How to activate Xiaomi Watch: from Mi Band to Watch 2 Pro

Introduction: Why Activation is Needed and What It Provides

Xiaomi’s smartwatch is not just an accessory, but a full-fledged gadget for monitoring health, sports and everyday tasks. However, without the right activation, the device will remain a “stupid” bracelet with minimal functionality. Activation gives you access to synchronizing data with the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models), setting up notifications, tracking sleep and even paying via NFC in premium versions.

Many users mistakenly think it’s enough to simply charge a watch and put it on their hand. In fact, the process involves pairing with the phone, updating the firmware, adjusting the user profile and calibrating the sensors. Without it, you won’t be able to use functions like heart rate, pedometer or music control. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the steps from unpacking to the first days of use, taking into account the features of different models, from the budget Mi Band 7 to the flagship Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro.

We'll focus on common mistakes: why the watch doesn't connect to the phone, how to avoid crashes when updating the firmware, and what to do if the gadget "hangs" during the activation stage. If you've already tried to activate the device, but faced problems - at the end of the article there are some problems. FAQ-solution block for 90% of cases.

Step 1: Preparing before activation

Before you start pairing, make sure you have everything you need, which will eliminate unnecessary problems like a sudden discharge of the clock or incompatibility of the phone.

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 6.0+ or iOS 10.0+. For Mi Band, even an old phone will do, but for Xiaomi Watch S3 Better to use a Bluetooth 5.0 device.
• 🔋 Charging hours to 50% or more. Activating and updating the firmware consumes a lot of energy - if the battery runs out in the middle of the process, the gadget can "burst out».
• 🌐 Stable Internet: Mi Fitness or Zepp Life will require up to 100MB of data to be downloaded (firmware) + sensor-base).
• 📌 Account. Xiaomi/Zepp. Without it, it is impossible to save health data and synchronize settings between devices.

If you are upgrading from an older model (e.g., from Mi Band 5 to Mi Band 8), back up the data in the app beforehand. To do this, go to Profile → Settings → Backup. This will save your training history, weight and other metrics.

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If you have an iPhone, turn off Bluetooth Interrupt before activating in the charge saving settings, otherwise the connection with the watch will constantly break.

Also check if your phone supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) – a must-have for Xiaomi wearables, which can be found in the model specifications or through apps like Bluetooth Scanner.

Step 2: Installation and configuration of the application

The official application for managing the watch depends on the model:

After installation of the annex:

1. Open it and select the language (Russian is supported in all versions).
2. Sign in through your Xiaomi account (if not, register directly in the app). For Zepp Life, you can use a Google or Apple account.
3. Allow all requests for access to geolocation, notifications and fitness data, without which the watch will not be able to display the weather or count steps.
4. In the main menu, click "+" or "Add device".

If the app doesn’t find the watch, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on your phone (disable/enable in settings).
• 📱 Make sure the watch is in pairing mode (the Bluetooth icon should be on the screen).
• 🚫 Close other applications that use Bluetooth (such as headphones or fitness trackers).

Step 3: Matching the clock with the phone

This is the most critical stage. If something goes wrong, the watch may remain in an inactive state.

1. Turn on the watch. For the Mi Band, click the touch button, for the Xiaomi Watch, hold the side button for 3 seconds.
2. Activate pairing mode: On Mi Band: swipe down the screen and select the Bluetooth icon. On Xiaomi Watch: go to Settings → Bluetooth.

In the app on your phone, select your watch model from the list. If there is no model, update the app or check the region in your account settings.

4-digit

Charge the watch to 50%+

Update to Mi Fitness/Zepp Life

Enable Bluetooth and geolocation on your phone

Make sure the clock is in search mode

Close messengers (they can block notifications)-->

If the clock is not connected:

⚠️ Note: On Android, some manufacturers (such as Huawei or Samsung) block the background of applications. → Annexes → Mi Fitness → Battery and turn off optimization.

An iPhone may require additional permission to access Bluetooth in its privacy settings, and make sure that the phone does not turn on Airplane or Energy Saving.

Step 4: Update the firmware and calibrate the sensors

Once paired, the app will suggest updating the firmware. Never give up on this step, as outdated software can cause sensor or notification malfunctions, taking between 5 and 20 minutes depending on the model.

How is the update going:

1. The application downloads the firmware (internet required).
2. The watch is rebooted and the update is installed, and the progress bar will appear on the screen.
3. After the reboot, you may need to pair again (rarely, but it happens with the Mi Band 6).

After updating the firmware, be sure to calibrate the sensors:

• 🩺 Heart Rate Sensor: Put on a tighter watch and start measuring manually (hold your finger on the sensor for 30 seconds).
• 👟 Stepper: walk 20 steps – the application will calibrate the sensitivity.
• 🌡️ Thermometer (if any): Remove the watch for 10 minutes, then put it back on for accurate measurement of skin temperature.

Critical information: On Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, after upgrading to the firmware version 2.1.5+, NFC may disappear. To return the function, go to Settings → Contactless payments → Reset and link the card again.

Step 5: Set up notifications and basic functions

Now the watch is activated, but you have to adjust it to suit you, and let's start with notifications, which is the most problematic part for many users.

How to enable notifications:

1. In the app, go to Profile → Notifications.
2. Activate the “Notifications on the Device” switch.
3. Select the apps you want to see alerts from (such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail).
4. On Android, allow Mi Fitness to access notifications in the system settings: Settings → Applications → Mi Fitness → Notifications.

If notifications do not arrive:

• 📵 Check if the “Do Not Disturb” mode is on the watch (the icon) 🌙 screen-on).
• 🔄 Reconnect the clock to your phone (forget the device in Bluetooth settings and pair it again).
• 📱 On iPhone, go to Settings → Bluetooth → Mi Band → (i) → Allow notices.

Other important settings:

• 🕒 Alarm clocks: add them through the app – on the clock they will vibrate even in silent mode.
• 🏃 Exercise: Choose the sports you practice (running, cycling, swimming).
• 🔒 Screen lock: set up PIN-Code or unlock by gesture (on Xiaomi Watch) S3).
• 💳 NFC and payments: link a bank card (works with Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.).

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On Mi Band 8, notifications from Viber and VK may not arrive due to Android 13+ limitations.Solution: In the phone settings, give Mi Fitness permission to show over other apps.

Step 6: Personalization and additional opportunities

To make the watch truly “your” customize its appearance and advanced features.

Change of dial:

• In the app, go to Profile → Dials.
• Choose from the collection (there are animated, weather, sports).
• For the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, dials with Always-On Display (constantly active screen) are available.

Fitness functions:

• 📊 Sleep monitoring: turn on the settings and wear the watch overnight. You'll get a sleep phase report in the morning.
• 💪 Training: set up automatic running/walk recognition (operates via accelerometer).
• 🩺 Stress level: measured by heart rate variability (available on Mi Band 7 Pro and later).

Smart home and voice assistant:

• 🎙️ On the Xiaomi Watch S3 You can activate Alice or Google Assistant via microphone.
• 💡 Control Yeelight smart bulbs or Mi Robot vacuum cleaner right from the clock (Mi Home app required).

For iPhone users, the availability of features may be limited, such as answering phone calls over the clock only works on Android, but the basic features (stepper, pulse, notifications) are available on both platforms.

Step 7: Solving problems after activation

Even if you do everything right, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If none of the methods helped, reset to factory settings:

1. On Mi Band: go to Settings → About device → Reset.
2. On Xiaomi Watch: Hold the side button for 10 seconds before the reset menu appears.
3. After reset, repeat the activation from scratch.

⚠️ Warning: Mi Band 8 may need to re-update the firmware after reset. Do not interrupt the process, this will lead to the "bricking" of the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi watch activation