Integrating Samsung’s wearables into Xiaomi’s smartphone ecosystem is a careful but solvable task. Although both manufacturers use the Android operating system, their MIUI and One UI shells have significant differences in background management. The owner of the Chinese gadget may face aggressive battery savings that block Google Play services by default if not manually configured.
The big challenge is that MIUI is trying to maximize the autonomy of the phone by forcibly shutting down apps that aren't currently in use, and that includes the software that's needed to communicate with a smart wristband or watch, and if you ignore that, you'll end up with a device that's constantly losing connection, doesn't synchronize health data, and doesn't display incoming messages.
However, with a number of specific settings, you can achieve almost the full functionality available to owners of Samsung smartphones: you will need to install several specialized applications and change the power consumption parameters for each of them. It is critical to configure the permissions before you start pairing via Bluetooth, otherwise you will have to repeat the procedure again. In this article, we will break down all the nuances to make your Galaxy Watch work as new.
Preparation of software and accounts
The first step before you try to pair is to install the right set of applications. Unlike the standard procedure, when the phone itself offers to download the right software, in conjunction with Xiaomi, you will have to take the initiative. The basic element is the Galaxy Wearable app, which acts as the main control center for the watch, it can be found in the official Google Play store, but versions can be updated with a delay.
The Watch Plugin plugin will often be automatically tightened after installing the main application, but in a MIUI environment, this process may not work properly, so it is better to download the installation files (APKs) of the verified versions of the software from reliable sources such as APKMirror or the official Samsung website in advance.
Without authorization, many features, including setting up new dials and synchronizing health data, will not be available. Make sure you remember your username and password, as the system can request re-authorization with each service update.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to download modified versions of applications from third-party forums. APK-files ensure the absence of malicious code and stable operation of Bluetooth modules.
The installation order is critical to the proper start-up of all services:
- 📱 First, install the Galaxy Wearable app from Google Play.
- 🔌 Then download and install the Watch Plugin plugin of the corresponding version.
- 🔑 Sign in to Samsung Account if it is not installed – download it separately.
- 🔄 Reboot your Xiaomi smartphone to apply all system changes.
Configure permits and energy saving in MIUI
The most important step that users often miss is the manual configuration of access rights. Aggressive battery optimization in the MIUI shell kills Samsung’s background processes by default, and you need to go to the settings of each previously installed application (Galaxy Wearable, Watch Plugin, Samsung Accessory Service) and change their behavior.
First, look for Activity Control or Energy Saving, and you can select "No Limits" or "No Limits" to allow apps to run in the background 24 hours a day, constantly connecting to the clock, and if you don't, the clock screen will go out, and notifications will stop coming in 15-20 minutes after the last interaction with the phone.
Next, you need to provide all possible permissions. Go to the "Permissions" section for each application and make sure that access to:
- 📍 Geolocations (including background access).
- 📞 Contacts and call logs.
- 💬 SMS and notifications.
- 📷 Chamber (for shutter control).
- 📞 Telephony (for call management).
☑️ Checklist settings MIUI
You should also enable auto-start for these applications, and find the appropriate switch in the permission menu, which ensures that services start immediately after you turn on the phone, without waiting for you to manually start.
⚠️ Note: After updating the operating system MIUI Power saving settings can reset to factory values. It is recommended to recheck this item after each major update of the smartphone firmware.
The process of pairing devices via Bluetooth
After careful preparation of the software, you can go to the direct connection. Turn on Bluetooth on your Xiaomi smartphone and make sure it is visible to other devices. Launch the Galaxy Wearable app. If the watch is new, it will automatically go into pairing mode when it is first turned on. If you reconnect the old watch, reset it to factory settings.
In the app, click Start and select to search for new devices. Once a model of your watch (like the Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 5) appears on the screen, click on it. The watch and phone screen will show a confirmation code. Make sure the codes match, and confirm the action.
In the initial setup process, the app may request permission to install additional plugins. Agree to all requests. The system will download the necessary components for your particular watch model. This process can take several minutes depending on the speed of the Internet connection.
When you set up the features, select the options you really need to avoid overloading your system, but agree to send diagnostic data and use Samsung services, as this is often required for the ecosystem to function properly.
What if the search does not find the clock?
Solving Notifications and Calling Problems
One of the most common problems when connecting the Galaxy Watch to Xiaomi is the lack of notifications from messengers and social networks. By default, Android blocks third-party apps from reading notification content. You need to manually allow this.
Go to your smartphone settings in the Notifications section and look for Access to Notifications (or similar in your version of MIUI). In the list, find the Galaxy Wearable app and activate the switch. Without this permission, the watch will only vibrate when an incoming call is made, ignoring messages from WhatsApp, Telegram or email.
Also check the settings inside the Galaxy Wearable app itself. Go to Apps → Notification settings. This shows the full list of programs that can be broadcasted on your wrist. Make sure the switches you need are active.
For calls, the situation is similar. If the clock is not ringing or vibrating when you call, check the permissions for the Watch Plugin app. It is responsible for transmitting audio streams and managing calls. Make sure that the Bluetooth settings for connected watches include "Multimedia Sounds" and "Call Sounds."
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision-making |
|---|---|---|
| No vibration when ringing. | Bluetooth call sound turned off | Bluetooth settings → gear → Call sounds |
| No messages coming. | No access to notifications | Settings → Notifications → Access to Notifications |
| The clock discharges in 4 hours | Aggressive energy conservation | Battery settings → There are no restrictions on Wearable |
| The microphone is not working. | No microphone permit. | Application permissions → Microphone → Allow |
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If notifications arrive with a delay, try in the notification settings Xiaomi to turn off the “Priority Mode” for Galaxy Wearable, so that the system does not try to prioritize their delivery, but simply skip immediately.
Installation of applications and dials
The Galaxy Store ecosystem is the main source of content for your watch.However, on Xiaomi smartphones, the Samsung App Store may not work properly without additional customization.
The easiest way to install watch faces is to use the built-in store in the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone, which has a huge selection of free and paid designs. Just choose your favorite and click Download. Installation will take a few seconds.
Third-party apps like Strava, Spotify or maps are also installed via the Galaxy Store on the watch.Please note that not all apps from Google Play are available for Wear OS-based watches via a Xiaomi phone.Some services may require a Samsung smartphone to activate certain features (e.g., ECG or pressure measurement).
To manage installed applications, go to the Apps section of the watch menu, where you can remove unnecessary programs, which is useful for freeing up space and speeding up the device.
⚠️ Attention: When installing a large number of third-party dials with complex animation, battery life can be reduced by a factor of 30-40%. Use static dials to save energy.
Additional settings and optimization of work
To extend the life of the Galaxy Watch paired with Xiaomi, you should pay attention to additional options. Turn off the Always On Display feature if it is not urgently needed. This will significantly reduce energy consumption.
It's also recommended that you set up an automatic pulse measurement, which is done every 10 minutes as standard, if you're not an athlete, increase the interval to 30 minutes, or adjust the measurement only while you're sleeping and exercising, and that saves battery power without losing important statistics.
Time synchronization is an important aspect: make sure that the clock and phone have the same time format (12 or 24 hours) and the same time zone, and the difference in settings can lead to incorrect display of alarm clocks and reminders.
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The Galaxy Watch will only work with Xiaomi if you manually adjust the exceptions to the MIUI power saving system. Without this step, functionality will be limited.
Check software updates for both watches and apps on the phone regularly. Samsung often releases patches that improve compatibility with third-party devices.