unpacking to advanced features

Xiaomi fitness watches are some of the most popular smart gadgets on the market due to a combination of functionality, accuracy and affordable price. Whether you just bought the Mi Band 8, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or an earlier model, the first question that arises is: “How do you use them to unlock the full potential?” This article will not just retell the instructions out of the box – we will analyze the hidden features, typical mistakes of beginners and life hacks, which the manufacturer does not advertise.

Many people mistakenly think that Xiaomi fitness bracelets can only count steps and tell time. In fact, even budget models support phased sleep monitoring, measuring blood oxygen levels (SpO₂), 50+ Training regimes and integration with Apple Health/Google But to make it work, you have to set it up properly and sync it to your smartphone, and let's start with the most important thing, the first thing you do is turn it on and the basic setup.

1. First turn on and connect to the phone

When unpacking Xiaomi's new fitness watch, many people are surprised that the power button is missing. In fact, the gadget activates automatically when you connect to the charger. Here's a step-by-step algorithm:

1. Charge before first switching on. Connect the watch to a magnetic cable (included) and wait for the charging indicator to appear on the screen. Mi Band charge in 1-2 hours, Xiaomi Watch - up to 3 hours.
2. Download the official Mi Fitness app (for Mi Band) or Xiaomi Wear (for Xiaomi Watch) from the App Store or Google Play. Use only official apps - third-party utilities can block functions or spoil the firmware.
3. Sync. Open the app, sign up (or log in via Mi Account), click Add Device, and select your model. Follow the instructions on the screen.

If the clock is not specified by the phone:

• 🔄 Reboot both the watch and the smartphone.
• 📱 Enable Bluetooth and geolocation permissions (required for Mi Band).
• 🔌 Check the compatibility: Mi Band 7/8 Android requires 6.0+ iOS 12+.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t connect your watch to multiple smartphones at once, it’s confusing for data sync. If you need to change your phone, first remove the device from your old account in the app.

2. Basic settings: time, notifications, dials

Once synchronized, the clock will automatically adjust the time and date from the phone, but some settings will have to be adjusted manually.

Selection of dial

The standard dials in Xiaomi often look boring, but they can be changed:

1. In the app, go to Profile → My devices. → Dials.
2. Choose from the options offered or download custom ones through Amazfit (for Xiaomi Watch).
3. Animated dials with weather, pulse or steps are available for the Mi Band.

Lifehack: On the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, you can install Apple Watch dials through third-party services (like WatchFace), but this requires manual file transfer.

Configuring notifications

To keep the clock vibrating when calling and texting:

• 📲 Annex: Profile → Notifications → Management of notifications.
• 🔕 Select the apps you want to see alerts from (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
• ⏰ Set up “Silent Mode” on a schedule (good for sleep).

⚠️ Note: Mi Band notifications are limited on iPhones due to Apple's policy, and to receive SMS, you must manually allow access to contacts in iOS settings.

Synchronize time and date|Select a dial|Set up notifications|Activate sleep monitoring|Update the firmware (if available)-->

3. Health monitoring: pulse, sleep, SpO₂

The main advantage of Xiaomi fitness watches is medical features that are not inferior to gadgets in 2-3 times more expensive.

Pulse measurement

The watch automatically measures the heart rate every 5 to 30 minutes (depending on the model), but you can manually run the check:

1. On the clock: Swipe up → Heart (icon) ❤️).
2. Wait 10-15 seconds without moving your arm.
3. Results will be retained in the Health section of the appendix → Heart rate.

Important: For accuracy, wear the watch 2-3 fingers above the wrist and tighten the strap so that the sensor fits tightly to the skin, but does not pass the veins.

3.2 Sleep analysis

Xiaomi captures not only sleep duration, but also its phases (deep, light, REM). To ensure that the data is accurate:

• 🛌 Put your watch on your non-working hand (usually your left hand).
• 📵 Activate the “Do Not Disturb” mode in the hours before bedtime settings.
• ☀️ Check the report in the app in the morning: there will be a phase schedule and recommendations for improving sleep.

Mi Band 8 and newer can track daytime naps (if you take a nap for 20)+ This function is included in the Settings. → Son → Tracking daytime sleep.

Blood oxygen levels (SpO₂)

The feature is available on most models, except the most budget ones. SpO₂:

1. On the clock: Swipe up → SpO₂ (icon 🩸).
2. Put your hand on the table and don’t move for 30 to 60 seconds.
3. It's normal, 95-100%. If it's below 90%, see your doctor.

Training and sports regimes

Xiaomi fitness watches support from 30 (in Mi Band 7) to 150+ (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) training modes, let's figure out how to use them effectively.

4.1 How to start a workout

There are two ways:

1. From the clock: Click on the Training icon (running man) 🏃). Choose the type of activity (running, cycling, swimming, etc.) click "Start" and follow the voice prompts (if enabled).

From the appendix

• In Mi Fitness, go to Training → Start.
• Choose a goal (time, distance, calories).
• The clock is automatically synchronized.

Important: For accurate tracking GPS-Activity (running, cycling) connect the watch to the phone - they will use its navigation module. GPS Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and Redmi Watch 3 Active.

4.2 Popular regimes and their features

• 🏃 Running: Captures pace, distance, pulse zones. Xiaomi Watch has a voice coach.
• 🚴 Bicycle: Tracks speed and route (required) GPS).
• 🏊 Swimming: Only works in the pool (not in open water).Mi Band 8 is waterproof up to 5 ATM.
• 🏋️ Strength Training: Counts repetitions (with the right technique).
• 🧘 Yoga/Stretching: Monitoring pulse and stress levels.

⚠️ Warning: If you are in the room with dumbbells or barbells, put a watch on your hand that does not work with weight – this will prevent false alarms of the motion sensor.

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To save battery power during long workouts (marathon, bike ride), turn off automatic measurement. SpO₂ It's going to extend the hours by 20 to 30%.

5. Battery and energy optimization

Xiaomi's fitness watches last from 5 days (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) to 16 days (Mi Band 8). But when used, the battery goes down faster. Here's how to extend its life:

5.1 What discharges the watch the fastest

• 📶 Permanent. GPS (Xiaomi Watch: Reduces your work time by 40%.

5.2 How to extend battery life

Optimal settings for maximum autonomy:

Emergency Savings: If the charge is running out, activate the Power Saving mode in the clock settings. It turns off all sensors except time and extends the operation to 5-7 days.

💡

The easiest way to save battery is to turn off automatic measurement. SpO₂ This function has little effect on sleep quality, but it consumes up to 15 percent of the charge in 8 hours.

6 Additional Features: Payments, Music, Weather

Today's Xiaomi fitness watches are much more than just step counting, and we'll deal with advanced features that many people don't know about.

Contactless payments

Function NFC Payment is available in Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and some Mi Band models (e.g. Mi Band 7) NFC). To set up:

1. In the app, go to the wallet. → Add a map.
2. Attach a bank card (Mastercard, Visa, World are supported).
3. To pay, bring the watch to the terminal (as a card).

Limitations:

• 💳 It only works in Russia, China and some EU countries.
• 🔋 Requires sufficient battery power (less than 10% – payments are blocked).

6.2. Music management

The watch can control the player on the phone (pause, next track, volume) or play music yourself (only Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro with 2 GB of memory):

• 🎵 To switch tracks on your phone, swipe left on the watch screen and click on the music icon.
• 🎧 For offline listening, download songs through the Xiaomi Wear app to Music → Local tracks.

Weather forecast and other widgets

On the screen of the clock you can display widgets with:

• 🌤️ Weather (synchronized with phone).
• 📅 Calendar (reminders of meetings).
• 🛒 To-do list (from Mi Fitness).
• 🚶 Activity (steps, calories, standing).

To add a widget:

1. Swipe right to the end on the clock.
2. Click on “Edit” and select the desired elements.

7. Update firmware and reset settings

Regular firmware updates add new features and fix bugs. Here's how to install them:

7.1 How to update the clock

1. Open the Mi Fitness or Xiaomi Wear app.
2. Go to Profile → My Device → Firmware Update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off Bluetooth!).

Important: Before upgrading, charge your watch to at least 50% and connect to Wi-Fi (updates weigh 10–50MB).

Resetting to factory settings

If the watch is glitching or you are selling it, reset:

1. On the clock: Settings → System → Reset.
2. Confirm the action (usually hold the 5 seconds button).
3. After resetting, synchronize the clock again.

⚠️ Warning: Reset removes all data from the clock, including the workout statistics for the past month. If you want to save the history, export it to Google Fit or Apple Health first.

8. Troubleshooting

Even the most reliable gadgets sometimes break down, here are the solutions to the most common problems with Xiaomi fitness watches:

If nothing works, check the watch for physical damage (cracks, water intrusion) or contact the service center.The warranty on Xiaomi is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

💡

If the watch stops vibrating when alerted, check the sound settings on the phone. Android sometimes loses the vibration resolution for the Mi Fitness app.

FAQ: Frequent questions